If you’re planning a family trip to Quebec City and looking for an attraction that will get you out in nature, this Canyon Sainte-Anne review walks you through the trails, bridges, and kid-friendly spots.
Quebec City was the second stop on our East Coast Canada road trip. We spent two nights there, with just one full day to explore the city. We are planning another dedicated trip there, so for this visit we kept it simple and spent most of our time in Old Quebec.
Since we had a bit of extra time in the morning, the kids and I decided to check out Canyon Sainte-Anne. It was only a half-hour drive from our hotel, and seeing the Canyon Sainte-Anne Falls sounded like a relaxing way to start the day before doing some urban sightseeing.
If you’re visiting with a child with special needs, head over to my sister site for my “Is Canyon Sainte-Anne Autism-Friendly?” review. For more ideas for your trip, check out my Things to Do in Quebec City with Kids guide (coming soon, follow me on Facebook so you don’t miss it).
Below, you’ll find my full Canyon Sainte-Anne review, plus all the info you need to plan your visit.
About Canyon Sainte-Anne
What is Canyon Sainte-Anne
Canyon Sainte-Anne is a 74-meter rocky gorge along the Sainte-Anne-du-Nord River, with a waterfall taller than Niagara Falls, located just outside Quebec City. The park officially opened in 1973 (you can read more about its history here).
Throughout the 3 km of Canyon Sainte-Anne trails, you’ll cross three bridges, each offering a different view of the gorge and river, plus several other observation points along the way. Or, if you’re brave enough, you can get a different perspective and see it from Air Canyon, the Canyon Sainte-Anne zipline.
Beyond the main trails, there’s a smaller trail designed for kids. It has a ground-level obstacle course and colorful stone figures to find along the way. Other things to do in Canyon Sainte-Anne include playgrounds, picnic areas, the on-site restaurant, a souvenir shop, and wood carvings scattered throughout the park.
Is the Canyon Sainte-Anne Accessible?
Not all Canyon Sainte-Anne trails and observation points are fully accessible, but many areas are. The Mestachibo Bridge and McNicoll Bridge are fully accessible, though McNicoll is only accessible from one side, so you’ll need to turn around at the end. Some observation points are also accessible.
To help visitors with reduced mobility, Canyon Sainte-Anne offers a shuttle service that takes you to the accessible bridges and viewpoints.
Is Canyon Sainte Anne dog friendly?
Yes! Dogs on leash are allowed in the park and can easily walk along all the trails.
Hotels Near Canyon Sainte-Anne
If you want to stay close to the park, here are some top hotels near Canyon Sainte-Anne:
- Delta Hotels by Marriott, Mont Sainte-Anne ($$$): 8-minute drive
- Quality Suites($-$$): 9-minute drive
- Chalets Montmorency Mont-Sainte-Anne($$): 10-minute drive
If you don’t mind staying a bit further, these Quebec City hotels are also great choices:
- Hotel Ambassadeur ($):33-minute drive (read my full review)
- L’Hôtel Québec: 4-star hotel | 20 minute-drive to Old Quebec | $-$$
- Hotel & Suites Le Dauphin Quebec: 4-star hotel | 18-minute drive to Old Quebec | $$-$$$
How to get to Canyon Sainte-Anne
Location: 206 Route 138 Est, Saint-Joachim-de-Montmorency, QC
Distance from Quebec City: Canyon Sainte-Anne is about 42 km from Quebec City, roughly a 35-minute drive.
How to Get to Canyon Sainte-Anne from Quebec City
To get from Quebec City to Canyon Sainte-Anne, take Autoroute 440 East, which becomes Route 138 East, until you reach Chemin des Chutes Sainte-Anne. Turn left and follow the road straight to the parking lot.
Parking
Parking at Canyon Sainte-Anne is free, and the lot is large, so it’s easy to find a spot.
What time does Canyon Sainte-Anne open?
Canyon Sainte-Anne is open from May to October (it’s closed for the winter).
- Spring and fall: Admission starts at 9:00 a.m. and goes until 4:00 p.m.
- Summer: Admission runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The park closes one hour after the last admission.
How Long Should You Plan to Spend at Canyon Sainte-Anne?
Plan to spend an hour or two, depending on how many activities you want to do, like hiking the trails, Air Canyon, or the kids’ obstacle course.
Best Time to Visit Canyon Sainte-Anne
The Canyon Sainte-Anne Falls are at their fullest in the spring, thanks to winter runoff. The trails can be a bit muddy, but visiting in May means fewer crowds and a more peaceful experience.
Mid-September to October is another great time to go. You’ll avoid peak tourist crowds and get to enjoy the fall colors at their best.
June through August is the busiest time, as summer is peak season in Quebec City. The warm weather makes it perfect for all the activities, but it can get crowded. If you visit during these months, try to get there right at opening. Keep in mind this is a popular excursion for cruise passengers, so if a ship is in port, the canyon may be busier than usual.
Other Nearby Attractions
If you have extra time, check out these spots near Canyon Sainte-Anne:
- Chute Jean Larose– A smaller waterfall with beautiful scenery and short trails.
- Mont-Sainte-Anne Trails– Great for hiking or mountain biking with scenic views.
- Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré– A historic basilica worth a visit.
- Galerie d’Art Mont-Sainte-Anne– Local art gallery near the trails.
- Montmorency Falls –An amazing waterfall with a suspension bridge, a cable car, and a zipline for thrill-seekers.
Canyon Sainte-Anne Tickets and Admission
Regular admission prices are:
- Adults (18+): $17.25 (taxes included)
- Children (6–17): $11.50 (taxes included)
- Children (0–5): Free
You can buy tickets online in advance here or at the door.
Canyon Sainte-Anne Layout
It’s pretty easy to find your way around Canyon Sainte-Anne. The layout is simple, and the trails are clearly marked. There’s a Canyon Sainte-Anne map available online and posted at the park, but honestly, you don’t really need it.
From the parking lot, walk through the small building marked “Entrée”, then follow the long path with grassy areas and picnic tables on both sides all the way to the main building. On the left, you’ll find the restaurant with a large terrace and indoor washrooms. On the right is the gift shop, and the ticket booth and entrance are in the middle.
Past the entrance is the main park area. Here you’ll find the picnic area, playground, Parc Des Pétraminis/Pétraminis Family Park (the kids’ trail), a theatre, and the Air Canyon zipline. There are also several wood carving sculptures scattered around.
Keep going straight, and the path leads directly to the trails.
Canyon Sainte-Anne Trails
The path to the two main trails has wood-carved sculptures along the way, and takes you to another picnic area and the Mestachibo Bridge, the first of the three Canyon Sainte-Anne bridges. From here, you can choose between two trails.
Canyon Sainte-Anne Bridges and Observation Decks
There are three bridges along the trails, at the top, middle, and bottom of the canyon. Each one gives you a different view of the river and gorge. Along the way, you’ll also find three observation decks on each side. Throughout the trails, there are multilingual information boards with interesting facts about the geology and history of the area, adding some extra context as you explore.
North Shore Trail
The first trail takes you across the Mestachibo Bridge, with an accessible path that continues down to the McNicoll Bridge. Along the way, there are three lookout decks, each giving you a different view of the gorge, river, and waterfall.
Mestachibo Bridge
From the Mestachibo Bridge, you can see a smaller waterfall on the right. On the left, you’ll see the water flowing over the top of the larger Canyon Sainte-Anne waterfall. Once you cross the bridge, the trail heads down through the forest, with three observation points along the way.
The Flat Rocks
The first observation point is the only one on this side with stairs. The view here is mostly of the rocks at the top of the gorge, along with a look down to the bottom with a small stream flowing through.
Belvedere of the Crevasse
The second viewing deck is accessible by ramp. From here, you get a great view of the large Canyon Sainte-Anne Falls flowing over the rocks on the left, along with the Mestachibo Bridge. On the right, you can see down to the river below and over to the McNicoll Bridge.
Rainbow Belvedere
The next viewing deck is right off the path. It has a similar view of the falls on the left, while the view on the right is a bit more blocked by trees.
McNicoll Bridge
This trail ends at the highlight of the trails, the 60-metre-high suspension bridge. It’s known for having the best panoramic view of the waterfall and river. Unfortunately, it was closed for maintenance during our visit, so I can’t personally confirm that.
The path leading to the McNicoll Bridge is a fully accessible ramp. There’s also an observation deck at the entrance, up two steps, which we were still able to access while the bridge was closed. From here, you get a great view of the bridge, the bottom of the canyon, and the Laurent Bridge.
When the bridge is open, crossing it takes you to the midpoint of the other trail. Just keep in mind that the other side has a full flight of stairs, so if stairs are an issue, you’ll need to turn around and go back the way you came.
South Shore Trail
Back at the start, the second trail begins just to the left of the Mestachibo Bridge. This one takes you past the McNicoll Bridge and all the way down to the bottom of the canyon to the Laurent Bridge. Along the way, there are three observation spots to stop at.
This trail is not accessible, with several sets of stairs throughout.
Davies Belvedere
The first stop is a spot where you can step right out onto the rocks at the top of the waterfall. You can see the Mestachibo Bridge from here, as well as the river flowing to the top of the Canyon Sainte-Anne falls and making its way down the rocky gorge.
Giant’s Cooking Pot Belvedere
The next observation point is a small deck between two sets of stairs. From here, you can see the waterfall on the right. On the left, you can watch the water continue to flow over and down the rocks.
Krieghoff Belvedere
The last observation deck before heading down to the bottom gives you another view of the waterfall, though the trees block part of it. You can also see the Air Canyon from here.
McNicoll Bridge
As you keep going, you’ll pass the stairs that lead up to the McNicoll Bridge. This is where you’d connect to the other trail if you wanted to.
Laurent Bridge
From here, it’s a steady climb down more stairs to the bottom. There are benches along the way if you need a break. Near the bottom, the stairs switch from wood to metal and then turn into the Laurent Bridge.
From the bridge, the view opens up. On the right, you can see the river moving between the cliffs and another angle of the McNicoll Bridge. On the left, you can follow the water as it continues toward the St. Lawrence River.
The trail ends just across the bridge, where there’s a small deck with one more view of the river and the bridge.
Other Canyon Sainte-Anne activities
Air Canyon: The Canyon Sainte-Anne Zipline
Added in 2017, Air Canyon is a two-person ride that takes you right across the canyon, about 90 metres up, for a unique view. You travel close to 400 metres at around 50 km/hour. It starts by pulling you backward up to the highest point, then sends you forward across the canyon on the way back down.
Riders must be at least 47 inches tall to ride alone, or 42 inches to ride with an adult. The maximum weight is 300 lbs for a single rider or 450 lbs combined for two people.
Hours:10 am to 4 pm
Cost: Adult-$26, children (6 to 17)-$21
Extras: If you want a souvenir of your ride, you can buy photos or a video.
- Photo: $8.95
- Video: $10.95
- Both: $11.95
Pétraminis Family Park
Added in June 2025, Parc des Pétraminis is a newer trail designed for kids. It’s a 1 km loop with eight stone figures, each a different colour of the rainbow, tied into a storyline about being the creators and guardians of the canyon. There are also other sculptures along the way.
But the best part is the play areas throughout the trail. There are 11 spots with ground-level obstacles, similar to a low ropes course. You’ll find things like a small zipline, balance logs with overhead ropes, monkey bars, swinging logs, and other wooden obstacles that kids (and adults) can try as they go.
Other On-Site Amenities
The main area of the park also has a theatre, picnic space, and a small playground with a couple of slides. Just outside the main gates, you’ll find the Canyon Sainte-Anne restaurant and gift shop. There are washrooms inside the restaurant, plus a few smaller outhouse-style washrooms around the park.
Our Canyon Sainte-Anne Review
We got to Canyon Sainte-Anne right at opening. The parking lot was still pretty empty, and there weren’t many people heading toward the entrance yet. About half an hour later, it started to get busier. A bus tour showed up, which brought large groups moving through together, making some areas too crowded to enjoy.
After taking a quick look around the main area, we headed for the trails.
We started with the North Shore Trail, stopping on the Mestachibo Bridge to take in the view and get some pictures. There wasn’t much to see on the first observation deck, so it was a short stop. The second one had a much better view, so we stayed there a bit longer. We made it through all the lookout spots on this side and got to the McNicoll Bridge before the crowds came.
Before our visit, I saw on the website that the McNicoll Bridge was closed for maintenance (they offered a discounted admission because of it). We weren’t too disappointed by that. Zen and I aren’t great with heights, and I know she wouldn’t have crossed it anyway. I was undecided about it. I don’t enjoy high, swaying bridges, but knowing the views from there are supposed to be the best, I would have considered going on it.
We headed back up to the start of the trail after that. Zen wasn’t feeling well, so she skipped the second trail and took a break in the picnic area near the Mestachibo Bridge. Brie and I continued down the South Shore Trail to the bottom of the canyon.
The first observation point is loud because of the water, but the view is great. The second one is even better, and you can actually feel the mist from the falls. The last lookout before the Laurent Bridge isn’t that good since the view is partly blocked by trees.
The Laurent Bridge isn’t very high above the water, but it’s metal and you can see straight through it. I don’t think Zen would have crossed it if she had come with us. The walk down was easy, but on the way back up, Brie needed a couple of breaks on the benches. If you’re visiting with kids, expect to stop a few times. You’ll probably hear “my legs hurt” at least once.
We spent about an hour and a half on the main trails.
After that, we went over to the Pétraminis Family Park. The kids didn’t really care about the statues, they were more interested in trying all the obstacles. Some were harder than others. Brie doesn’t have a lot of upper body strength, and balance can be an issue for her, so there were a few she couldn’t do, but she still had fun trying. We spent about 45 minutes on this trail.
We didn’t try the Air Canyon. If grandma had been with us, she probably would have taken Brie on it, but neither Zen nor I were willing to. We also skipped the playground. Normally, Brie would go on the slides, but after all the walking, she was done.
We were there for about two and a half hours total.
Canyon Sainte Anne Vs Montmorency Falls
Not sure whether you should visit Canyon Sainte-Anne or Montmorency Falls?
Canyon Sainte-Anne is the better choice for families with younger kids, and for anyone who isn’t comfortable with heights. Montmorency Falls is better for thrill seekers.
Zen and I visited Montmorency Falls on a previous trip to Quebec City. Between the two, I prefer Montmorency Falls. It’s just incredible to see.
The highlight at Montmorency Falls is the suspension bridge right at the top of the 83-metre waterfall. You’re basically standing beside that huge drop, which is amazing, but not for everyone. To get up there, you either take the cable car or climb close to 500 steps that run along the side of the mountain.
If you’re not a fan of heights, Montmorency Falls won’t be a great choice for you. When we went, I was fine on the stairs, but Zen definitely wasn’t. She pretty much ran across the bridge, not stopping to take in the view. For some reason, the height just didn’t bother me there, so I had no issue stopping for pictures on my way across the bridge.
At Canyon Sainte-Anne, you can still enjoy amazing views even if you skip the suspension bridge because of a fear of heights. Another big plus for families is the Pétraminis Family Park, which makes it a much better choice if you’re visiting with younger kids.
However, for those who like heights and want more of a thrill, Montmorency Falls zipline trumps Canyon Sainte-Anne’s Air Canyon.
Final Thoughts on Canyon Sainte-Anne
If you’re visiting Quebec City with kids and want a nature-focused day trip, Canyon Sainte-Anne is a great choice. We spent about two and a half hours exploring and really enjoyed it. For us, it was worth the money. We may go back once the McNicoll Bridge reopens, though I’m still undecided about going across it.
If you’re visiting in the summer, try to go right at opening. Also, check the cruise port schedule so you can pick a day that’s less likely to be crowded with excursion groups.
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