This 3-Hour Road Trip From MTL Leads To A 100-Island Oasis Where You Can Swim All Day

So gorgeous you'll think you've travelled to another country!
Senior Writer

If you're planning your Quebec summer bucket list and want to add an easy day trip or road trip from Montreal then try Parc régional du Poisson Blanc where you can swim, picnic, or sunbathe in a magical-looking wilderness setting made up of a hundred islands. 

If you're more into doing activities and watersports, you also have the option to canoe, kayak or standup paddleboard and hike on 17 kilometres of trails. There's fishing and rock climbing, too!

Editor's Choice: This Easy Quebec Hike Less Than 1 Hour From Montreal Has Surprisingly Spectacular Views

Parc régional du Poisson Blanc is located in Notre-Dame-du-Laus in the Laurentians and is about a three-hour drive from Montreal. 

For an extra cost, you can camp out overnight or rent a cabin. Note that online bookings appear to be almost full for this summer.

Access to the islands and hiking trails is free but you have to pay for gear rentals and accommodations. 

Parc régional du Poisson Blanc

Price: Free to access the islands/hiking trails but rentals cost extra!

Address: 37, chemin de la Truite, Notre-Dame-du-Laus, QC

Why You Need To Go: An easy day trip from Montreal where you can swim or do activities surrounded by Poisson-Blanc Lake!

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.

  • Ilana Belfer
  • Editor

    Ilana Belfer (she/her) was an editor for MTL Blog. She's obsessed with great storytelling in all its forms having worked in print, radio, television, theatre, and digital media over the past decade. A graduate of Carleton University’s journalism program, her words have appeared in The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star, The Kit, VICE, Salon, Foodism TO & more — covering everything from cam girls to COVID-19. Ilana can usually be found with her dog André, tracking down Montreal’s prettiest ruelles vertes and tastiest treats.

When you should actually take off your winter tires in Quebec, according to a meteorologist

"Snow is still possible into the end of March and even into April."

Here's why some Montrealers aren't happy about Quebec's new retail hours law

Starting next week, stores in Quebec can stay open much later on weekends.

Montreal stores can stay open later starting this month (even on Sundays)

Quebec is one of the only places in North America that still legislates store opening hours.

This Montreal grocery store was just hit with $14,500 in food safety fines

The store was handed three separate fines last month.

Canadian passport fees are going up this month — Here's how much more you'll pay

Getting your application in before the end of the month means you won't pay the new rates.

Quebec's spring time change is this weekend — Here's what you need to know

You'll lose some sleep but get more sunshine in return. ☀️