Hiking in Parc National Des Îles-de-boucherville: trails, map and practical info

The park at a glance

According to Sépaq, which manages the park, five small islands in the St. Lawrence River, a few kilometres from Montréal, make up Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville (area: 8.14 km²). Walkers, cyclists and paddlers find green space, channels and trails along the water. The park is open year-round.

Walking trails

Sépaq's trail table lists walking loops from 1.5 to 9 km, all rated “easy” and recommended for families:

• L’Île-Grosbois: 7 km (loop), 2 h, starts at the Passerelle des Hollandais;
• L’Île-Sainte-Marguerite: 7 km (loop), 2 h, starts at the Discovery and Services Centre (Centre de découverte et de services);
• L’Île-de-la-Commune: 5 km (loop), 1 h 45, starts at the Passerelle Anthony Le Sauteur;
• La Grande-Rivière: 4 km (loop), 1 h 30, starts at the Pavillon du Grand-Duc;
• L’Île-aux-Raisins: 9 km (loop), 2 h 30, starts at the Discovery and Services Centre;
• La Petite-Rivière: 2.5 km (loop), 45 min, starts at the Pavillon du Grand-Duc;
• Le Grand-Duc: 1.5 km (loop), 30 min, starts at the Pavillon du Grand-Duc.

An eighth loop, 5.5 km (1 h 30, starting at the Grosbois services centre), appears in the table without a name. The Île-Grosbois, Île-Sainte-Marguerite and Île-de-la-Commune trails are accessible with a large-wheeled stroller. Sépaq describes a 21 km network of multi-use trails, plus nearly 15 km of rustic trails; it publishes no elevation gain.

Access fee, hours and seasons

Sépaq states that an access fee is mandatory (“Droit d'accès obligatoire”): a daily access pass or an annual card is required. It recommends buying it online: the number of visitors per day is limited, and access to a sector, trail or activity may be refused if a parking lot is full or the maximum capacity is reached. According to its August 2025 price list, daily access cost $10.10 per adult (taxes included) and was free for ages 17 and under; the current rate and the annual card should be confirmed on sepaq.com.

The park is open year-round. Hours vary by season (see the park's schedule), and walking is listed as available “year-round”.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed only in certain places and under certain conditions, which Sépaq details in its framework rules. In summer, Sépaq allows them on the multi-use Île-Sainte-Marguerite trail, at the campground, at the Espace VR Molson and at the picnic areas along that trail (Saint-Laurent, Grande-Rivière, Molson); in winter, on the multi-use Île-Sainte-Marguerite trail. In general, dogs are allowed on summer trails from early May to the end of October. They are not allowed on the water or in rented or personal boats. Guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed everywhere.

Getting there and parking

From Autoroute 25, Sépaq gives exit 1 toward Île Charron and the Îles de Boucherville, then a left turn at the stop sign to enter the park; it refers to Québec 511 for work near the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine bridge-tunnel. The park has, among others, parking lots P1 and P2; Sépaq gives no rate and does not say whether they are free. By bike, the main entrance cannot be reached: cyclists must take the Navark river shuttles (Longueuil, Boucherville, Montréal). Camping Grosbois cannot be reached by car: it is 3.5 km from the main parking lot.

Services and things to see

The Île Sainte-Marguerite discovery and services centre offers reception, information, first aid, a Nature shop, toilets and a discovery stop. The four large picnic areas have parking or a shuttle landing, washroom blocks and water fountains nearby. The 7-metre observation tower on Île de la Commune looks over the big marsh, with Montréal in the background. More than 260 bird species have been observed in the park since it was created, according to Sépaq. The Boucher-de-Grosbois archaeological site is a 45-minute walk from the main parking lot.

Winter

From early December to the end of March, Sépaq offers two marked snow-walking loops: Île Sainte-Marguerite (7 km) and Île de la Commune (5 km), both accessible with a sled. Four marked snowshoe loops are also offered: Le Grand-Duc (1.5 km), La Petite-Rivière (2.5 km), La Grande-Rivière (4 km) and Île aux Raisins (9 km).