Boucherville Islands National Park

Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville is located on the St. Lawrence River near the south shore of Montreal. It includes a string of islands once used for agriculture, fishing, hunting and vacationing. The park is recognized for its developed cycling network, kayaking circuits and public golf course. The white-tailed deer, whose population is high on the islands, is easily observed in all seasons, as are the red fox and the grey squirrel.

Each year, the park is visited by 295, 000 visitors on average. It is accessible year-round; however the river shuttles are out of service during the winter season. Only Île Sainte-Marguerite is accessible by road during the winter.

Close to downtown Boucherville, Longueuil and Montreal, these atypical islands are endowed with terrestrial, aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems. The agricultural area predominates on these islands, as well as golf on Île à Pinard. The Boisé Grosbois extends over 18 hectares. Marshes, floodplains and swamps are numerous and scattered. The park has 260 plant species, 45 species of fish, seven species of amphibians, six species of reptiles, about 20 species of mammals (white-tailed deer, field vole, beaver, muskrat...) and more than 240 species birds (goldfinch, yellow warbler, mallard, great blue heron, northern flicker, great horned owl). In this territory, deer have no natural predators. These islands are an important stopover on the migratory route of waterfowl in northeastern North America. In addition, these islands are a breeding and nesting area for waterfowl.

• From Montreal (downtown) (18 km (11 mi), 26 min), take Notre-Dame Street (direction East); take the Hyppolite-Lafontaine tunnel (Eastbound); take the Île Charron exit; follow the signs to the park.
• From Quebec City (243 km (151 mi), 2 hours 36 minutes), take Highway 20 (westbound), to Charron Island; follow the signs to the park.

In this park, automobile traffic is only possible on Sainte-Marguerite Island. The rest of the territory can be explored by bike or hiking, except for golf carts in the golf course area on Île à Pinard. The islands are separated by channels: Grande Rivière channel, Bras Nord channel, Pinard channel and La Passe channel; Pleasure boating with light boats is possible in these channels to observe the flora and fauna (especially waterfowl).

The Boucherville islands are a paradise for observing flora, fauna and river life. A walk in the park proves exciting and educational to discover the wild nature.

• Monarch Butterflies: Every September, Monarch butterflies migrating to Mexico offer a colorful festival. Thousands of butterflies then flutter in this park stopping in the grasses and wildflowers. Common milkweed, a magnificent plant widespread in these islands, is proving suitable for laying the eggs of female Monarchs arriving from Mexico.
• winged fauna: many species of birds nest in the park: on the ground (e.g., song sparrows, ducks, teal, barnacles), or in the hollow of a tree (e.g., goldeneye golden eye and wood duck). Several birds turn out to be predators of other species: gulls, blue gaye, grackles, American crow... In spring and fall, the park's environment is a stopover for migrating birds.
• terrestrial fauna: in particular American mink, raccoon, gray squirrel, coyote, red fox, striped skunk, white-tailed deer...
• river life: the environment of the river changes from hour to hour: passage of pleasure boats or large boats, sunrise or sunset, waves revealing the mood of the weather, the evolution of atmospheric phenomena (e.g.: clouds, storms), and passage of flocks of birds according to the seasons.
• agricultural life: depending on the season, agricultural workers are active in the field areas on these islands for seed, haymaking (eg fodder such as hay), fall harvests (eg corn) and plowing. By respecting the hiking trails, visitors can see farm buildings, agricultural machinery, grazing animals, and cultivated fields.
• Île Sainte-Marguerite reception and interpretation centre: this center provides information on park activities and services, or use the sunny terrace near the river. Ten architectural recognition prizes were awarded for this atypical building. Services available at this centre: reception and information, Boutique Nature, toilets, dairy bar and ready-to-eat meals (summer).

• 🌍 Montreal Montreal is the economic, commercial and financial heart of Quebec. It is a large, diverse city, with many festivals, museums, and lively neighbourhoods that attract visitors.
• 🌍 Longueuil Longueuil has a network of 168 km of cycle paths. This city has various recreational parks with several hiking trails: Michel-Chartrand and de la Cité parks. Longueuil offers a host of recreational and tourist activities: hiking, biking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and municipal parks.
• 🌍 Sainte-Julie, Quebec Sainte-Julie offers a pedestrian heritage circuit to discover the Old Village under the historical aspect with 26 information panels; a mobile, self-guided version is available on the city's website. This city provides access to several recreational and tourist activities (hiking, cycling, library, eight municipal parks with various leisure facilities, and activities for young people).
• 🌍 Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville A city surrounded by nature with the Mont Saint-Bruno national park, its urban forest, its parks and its recreational tourism infrastructure. In all seasons, Saint-Bruno offers a variety of recreational tourism activities, including: hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, downhill skiing.
• 🌍 Varennes Pré-Vert Park is a place of celebration and outdoor activities in the heart of the city. The new Polydôme houses a covered ice rink with open walls in winter; it offers a sheltered community area in summer. The Parc de la Commune provides good access to the river. Varennes displays an ancestral and modern component, as well as a variety of recreational and tourist activities (hiking, golf, cycling, and nautical activities on the river). Sugar shack enthusiasts are well served on the Chemin des Sucreries.
• 🌍 Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park It offers a Boutique Nature (comprising a discovery and services center for young people and outdoor items), an equipment rental service, a cross-country ski school, food services, a transportation service common (RTL summer shuttles and RTL SkiBus shuttle). The park includes many trails, playground, picnic tables, the Jean-Guy Gaudette relay, an orchard, a Le Vieux-Moulin tearoom, and a boat rental service.