National parks near La Tuque, Quebec
La Mauricie National Park is the closest national park to La Tuque, Quebec — 71.8 km (44.6 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 29 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.
Nothing near La Tuque gates the entrance itself, but Acadia National Park puts a road, hike, or backcountry trip behind a permit or timed ticket.
La Tuque has a population of about 11,001.
La Mauricie National Park
Thousand Islands National Park
Acadia National Park
Kouchibouguac National Park
Georgian Bay Islands National Park
Fundy National Park
Best time to visit La Mauricie National Park. Getting to La Mauricie National Park.
National parks near La Tuque
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| La Mauricie National Park | 71.8 km (44.6 mi) | 1 hr 29 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Thousand Islands National Park | 421 km (262 mi) | 6 hr 39 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Acadia National Park | 493 km (306 mi) | 7 hr 42 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kouchibouguac National Park | 594 km (369 mi) | 9 hr 11 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Georgian Bay Islands National Park | 615 km (382 mi) | 9 hr 30 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Fundy National Park | 633 km (393 mi) | 9 hr 45 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Rouge National Park | 634 km (394 mi) | 9 hr 47 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Forillon National Park | 646 km (401 mi) | 9 hr 57 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kejimkujik National Park | 675 km (419 mi) | 10 hr 22 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pituamkek National Park | 688 km (427 mi) | 10 hr 34 min | Worth a longer road trip |
What to book before you leave La Tuque
| Park | What needs booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acadia National Park | Cadillac Summit Road Vehicle Reservations | One road or area | Timed reservation |
Camping near La Tuque
Within reach of La Tuque, 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 La Tuque
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 Mauricie
Common questions
What is the closest national park to La Tuque?
La Mauricie National Park. It is about 71.8 km (44.6 mi) from La Tuque, roughly 1 hr 29 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from La Tuque?
Yes — La Mauricie National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near La Tuque?
10 parks are within reach of La Tuque, and 1 of them is close enough for a day trip.
Do you need a reservation for the national parks near La Tuque?
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 La Tuque?
Recreation.gov lists 4 campgrounds at the national parks within reach of La Tuque. All of them are at Acadia National Park.
When is the best time to visit the parks near La Tuque?
For La Mauricie National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.