National parks near Val-David, Quebec
La Mauricie National Park is the closest national park to Val-David, Quebec — 128 km (79.5 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 2 hr 20 min behind the wheel.
Laurentian lakes and hills north of Shawinigan. Canoe routes, forests, and wood turtle habitat.
La Mauricie National Park makes a full day trip — leave early. Thousand Islands National Park is better with a night booked nearby.
Nothing near Val-David gates the entrance itself, but Acadia National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
Val-David has a population of about 5,209.
La Mauricie National Park
Thousand Islands National Park
Rouge National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Acadia National Park
Bruce Peninsula National Park
Best time to visit La Mauricie National Park. Getting to La Mauricie National Park.
National parks near Val-David
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mauricie National Park | 128 km (79.5 mi) | 2 hr 20 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Thousand Islands National Park | 231 km (144 mi) | 3 hr 51 min | Best as a weekend |
| Rouge National Park | 458 km (285 mi) | 7 hr 11 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Georgian Bay Islands National Park | 459 km (285 mi) | 7 hr 12 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Acadia National Park | 506 km (315 mi) | 7 hr 54 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Bruce Peninsula National Park | 582 km (362 mi) | 9 hr 1 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kouchibouguac National Park | 714 km (444 mi) | 10 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Fundy National Park | 719 km (447 mi) | 11 hr 2 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kejimkujik National Park | 727 km (452 mi) | 11 hr 9 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Cuyahoga Valley National Park | 795 km (494 mi) | 12 hr 8 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave Val-David
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations | One road or area | Timed reservation |
Camping near Val-David
Within reach of Val-David, 5 campgrounds across 2 parks appear on Recreation.gov: 4 at Acadia National Park and 1 at Cuyahoga Valley 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.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Val-David are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| La Mauricie → Thousand Islands | 358 km (222 mi) | 5 hr 43 min |
Planning a trip from Val-David
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 Laurentides
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Val-David?
La Mauricie National Park. It is about 128 km (79.5 mi) from Val-David, roughly 2 hr 20 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Val-David?
Yes — La Mauricie National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Val-David?
10 parks are within reach of Val-David, and 1 of them is close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near Val-David?
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 Val-David?
Recreation.gov lists 5 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of Val-David. They are spread across 2 of those parks.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Val-David?
For La Mauricie National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.