Gaspésie Tour: Outdoor Family Fun

Starting Point: Matane Wildlife Reserve

Board a shuttle bus and go on a photo safari accompanied by a naturalist guide in the Matane Wildlife Reserve to observe moose and learn more about these majestic animals.

Other options for activities: Destination Haute-Mer (sea fishing excursion), La Promenade des Capitaines, la Balade et le parc des îles

Local flavour to try: Seafood dishes from La petite crevette.

Logistical Details

Route and transportation: 40 minutes from Matane to the wildlife reserve’s registration centre

Accommodations: Extend the fun by renting a cabin or campsite in the wildlife reserve.

More lodging and activities options in La Mitis and La Matanie.

Starting Point: Matane Wildlife Reserve

Parc national de la Gaspésie is a must for hiking enthusiasts. As a family, discover Lac-aux-Américains and Mount Ernest-Laforce. If you are looking for more of a challenge, hike up Mount Albert or Mount Jacques-Cartier!

Other options for activities: Mount Lyall agate mine, Excursions Exploramer

Local flavour to try: Savour forest chocolates from the Couleur Chocolat chocolate economuseum

Logistical Details

Route and transportation:  2 hours from the wildlife reserve to the park

Accommodations: In addition to the Gîte du Mont-Albert and nearby cabins, the park also offers campsites and glamping (“ready-to-camp”) options. You can also find seaside campgrounds in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and the surrounding area.

More lodging and activities options in La Haute-Gaspésie.

Starting Point: Parc national de la Gaspésie

Mount Saint-Alban and the Les Graves trail, which leads to the Cap-Gaspé lighthouse and the Land’s End lookout, are among the must-see hiking spots in Forillon National Park. End your day in the Penouille sector where you can bike, paddleboard and have fun at the beach.

Other options for activities: Haldimand Beach, La Chute (Forillon National park)

Local flavour to try: Stock up on local produce at the Marché des Saveurs Gaspésiennes.

Logistical Details

Route and transportation: 3 hours from Parc national de la Gaspésie to Forillon National Park (take Route 299, then Route 132 to avoid driving on gravel roads)

Accommodations: The park offers campsites as well as glamping options, including the new Ôasis units in the shape of water droplets. The Petit-Gaspé sector, which features a recreation centre and swimming pool, is ideal for families. There are several other campgrounds near the park.

More lodging and activities options in La Côte-de-Gaspé.

Starting Point: Forillon National Park

In the morning, continue your exploration of Forillon National Park during a whale-watching cruise or sea kayaking excursion, or stay on dry land and visit the park’s heritage sites.

In the afternoon, visit the Percé UNESCO Global Geopark. Discover the unique geology of this area through the Tektonik multimedia experience, hiking trails and the suspended glass platform.

Other options for activities: Gaspé Berceau du Canada, Camp de base Gaspésie, Parc municipal de la Rivière Émeraude

Local flavour to try: La Maison du pêcheur offers a fisherman’s platter featuring local lobster and other fresh fish and seafood. You can also order seafood in many other restaurants in Percé.

Logistical Details

Route and transportation:  1.5 hours from Forillon National Park to Percé

Accommodations: The Geopark offers campsites. You can also find campgrounds, hotels, etc. in Percé.

Starting Point: Percé

Home to the most accessible northern gannet colony in the world, Parc national de l’Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé offers hiking trails as well as interpretive activities (in French only).

Other options for activities: Espace NAPAGA, historical walking tour of Percé, Folies Boréales, Fish On Aventure (sea fishing)

Local flavour to try: Savour Pit Caribou beers at the pub on a magnificent patio overlooking the sea at the microbrewery in L’Anse-à-Beaufils.

Logistical Details

Route and transportation: 40 minutes from Percé to Chandler

Accommodations: Located in Chandler, Camping Espace NAPAGA offers campsites in wooded areas or on the beach.

More lodging and activities options in Le Rocher-Percé.

Starting Point: Chandler

Go canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding down the crystal-clear Bonaventure River with Cime Aventure. 

Other options for activities: Parc de la Pointe-Taylor, Rats de Marées - Guide de pêche, Circuit des plages (Beach Tour of Bonaventure)

Local flavour to try: Savour freshly picked strawberries at Ferme Bourdages Tradition or stock up on their many other treats: pies, jams, slush and more!

Logistical Details

Route and transportation: 2 hours from Chandler to Bonaventure

Accommodations: Sleep on site in a teepee, cottage, riverside cabin or ecolodge on stilts! Camping is also available.

More lodging and activities options in La Baie-des-Chaleurs.

Starting Point: Bonaventure

At the Site des Chutes et Marais, a salmon observation site, you can learn more about salmon and observe these fish swim in the river in real time via a giant screen. A hike in the falls sector will allow you to see them jumping up the waterfall.

Along the way, stop at the spectacular lookouts along the Route des Belvédères scenic drive and at the suspended lookout over the Chute à Philomène waterfall to admire amazing views!

Other options for activities: Nature Aventure, Via ferrata de la Chute à Philomène

Local flavour to try: the frozen delicacies of Bar laitier Aux petits délices.

Logistical Details

Route and transportation: 2 hours from Bonaventure to Causapscal

Accommodations: Located on the shores of Lake Matapédia, Camping Bois et Berges in Val-Brillant offers glamping units and yurts as well as tent and trailer sites.

More lodging and activities options in La Baie-des-Chaleurs and La Matapédia.