8 Most beautiful lakes in Quebec

Plus beaux lacs du Québec

Quebec is one of the most beautiful places in the world. With the perfect mix of urban history and rural beauty, there is something for everyone in the province. Every year, the stunning landscapes of untouched nature bring visitors from everywhere across the globe. 

While some of the most famous lakes and national parks are a must-see, some of the best sites in Quebec are hidden gems that require some extra planning. If you are planning a trip to Quebec for your next holiday and are looking for adventure, keep reading to discover the most stunning lakes in Quebec.

What are the most beautiful lakes in Quebec?

The most beautiful lakes in Quebec are:

  • Lac Saint-Jean
  • Manicouagan Reservoir
  • Lac Mégantic
  • Lac Superieur
  • Lac Masson
  • Meech Lake
  • Lake Mistassini
  • Grand Jardins National Park

Lac Saint-Jean

Just under five hours outside of Montreal, Lac Saint-Jean is a great destination to consider if you are planning a family holiday as the region has many attractions. The best time of year to go is during the summer months to take full advantage of the seemingly endless kilometers of sandy beach.

If you’re looking for an educational activity, the Mashteuiatsh Native Museum has a fabulous exhibition on the Pekuakamiulnuatsh Nation. If you’re hoping for something a bit more active and want to immerse yourself in the scenic surroundings, many commerce rent watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, etc.

Lac Saint-Jean also has beautiful accommodations and culinary establishments to provide you with the perfect little getaway with everything you could possibly need. The region is famous for its delicious tiny blueberries so don’t forget to try them! 

Manicouagan Reservoir

Created by the Daniel-Johnson Dam, this 2,000 km2 circular lake fills the Manicouagan crater, commonly known as the “eye of Quebec”. The fish that live there (landlocked salmon, lake trout, etc.) and the spectacular scenery that surrounds it, make it a fishing paradise.

The reservoir is located in the Manicouagan Regional County Municipality in the Côte-Nord region of Quebec, about 300 km north of Baie-Comeau. Manicouagan Reservoir lies within the remnant of an ancient eroded crater. The crater was formed after an impact with a large asteroid of a diameter of 5 km. The geometric form of the lake is phenomenal to see from the sky.

Book a scenic seaplane flight 

Lac Mégantic

Lac-Mégantic is a city in Quebec, located in the historic Eastern Townships region in Estrie. The population is close to 6,000, but close to 10,000 if you count the smaller municipalities surrounding it such as Frontenac, Marston, and Nantes. You can safely assume that your trip there will be peaceful and quiet.

A large part of its economic engine is based on wood and granite, the main natural resources of the region, as well as on tourism, which is constantly growing due to the size and quality of the surrounding forests, lakes, and mountains. It is good to know that the town was afflicted by a rail disaster in 2013 and that it remains a sensitive topic in the region.

Lac Superieur

Lac Superieur, often referred to by its English name, Lake Superior is another outstanding lake to visit. Set in the area of Mont Tremblant. It is a stunning lake and a great stop if you are planning a trip to the mountains to enjoy the region’s gorgeous hiking trails.

This is one of the most convenient lakes to visit thanks to its proximity to Montreal. Only an hour and a half away from the city makes it the perfect weekend road trip. Alternatively, if you are not a Montrealer and are traveling from further afield to enjoy the beauty of Quebec, Lake Superior is a great camping spot, so make sure you bring your tent along. 

9 best canoe trips in Quebec 

Lac Masson

Sainte-Marguerite-du-Lac-Masson is the town located along Lac Masson. During winter this town in the Laurentian region is known for its 8 km skating rink on the lake. There is also a marina and a landing stage, snowshoeing and hiking trails, and several cultural activities as well as federated snowmobile and quad trails.

The summer months are great for taking full advantage of the water as you can swim in the lake, and partake in various water sports activities such as wakeboarding and water-skiing. The region is also known for its resorts which offer relaxing thermal experiences if that’s something you’re interested in.

Meech Lake

Meech Lake sits within Gatineau Park and is ideally located. Only two and a half hours outside of Montreal and only around 30 minutes from Ottawa, Meech Lake is a great location to breathe some fresh air. Meech Lake is considered one of the lesser-known lakes in Quebec, making it the perfect trip if you don’t want to be surrounded by hundreds of people.

Known for its hiking trails, it is a brilliant place to go for a peaceful walk and blow off some steam in beautiful surroundings, a luxury you are not always afforded. You can also enjoy one of two relaxing sandy beaches as well as the opportunity to take no motorized boats out on the water. All in all, Meech Lake offers a serene and relaxing experience.

Lake Mistassini

Lake Mistassini is the largest lake in Quebec. The lake itself is approximately 2 335 km2 long and goes through 575,000 acres of land. Despite the sheer size of the lake, it is notoriously difficult to reach by road, meaning most people get to the lake by plane, which is an amazing experience.

Once visitors arrive at the lake, there are no shortages of things to do, thanks to the native Cree Nation who utilizes the land to boost tourism and build its economy. Lake Mistassini is most popular for fishing excursions, but there are also hunting excursions that often occur in the region. If these don’t appeal to you, there are snowmobile trekking tours.

In addition to the more adrenaline-heavy activities, the Cree Nation has also established various cultural festivals by the lake which allow visitors to learn a bit more about the Cree Nation’s history. Despite the remoteness of the area, there are numerous restaurants and lodgings to make your trip to Lake Mistassini as comfortable as possible.

Take a seaplane trip to the best outfitters 

Grand Jardins National Park

Grand Jardins National Park is a provincial park and green treasure only an hour and a half outside of Montreal. There are multiple stunning lakes within the park itself and many different hiking trails that lead to splendid sceneries. This park is slightly different from the other lakes and parks on our list because not only does it appeal to the nature lovers out there, but also to the science and history lovers.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the region was known for its incredible fishing areas. Struck by the carpet of lichens and the northern vegetation exceptional at this latitude, people gave it the name of Grands-Jardins (Big Garden). This national park has the privilege of being one of the core areas of the Charlevoix Biosphere Reserve, a status granted to the region by UNESCO.

Book a Scenic Seaplane Flight

If you’re looking to go and see some of the more remote lakes and landscapes featured on the list above, you will need to plan ahead to book a seaplane trip. Air Tunilik offers you a once-in-a-lifetime way to see the sights of Quebec. Our seaplane rides run every single day of the year and last 30 minutes, ensuring your journey can fit into your busy schedule. 

If you have a bit more time to spare on your holidays, Air Tunilik also offers hunting and fishing trips in beautiful landscapes. Our seaplanes can take you out to 600 different outfitters where you will get the opportunity to explore the best of Quebec. 

Book a Seaplane Trip

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