The Parc national du Mont-Mégantic is a protected area in Québec, Canada. The park was created in 1994 and protect nearly 60 square kilometers of land. It is located in the administrative region of the Eastern Townships (Estrie, in frnech), 65 km away from Sherbrooke. As other national parks in Québec, it is administrated by the government through the state society of outdoor activities SÉPAQ.
This park features several mountain peaks, Mont-Mégantic is the highest mountain in the park with an elevation of 1105 m. It is the 10th highest mountain in Québec and the highest peak accessible by car in the province. Three other peaks are accessible by hiking trails:
-Pic de l'Aurore (835 m)
-Mont-Victoria (1050 m)
-Mont-St-Joseph (1075 m)
The park is located in the first international Dark Sky Reserve! A scientific observatory affiliated to the Université de Montréal lies at the top of Mont-Mégantic (1111 m of elevation), it is the most powerful astronomy facility in eastern North America. There is also an interpretation centre with a public telescope and activities, the ASTROLab.
The park is divided in two sectors:
-The observatory sector (Discovery and Visitor Centre / ASTROLab)
189 Route du Parc
Notre-Dame-des-Bois (Québec) J0B 2E0
-The Franceville sector (Visitor Centre)
520 Chemin de Franceville
Scotstown (Québec) J0B 3E0
You need to stop at the visitor centre to pay for the access fee (8.75 $ for an adult (18 yo+), free for children). In winter, nordic skiing or fat biking require special fees on top of the access fee.
Several equipment rental are provided on-site (snowshoes, crampons).
More information is available on the SÉPAQ website dedicated to Parc national du Mont-Mégantic
The park is open year-round. Popular summer activities in the park include camping, hiking, and wildlife watching. The most popular winter sports in the park is cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snow walking.
Dogs are usually not permitted inside the park. However, some exceptions apply in certain areas of the park, check with the park employees or on the pet section of the Park's website
