Frédérique Ménard-Aubin

Enjoy nature all summer long with activities in the city’s parks

Last updated August 2, 2024
Reading time: 2 min

You can enjoy numerous activities this summer in Montréal’s nature parks as well as in two of the city’s large urban parks, Frédéric-Back and Mont-Royal. Discover outdoor recreation activities, find out about wildlife and vegetation, and connect with nature without leaving the city.

Swim and lounge at the beach

There are 6 beaches in Montréal, 5 of which are open for swimming.

The 6th beach, the plage de l’Est in Pointe-aux-Trembles, provides a beautiful leisure area where swimming is forbidden, but where various nautical activities are possible. 

For every swimming area, you can check the water quality.

Hiking, biking, paddleboarding, camping

The city’s 8 nature parks offer a plethora of sports and leisure activities. 

  • Discover camping in one of the tents available at Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques or enjoy an Evening under the stars at Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies. If it is your first time, you can learn the basics by taking part in the First steps in camping workshop offered in these same two parks. 
  • Are you naturally curious? Try an initiation to fishing, guided hikes, or some thirty discovery activities animated by our partner, GUEPE.
  • For a family or youth activity, you could spend the night camping under the stars, take part in an archeology workshop, learn to steer a rabaska canoe, try fat biking, or even kayaking towards Île Bonfoin.
ArticleCamping at the Cap-Saint-Jacques outdoor center

A stroll around the Parc du Mont-Royal, the staple summer activity

This iconic location is renowned for the quality and variety of its trails, open year-round. Below are some of the activities offered: 

  • Shinrin Yoku hikes for a full forest immersion 
  • Family hikes to discover the mountain’s secrets and the vision of its landscape designer, Frederick Law Olmsted 
  • Sunset hikes

For a romantic experience, take a row boat on the Lac aux Castors.

Fun for everyone at Parc Frédéric-Back

There are several educational activities pertaining to the park’s history and its hidden gems. They include nature escapades, exploration by bike, insect discovery under the stars, and even a video series about the park’s secrets. 

Your children will love to climb the rock-climbing wall, fly kites, practice yoga for teenagers or to join you in educational and creative activities.

Activities accessible to participants with reduced mobility

Discover guided nature park tours. 

For participants who are 65 or older 

To find out more about nature at your own pace, register for walks adapted to your age group. 

For participants with functional limitations

The adapted paddleboarding and inclusive guided hikes provide the opportunity to spend wonderful moments in nature.

Rendez-vous gourmands at Parc Jean-Drapeau

To celebrate the park’s 150th anniversary, come and tickle your taste buds at Rendez-vous gourmands, a culinary event.

You can also enjoy the park’s swimming area, water sports and hiking or biking trails.

Free shuttles

From mid-June to early October, a shuttle service is provided between downtown Montréal (Berri-UQAM bus terminal) and the three following nature parks:

  • Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques: every Saturday, from June 15 to August 31 
  • Parc-nature du Bois-de-Liesse: June 16, July 14, September 8 
  • Parc-nature de la Pointe-aux-Prairies: August 31, September 14, October 12

Reservations are required at Navette Nature.

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