Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc is a small Mauricie village with lakes, forest, and a useful position on the southwest side of La Mauricie National Park. It is not a big destination by itself, but it has more than gateway value: the village mixes park access with Indigenous interpretation, family outdoor attractions, and a bit of rural Quebec heritage.
The best visit uses the village as a soft landing before or after the park. Mokotakan is the strongest local stop, while Labyrinthe Coureur des Bois gives families something more playful than another lookout or trailhead.
If you are already in Shawinigan, Trois-Rivieres, or the Mauricie countryside, Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc is worth a spare day when you want forest roads, lakes, and a village that still feels tied to the land around it.