Rapids Park is where the St. Lawrence River puts on a show. Spanning 30 hectares along the LaSalle shoreline, this park delivers front-row seats to the crashing white water of the Lachine Rapids, where surfers, kayakers, and rafters take on the current. A key stop along Montreal’s waterfront cycling path, it’s also a prime spot for birdwatching, home to Quebec’s largest colony of great blue herons. Beyond the adrenaline, the park offers quiet escapes—picnic areas, winding trails, and historical remnants from centuries of river activity, including old mill ruins and the foundations of a long-gone hydroelectric plant. In winter, cross-country skiing and ice skating keep the landscape alive. Whether you’re here to push limits on La Vague à Guy or just to take in the view, Rapids Park proves that Montreal’s wilder side is never too far from the city.
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The best parks in Montreal all year round
From lively gathering spots to quiet escapes, these are the green spaces that keep Montreal moving, unwinding, and making the most of every season.
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