Part of the Grand parc de l'Ouest, the Bois-de-l'Île-Bizard nature park covers 216 hectares of woodland and wetland on Île Bizard, bordered by Lake of Two Mountains and the Rivière des Prairies. Its marshes are the main event: a half-kilometre boardwalk carries walkers directly over the wetland, making it one of the better spots in Montreal to watch herons, migrating geese, and whatever else the ecosystem turns up. Some 7 kilometres of easy trails serve walkers and cyclists, converting to cross-country ski and snowshoe routes in winter, and a small beach on the bay suits families with young children in summer. At Pointe-aux-Carrières, the park's lookout nods to the site's past as a 19th-century quarry and stopover for boats. Paid parking and a welcome chalet sit at the entrance.