Lessons learned on Gaspe Peninsula Trip

[NCWriter]

We spent a few weeks in Quebec this summer and had a marvelous time! I thank those who contributed their experiences in past years because they helped shape my planning. A few observations while it's fresh in my mind:

Reservations really aren't needed in Quebec with a couple of exceptions.
- Glad I had booked ahead for the Jean-Baptiste Day weekend (June 24 is Quebec's National Holiday, and Camping Transit in Quebec City was packed with family groups enjoying the sunny weather.
- Glad I had booked ahead Des Rosiers campground with electric hookups in Forillon National Park on Canada Day Weekend. Gorgeous park and excellent camping.

Many campgrounds face the sea, so that you can park and wake up with a view, even with full hookups, found in numerous small towns. Rocky beaches for strolling or evening campfires by the water. Restrooms and laundry rooms, spotless.

Prices about half that of something similar in Maine ($30 or so for view sites) with the bonus of a huge discount if paying with the USD vs CA$ this year. Credit cards almost always accepted.

The Gaspesie is visitor friendly. Every small town had a pull-off with picnic tables, parking, some even with RV dumps and great sea views. Every medium sized town had a visitor center marked well ahead as you approached with a big blue question mark. Staff unfailingly gracious, communicated despite our lack of French language skills, and provided a wealth of information.

The scenery was great. Lighthouses, waterfalls, mountains, cliffs, numerous villages, all with church steeples - something to see around every bend. Wonderful sunsets along the west side. Some hills had steep grades - 12, 14% - but roads are well-maintained. Lots of hiking trails everywhere.

Fuel including diesel very easy to find. IGA grocery stores were similar to upscale US chains with plenty of variety. Fresh seafood sold in shops all along the coast.

Temperatures pleasant - shirtsleeves, jeans, sometimes cool enough for a sweatshirt but not cold or uncomfortable. We had our share of rainy days, alternating with sparkling, clear sunshine days.

Government formalities entering and leaving CA were about as easy and fast as it gets.
I'd be glad to answer any questions - just send a private message.

[stevemorris]

the "indian head" campground looks awesome

a week or a little more it will be.

well start at riviere du loup at cross into nb at cambellton, then on to Fredericton via Bathurst or the other way to the transcanada

[NCWriter]

I agree with Icannon that at least a week, more is even better.

Ten days was great for us up on the Gaspesie after we left Quebec City (three additional nights there).

[icanon]

stevemorris wrote:
we've stayed at king Neptune, a blast from the past for sure compared to the modern "rv resort" just up the road

we loved it!!


thinking about the gaspe this year on the way to new Brunswick

how many days would you suggest?

A week is the bare minimum ten days is nice that way you have travelling days in imho are lost days. Places to go are forillion nat'l park, Carleton sur mer and Perce.
Near Perce there is a nice little campground called Tete d'indien it's nothing fancy but charming.

[stevemorris]

we've stayed at king Neptune, a blast from the past for sure compared to the modern "rv resort" just up the road

we loved it!!


thinking about the gaspe this year on the way to new Brunswick

how many days would you suggest?

[icanon]

Little Kopit wrote:

JackD wrote:
Beautiful area

can't see image.

:C

This is the image that didn't work.

[Little_Kopit]

JackD wrote:
Beautiful area

can't see image.

:C

[JackD]

Beautiful area

[Crowe]

I am very happy to read this as the last time I visited about 35 years ago this was not the case. Residents were unfriendly and refused to speak English at all. They laughed at my attempt to speak French-and not in a good way. I was quite surprised as my dealings with the Maritime provinces had been very different. Time to visit again!

[icanon]

NCWriter wrote:

icanon wrote:
Glad you enjoyed my home province. I was at camping Transit during the June 24th holiday we could had a nice glass of wine or two. Right now we are touring the maritimes and we are having a great time. Again thanks for posting a nice review.

Sorry I missed seeing you! I was the one walking a big, black Lab. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Sorry too.

We are now at King Neptune CG about 5 min drive to Peggy's Cove.
Here's a pic of our view from the camp site

[NCWriter]

icanon wrote:
Glad you enjoyed my home province. I was at camping Transit during the June 24th holiday we could had a nice glass of wine or two. Right now we are touring the maritimes and we are having a great time. Again thanks for posting a nice review.

Sorry I missed seeing you! I was the one walking a big, black Lab. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[obgraham]

Our Gaspe trip a couple of years back was exactly as the OP had described it.

One of the best RV trips we ever took. Fewer unfriendlies there than most other places!

[VintageRacer]

I did it in my MCI MC-5C two years ago, camped at the national park just outside of Gaspe (town). My forefather Richard Miller came to Gaspe in 1775, and my grandfather left to go to Toronto in 1918 or so. I wanted to see and learn about my family roots. All two lane roads, some extremely steep hills (the one out of Pierce going towards Gaspe is a certain doozy that I should have taken in first gear, not second. But the scenery is stupendous.

[K_Charles]

We drove around the Gasps Peninsula in 1965 with a ford falcon wagon and a pop-up camper. I bet it's not the same today but nice to hear it's still beautiful. We should go back some time.

[Community Alumni]

Happy that you enjoyed your trip. I was born along the Gaspe coast, it's a beautiful region. :C