ATV and quad tours in Québec: where to ride
Side-by-Side ATV Off-Road Tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
Can you do ATV tours in Québec without a licence?
Yes — on guided tours, no ATV licence or permit is required. Solo off-road riding on Québec trails requires a registration and often a safety certificate. Guided tours remove both requirements. Season June to October; prices from 100–180 CAD for 1.5–3 hours.
ATV riding in Québec: the terrain, the operators, the practicalities
Québec has one of the longest trail networks in North America. The province’s ATV (all-terrain vehicle) trail system — managed by the Fédération québécoise des clubs quads (FQCQ) — spans more than 35,000 km, crossing boreal forest, farm country, and subarctic tundra from the US border to the northern edge of inhabited territory. Most of that network is reserved for experienced independent riders with registered ATVs.
For travellers who want the off-road experience without owning equipment or navigating provincial regulations, guided tours are the answer. The main centres for guided ATV tourism are the Laurentides (notably around Mont-Tremblant), Charlevoix, and the Eastern Townships.
Mont-Tremblant: side-by-side ATV off-road tours
The most polished ATV touring operation close to a major tourism hub is at Mont-Tremblant, where Beat Tremblant ATV runs side-by-side guided tours through 45 kilometres of private forest trail. The side-by-sides used are modern Polaris RZR machines — two seats, roll cage, 1000cc engine, and enough suspension travel to make the roughest trails comfortable.
Side-by-Side ATV Off-Road Tour — Mont-TremblantPrice: approximately 180 CAD per vehicle (up to 2 people per side-by-side). Duration: 1.5 hours. This is priced per vehicle, not per person — a couple sharing a side-by-side pays 90 CAD each.
The tour covers a mix of forested singletrack and wider fire roads in the hills above Mont-Tremblant. The guide leads at a pace that builds from familiarisation to confidence on progressively more technical sections. Views of the Tremblant valley from the trail network are a bonus most riders don’t expect.
No ATV licence required. A regular driver’s licence or age 16 minimum applies. Helmets and goggles provided.
Location and logistics
Mont-Tremblant village is 130 km north of Montréal — approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car via Highway 15 North and Route 117. The ATV tour departure point is near the resort complex. See our Mont-Tremblant guide for accommodation and other activities.
Laurentides: guided quad adventure from Montréal
For travellers based in Montréal who want an ATV experience without the Tremblant overnight, the Laurentides guided quad adventure runs from a base point accessible in under 2 hours from the city:
Laurentides Quad-ATV AdventurePrice: approximately 100 CAD per person. Duration: 2–3 hours including briefing. This is the more affordable option and a good choice for a day trip from Montréal — though the trails and vehicles are less premium than the Tremblant side-by-sides.
The route covers wooded Laurentides terrain similar to the Tremblant experience, with a mix of forest paths and open fields.
Charlevoix: ATV in dramatic scenery
Charlevoix’s landscape — rolling highlands dropping to the Saint-Laurent, mix of farm and forest — is spectacular ATV country. Several small independent operators near Baie-Saint-Paul and La Malbaie offer guided tours, particularly in the higher plateau areas where the views are exceptional.
Charlevoix ATV operators are smaller and less standardised than the Tremblant outfits; booking is typically done directly. Ask at your Charlevoix accommodation for current operators. See our Charlevoix guide for context.
The FQCQ trail network: independent riding
If you already own or rent an ATV and want to explore independently, the Fédération québécoise des clubs quads’ trail network is one of the most extensive in North America. Highlights:
- Trans-Québec Trail: the main artery spanning the province east-west
- Laurentides sector: trails through lake and forest country close to the highway system
- Outaouais sector: rolling farmland and river valleys north of Ottawa
- Gaspésie sector: coastal and mountain routes, more remote, for experienced riders
Independent riding requires: registered ATV, valid driver’s licence, FQCQ trail permit (available seasonally from regional club offices or online), helmet.
Note: ATVs are not permitted on regular roads in Québec. Trail systems have designated road crossings where required.
Season and trail conditions
| Period | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| June | Usually dry | Best spring conditions |
| July–August | Peak season | Driest, busiest, longest days |
| September | Excellent | Fall colour starts mid-September in Laurentides |
| October | Good to muddy | Beautiful foliage but rain increases |
| November–May | Closed (most operators) | Some trails covered in snow |
The best conditions for trail riding are after a stretch of dry weather in July–September. After heavy rain, soft forest trails can become deeply rutted; most operators postpone tours when conditions are poor. Check in advance.
What to wear on a guided ATV tour
Operators provide helmets and protective eyewear. Bring:
- Long trousers (not shorts — debris and branches)
- Long sleeves or a jacket (keeps bugs and dust off your arms)
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes (hiking boots are ideal; no sandals)
- Gloves (optional but keeps your hands cleaner)
- Sunscreen for open-section trails
- Change of clothes — you will be dusty
Most operators have lockers for bags and valuables. Leave phones in your pocket only if they are securely pocketed; side-by-sides vibrate more than you expect.
Combining ATV with other Laurentides activities
A two-night stay in the Tremblant area allows a very natural combination:
Day 1: Rafting the Rouge River (40 min from Tremblant) — see rafting guide Day 2: Morning ATV tour + afternoon gondola at Tremblant
Or swap ATV for via ferrata or zip-lining depending on preference:
The cluster of adventure activities in this region is genuinely one of Québec’s strongest selling points for active travellers.
Key facts at a glance
| Detail | Mont-Tremblant SxS | Laurentides Quad |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ~180 CAD/vehicle | ~100 CAD/person |
| Duration | 1.5 hours | 2–3 hours |
| Licence required | No (guided) | No (guided) |
| Min. age | 16 (driver) | 16 (driver) |
| Season | June–October | June–October |
| Distance from Montréal | 130 km, 1h30 | ~80–100 km, 1h–1h15 |
Frequently asked questions about ATV and quad tours in Québec: where to ride
Do I need any special licence to go ATVing in Québec?
For solo or independent ATV riding on Québec's trail network, you need a valid driver's licence and the ATV must be registered. For guided tours on private land — which is what the operators listed here offer — no ATV licence or registration is required. The guide drives one vehicle; you drive another (or share a side-by-side) on private trails. Most tour operators require a regular driver's licence or an age minimum of 16.What is the difference between a quad ATV and a side-by-side?
A quad ATV (also called a 4-wheeler) is a single-seat or tandem vehicle you straddle like a motorcycle. A side-by-side (also called an SxS or UTV) has two seats next to each other, a steering wheel, and a protective roll cage — more like a buggy. Side-by-sides are generally more stable and more comfortable for beginners or families; they are also the standard at most Québec tour operators.What age can children do ATV tours in Québec?
Most guided tour operators accept children from age 5–6 as passengers in side-by-sides (with a parent driving). Minimum driving age is typically 16 with a driver's licence. The side-by-side format (passenger seats with roll bars) makes child participation much safer than traditional quads.What is the ATV season in Québec?
June to October for summer trail rides. Some operators in the Laurentides also run winter snowmobile tours on the same trail networks. The best ATV season is July to September — dry trails, warm weather, long days. October is good for fall foliage on the trails but can be muddy after rain.Is ATV touring dangerous in Québec?
With a reputable guided operator on private trails, it is a managed risk activity — not inherently more dangerous than horse riding or mountain biking. Guides enforce speed limits, provide helmets and protective eyewear, and lead on routes they know thoroughly. Independent trail riding is riskier, especially on wet terrain. Always wear the provided helmet; never ride after drinking.
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