If you have a few days to spend in Canada, you should definitely consider taking an easy day trip from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls. This natural wonder is only a quarter-hour from Quebec City’s most impressive landmarks by car, yet it feels as though it’s a world away!

Majestic Montmorency Falls is a must-see year-round, offering spectacular scenery and engaging activities in every season. So whether you’re looking to cool off under “nature’s sprinkler” in spring and summer, catch peak foliage in autumn, or embark on a showshoeing adventure in winter, you definitely can’t miss this wonderful waterfall.

Here’s everything you need to know about planning an unforgettable day trip from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls, including essential first-hand insight.

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Montmorency Falls – a.k.a “Chute Montmorency” or “Parc de la Chute-Montmorency” – is absolutely worth the ridiculously short journey it takes to get there! In fact, our day trip to this gorgeous Quebec City waterfall was the highlight of our getaway.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy the “water show” without ever leaving the ground, scale the heights on a hike, take in the view on the cable car, or get your adrenaline pumping on a zipline, it’s well worth the easy trip!

Plus, Montmorency Falls proudly serves mobility-impaired visitors with its convenient cable-car option and numerous handicap-accessible facilities.

Located along Quebec City’s Montmorency River that shares its name, Montmorency Falls Park is about a 15-minute drive from the old city.

The exact address is 2490 Ave Royale, Quebec City, Quebec G1C 1S1, Canada.

If you’re arriving by car (which we’ll discuss in more detail below), you can plug the address of the Lower Parking Lot into your GPS: 5300 Bd Sainte-Anne, Québec, QC G1C OM3.

Fortunately, Montmorency Falls is open year-round, so you’ll have full autonomy over when you choose to visit.

However, given Quebec’s continental climate consisting of freezing winters and warm summers, your experience at the Falls will be quite different depending on when you go.

Ideally, the best time to visit is during the shoulder season in the late spring or early fall. During these times, temperatures will be ideal and there will typically be fewer crowds as compared to peak summer season.

That said, if a summer visit is a must, you can enjoy a front-row seat to “nature’s sprinkler!” (Trust me, it’s challenging not to get wet here, particularly if you’re hiking up!)

Alternatively, winter can be an exciting time for the snow bunnies, offering unique adventures such as snowshoeing. So if a winter-wonderland-waterfall trip is in order, you can rent snowshoes right on site and/or even enjoy some winter camping!

Personally, I think the best (and easiest) way to reach Montmorency Falls is by car. It’s only about a 15-minute drive from Quebec City.

The only slightly confusing aspect of driving may be the parking situation, which I’m covering below.

There are two main lots where you can park your car:

P1 – This is the main parking lot and the one I recommend using. It’s located at the bottom of the waterfall.
GPS Address: 5300 Bd Sainte-Anne,Québec, QC G1C OM3.

P2 – This is the upper-level lot located atop the falls at Manoir Montmorency.
GPS Address: 2490 Ave Royale, Quebec City, Quebec G1C 1S1.

You can check out the parking lot hours here.

If you don’t have a car, not to worry! You can easily travel from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls by bus.

To make this journey, you’ll want to catch the local 800 bus from Gare-Palais/2562 and ride it to Brieau, the stop nearest Montmorency Falls. From there, you’ll walk for a little under 10 minutes to Montmorency Falls. Between the bus ride and the brief walk, the total journey takes about 40-45 minutes.

Alternatively, for a more direct journey, you can hop aboard a shuttle bus departing from the Place d’Armes. This popular park is located at the start of the upper town and is one of the main stops for tour buses. From there, you’ll enjoy a comfortable 15-minute ride straight to Montmorency Falls.

If traveling on two wheels is more your speed, you may wish to consider a small-group bike tour to Montmorency Falls!

Under the direction of a local guide, you’ll travel along the majestic St. Lawrence River on bicycle-friendly paths toward the Falls while learning about the region’s interesting geography and history.

Of course, the scenic ride will culminate with the star of the show: Montmorency Falls!

Non-residents will need to pay a small entrance/parking fee to access the park. You can also purchase tickets in advance.

Check out the pricing information here before your visit.

If you’re looking to get your steps in on this day trip, then hiking up to the Falls is the way to go. Plus, after climbing the 487 steps to the top, you’ll earn yourself a delicious poutine (or two) when you return to Quebec City!

And speaking of tasty eats, don’t miss out on these mouth-watering Old Quebec restaurants when you’re back in the city.

Personally, I think climbing to the top is the best way to experience Montmorency Falls. While it can be tiring, it’s definitely well worth the effort.

Here are some benefits of taking the stairs:

• Experience many unique vantage points – If you thought the view of Montmorency Falls was incredible at the ground level, just wait until you see it from the perspective of the stairway. Trust me, the view gets more and more spectacular and dramatic as you ascend!
• Savor the luxury of taking breaks – Unlike riding the cable car, hiking up the stairs puts you in control of how slowly or quickly you take in the scenery. Whether you want to capture the amazing views on camera, take some mental snapshots, or just need to catch your breath, you can go at your own pace and pause along the landings as often as you want/need.
• Share the experience with other travelers – There’s something about climbing alongside other hikers and having a collective experience that makes the journey all the more special. Plus, you may even find someone who’s willing to snap a photo of you, should you need it!
• Enjoy a sense of accomplishment – If you’re one of those people who views taking escalators/elevators as “cheating,” then you’ll probably appreciate the feeling of “earning” your views once you reach the top.

If you or someone in your travel group has limited mobility and/or the idea of climbing nearly 500 steps seems overwhelming, not to worry! You totally don’t need to!

Instead, you can ride the cable car up to the top of Montmorency Falls and back down again.

Here are some benefits of taking the Montmorency Falls cable car:

• Enjoy a more relaxing experience – There’s no need to strain yourself or work yourself up into a sweaty mess just to see Montmorency Falls. Instead, you can enjoy a smooth, hands-free (and feet-free) experience!
• Take in the gorgeous views – Climbing the stairs isn’t the only way to enjoy a beautiful view at Montmorency Falls; in fact, the cable car will give you an unrivaled drone’s-eye perspective as you glide over this natural wonder.
• Reach the top more quickly – If you have limited time for your day trip or you’d simply prefer to get to the final destination more easily, the cable car provides that convenience. In fact, it only takes a few quick minutes to ride from the Lower Terminal to Manoir Montmorency at the top.

Walking across the suspension bridge is easily one of the most memorable experiences at Montmorency Falls!

From here, you’ll look down upon where you started and the water below. It’s hard to describe just how cool it is standing at the top of a waterfall, but trust me, you won’t want to miss this.

Plus, if you get lucky, you may even spot a rainbow!

Personally, although I don’t have a fear of heights, I can definitely say I felt very safe and comfortable on the bridge. It’s quite stable and you won’t feel it swaying as you walk.

If you’re a thrill-seeker, you can definitely satisfy your appetite for adventure at Montmorency Falls!

During the summer months, you can feel the wind in your hair on a thrilling zipline ride or master the mountain on three via ferrata (rock-climbing) routes.

Located just above the upper station for the cable car, you’ll find Montmorency Manor (Manoir Montmorency). This building includes a visitor information counter, an interpretation center, a gift shop, and a terrace restaurant.

The restaurant is open from May to October for lunch and year-round for Sunday brunch. This is a wonderful place to dine while soaking in the panoramic waterfall views. You can check out the various menu offerings here.

Behind Montmorency Manor is Le 1759, the park’s mobile restaurant offering some convenient grab-and-go-options. In addition, on hot summer days, you’ll also find the Dairy Counter at Sugar Loaf, a mobile station offering tasty frozen treats.

Beyond Montmorency Manor and Le 1759, you can also purchase food from the Station Sandwich Shop. It’s located on the ground level at the front entrance of the waterfall by the train station.

If you’d prefer to enjoy these amazing waterfalls in Quebec with your feet firmly planted on the ground, that’s definitely an option as well. I was actually surprised by how visible the waterfall was from the main promenade, a true testament to its size!

You can easily walk along the promenade area, sit along the bleachers, and enjoy a lovely view of the waterfall from a distance.

If you’re interested in learning more about the history of Montmorency Falls and mingling with other travelers, you should definitely consider joining a group tour. There are a bunch of tour options to choose from, depending on your individual preferences.

You may even wish to do a combo tour including a visit to Quebec City and/or Île d’Orléans to make the most of your time.

There are a couple of things you’ll want to keep in mind to ensure your Montmorency Falls excursion is as seamless and enjoyable as possible.

Here’s what I wish I knew before visiting:

• You’ll need to pay to access the park as a non-resident. Refer to the tickets & pricing section of this guide.
• Fortunately, there are on-site restrooms. You’ll find them in the Main Access Station located at the bottom of the waterfall. I highly suggest using them before you start hiking/exploring, since you won’t have access to another restroom until you reach the top.
• The base of the waterfall leading up to the stairway is extremely muddy, so be prepared! I would wear sensible, close-toed sneakers that you don’t mind dirtying.
• Whether you’re hiking or riding the cable car to the top of the waterfall, you’ll be exposed to direct sunlight. Come prepared with sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, bottled water, etc.

While Quebec City is an easy 15-minute drive from the Falls, if you’d prefer to stay outside the city, there are a few hotels to select from.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to base yourself in the charming and historic center of Old Quebec, be sure to check out my recommendations for the best boutique hotels in Quebec City.

I hope this guide has inspired you to plan a fun day trip from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls. At such a short distance away from the city proper, you really can’t miss a visit to this nature-lover’s playground!

How would you most like to explore Montmorency Falls? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking to explore more within city lines? Check out my other Quebec City guides:

• 17 Charming Boutique Hotels in Quebec City
• 15 Iconic Quebec City Landmarks & Instagrammable Locations
• Plan the Perfect Day Trip from Quebec City to Montmorency Falls