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Leaving Montreal on Friday evening and waking up beside a lake the next morning without spending hours on the road is the promise of a great nature getaway near Montreal. The city has the rare advantage of being surrounded by wilderness regions that can be reached in less than two hours, and sometimes in less than one.
You still need to know where to go for a genuine opportunity to disconnect, far from the busiest destinations. This guide brings together seven getaways for a refreshing weekend, each offering its own landscapes, activities and local food destinations to discover. You will also find practical guidance to help you choose the perfect destination for your weekend.
The main advantage of a nearby getaway is the time saved on the road. Less travel means more hours actually spent outdoors, whether you are hiking, swimming or simply slowing down.
For a two-night weekend, choosing a region located one or two hours from the city makes a major difference. You can arrive relaxed on Friday, fully enjoy Saturday and return home on Sunday without feeling exhausted.
Being close to the city also makes spontaneous departures easier. When good weather is forecast, it becomes possible to book a cabin for the weekend without planning several weeks in advance. To combine this comfort with immersion in nature without dealing with camping logistics, glamping offers an excellent alternative.
Here are seven regions selected for a nature getaway near Montreal based on their accessibility. The travel times listed are approximate and may vary depending on traffic.
Approximately one hour north of Montreal, Lanaudière offers a landscape of mature forests, rivers and clear lakes. The southern part of the region, around Rawdon and Saint-Donat, features numerous trails and lakes suitable for swimming.
This is also where you will find our cabins surrounded by nature, only one hour from the city. To explore more activities in the area, discover everything there is to do in Lanaudière. Cycling enthusiasts can also explore the region through these three nearby cycling itineraries. Local destinations such as Albion microbrewery or a local cheese shop extend the experience through regional food and drink.
The southern gateway to the Laurentians remains one of the fastest getaways, at approximately 45 minutes from Montreal. The Saint-Sauveur and Sainte-Adèle area combines trails, lakes and a thriving culinary scene.
Travelling a little farther north, approximately an hour and a half from the city, the Mont-Tremblant area adds true mountain landscapes and lakes where visitors can cool down after an active day, as described in our mountain and freshwater getaway in Mont-Tremblant.
Local restaurants and village cafés such as Rouge Tomate, L'Oiseau café and boutique, or Merci la vie bakery in Piedmont provide an excellent reason to slow down between hikes.
Also known as the Estrie region, the Eastern Townships extend from Bromont and Sutton, approximately one hour from Montreal, to Magog and Mount Orford, about an hour and a half away. Mount Brome, Lake Memphremagog, extensive trail networks and the Wine Route create a four-season outdoor playground, from the easily accessible southern area to the more mountainous landscapes farther east.
Travellers interested in great local destinations can visit Brasserie Dunham, Pinard et filles in Magog, Joy Hill vineyard in Frelighsburg or Parcelles in Austin. For more local flavours, Ariane Roy's favourite food destinations, selected by a creator from the region, are an excellent addition to the getaway.
This is also where you will find our LAO mini-cabins, near Magog and Mount Orford, which are worth considering for a complete stay in the Eastern Townships.
A little farther away, at approximately two hours from Montreal, Mauricie opens onto vast wilderness areas. La Mauricie National Park, located near Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc, protects a section of the Canadian Shield filled with lakes and Laurentian forest.
The region's relatively low visitor density makes it ideal for travellers seeking peace and long days of canoeing or hiking.
Often overlooked by Montreal residents, Outaouais can be reached in less than two hours using Highway 50. The Montebello and Petite-Nation area features private lakes, mature forests and large resort properties.
It is an authentic and peaceful option, ideal for wildlife watching, going for a bike ride or paddling on a quiet lake away from the crowds.
For a quick getaway, Montérégie is only 30 to 45 minutes away. Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park, located just outside the metropolitan region, features five lakes, an orchard and a 27-kilometre trail network.
Mount Saint-Hilaire, a recognized biosphere reserve, adds panoramic views over the surrounding plain. The region is also ideal for seasonal experiences, including haskap berry picking in early summer, tours of local cider houses in fall and visits to regional orchards later in the season. It is a reliable choice when time is limited but the desire to reconnect with nature remains strong.
Although it is not widely known as a nature destination, the Drummondville area surprises visitors with its forests, rivers and often more affordable accommodations. The drive takes approximately an hour and a half.
Forêt Drummond Regional Park, a natural area covering nearly 20 square kilometres and crossed by the Saint-François River, captures the region's appeal. Walking and cycling trails run along both riverbanks, remain accessible throughout the year and are located only a few minutes from Highway 20. The river is also suitable for canoeing, kayaking and paddleboarding, while the Rivia Promenade follows the water and provides an easy family-friendly walk.
It is a smart choice for an affordable weekend in nature without sacrificing access to trails or water activities.
This table summarizes the main details for quickly comparing destinations for a nature getaway near Montreal.
| Region | Driving time | Main accommodation | Ideal for | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanaudière | Approximately 1 hour | Forest cabins | Families and couples | Summer and fall |
| Southern Laurentians | Approximately 45 minutes | Inns and cabins | Couples and food lovers | Year-round |
| Eastern Townships | Approximately 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes | Cabins, vineyards, mini-cabins and spas | Couples, groups and outdoor enthusiasts | Year-round |
| Mauricie | Approximately 2 hours | Ready-to-camp units and campsites | Adventurers | Summer |
| Outaouais | Approximately 2 hours | Resorts and cabins | Quiet getaways and wildlife watching | Summer and fall |
| Montérégie | Approximately 30 to 45 minutes | Day trips | Quick getaways | Year-round |
| Centre-du-Québec | Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes | Affordable cabins | Budget-conscious travellers | Summer |
For a quick departure, Lanaudière remains one of the closest destinations to Montreal. You can also explore our destinations to plan a weekend in the setting that suits you best.
Every nature getaway near Montreal is different. Here are a few criteria to help you choose:
In every case, it is better to choose one region and take the time to enjoy it instead of trying to see everything.
A few simple preparations can help you make the most of a nature getaway near Montreal. Booking early often makes a significant difference, especially for summer weekends and the fall colour season in October. Accommodations surrounded by nature can fill up quickly.
When packing, bring adaptable clothing, good walking shoes, a headlamp and cooking supplies when the property allows guests to prepare their own meals. A waterproof bag is also useful for water activities.
To make the most of a short stay, limit your travel once you arrive. Choosing a centrally located home base allows you to explore the surrounding area without constantly getting back in the car, leaving more time for rest and spontaneity.
A nature getaway near Montreal does not require lengthy planning or an endless drive. From the Laurentians to Mauricie and the Eastern Townships, every region offers its own way to reconnect with the outdoors for a weekend.
The easiest approach is to choose the most accessible destination. For a refreshing weekend one hour from the city, discover our cabins surrounded by forest.
Several regions are located within two hours of Montreal and are ideal for a nature getaway. Lanaudière, the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships offer forests, lakes and trails approximately one hour from the city. Mauricie, Outaouais and Centre-du-Québec require a little more travel time, but reward visitors with larger, wilder and significantly less crowded natural areas that are perfect for genuinely disconnecting.
Summer remains the most popular season for swimming and water activities, while September and October attract visitors interested in fall colours. Winter is ideal for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and fat biking, while the quieter spring season makes it easier to avoid the crowds. Book early for summer weekends and the fall colour season, as accommodations fill especially quickly during these periods.
Two nights is the ideal length for a weekend nature getaway. It provides one complete day for activities without spending the entire trip on the road. For very close destinations such as Montérégie, one night or even a day trip may be enough. For destinations located two hours away, plan for two nights to make the drive worthwhile and give yourself enough time to truly disconnect.
