Popular camping styles for Gaspé
Camping near Gaspé guide
Overview
Surrounded by spectacular national parks and a stop on the summer cruise ship route, Gaspé has all the attractions that a camper could ever dream of. Home to three rivers teeming with salmon, anglers come here from all over the world, both by way of the city's small airport and via many Canadian road trip routes. Gaspé has excellent restaurants and galleries, should you require a break from roughing it on your trip—but you're going to want to spend most of your time in the great outdoors.
Where to go
Forillon National Park
Offering a mix of historic attractions that includes a lighthouse, underground fortifications, and home sites staffed by actors in period costume (known as animators), Forillon National Park serves up plenty to entertain before even considering the natural delights. Ocean areas are best explored on boat tours where you may get to observe the mighty blue whale frolicking in the warm ocean, or from beaches perfect for kite-surfing, sea kayaking, and fishing. Hike the boreal forest or mountains, searching out a huge variety of flora and fauna, waterfalls, and lakes.
Bonaventure-et-du-Rocher-Percé National Park
South of Gaspé off the coast is one of Quebec’s most famous natural attractions, Percé Rock, which sits by the Bonaventure Island Fortress, the biggest migratory bird sanctuary in North America. Boat tours take you out to explore the rock, sanctuary, and other coastal features, while on land, the park offers clifftops, evergreen forests, and sweeping vistas.
Haldimand Beach
Considered by many to be the best beach in the Gaspésie region, this long sandy public beach has supervised swimming, a playground, and views of Forillion National Park. Haldimand Beach is a fantastic place to spend a warm day.
When to go
Weather-wise, Gaspé is at its best in July and August, but the city gets very busy in those months—especially if there happens to be a cruise ship docked in the harbour. It can hard to handle the crowds, so some may prefer to plan a camping trip in early summer or fall. Though some visitors love to camp around Gaspé in winter, many attractions and businesses are only open from June through October.
Know before you go
- Many Gaspé tour operators take visitors out on adventures both on land and sea, and some also rent equipment such as canoes and kayaks.
- There are three electric vehicle charging stations in Gaspé.
- Most people in this part of Quebec (especially those working in tourism) are fluent in English, but French is the first language here. Occasionally you may find it prudent to have a translation app handy on your phone.
- Just south of Gaspé is the village of Douglastown, where the large population descended from the Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style every year.
