National parks near St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec
La Mauricie National Park is the closest national park to St-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec — 210 km (130 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 3 hr 32 min behind the wheel.
Laurentian lakes and hills north of Shawinigan. Canoe routes, forests, and wood turtle habitat.
La Mauricie National Park and Acadia National Park are better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near St-Jean-Port-Joli gates the entrance itself, but Acadia National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
St-Jean-Port-Joli has a population of about 3,304.
La Mauricie National Park
Acadia National Park
Kouchibouguac National Park
Fundy National Park
Forillon National Park
Pituamkek National Park
Best time to visit La Mauricie National Park. Getting to La Mauricie National Park.
National parks near St-Jean-Port-Joli
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mauricie National Park | 210 km (130 mi) | 3 hr 32 min | Best as a weekend |
| Acadia National Park | 356 km (221 mi) | 5 hr 41 min | Best as a weekend |
| Kouchibouguac National Park | 404 km (251 mi) | 6 hr 23 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Fundy National Park | 445 km (277 mi) | 7 hr | Worth a longer road trip |
| Forillon National Park | 478 km (297 mi) | 7 hr 29 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pituamkek National Park | 497 km (309 mi) | 7 hr 46 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kejimkujik National Park | 501 km (311 mi) | 7 hr 49 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Thousand Islands National Park | 543 km (338 mi) | 8 hr 26 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Prince Edward Island National Park | 554 km (344 mi) | 8 hr 36 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mingan Archipelago National Park | 618 km (384 mi) | 9 hr 33 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave St-Jean-Port-Joli
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations | One road or area | Timed reservation |
Camping near St-Jean-Port-Joli
Within reach of St-Jean-Port-Joli, 4 campgrounds across 1 park appear on Recreation.gov: 4 at Acadia National Park.
Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.
Once a date is gone, cancellations are the real supply, and they get taken within minutes of appearing.
When to make this trip
La Mauricie National Park is generally best May through October, with April and early November as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Planning a trip from St-Jean-Port-Joli
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Chaudière-Appalaches
Common questions
What is the closest national park to St-Jean-Port-Joli?
La Mauricie National Park. It is about 210 km (130 mi) from St-Jean-Port-Joli, roughly 3 hr 32 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from St-Jean-Port-Joli?
Not comfortably. The nearest parks are far enough that you will want at least one night away.
How many national parks are near St-Jean-Port-Joli?
10 parks are within reach of St-Jean-Port-Joli, and none of them are close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near St-Jean-Port-Joli?
None of them gate the entrance itself. Acadia National Park puts a specific road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket — Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations at Acadia National Park. These requirements are usually seasonal, so check the date you plan to arrive.
Where can you camp near St-Jean-Port-Joli?
Recreation.gov lists 4 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of St-Jean-Port-Joli. All of them are at Acadia National Park.
When is the best time to visit the parks near St-Jean-Port-Joli?
For La Mauricie National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.