Mont Orford National Park in the Eastern Townships is a perfect day-trip or weekend escape from Montreal — combining a real mountain (792 m), an inland lake with a sandy beach, hiking trails of every difficulty, and one of Quebec’s classic ski resorts. Here’s the complete 2026 guide.
Why Mont Orford
Few parks within 90 minutes of Montreal pack this much variety: serious summit hiking (mont Orford and mont Chauve), a real swimming beach at Lac Stukely, family camping, kayaking, cycling, and great fall colours. The visitor centre, restaurants, and infrastructure are excellent.
How to Get There
Highway 10 East to exit 118 (Magog–Orford), then Route 141 North. Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from downtown Montreal.
Top Trails
- Mont Chauve (8 km return): Easier summit, panoramic view, ~3 hours.
- Mont Orford summit (10 km return): Classic, harder, granite summit. 5 hours.
- Pic de l’Ours (4 km loop): Family-friendly with good views.
- Étang-aux-Cerises (5 km flat loop): Wildlife-rich wetland walk.
The Beach at Plage Stukely
A real sandy beach on Lac Stukely with supervised swimming in summer (late June–mid August). Bring a picnic, sun shelters welcome. Canoe and SUP rentals at the beach.
Camping
- Frontcountry campsites at Camping Stukely
- oTENTik ready-to-camp tents and Étoile cabins for families without gear
- Backcountry refuges on the Sentiers de l’Estrie that crosses the park
Practical Information
- Entry fee: ~$9.55 adult (2026). Free for kids under 17. SÉPAQ annual pass.
- Hours: 8 AM–dusk; campgrounds 24/7.
- Facilities: Visitor centre, washrooms, beach concession, equipment rentals.
- Dogs: Allowed on leash on designated trails, not on the beach.
Best Time to Visit
- July–August: Beach, paddling, full-service summer.
- Late September–mid October: Spectacular fall colours, busy weekends.
- Winter: Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and the adjacent Mont Orford ski resort.
What to Combine
- Magog and Lake Memphremagog — pretty lakeside town 15 minutes away.
- Abbaye de Saint-Benoît-du-Lac — Benedictine monastery with famous cheese.
- North Hatley — charming Anglophone village by Lake Massawippi.
- Sherbrooke — regional capital with museums and dining.