One thing we love about visiting Montreal in the fall is the beautiful colorful foliage. In early October it was too early for Montreal, but we could easily find some areas around the city where we could revel in the blazing autumn colors.
Referring to the Bonjour Quebec Fall Foliage Tracker, we saw that the leaves were at their mid-point in Sainte-Adèle in the Laurentians. So, we headed up north! More specifically, we went to Doncaster River Park which is located about 50 miles (80 km) north of Montreal. Closer than Mont-Tremblant, it was a great option to visit with only a few hours of free time. It’s easy to get to, just take the A-15 and get off at exit 67. Then follow Rue Rolland and turn left on Chemin de la Doncaster.
Doncaster River Park
Arriving at the park we had to park along the street as the parking lot was already full. On a beautiful warm Sunday afternoon, it was a popular place.
At Doncaster River Park, dogs are also welcome. This isn’t the case at most parks, and we saw many people with their four-legged friends in tow. Most were on leashes, but we did see a small English bulldog that was panting loudly while trying to keep up with its family.
Throughout the park there are numerous hiking trails with various levels of difficulty. All are well marked and interconnected with other paths leading to various viewpoints. It’s easy to mix and match the many trails by following the map and signposts around the park. Tip: Take a photo of the map by the entrance with your phone so you can easily refer to it.
In the winter, the hiking trails become snowshoeing trails. There’s even an accessible trail along the Doncaster River.
In season trout fishing is also available with a permit. No swimming is allowed, except maybe for the dogs! We saw one that looked completely soaked!
Do keep an eye out for wildlife along the river. We spotted a great blue heron waiting to catch a meal. Beautiful bird.
Conclusion
Overall Doncaster River Park is a nice place to go in the Laurentians for viewing the fall foliage or even just for hiking. Its proximity to Montreal makes it easy to get to and a great way to get into the outdoors and out of the city, even if you are short on time.
We stayed for about 2 hours and had a wonderful afternoon where we got to bask in the colorful hues of autumn and get a breath of fresh air.
Doncaster River Park Amenities
Access to the park is free for residents of Sainte-Adèle but visitors must pay a small fee ($8/adult) to visit. It’s also possible to rent walking sticks or snowshoes at the entrance. Throughout the park there are picnic areas, benches, and toilets.
For more ideas on where to see fall foliage around Montreal, see our post: Where to See Fall Foliage Around Montreal