Québec National Parks Day – Free access for all!

QUÉBEC CITY, Canada – All 24 national parks managed by Sépaq will offer free admission on Saturday, September 10, 2016. This is an opportunity for all Quebecers to discover or rediscover their natural heritage and develop, like thousands of other outdoor and nature enthusiasts, a strong sense of belonging and pride regarding their national parks.

“We’re fortunate to have these magnificent territories in Québec and to have made the collective choice to protect them,” says the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks, Luc Blanchette.

Explore new ground

The theme of this open house day is “Explore new ground.” “The national parks are exemplary in terms of protection. With all the outdoor activities they have to offer, they set the standard in this realm too,” points out John MacKay, Chief Executive Officer of Sépaq. This open house day is an opportunity to plunge into the world of nature and explore these magnificent natural treasures during a hike, a canoe outing, a camping stay, or a bike ride. Let’s hope that many participants seize the occasion to invite friends and family and introduce them to their favourite spots.

Special activities…

In addition to free access to all national parks, a wide variety of activities and equipment will be available to visitors free of charge. Special programming will be offered by each national park, including the presence of local artisans. For details visit sepaq.com/parksday.

… and a contest
On the occasion of Québec National Parks Day, Sépaq offers the chance to win a “customized and unique stay” worth $1,000. To participate, people simply have to visit a national park on September 10 and note the clue of the day. Participants will have until September 18 to register online.

A special invitation to youngsters

Sépaq believes that we must encourage young people to become more interested in nature from their childhood. The more experiences children have in their early years, the more likely they are to become “grounded” in our national parks and to share the nature of their region all across Québec. There are all sorts of reasons to bring the kids to visit a national park. We remind you that youngsters under 18 can visit our parks free of charge. In that sense every day is Parks Day for them!

6,990 km2 of protected territories

The national parks of the Parcs Québec network managed by Sépaq feature more than 6,990 km2 of territories protected for present and future generations; 200 hiking trails; more than 400 discovery activities; 150 cabins; 4,000 campsites; and much more. They also offer stunning scenery, a wide variety of outdoor and discovery activities, spectacular trails, diverse flora and fauna, as well as a rich and authentic cultural heritage.