The Jacques-Cartier River drains an area of 2,515 square kilometres (971 sq mi), starting in and flowing for nearly 160 kilometres (99 mi) through the Laurentian Mountains in the geological region of Grenville (one of the youngest sections of the Canadian Shield, formed 955 million years ago), then flows through the sedimentary rocks of the St. Lawrence Lowlands for approximately 17 kilometres (11 mi), from the municipality of Pont-Rouge to its mouth.

[2] The reports that according to surveyor John Adams, in 1829, the river was known by the Hurons as Lahdaweoole, meaning "coming from far".

This natural highway was used among others by Jesuit missionaries to reach the Lac Saint-Jean area during the 17th century.

In 1895 the Laurentian Wildlife Reserve was created to provide fishing, hunting, and recreation opportunities for the people.

The end of the First World War and the construction of nearby roads to Lac Saint-Jean also contributed to this popularity.

One can find in the Jacques-Cartier River valley the American black bear, bobcat, common raccoon, gray wolf, river otter, porcupine, moose, white-tailed deer, and caribou; in all 23 species of mammals.

In addition, a reintroduction program has been established for Atlantic salmon, which disappeared from the river in the 19th century.