Best Beaches and Swimming Lakes in the Laurentides
- November 5, 2026
- 14
- Things to Do
The best beaches in the Laurentides are the long sandy shore of Oka National Park, Plage Major on Lac des Sables in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, the national park beaches on Lac Monroe, and a string of small supervised municipal beaches from Saint-Sauveur to Mont-Laurier. With hundreds of lakes, the region is one of the easiest places near Montréal to cool off in summer. Here is where to swim, what it costs and how to choose.
Quick answer: For a big beach day, go to Oka National Park on Lac des Deux Montagnes (lifeguards, rentals, accessible). For a lively town beach, choose Plage Major in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. For a nature setting, swim at Lac Monroe in Mont-Tremblant National Park. For free swimming, try the municipal beaches of Rivière-Rouge (Lac Tibériade), Mont-Laurier (Lac des Sources) or Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard (Plage Gratton).
Top Laurentides beaches compared
| Beach | Town | Lake | Highlights | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oka National Park beach | Oka | Lac des Deux Montagnes | Long sand beach, lifeguards, rentals, accessible | Park access fee |
| Plage Major | Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts | Lac des Sables | Supervised, playground, volleyball, picnic tables | Fee may apply |
| Plage de la Crémaillère | Mont-Tremblant National Park | Lac Monroe | Quiet, near trails and campgrounds | Park access fee |
| Tremblant beach park | Mont-Tremblant | Lac Tremblant | Lifeguards, sand play area, resort setting | Fee may apply |
| Plage Mont-Habitant | Saint-Sauveur | Lake at Mont-Habitant | Pedal boats, kayaks, paddleboards | Fee may apply |
| Plage Jean-Guy-Caron | Sainte-Adèle | Lac Rond | Small, supervised, family-friendly | Fee may apply |
| Plage Michel-Jr.-Lévesque | Rivière-Rouge | Lac Tibériade | Sandy, lifeguards | Free |
| Municipal beach | Mont-Laurier | Lac des Sources | Slide, play structures, volleyball | Free |
| Plage Gratton | Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard | Lac Saint-Joseph | Simple, open to all | Free |
| Lac Raymond beach | Val-Morin | Lac Raymond | Right beside the linear park, shade | Fee may apply |
Fees and hours change each season; “fee may apply” means non-residents usually pay a small daily admission. Always confirm with the municipality before you go (information as of 2026).
Oka National Park: the region’s biggest beach
Only about an hour from downtown Montréal, Oka has the largest beach in the Laurentides, on the wide waters of Lac des Deux Montagnes. Swimming is supervised by lifeguards in summer, the water is calm and shallow near shore, and you can rent paddleboards and other watercraft. There are picnic areas, food services and accessible facilities.
- Arrive before 10 a.m. on hot weekends: parking can fill up.
- Children 17 and under get free access to Québec national parks.
- Stay overnight at the campground or in a ready-to-camp unit to enjoy the beach at sunset.
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Lac des Sables
Plage Major is the classic town beach of the Laurentides, a short walk from the restaurants and terraces of downtown Sainte-Agathe. It has supervised swimming, a playground, beach volleyball and picnic tables. Combine it with a cruise or a walk around Lac des Sables. Discover more of the town in our Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts guide.
Mont-Tremblant: resort beach or wild lake
Tremblant offers two very different swims:
- Tremblant beach park on Lac Tremblant: a supervised beach near the resort, with a sandcastle area for kids and water sports nearby.
- Lac Monroe (Crémaillère beach): inside Mont-Tremblant National Park, surrounded by forest and close to hiking trails. Combine it with a hike; see our Mont-Tremblant National Park guide.
- Lac Raynaud at Domaine Saint-Bernard: a quieter supervised beach with play structures and paddleboard rentals.
Travelling with children? Read Mont-Tremblant with kids for more family ideas.
Beaches in the Saint-Sauveur and Sainte-Adèle area
Closer to Montréal, the Pays-d’en-Haut have small, well-run beaches ideal for a half-day:
- Plage Mont-Habitant (Saint-Sauveur): lifeguards on set hours, plus pedal boats, kayaks and paddleboards.
- Plage Jean-Guy-Caron (Sainte-Adèle): a small, supervised family beach on Lac Rond.
- Plage Gratton (Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard): a free, low-key beach on Lac Saint-Joseph.
Pair a swim with lunch in town using our Saint-Sauveur travel guide.
Free beaches in the Hautes-Laurentides
Further north, beaches are quieter and often free:
- Rivière-Rouge: Plage Michel-Jr.-Lévesque on Lac Tibériade, sandy and supervised.
- Mont-Laurier: the municipal beach on Lac des Sources, with a slide and play structures.
- Nominingue: a supervised municipal beach on Grand lac Nominingue with a volleyball court.
These are great stops on a Laurentides road trip or a ride along the northern part of the linear park.
Water quality and safety
Québec’s Environnement-Plage monitoring programme has ended, and water sampling at public beaches is now the responsibility of each beach operator, as explained on the Government of Québec public beaches page. In practice:
- Look for posted notices at the entrance; operators close beaches after poor test results or heavy rain.
- Avoid swimming for 24 to 48 hours after a big storm, when runoff raises bacteria levels.
- Never swim alone at unsupervised lakes, and keep children within arm’s reach.
- Watch for blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) in late summer: if the water looks like pea soup or has a scum, stay out.
- Respect no-swimming zones near boat launches and marinas.
When to swim and what to bring
| Period | Water | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Late June | Cool, warming fast | Lifeguard season usually starts around Saint-Jean-Baptiste (June 24) |
| July | Warmest crowds | Go early or on weekdays |
| August | Warmest water | Check algae notices |
| Labour Day onward | Cooling | Most beaches stop supervision |
Pack water shoes (many lake bottoms are rocky), sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent for the evening and cash or a card for admission and rentals.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best beach near Montréal in the Laurentides?
Oka National Park is the biggest and closest, about an hour from downtown, with lifeguards and rentals. Plage Major in Sainte-Agathe is the best town beach.
Are there free beaches in the Laurentides?
Yes. Rivière-Rouge, Mont-Laurier and Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard have free municipal beaches. Many others charge non-residents a small daily fee.
Can I bring my dog to the beach?
Most supervised beaches do not allow dogs. A few private sites have dog areas, and in national parks dogs are only allowed on a leash in designated zones.
Can I swim in any lake?
Many lakes are bordered by private land. Swim only from public beaches or authorized access points, and respect private shorelines.
Is the water warm enough?
By mid-July, most Laurentian lakes reach a comfortable temperature, often in the low to mid 20s °C at the surface.
Conclusion
From Oka’s sandy shore to the quiet free beaches of the Hautes-Laurentides, there is a swim for every family and every mood. Check opening hours and notices, go early on hot weekends, and make a full day of it with a hike or a meal in the village. Looking for a lakeside place to stay? Browse chalets.thelaurentides.com for cottage ideas and hotels.thelaurentides.com for hotels near the water.
