Forillon National Park - Wikivoyage, the free collaborative travel and tourism guide - Parc national de Forillon — Wikivoyage, le guide de voyage et de tourisme collaboratif gratuit

Forillon National Park
Information
Country	Canada
Region	The Pointe de la Gaspésie
IUCN Category	II (National Park)
Administration	Parks Canada
Area	244,8 km²
Tourist information office	122, boulevard de Gaspé, Gaspe. ​ 1 418-368-5505, free number: 1 888-773-8888 ​
Location
48 ° 54 ′ 0 ″ N 64 ° 21 ′ 0 ″ W
Official site
edit

the Forillon National Park is a national park of canada located on the Gaspé Peninsula in the east of Quebec.

Understand

Forillon National Park of Canada is a peninsula located at the end of the Gaspé Peninsula covering 245 km² forests, mountains and coastline on the sea. It is full of natural and cultural treasures through its fauna, flora, geology and history. Indeed, the boreal forest of the park makes it easy to observe a diverse wildlife including moose. (Alces americanus) and the black bear (Ursus americanus), but also many sea birds including the Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), the Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle), the Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) and the Little Penguin (Alca twisted). The park includes the Penouille peninsula offering a fine sandy beach, but also a salt marsh which is a unique ecosystem sheltering a particular fauna including the Great Blue Heron. (Ardea herodias), and which is also an important archaeological site.

• 48.812594-64.2657261 Reception station South Sector End of May to mid-October. (last update March 2018)
• 48.838559-64.2143812 Interpretation center North sector End of May to mid-October. (last update March 2018)

To go

Entry fee

The entrance fee to the park includes access to the heritage site of Grande-Cave.

Access fees to the park

	Daily		Seasonal		Discovery entry card
	June 25 to Labor Day	before June 25 and after Labor Day (reduced services)		Early bird promotion from May 20 to June 24	Card valid in 28 national parks and 65 historic sites in Quebec
Adult	7,8 $ C (~5,21 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 5.76 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 6.29 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 3,415.41 F CFA - price on 04/27/2021)	5,65 $ C (~3,77 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 4.17 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 4.56 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 2 473.99 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021)	39,2 $ C (~26,18 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 28.93 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 31.61 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 17,164.64 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021)	31,4 $ C (~20,97 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 23.18 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 25.32 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 13,749.23 F CFA - price on 04/27/2021)	67,7 $ C (~45,22 € - course of 04/27/2021) (~ 49.97 Fr. - price of 04/27/2021) (~ $ 54.59 - class on 04/27/2021) (~ 29,644.03 F CFA - price of 04/27/2021)
Elder (65 years and over)	6,80 $	4,90 $	34,40 $	27,40 $	57,90 $
Young (6 to 16 years old)	3,90 $	2,90 $	19,60 $	15,70 $	33,30 $
Child (under 6 years old)	Free	Free	Free	Free	Free
Family or group (up to 7 people in the same vehicle)	19,60 $	13,70 $	98,10 $	78,50 $	136,40 $
Commercial group	6,80 $ per person	4,30 $ per person
School group (primary or secondary students)	2,90 $ per person	1,90 $ per person

By car

Forillon National Park is located at the northeastern end of the Gaspé Peninsula. It is accessible via Route 132, either from the south or the north of the peninsula. It is a journey of 700 km from Quebec and of 350 km from the border with the New Brunswick.

On a boat

For boaters, it is possible to moor directly at the park at the cost of 0,90 $ per plant per period of 24 hours.

By public transport

The region is accessible by train, bus and plane. Consult the pages of The Pointe de la Gaspésie and some Gaspesie for more details. The park as such is not accessible by public transport.

Circulate

To see

• Fort Peninsula  – An abandoned military fort built during the Second World War, interpretive panels explain the military history of the place and the strategic importance of the peninsula. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Naturalists  – The guide-interpreters are present at different places in the park and can answer your questions or simply chat with you during your visit, they have a kiosk called "Curieux de nature" in Cap-Bon-Ami and they are present at the center of 'interpretation, also look for the signs "Naturalist in function". (last update Feb. 2018)
• Whale watching aboard the Narwhal III (Gaspé Bay Cruise Inc.) Havre de Grande-Cave (South sector),   1 418 892-5500, 1 866 617-5500 (free number), e-mail : [email protected] Beginning of June to mid-October. – Animated cruise lasting approximately 2 h 30, observation of up to seven different species of whales, several departures per day. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Observation of mammals  – Including original, black bear, beaver, red fox, coyote, lynx, snowshoe hare, porcupine, groundhog, mink, ermine, chipmunk and Red squirrel. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Observation of sea birds  – Including the Double-crested Cormorant, Black Guillemot, Kittiwake, Razorbill, Great Blue Heron, Common Tern, Osprey and various species of sandpipers and gulls. (last update Feb. 2018)
• 48.856174-64.2013341 Lighthouse of Cap-des-Rosiers 1331, boulevard de Cap-des-Rosiers, Gaspé, e-mail : [email protected] – Canada's tallest lighthouse, built from 1854 to 1858, it is a national historic site. (last updated Sep 2019)
• Grande-Cave heritage site  – Discovery of the daily life of fishing families at the end of the 19th century^e century, turned wooden houses with typical 19th century architecture^e and XX^e century, Hyman & Sons general store showing the trading system of yesteryear and including an upstairs exhibition on the cycle of the seasons in the daily life of fishermen and farmers of the time, guide-interpreters, activities, authentic buildings, exhibitions. (last update Feb. 2018)

Do

Summer

• Bathing  – Several pebble beaches suitable for swimming: Cap-Bon-Ami, Petit-Gaspé, Grande-Cave and Des-Rosiers campsite, in addition to the sandy beach of Penouille. Be careful with strong waves since the surf can drag swimmers out to sea, as is the case at Cap-Bon-Ami beach. The beaches of the park are not supervised. Penouille beach includes picnic areas, playgrounds and a service building with toilets and showers. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Recreation center South Sector Fees are added for the activities of the recreation center in addition to the park access fees. – Heated picisne, paddling pool, tennis including racket rental, playground, bicycle rental, restaurant, terrace, dairy bar, shop including products for recreational activities, rental of fishing rods, automatic laundry with dispenser of products for the laundry. (last update March 2018)
• Sea kayak (Cap Aventure) Departure from the harbor of Grande-Cave (South sector),   1 418-892-5056, e-mail : [email protected] Mid-June to end of August (out of season on request). – Hikes guided by accredited guides: at 8 h encounter seals, at 17 h 30 the seals at sunset in osleil, also at 7 h in Cap-Gaspé on request. You must register at the recreation center at least one hour before departure, for the morning departure, register the day before between 9 h and 18 h. The recreation center has a combined offer of sea kayaking with Cap Aventure and whale watching cruise aboard the Narwhal III (see section See above for more details on the Narwhal III). (last update Feb. 2018)
• Mackerel fishing On the Grande-Grave quay – No fishing license required, daily catch limit, including release, of 10 mackerel per fisherman, it is forbidden to have in your possession more than 10 mackerel, a single fishing line equipped with a single hook or triple per angler, make sure your line is not in the waterway when a boat approaches. It is also possible to capture plaice. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Scuba diving and snorkeling (Plongée Forillon Inc.) Departure from Grande-Cave harbor (South sector),   1 418 892-5888, e-mail : [email protected] Mid-June to mid-September (out of season outings on request). – Activities accessible to all, no experience required: boat trips, snorkeling, seal watching, equipment provided. Divers who have their equipment can also go to the sites of Petit-Gaspé, Grande-Cave and Anse-Saint-Georges. (last update Feb. 2018)
• Bike  – Some trails are practicable by bike (see below) or follow the secondary roads of the park. Cycling is prohibited on hiking trails that are not identified with the cycling pictogram on the park map. The park's recreation center offers bicycle rental. It is recommended to have a mountain or hybrid bike for the trails. (last update Feb. 2018)

Hiking

List of hiking trails

Last name	Place of departure	Length (in km)	Type	Difficulty	Remarks
Prelude to Forillon	Interpretation center (North sector)	0,6	Loop	Beginner	Wooden sidewalk
The fall	On route 132 at 4 km of the North sector	1	Loop	Beginner	Lets see a fall of 17 m, boardwalks and stairs
A Tour in the Area	Large Cellar	3	Loop	Beginner	Allows you to visit the historic sector of Grande-Cave
The Graves	From l'Anse-aux-Amérindiens to Cap-Gaspé (by road)	3,2	To go	Beginner	Possibility to observe marine mammals
	From l'Anse-aux-Amérindiens to Cap-Gaspé (by the trail)	4	To go	Beginner
	From Grande-Grave to Cap-Gaspé	7,6	To go	Intermediate
The valley	L'Anse-au-Griffon	4,6	To go	Intermediate	Along the L'Anse-au-Griffon river, passable by bike and on horseback
The Portage	Operational center or L'Anse-au-Griffon	10	To go	Intermediate	Connects the southern and northern slopes of the peninsula, passable by bike and on horseback
Mont Saint-Alban	Cap-Bon-Ami	7,8	Loop	Intermediate	Impressive landscapes, observation tower at 283 m altitude (plan 1 h to get to the tower, go only)
	Petit-Gaspé Beach	7,2	Loop	Intermediate
The lakes	Operational center or route 197 in Rivière-au-Renard	16,8	To go	Advanced	Access to park uplands and wilderness lakes, wilderness camping spots
	Including access sections	17,6	To go	Advanced
The crests	Petit-Gaspé operational center or beach	16,3	To go	Advanced	Wooded and mountainous environment, wild camping pitches
	Including access sections	18,2	To go	Advanced

Winter

• Cross-country skiing ,   1 418 892-5505 – The Le Griffon cultural center maintains two cross-country ski trails in the park: La Vallée and Le Portage. The La Vallée trail has a length of 9,2 km round trip and its departure is at L'Anse-au-Griffon at 1 km route 132; its course is not very rugged and sheltered from the wind and it runs along the Anse-au-Griffon river; it includes a half-way shelter. For its part, the La Portage trail has a length of 20 km round trip and its starting point is near Penouille at 0,5 km from Route 132 (it is also accessible from L'Anse-au-Griffon); its course runs along a forest area to the south and fields to the north. Pets are prohibited on mechanically maintained trails. It is also forbidden to take them on snowshoes or on foot. (last update jul. 2015)
• Off-piste skiing and snowshoeing  – The Grande-Cave and Penouille service buildings are open in winter and can be used for resting. (last update Feb. 2018)

To buy

Eat

There is a restaurant at the recreation center. Several picnic areas are available in the park.

Have a drink / Go out

Housing

Campsites

Note: The rates for the campsite do not include the entrance fee to the park.

• Petit-Gaspé Campground South Sector Mid-May to mid-October.  25,50 $ per night without electricity and 29,40 $ per night with electricity. – Wooded lot, recreation center, swimming pool, bicycle rental, laundry, dumping station, water points, near hiking trails. 129 sites without electricity, 33 sites with electricity. (last update March 2018)
• Campsite Des-Rosiers North sector End of June to beginning of September.  25,50 $ per night without electricity and 29,40 $ per night with electricity. – Semi-wooded land, emptying station, water points, near a pebble beach and the interpretation center. 110 sites without electricity, 39 sites with electricity. (last update March 2018)
• Campsite Cap-Bon-Ami North sector End of June to beginning of September.  29,40 $ by night. – For tents only, unwooded land, near a belvedere, a hiking trail and a pebble beach. 41 sites without electricity. (last update March 2018)
• OTentik tents ,   1 877-737-3783 (free number) End of May to mid-October.  70 $ per night with basic services and 100 $ per night fully equipped (ready-to-camp). – Tent with wooden frame, canvas covering and wooden floor, includes three beds (two queen and one double) that can accommodate up to six people. Located in the Petit-Gaspé campsite. (last update March 2018)
• Dormitory shelters (lean-to) ,   1 418-368-5505 Mid-May to mid-October.  15 $ per person per night. – Two three-walled dormitory shelters allowing camping without a tent for up to four people located on the Les Crêtes and Les Lacs trails. Reservation by phone or at a collection station. Open-air log fires are prohibited. (last update March 2018)
• Wild camping Mid-May to mid-October. Free. – Wilderness camping areas on Les Crêtes and Les Lacs trails including pit toilets and picnic tables. Although free, registration is compulsory at the reception center or at a collection point. Open-air log fires are prohibited. (last update March 2018)

Communicate

Security

For outdoor activities, be sure to let someone know your route and schedule. Also, be sure to bring the necessary equipment, water and food. Be careful along the cliffs. Learn about the park regulations and follow them.

Maintain a safe distance from wildlife and do not feed them. On the trails, it is recommended to be in a group and to make some noise. The highway code applies in the park. Thus, wearing a seat belt is compulsory.

If you are driving on the road in the park, watch out for wildlife and reduce your speed. The highway code applies in the park. Be especially careful in campsites where children may be on the paths.

The water provided in the park is drinkable and tested regularly. When tests show that it is unfit for consumption, “Non-potable water” notices will be placed near all taps. If so, boil the water for at least three minutes before consuming it.

Be careful if you go out to sea. It may appear calm in the morning due to the lack of wind, but this rarely lasts all day and the winds can change suddenly. Always check the most recent weather forecast and tide table before going out to sea. Park staff can also provide information on this subject.

Respect

It is forbidden to hunt, trap, harass, attract or feed wild animals. It is also forbidden to fish in fresh water. To pick up, mutilate or destroy any natural element is internit; this includes both flora and fauna as well as fossils, beach wood and dead wood. It is not allowed to make wood fires outside the fireplaces provided for this purpose. It is also forbidden to camp outside of sites provided for this purpose. Pets must remain on a leash. Personal watercraft are not permitted in park waters.

In campsites, avoid making noise during quiet hours, that is to say 23 h - 7 h. The use of generators is only permitted 17 h - 19 h. It is also forbidden to make excessive noise in the parks at all times.

Around

• Gaspe
• Perforated
• Île-Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park