Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park in Quebec, Canada - map and visitor information
Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie follows the Malbaie River between steep mountains in Québec's Charlevoix region. Sépaq manages the protected valley as part of Québec’s national park network. Plan around the current service season. The Acropole-des-Draveurs hiking trail closed for the season on October 13, 2026; its reopening is planned for spring 2027.
Highlights in the Malbaie River valley
- Steep valley walls reveal the landscape shaped by bedrock and glaciers.
- Seasonal river interpretation provides a different perspective from mountain walking.
- The park's history connects outdoor recreation with forestry and log driving.
Check the trail and visitor-center schedules
Fees, hours, and seasonal access
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily admission | CAD 10.30 per adult age 18 or older, including taxes. Ages 0–17 enter free with access authorization. |
| Acropole-des-Draveurs | Closed from October 13, 2026, for the season. Planned reopening: spring 2027. Confirm the actual reopening before travel. |
| Félix-Antoine-Savard visitor center | October 13–30, 2026: daily 9 a.m.–4 p.m. October 31–November 29: weekends only, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. |
| Draveur visitor center | Closed October 13–November 30, 2026. The winter schedule lists December 1–March 30, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., except December 25 and January 1. |
| Summer road circulation | A mandatory shuttle operates between the two visitor centers during its seasonal operating periods. Check the applicable dates and arrangements before driving farther into the park. |
The official park discovery page carries the Acropole closure notice. Year-round park access does not reopen this trail or the seasonal service counters.
Choose a route for the current conditions
Do not enter the closed Acropole trail. Ask staff which valley routes fit the day's weather and your available time. Higher ground has a colder climate and more exposed vegetation than the valley floor; prepare for the route rather than the temperature at a nearby town.
Protect the valley and cliff habitats
Stay on designated trails. Do not feed animals or remove natural objects. Dogs are permitted only in authorized locations. Recreational drones are prohibited. Give cliff-nesting birds space rather than approaching for a photograph.
Separate accommodation from transport and activities
Reserve camping or roofed accommodation through Sépaq. Check the selected product's arrival instructions and seasonal services. Ask separately about guided river activities or equipment rental; a park access authorization is not a booking for either.
Before planning internal travel, confirm whether the mandatory shuttle applies to your visit and how your accommodation check-in works. Do not assume that an overnight reservation allows unrestricted driving.
Approach through Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs
Leave Route 138 for Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs, then follow Rue Principale toward the park. The Félix-Antoine-Savard discovery and visitor center is the main arrival point. It lies about 27 km beyond the village approach described by Sépaq.
The official access and service information distinguishes the two visitor centers. The administrative address at 25 Boulevard Notre-Dame in Clermont is not the park entrance.
Other parks on a Charlevoix road trip
Parc national des Grands-Jardins has approaches from Route 381 through Saint-Urbain or La Baie. For a fjord stop, approach Baie-Éternité in Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay from Rivière-Éternité, via Route 170. Choose each park's actual entrance and check current sector restrictions before adding a stop.
Explore the valley during its operating season
Use an open designated valley route for a walk that suits the conditions. The park's interpretation explains the river corridor, high cliffs, and the different vegetation zones between valley and summit.
Seasonal programs include river discovery by excursion boat or guided rabaska canoe. Confirm the program and departure with the operator; their availability does not follow automatically from year-round park access. The closed Acropole route should not be the basis of an autumn booking.
Visitor centers with separate operating periods
Félix-Antoine-Savard provides reception and arrival information. Draveur has seasonal food, rental, shop, and dining services. Its building closure means those counters cannot be assumed available during the October–November gap.
Both centers provide mobility access. Ask about the particular outdoor route and any transfer needs before planning around that building access.
About the Hautes-Gorges park
A river landscape shaped by work and conservation
A regional park was created in 1988. Québec established the national park in 2000. Forestry and river log driving had already shaped the valley's history. That era also influenced Félix-Antoine Savard's novel Menaud, maître-draveur.
Birds above the valley
Golden eagles and peregrine falcons use the rocky walls, while ospreys occur along the Malbaie River valley. Forest and alpine habitats change with elevation. Observe from the visitor route without trying to reach a nest or attract a bird.
Contact the Hautes-Gorges team
Call 418-439-1227. Ask about open routes, internal transport, and current visitor services before arranging a special trip. The Québec park admission policy covers daily access and annual passes.
Other parks nearby
More parks in Quebec
National parks in Canada
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