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Voykit pocket guide · Canada
Rivière-aux-Outardes
One day is enough for a drive along Route 389 to see the hydro dams, then a short hike or wildlife stop; add a night if you want fishing or snowmobile on the reservoir.
Rivière-aux-Outardes is a remote unorganized territory on Quebec's Côte‑Nord. Its main draws are the massive Hydro‑Québec dams, the Manicouagan crater scenery, and back‑country hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. With only a few services along Route 389, a single day trip from Baie‑Comeau or Fermont covers the highlights; stay overnight for guided fishing or winter snowmobile routes.
- Country
- Canada
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for fishing, hiking and road access; Dec–Feb for snowmobile if equipped for winter travel
- Avoid
- Oct–Nov (early snow, road closures) and Mar–May (muddy forest roads)
- Stay
- 0–1 (overnight only for fishing or snowmobile trips) nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CAD
- Money
- Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $). Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere.
- Daily spend
- Budget CAD 45–70 excl. bed · Mid CAD 70–120 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Rogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores. Canadian data is expensive — an eSIM is often cheaper.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Same as the US.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: CAD 1–2 per drink.; Taxi: 10–15%.; Housekeeping: CAD 3–5 a night.; Guide: 10–20% of the tour price.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).
- Toilets
- Free in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel (per litre) | CAD 1.45–1.65 |
| Guided dam tour (if offered) | CAD 20–35 |
| Fishing licence (daily) | CAD 15–25 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- YBC · Baie-Comeau Airport
- —
Typical fares
- Fuel to Relais Gabriel (≈300 km round‑trip)
- about CAD 80 (check price at station)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Drive Route 389; use ATV in summer or snowmobile in winter on the frozen reservoir. Fuel only at Relais Gabriel (km 316) and the motel; plan refills before heading north.
See and do
Known for
- Hydroelectric dams (Manic‑2, Manic‑5, Daniel‑Johnson)
- Manicouagan crater and René‑Levasseur Island
- Hunting and fishing outfitters
- ATV and snowmobile trails
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Baie‑Trinité | Drive Route 389 north 120 km (75 mi), then local road; about 2 h totalDrive Route 389 north 75 mi (120 km), then local road; about 2 h total | ≈2 h |
| Chute‑aux‑Outardes | Drive Route 389 to the turnoff near Baie‑Comeau, then local road; 1 h total | ≈1 h |
| Ragueneau | Drive Route 389 south to the junction with Route 138, then 30 km (19 mi); about 1 h 30 minDrive Route 389 south to the junction with Route 138, then 19 mi (30 km); about 1 h 30 min | ≈1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Motel de l'Énergie
- Fuel, restaurant and basic rooms at km 211, Route 389
- Station Uapishka
- Lodging and activity packages at km 336, Route 389
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excusez‑moiexkuse mwa |
| Thank you | Mercimehr-see |
| How much? | Combien?kohm-byen |
| Where is the gas station? | Où est la station‑essence?oo eh lah sta-syon es-anss |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake; 'Bonjour' first in Québec; avoid: Assuming everyone speaks English
- Queues: Line up and wait your turn; avoid: Pushing in
- Apologising: 'Sorry' is politeness, not admission of fault; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Canada vs US: Treat Canada as its own country; avoid: Calling Canadians American
- Indigenous culture: Buy from Indigenous-owned businesses and ask before photos at ceremonies; avoid: Wearing headdresses as costume
Scams and watch-outs
- Very limited services – fill up fuel early.
- Road conditions can change quickly; check Hydro‑Québec travel alerts.
- Cellular coverage is sparse; consider satellite phone or Starlink.
Remote area with low crime; main risks are road conditions, wildlife encounters and limited medical services – carry a first‑aid kit and inform someone of your route.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Rivière-aux-Outardes yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 (overnight only for fishing or snowmobile trips) nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Hydroelectric dams (Manic‑2, Manic‑5, Daniel‑Johnson)
- Manicouagan crater and René‑Levasseur Island
- Hunting and fishing outfitters
- ATV and snowmobile trails
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Rivière-aux-Outardes: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Rivière-aux-Outardes, revision 5049011 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5049011
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Rivière-aux-Outardes
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaît
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US consular services are in Quebec City; Canadian citizens call 911 for emergencies.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/riviere-aux-outardes). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.