La Mauricie National Park protects the classic Laurentian mix of lakes, forest, rocky shorelines, and quiet water routes. It is not inside downtown Shawinigan, but the city is one of the easiest bases for reaching the park's southern approaches.
In summer, come for hiking, swimming, canoeing, and lake viewpoints. In winter, the park shifts toward snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, which makes Shawinigan useful beyond the warm season.