To cool your feet in the lake, your mind in the forest, and your eyes as you watch the thousand rays of sunlight reflecting off a waterfall (with the soothing sound of rushing water to boot), you don’t have to go too far this summer.
Just a 1-hour-and-10-minute drive from downtown Montreal, you can visit a village surrounded by nature where you’ll be able to enjoy all the delights and therapeutic benefits of a Quebec summer.
Rawdon—the beach, the market, a sandwich, and a coffee
As city dwellers at heart, we won’t stray too far from our beloved city and its scorching asphalt this summer. But we still want to sunbathe on a beach with fine sand—the kind that gets stuck in our shoes and hair for days after our weekly afternoon swim.
At Rawdon’s municipal beach, you can sunbathe, swim, and picnic every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last entry at 6 p.m.). You can also bring your bike and follow the bike path to Dorwin Falls, just six short kilometers away.
And for a picnic, you can stop by the La Récolte de Rawdon farmers’ market on Saturdays to pick up some local cured meats, apple juice, and fruit.
Rawdon’s Marché La Récolte / July 4, July 18, August 8, August 22, and September 12, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the City Hall parking lot
And for those who’d rather grab a sandwich and a coffee in the village after a swim, we recommend stopping by Chez Lucien.
Chez Lucien / 3700 Queen Street, Rawdon, QC
Dorwin Falls Park
Rawdon’s crown jewel is still Dorwin Falls Park.
There are 3 km of nature trails, a picnic area, and you can take your dog for a walk in Rawdon’s Parc des Chutes Dorwin.
Surrounded by dense forest, the waterfalls are incredibly romantic, especially during the snowmelt.
You can’t swim there, but the park’s lookout points offer spectacular views for a day of relaxation and contemplation. For more info, click here!
Parc des Chutes Dorwin / 3102 1st Avenue, Rawdon, QC
Practical Information
Where? Rawdon Municipal Beach, 3304 8th Avenue, Rawdon, QC
When? Open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (last admission at 6 p.m.)
Operating Period: Open from June 14 to September 1, 2026
What? Day passes are available for a fee for non-residents
- Ages 0–6 and seniors: Free
- Ages 7–12 and 65 and older: $5
- Ages 13–64: $15
- Family (2 adults and 2 children under 12): $30
