National park · Canada
Mingan Archipelago National Park ReserveRéserve de parc national de l'Archipel-de-Mingan
Go only if you will take a boat: the islands and the limestone monoliths are reachable by water from Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, June to early September. Two half-day trips (Île Niapiskau, Île Quarry) cover the best rock; book the boat first, then the lodging.
- 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
151 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (151 km²)
approximate
Established
1984
Best months
Jun–Aug
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
- 151 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (151 km²)
- Land and island area about 151 km²; the archipelago of islands and inlets covers roughly 90 km² of that, spread over about 150 km of coast (check).
- Established
- 1984
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
Mingan protects about 1,000 islands and coastal inlets spread along roughly 150 km of the Quebec North Shore, between the Saint-Jean and Aguanus rivers. The draw is geological: limestone monoliths eroded by waves, frost and rising land since the last glaciation, the largest group of such pillars in Canada. The park is a reserve, co-managed with the Innu of Ekuanitshit, and it has no road access to the islands. You sleep and eat in the North Shore villages and cross by boat or helicopter. Season is short: services run June to early September, and outside that window the archipelago is effectively closed to visitors.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national site · 1984National park reserve, established 1984; co-managed with the Innu community of Ekuanitshit.
Size and age
151 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (151 km²) · national park since 1984
Land and island area about 151 km²; the archipelago of islands and inlets covers roughly 90 km² of that, spread over about 150 km of coast (check).
Why go
- The monoliths: hundreds of limestone pillars up to several metres tall, cut by the gulf, standing on beaches and cliffs on a handful of islands.
- Puffins, razorbills, eiders and terns nest on the islands; grey and harbour seals haul out on the rocks, and minke, humpback and fin whales feed offshore.
- A short season and boat-only access keep numbers low: on most islands you share the trail with your boat group and nobody else.
- Innu cultural programming on set summer days, run with Ekuanitshit guides.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayAvoid
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctAvoid
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanClosed; boats and services stopped
- FebClosed; deep snow, no access
- MarClosed
- AprClosed; ice still on the gulf
- MayClosed; boats start late in the month at the earliest (check)
- JunBoats running; puffins and seabirds nesting; cool and often foggy
- JulWarmest, longest days; book boats and rooms ahead
- AugWarm; whales offshore; busiest weeks
- SepEarly September still runs; services wind down mid-month (check)
- OctClosed; storm season on the gulf
- NovClosed
- DecClosed
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic puffins and razorbills nestingJun–Aug · Île aux Perroquets and other colonies; keep to the path and give nests room. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Grey and harbour sealsJun–Sep · On rocks and islets throughout the archipelago. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Minke, humpback and fin whalesJul–Sep · Feeding offshore; seen from the boat crossings, not from land. | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Eiders, terns and shorebirds on migrationAug–Sep · Betchouane Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a non-stop sector on some trips. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Black bear and moose on coastal islandsJun–Aug · Occasional; store food properly at campsites. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | 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 Havre-Saint-Pierre
Route 138 to the town, then a boat from the wharf to the central islands (Île Niapiskau, Île Quarry, Île du Fantôme).
Boat 1–2 h
From Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan
Route 138 to the village, then a boat to the western islands (Île Nue de Mingan, Île aux Perroquets, La Grande Île).
Boat 1–1.5 h
From Québec City
Route 138 east along the North Shore; long drive with few services.
9–10 h
From Montréal
Drive Route 138 via Québec City; or fly to Sept-Îles and connect.
14–15 h
From Sept-Îles
Route 138 west, or a regional flight to Havre-Saint-Pierre.
2.5–3 h by road
From Minganie region plan
Villages, services and the rest of the North Shore.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Western islands | Île Nue de Mingan, Île aux Perroquets and La Grande Île, with monolith fields, a lighthouse station and seabird colonies. | Boat from Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan; guided landing. |
| Central islands | Île Niapiskau, Île Quarry and Île du Fantôme: the densest monolith groups and the main walking trails. | Boat from Havre-Saint-Pierre; guided landing. |
| Eastern sector | Petite Île au Marteau and the Betchouane bird sanctuary area, plus Île Saint-Charles and Île de la Fausse Passe seen from the water. | Boat from Havre-Saint-Pierre; some sectors non-stop only. |
| Marine zone | About 100 km (62 mi) of navigable water between the islands, used by kayaks, small craft and divers.About 62 mi (100 km) of navigable water between the islands, used by kayaks, small craft and divers. | Open to private craft; no landing on closed islands. |
Sketch map
- 1Havre-Saint-Pierre · Town≈50.233, -63.600Map ↗
- 2Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan · Town≈50.267, -64.150Map ↗
- 3Île Niapiskau · Trail≈50.217, -63.750Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Île Quarry · Trail≈50.217, -63.850Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Île aux Perroquets · Viewpoint≈50.200, -64.050Approximate; lighthouse station.Map ↗
- 6Île Nue de Mingan · Beach≈50.217, -64.000Approximate.Map ↗
- 7Petite Île au Marteau · Trail≈50.217, -63.650Approximate.Map ↗
- 8Mingan (Ekuanitshit) · Village≈50.300, -64.033Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 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 island positions for orientation only; landings depend on the operator and the season.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry, adult, per day | CAD 6–7 (≈ US$5–6) | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada entry is charged on top of the boat fare. Check current rates. |
| Park entry, family or group, per day | CAD 13–18 (≈ US$10–14) | group | 2026 estimate; confirm at booking. |
| Boat excursion to the islands, per person | CAD 75–130 (≈ US$55–95) | person | 2026 estimate; 3.5–6 h trips from Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan. Fare varies by island and operator. |
| Wild camping, per night | CAD 17–19 (≈ US$13–14) | person | 2026 estimate; 32 sites on six islands, boat access only, no showers. |
| oTENTik or Ôasis ready-to-camp, per night | CAD 130–145 (≈ US$95–110) | unit | 2026 estimate; on Île Quarry and La Grande Île (check availability). |
| Auberge de l'île aux Perroquets, per person per night | CAD 300–400 (≈ US$250–300) | person | 2026 estimate; lighthouse keeper's house, breakfast included, late June to August. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Boat excursion seat permit or guide
Campsite reservation permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$6–7≈ US$5–6
- C$13–18≈ US$10–14
- C$75–130≈ US$55–95
- C$17–19≈ US$13–14
- C$130–145≈ US$95–110
- C$300–400≈ US$250–300
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 Parks Canada — Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Landing
- You may land only on islands open that season and only with a licensed operator or your own permit; many islands are closed to protect nesting birds.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit; the archipelago is a bird sanctuary area (check).check
- Pets
- Not allowed on the islands; leave dogs in the villages.
- Fires
- Only in provided fire pits and hearths; driftwood gathering is restricted.
- Camping
- Only at the 32 designated sites on six islands; no wild camping elsewhere.
- Litter and food
- Carry everything out; food scraps attract gulls and bears.
Where to stay
Near the park
Havre-Saint-Pierre
Hotels, motels and campgrounds; the main base for central-island boats.
Near the park
Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan
Smaller village with inns and a sandy beach; base for western-island boats.
In the park
Auberge de l'île aux Perroquets
Rooms in the lighthouse keeper's house and the assistant's house, breakfast included, late June to August.
In the park
Island campsites
32 primitive sites on six islands, plus oTENTik and Ôasis units on Île Quarry and La Grande Île; boat access only.
Safety
Cold water and fog on the crossings medium
Slippery rock and uneven monolith beaches medium
Tides and currents on island shores medium
No services on the islands low
Long drive on Route 138 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
- Boat landings use rocky shores or simple docks; boarding and stepping off are not step-free.
- The Île Niapiskau boardwalk section is the most manageable walking, but the landing itself is the barrier.
- Villages on Route 138 have accessible lodging and restaurants; the islands do not.
Visiting lightly
- Book with licensed operators only; unlicensed landings disturb nesting puffins and terns.
- Pack out all waste, including food scraps, and use the outhouses at campsites.
- Keep distance from seals and whales; do not chase animals for a photo.
- Buy fuel, food and lodging in the North Shore villages so the region keeps the benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve?
Parks Canada entry is charged per person per day on top of the boat fare: roughly CAD 6–7 per adult and CAD 13–18 per family in 2026 (2026 estimate, check current rates). The real cost is the boat: about CAD 75–130 per person for a 3.5–6 hour excursion. Camping is about CAD 17–19 per person per night, and ready-to-camp units about CAD 130–145.
What are the best hikes in Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve?
There are no long trails: walking is short and island-based. The Île Niapiskau monolith trail (1.5–2 h, easy) is the classic, on a boardwalk and gravel path past the biggest pillar group. Île Quarry has 2–3 h of rougher rock and forest walking. Île aux Perroquets combines a short path with the lighthouse and puffin colony. All of it depends on which island your boat lands on.
When is the best time to visit Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve?
June to early September, when boats run and services are open. July and August are warmest and best for whales and nesting seabirds, but also busiest, so book boats and rooms weeks ahead. June is cooler and foggier with fewer people. Outside June–September the park is effectively closed to visitors.
Can I visit the islands without a boat?
No. There is no road or bridge to the archipelago. Access is by licensed boat from Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, or by helicopter. Some islands are closed to landing in any season to protect nesting birds.
Do I need to book the boat in advance?
Yes in July and August, and strongly advised for June and September. Boats are small (12–47 passengers) and seats sell out. Book the excursion first, then arrange lodging in Havre-Saint-Pierre or Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan.
Can I camp on the islands?
Yes, at 32 designated sites on six islands, plus oTENTik and Ôasis units on Île Quarry and La Grande Île. Sites are primitive, with a tent pad, table, fire hearth and outhouse; there are no showers. Reserve through Parks Canada and arrange a boat drop-off and pick-up.
Is Mingan Archipelago the same as Anticosti Island?
No. Anticosti is a separate large island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, reached by its own ferry and known for its rivers and deer. Mingan is the archipelago along the North Shore between the Saint-Jean and Aguanus rivers.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go