National park · Canada
Gaspésie National ParkParc national de la Gaspésie
Give the park a full day: drive Route 299 from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to the Mont-Albert area, walk the Mont Albert or Mont Jacques-Cartier trail, and arrive before 9:00 in July–August to get parking and a shuttle seat.Give the park a full day: drive Route 299 from Sainte-Anne-des-Monts to the Mont-Albert area, walk the Mont Albert or Mont Jacques-Cartier trail, and arrive before 9:00 AM in July–August to get parking and a shuttle seat.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
802 km² (310 sq mi)310 sq mi (802 km²)
approximate
Established
1981
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 802 km² (310 sq mi)310 sq mi (802 km²)
- Roughly 800 km² of the Chic-Choc plateau; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1981
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Gaspésie National Park protects the Chic-Choc range, the highest mountains in southern Québec and the northern tip of the Appalachians. It is the only place in Québec south of the St. Lawrence where woodland caribou still live, and moose are common along the roads. There is no town inside the park: one access road, a lodge, a few campgrounds and a network of marked trails. Most visitors come for one or two summits and a night under dark skies.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1981.
Size and age
802 km² (310 sq mi)310 sq mi (802 km²) · national park since 1981
Roughly 800 km² of the Chic-Choc plateau; boundary figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Mont Albert's bare serpentine summit is a plateau, not a peak — a rare walk in eastern North America.
- Mont Jacques-Cartier is the highest point in southern Québec and the usual place to see caribou at a distance.
- The park is dark at night and quiet in the week; you can sleep inside it at Mont-Albert or in a campground.
- Winter turns the same trails into a snowshoe and ski area with the lodge as a base.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanDeep snow; snowshoe and ski trails from the lodge
- FebCold, clear; snow tires required
- MarLong days, still full winter
- AprThaw; trails icy and muddy
- MaySnow patches on high trails; some closed
- JunTrails open; black flies and mosquitoes
- JulWarmest; busiest; shuttle in use
- AugWarm; afternoon thunderstorms
- SepDry, clear, fewer people; best walking
- OctColour early in the month, then cold
- NovSnow and ice; services wind down
- DecWinter season starts; check road conditions
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodland caribou (Gaspésie herd)All year · Seen at a distance on the high plateau, mostly in the Mont Jacques-Cartier sector; never approach or follow them. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MooseMay–Oct · Common along Route 299 and the park roads, especially at dawn and dusk. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black bearMay–Oct · Present in the region; store food in a vehicle or locker, never in a tent. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Black flies and mosquitoesJun–Jul · Worst in early summer on forest trails; repellent and long sleeves help. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Drive Route 299 south from town; the park turn-off is signposted. The visitor centre and campgrounds come first, the Mont-Albert area about 30 min further.
30–45 min
Open the page →
From Montréal
Highway 20 east, then Route 132 around the peninsula to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, then Route 299. Doable in one long day; two days is easier.
8–9 h
Open the page →
From Québec City
Route 132 east along the south shore to Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, then Route 299 south.
6–7 h
Open the page →
From By bus
Orléans Express serves Sainte-Anne-des-Monts; a summer shuttle runs from town into the park once a day. No shuttle in winter.
Varies
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Mont-Albert area | Visitor centre, Gîte du Mont-Albert, main campgrounds and the trailheads for Mont Albert and the surrounding valleys. | Open with a park ticket; road plowed year-round. |
| Mont Jacques-Cartier sector | The high plateau and the caribou range at the south end of the park, reached by a separate access road. | Open in the snow-free season; shuttle or restricted vehicle access in peak periods (check). |
| Lac aux Américains and the interior | Lakes, backcountry campsites and long portage-style routes for canoeists and backpackers. | Open; backcountry permits required. |
| Winter sector | Groomed and marked snowshoe and ski trails radiating from the lodge and campgrounds. | Open in winter; snow tires and winter gear needed. |
Sketch map
- 1Sainte-Anne-des-Monts · Town≈49.128, -66.490Map ↗
- 2Park entrance, Route 299 · Gate≈48.970, -66.280Map ↗
- 3Visitor interpretation centre · Headquarters≈48.940, -66.240Map ↗
- 4Gîte du Mont-Albert · Sleep≈48.935, -66.220Map ↗
- 5Mont Albert summit · Summit≈48.920, -66.190Map ↗
- 6Mont Jacques-Cartier trailhead · Trail≈48.990, -66.080Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the park, for orientation only; the Mont Jacques-Cartier sector lies east of the Mont-Albert area.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily entry, adult | CAD 9–10 (≈ US$7–8) | person | 2026 estimate; Sépaq day rate, higher in peak summer (check). |
| Daily entry, child (under 18) | CAD 0–5 (≈ US$0–4) | person | 2026 estimate; family rates exist (check). |
| Annual Sépaq network pass | CAD 80–120 (≈ US$60–90) | person | 2026 estimate; covers entry to Sépaq parks, not Parks Canada sites. |
| Camping, unserviced site | CAD 30–45 (≈ US$25–35) | night | 2026 estimate, two adults; reserve ahead for July–August. |
| Shuttle to Mont Jacques-Cartier trailhead | CAD 10–20 (≈ US$8–15) | person | 2026 estimate; runs in the high season, required when the access road is closed to private cars (check). |
| Gîte du Mont-Albert room | CAD 130–250 (≈ US$95–190) | night | 2026 estimate, double; packages with meals cost more. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping or hut reservation permit or guide
Caribou zone access permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$9–10≈ US$7–8
- C$80–120≈ US$60–90
- C$30–45≈ US$25–35
- C$10–20≈ US$8–15
- C$130–250≈ US$95–190
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Sépaq — Parc national de la Gaspésie before you go.
Park rules
- Caribou zones
- Trails and areas near caribou habitat can be closed or restricted; check at the visitor interpretation centre before you start.
- Dogs
- Not allowed on the hiking trails; they disturb wildlife and are banned in most Sépaq park trail networks (check).
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds or with a backcountry permit; no wild camping along trails.
- Fires
- Only in provided fire pits; check the fire-danger level at the entrance on dry summer days.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Gîte du Mont-Albert
The park's mountain lodge: rooms with views of Mont Albert, a restaurant, sauna and Wi-Fi. No TVs in rooms.
In the park
Park campgrounds
Serviced and unserviced sites plus rental huts near the Mont-Albert area; reserve early for July and August.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Simple sites in the interior for backpackers and canoeists, reached on foot or by lake.
Near the park
Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Motels, B&Bs and restaurants 30–45 min north, on the coast; the practical base if the park is full.
Safety
Weather change on the summits high
Moose on the road medium
Winter driving and ice medium
Remoteness medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, the lodge and the main campgrounds are reachable by car with short, level walks.
- The summit trails are rough, steep and partly rocky; not suitable for limited mobility.
- Ask at the visitor centre about which short paths are firm enough for wheels after rain.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails on the plateau: the plant cover is fragile and slow to recover.
- Keep well back from caribou and never feed or follow them; the herd is small and protected.
- Pack out all rubbish, including food scraps, and use the bear-proof storage provided.
- Buy fuel, food and gear in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts so the gateway town keeps the benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Gaspésie National Park?
Expect roughly CAD 9–10 per adult per day in 2026, with children cheaper or free and family rates available. Camping, the Mont Jacques-Cartier shuttle and lodge rooms are charged separately. An annual Sépaq network pass pays off if you visit several Québec parks.
What are the best hikes in Gaspésie National Park?
The Mont Albert loop is the classic: about 16–17 km and 5–7 hours to a bare plateau. Mont Jacques-Cartier is a steadier 4–5 hour walk to the highest point in southern Québec, with caribou often visible at a distance. Mont Olivine is the shorter half-day summit, and the Lac aux Américains walk suits families or cloudy days.
When is the best time to visit Gaspésie National Park?
Late June to early October for hiking, with September usually the best mix of dry, clear weather and fewer people. July and August are warmest but busiest, with afternoon thunderstorms. Winter (January–March) is for snowshoeing and skiing from the lodge.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes for camping, huts and lodge rooms, especially July–August and on autumn weekends; book through the Sépaq system before you drive in. Day entry does not need a reservation.
Can I get there without a car?
Partly. Orléans Express stops at Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and a summer shuttle runs from town into the park once a day. There is no shuttle in winter, and once inside the park a car or the shuttle is the practical way to reach trailheads.
Will I see caribou?
Sometimes, at a distance, mainly on the high plateau in the Mont Jacques-Cartier sector. The Gaspésie herd is small and protected, so stay on the marked trail and never approach or follow the animals.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go