Is Centre de la nature free?

Entry is free for Laval residents and visitors. Parking, boat rentals, the train and some equipment rentals cost extra.

Is the farm still open?

No. The permanent farm closed on March 6, 2026. A free mobile farm with alpacas, sheep and goats is scheduled on summer weekends through September 27, 2026.

What can children do for free?

Families can use the trails, playground, gardens, tropical greenhouse and picnic spaces for free. Seasonal conditions affect some facilities.

Is it a good rainy-day activity?

Only in a limited way. The greenhouse and chalet are indoors, but most attractions and travel between them are outside.

Qualifying Laval residents park free with proof of residence. Visitors from outside Laval pay C$6 for three hours or C$9 for the day.

Centre de la nature

Name: Centre de la nature
Address: 901 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, Canada, H7E 2T7, CA
Telephone: 450-662-4942
Rating: 4.7

Rating

4.7(9,666)

Family of 4

Park admission is C$0.

Duration

2-4 hours; a picnic and seasonal rentals can turn it into a full-day outing

Best Ages

Ages 2 to 12, with trails and seasonal recreation for older children and teens

About

Centre de la nature gives families 50 hectares of park space in Laval, north of central Montreal. Admission is free, and the grounds are normally accessible every day from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The large size means families can build very different visits: a quick playground stop, a two-hour walk and greenhouse visit or a longer picnic day with paid seasonal activities.

The year-round basics include walking trails, gardens, a tropical greenhouse, picnic areas and play structures. The city lists five kilometres of pedestrian trails in summer and six kilometres of prepared winter walking routes when conditions allow. One playground section is adapted for children with limited mobility.

The overall site is listed as accessible, but trail surfaces, snow and the distance between features can make stroller use uneven. A sturdy stroller is the safer choice for toddlers.

Seasonal options change the cost. The small train is C$4 per person. Summer rentals include canoes, kayaks, pedal boats and rabaskas, with different resident and nonresident prices.

A 25-minute pedal boat rental costs C$12 for visitors from outside Laval. Winter rentals can include skates, helmets, cross-country skis and snow tubes. Check the live installation status because bad weather or poor conditions can close an activity without much notice.

Families should know that the old permanent farm ended operations on March 6, 2026. It shouldn't be presented to children as a daily attraction. The city replaced it with a free mobile farm program on summer weekends from June 6 through September 27, 2026.

Families can see about 15 animals, including alpacas, sheep and goats, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Controlled enclosure visits are limited to 20 people at a time.

Most of the park is outdoors, so this isn't the best full rainy-day plan. The tropical greenhouse and chalet provide some indoor time, but they won't fill several hours. Pack a picnic in fair weather. Non-Laval residents pay C$6 for three hours of parking or C$9 for the day, while qualifying Laval residents can park free with proof of residence.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Limited

Nursing / Changing

Unknown

Kid Meals

Limited

Setting

Indoor & Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Visit early on a fair-weather weekday for trails and playgrounds. Summer weekends from June through September include the free mobile farm program.

Wait Times

There is no general admission line. Waits for the train, animal enclosure, boat rentals and winter equipment are not published.

Nearby Food

A seasonal canteen operates at the chalet-restaurant, and picnic areas are available. Summer canteen hours and other food service can change, so check the official schedule before relying on an on-site meal.

Why Kids Love It

Children can switch between playgrounds, woodland paths, gardens, a tropical greenhouse and seasonal activities such as boats, skating, sledding or the small train.

Pro Tips from Parents

Check the City's installation-status page before leaving because boats, skating, sledding and other activities depend on weather and seasonal conditions.
The permanent farm closed on March 6, 2026. On summer weekends, a free mobile farm program brings alpacas, sheep and goats to a controlled enclosure.
Food isn't allowed inside the playground areas, so use the marked picnic spaces for snacks and meals.
Bikes, scooters, skateboards and roller skates are allowed only on the designated 0.826-kilometre circuit.
Non-Laval drivers should choose between the C$6 three-hour parking option and the C$9 day rate.