I tried kayaking a couple of years ago and ever since, it’s been my go-to activity in the summer. I did try canoeing, but honestly, I enjoyed kayaking more. I felt unstable in a canoe vs a kayak. I have yet to try paddleboarding, which is very tempting by the way. (If you’re curious about SUP too, I eventually wrote 5 Places for Paddleboarding Near Montreal.)

You’ll find below 5 places that I’ve been to across Quebec that are less than 2h from Montreal, so definitely worth the road trip. Check out also my Kayaking packing checklist.

Quick 2026 note before you go: Sépaq national-park daily access is now CAD 10.30 per adult (kids 17 and under free). Prices below were verified from official sites as of September 11, 2026 — always double-check before you leave, especially late in the season when rental desks start winding down.

1. Rivière aux Cerises & Lac Memphrémagog

Located in the beautiful town of Magog in the Eastern Townships, about 1.5h away from Montreal. It’s worth the visit. Technically you can kayak from the Rivière aux Cerises to Lac Memphrémagog. But you can also do one of the two. Honestly, I recommend you start with Rivière aux Cerises, enjoy the postcard-perfect views, and head towards Lac Memphrémagog where the water is clear.

Distance from Montreal?

A 1.5h drive.

Where to rent?

We rented the kayaks from Vie de Plein Air (55 Rue Cabana, Magog — right on the Rivière aux Cerises). Overall the experience was good; the kayaks were clean and new. We opted for the 2h kayak to cruise along the river and check out the lake.

  • Booking: Call (819) 868-2111 — reservation recommended at least 48 hours ahead in summer (tarif / info).
  • Season (2026): Roughly mid-May through September 30, 2026 (per Bonjour Québec listing; confirm by phone late season).

How much will it cost? (2026)

For 2h:

  • Single kayak: CAD 34.79
  • Double kayak: CAD 47.83

Also listed: 1h30 / 4h / full-day options. Taxes not included. Paid parking nearby.

2. Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

This kayak destination is close to Montreal — the river just above Laval, north of the city. The cool thing about it is that there are several rental locations in different cities, so you can pick the closest to you! Also, you pass by nice-looking houses that make you want to own one haha.

Practical tip (no car): This is the easiest of the five by public transit. You can reach the park by bus from the Montmorency metro stop — a tip I shared with a reader (Clara) who asked about beginner-friendly kayaking without a car.

Distance from Montreal?

About a 30-minute drive (or metro + bus).

Where to rent?

Rent through Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles / Éco-Nature — first come, first served (you cannot reserve regular kayaks online).

2026 rental centres:

  • Laval — Berge du Garrot
  • Boisbriand — Parc des Berges
  • Saint-Eustache — Parc Boisé des Moissons
  • Deux-Montagnes — Parc du Centenaire
  • Rosemère — Parc Charbonneau: not in operation for summer 2026

(Bois-des-Filion is no longer listed among the park’s regular rental centres for 2026.)

Late-season heads-up (as of early September 2026): The park’s site noted that the Boisbriand / Rosemère / Deux-Montagnes / Saint-Eustache ERRE sites were closed for the rest of the season, with Laval open on weekends — always check the rental page the morning you go.

  • Minimum age to rent: 16; minimum age alone in a boat: 14 (with an adult accompanying 14–15).
  • Blocks: 3 hours or full day.

How much will it cost? (2026 season rates)

Valid April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027, before taxes:

For 3h:

  • Single kayak: CAD 37.00
  • Double kayak: CAD 54.00

Full day: single 48.50 / double 69.00. Self-launch day pass (own boat): 12.75.

3. Parc national d’Oka (Sépaq)

The cool thing about Parc national d’Oka is that you can spend the day at the beach then rent kayaks from there, so it could be a full-day activity! I quite like this park as it’s well maintained and you can enjoy a good picnic at the beach once you’re done.

Distance from Montreal?

About a 45-minute drive.

Where to rent?

Kayaks are rented on site at the Sépaq nautical rental centre (Boutique Nature / beach sector) — subject to availability. Buy your daily park access online before you go (strongly recommended; capacity can fill). Beach parking is separate and also best bought online: Oka beach parking.

Park page: sepaq.com/pq/oka · Rates: tarifs

2026 nautical rental hours (important):

  • May 16 – June 14: Sat–Sun, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
  • June 15 – Aug 23: daily, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • Aug 24 – Sept 7: Sat, Sun & holidays only, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
  • After Sept 7, 2026: no kayak rentals for the rest of the season (park stays open; beach/parking fees only apply while the supervised beach is open).

How much will it cost? (Summer 2026)

For 4h:

  • Open kayak solo: CAD 36.50
  • Open kayak tandem: CAD 45.50

Also: 1h solo 18.00 / tandem 22.75; full day solo 51 / tandem 65.

Plus Sépaq fees:

  • Daily access: CAD 10.30 / adult (valid as of May 1, 2026; 17 & under free)
  • Supervised-beach parking (summer): CAD 10.78 / car

4. Parc national de Plaisance (Sépaq)

A peaceful park for kayaking that could be combined with a very short hike to see the waterfalls of Plaisance. It’s honestly worth the ~10 km kayak trip! The water is not very clear to be honest, but the view compensates!

Distance from Montreal?

About a 1h45 drive.

Where to rent?

Rent on site at the Discovery and Visitors Centre (Presqu’îles sector); also available at La Carapace (campground). Limited quantities, no reservation, non-refundable. Own-boat launch points: Discovery Centre wharf and the campground wharf near La Carapace.

  • Park: sepaq.com/pq/pla
  • Rates: tarifs
  • Daily access: buy online
  • Kayak season 2026: May 30 – September 27, 2026 (still open mid-September)
  • Classic outing: paddle up Rivière de la Petite-Nation to the Chutes (~4h round trip / ~11 km). Access to the Chutes-du-Moulin site is included with a valid park access.
  • 2026 works note: Petite-Nation Canal bridge rehab may affect some water access weekdays — check the park page before you go.

How much will it cost? (Summer 2026)

For 4h:

  • Open kayak solo: CAD 36.50
  • Open kayak tandem: CAD 45.50

Also: 1h solo 18.00 / tandem 22.75; full day solo 51 / tandem 65.

Plus: daily Sépaq access CAD 10.30 / adult.

5. Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville (Sépaq)

This one is actually the closest to Montreal — about a 30-minute drive. This park is also part of the Sépaq network. Kayaking there means you’d be paddling along the Saint Lawrence.

Distance from Montreal?

About a 30-minute drive. (Also reachable via Navark river shuttle from Longueuil / Boucherville / Montreal for some sectors.)

Where to rent?

On-site rentals at the Île Sainte-Marguerite rental centre and Grosbois Visitors Centre, subject to availability. Marked nautical trails (e.g. Le Castor ~4 km easy; Le Grand-Héron ~8 km intermediate).

  • Park: sepaq.com/pq/bou
  • Rates: tarifs
  • Daily access: buy online
  • Rentals available from mid-May; equipment centres listed through October 12, 2026 (last rental times vary by period — often ~3:45 p.m.).
  • Own kayak: launch at the Rental Centre ramp (no vehicles at the ramp; trolleys available). Dogs not allowed on boats (guide dogs excepted).
  • Safety: Rentals can be suspended without notice because of river conditions / currents. When air temp + water temp < 37°C, an isothermal suit (wetsuit/drysuit) is mandatory for nautical rentals.

How much will it cost? (Summer 2026)

For 4h:

  • Solo sea-kayak: CAD 42.50
  • Tandem sea-kayak: CAD 57.00

Also: 1h solo 21.25 / tandem 28.50; full day solo 60.75 / tandem 81.50.

Plus: daily Sépaq access CAD 10.30 / adult.

To be prepared for your kayaking day trip, head to my blog for the complete packing list. And if paddleboarding is calling your name, here’s my paddleboarding near Montreal roundup too.

Happy kayaking!