National park · Canada
Miguasha National ParkParc national de Miguasha
Go for the fossil cliff and the 3.5 km Evolution of Life loop: budget about 1.5–2 h on site, arrive before 11:00 in July–August, and skip it if you want mountains or long hikes — the park is under 1 km².Go for the fossil cliff and the 3.5 km Evolution of Life loop: budget about 1.5–2 h on site, arrive before 11:00 AM in July–August, and skip it if you want mountains or long hikes — the park is under 1 km².Go for the fossil cliff and the 2.2 mi Evolution of Life loop: budget about 1.5–2 h on site, arrive before 11:00 in July–August, and skip it if you want mountains or long hikes — the park is under 1 km².Go for the fossil cliff and the 2.2 mi Evolution of Life loop: budget about 1.5–2 h on site, arrive before 11:00 AM in July–August, and skip it if you want mountains or long hikes — the park is under 1 km².
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km²0 sq mi
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
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
- 1 km²0 sq mi
- Under 1 km² of land on a thin 2 km strip along the fossil cliff (check).
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Miguasha protects a 2 km cliff on the south shore of Chaleur Bay where sedimentary rock holds fish fossils from the Devonian Period, about 370 million years ago. It is a Quebec provincial park (SEPAQ), not part of the federal Parks Canada system, and it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 for its palaeontology. The site is small: the fossil cliff, a museum and one main trail. Most visitors treat it as a half-day stop while driving the Gaspé Peninsula, not as a destination in itself.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Listed for the Devonian fossil record of the Escuminac formation.
Size and age
1 km²0 sq mi · national park since 1985
Under 1 km² of land on a thin 2 km strip along the fossil cliff (check).
Why go
- The best single record of Devonian 'Age of Fishes' fossils anywhere: five of the six main fossil fish groups of the period are found here.
- The cliff and the shore below it are walkable in one short loop, so a fossil site becomes an actual hike.
- The museum holds thousands of specimens and runs a guided cliff activity plus a dig sandbox for children.
- It is a 15-minute detour off Route 132, which makes it an easy stop on a Chaleur Bay drive.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanClosed; snow and ice on the cliff
- FebClosed
- MarClosed
- AprClosed; shoulder season
- MayOpen weekdays only, 08:30–16:30 with a lunch break; cold wind off the bayOpen weekdays only, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM with a lunch break; cold wind off the bay
- JunDaily opening, guided tours running, few crowds
- JulWarm and fully open; busiest weeks
- AugWarmest sea and air; busiest weeks
- SepDaily opening, quieter, mild
- OctWeekdays only from mid-October; check closing date
- NovClosed
- DecClosed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rare orchids (yellow lady's slipper, coral-root species)Jun–Jul · Do not pick or step off the trail; several species are fragile. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Seabirds and gulls over Chaleur BayMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Migrating shorebirds on the bayAug–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Route 132 (Nouvelle or Escuminac)
Leave Route 132 at either municipality and follow signs to the park entrance on the coast.
10–15 min
From Bonaventure
Drive Route 132 west along Chaleur Bay.
about 45 min
From Percé
Drive Route 132 west via Bonaventure and New Richmond.
2.5–3 h
From Campbellton, New Brunswick
Cross at the Restigouche and follow Route 132 west.
about 45 min
From Chaleur Bay region plan
Where to base yourself and what else to see around the bay.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Fossil cliff (Escuminac formation) | The 2 km sedimentary cliff that carries the Devonian fish fossils.The 1.2 mi sedimentary cliff that carries the Devonian fish fossils. | Viewed from the trail and the shore; collecting is prohibited. |
| Natural History Museum and reception | Exhibits, the specimen collection, shop and lunch counter. | Open with admission; wheelchair accessible. |
| Shore and beach below the cliff | The return leg of the loop, with loose rock and fossils in the fallen blocks. | Open on foot; watch the tide and the cliff base. |
| Woodland above the cliff | Mixed forest with rare orchids, including four orchid species recorded in the park. | Stay on the marked trail. |
Sketch map
- 1Park reception and museum · Headquarters≈48.104, -66.348Map ↗
- 2Fossil cliff viewpoint · Viewpoint≈48.111, -66.369Approximate; the cliff runs about 2 km along the shore.Approximate; the cliff runs about 1.2 mi along the shore.Map ↗
- 3Evolution of Life trailhead · Trail≈48.105, -66.352Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Nouvelle · Town≈48.133, -66.317Approximate; one of the two Route 132 access points.Map ↗
- 5Escuminac · Town≈48.067, -66.483Approximate; the other Route 132 access point.Map ↗
- 6Campground near the park · Sleep≈48.100, -66.340Approximate; two campgrounds sit about 2 km and 5 km from the entrance.Approximate; two campgrounds sit about 1.2 mi and 3.1 mi from the entrance.Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (adult) | CAD 8–10 | person | 2026 estimate; Quebec national parks charge entry separately from the museum (check current SEPAQ rate). |
| Natural History Museum admission (adult) | CAD 10–12 | person | 2026 estimate; listed at about $10.65 plus taxes, on top of park entry. Under-18s free. |
| Guided cliff activity | CAD 0–15 | person | 2026 estimate; included with some admissions, otherwise a small add-on (check). |
| Annual Quebec parks card | CAD 60–90 | person | 2026 estimate; only worth it if you visit several SEPAQ parks in a year. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Guided tour or cliff activity no permit
Park rules
- Fossil collecting
- Removing rock, fossils or any natural object from the park is prohibited; the cliff and its fallen blocks are protected.
- Pets
- Dogs are allowed only in certain areas; guide and service dogs are allowed everywhere. Other pets are prohibited.
- Trail use
- Stay on the marked trail; the cliff edge and the upper woodland are unstable or fragile.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the park (check).check
Where to stay
Near the park
Campgrounds near the park
Two campgrounds about 2 km and 5 km from the entrance.Two campgrounds about 1.2 mi and 3.1 mi from the entrance.
Near the park
Small inns near the park
Two inns about 1 km and 2.5 km away; book ahead in July and August.Two inns about 0.6 mi and 1.6 mi away; book ahead in July and August.
Near the park
Nouvelle and Escuminac
Motels and gîtes in the two municipalities that give access to the park.
Safety
Cliff edge and loose rock medium
Slippery shore rocks medium
Cold wind and fog off Chaleur Bay low
Accessibility
- The Natural History Museum, the Le Dévonien lunch counter and the Boutique L'Échoppe are accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
- The Evolution of Life trail includes rough shore rock and is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers on the full loop.
Visiting lightly
- Leave every fossil and rock where it is; the site's value is the record, not souvenirs.
- Buy fossils and minerals only from licensed shops such as the park boutique, not from roadside sellers.
- Stay on the trail through the orchid woodland to avoid trampling fragile plants.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Miguasha National Park?
Park entry is charged per person on top of museum admission. Expect roughly CAD 8–10 for park entry and about CAD 10.65 plus taxes for the museum for an adult, with under-18s free (2026 estimates; check current SEPAQ rates).
What are the best hikes in Miguasha National Park?
There is one main route: the Evolution of Life trail, a 3.5 km loop that follows the fossil cliff and returns along the shore, with about a dozen interpretive panels. It takes 1.5–2 hours at an easy pace and is open May–October.
When is the best time to visit Miguasha National Park?
June and September: the park is open daily, guided tours run, and crowds are lighter than in July and August. May and from mid-October it opens weekdays only with a lunch break, and it is closed in winter.
Is Miguasha part of the Canadian national parks system?
No. It is a Quebec provincial park run by SEPAQ, so the federal Parks Canada Discovery Pass does not cover entry. See the national park passes page for what each pass does cover.
Can I take fossils home from Miguasha?
No. Removing fossils, rock or any natural object is prohibited, and the cliff and its fallen blocks are protected. Buy specimens from the park boutique or a licensed shop instead.
How long do you need at Miguasha?
About 1.5–2 hours for the trail plus 45–60 minutes in the museum. Most visitors combine it with a Chaleur Bay drive rather than staying the whole day.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go