Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve
Mingan National Park Reserve is a national park reserve on the North Shore of Quebec, Canada.
Understand
The Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada is comprised of roughly 1,000 islands and coastal inlets scattered between the mouth of the Saint-Jean River (near Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan) to the west, and the Aguanus River (near Aguanish), to the east. The archipelago has a surface area of about 90 km², while the reserve has an area of 151 km² (58 sq mi). It was established in 1984.
- Park Information and/or reservation, ☏ +1 418-538-3285, +1 418-949-2126, toll-free: +1 888-773-8888, information@pc.gc.ca.
History
Landscape
The islands formed as the continent slowly rose after the last glaciation. Over the course of the last few thousand years, the limestone rocks were slowly eroded by the waves, the changing sea level and the winds, as well as seasonal freezing and thawing. The result is a unique set of limestone sculptures, which form the largest group of such monoliths in Canada.
Flora and fauna
Animals that inhabit this national park are beavers, river otters, muskrats, silver foxes, red squirrels, snowshoe hares, red foxes, ermines, certain species of bats and a number of small rodents. Occasionally, black bears and moose can be found on certain islands near the coast. Birds found on the islands include warblers, buntings, bald eagles, ospreys, passerines, eiders, terns, puffins, razorbills, and shorebirds. Marine animals that inhabit offshore are grey seals, minke whales, dolphins, harbour seals, humpback whales, porpoises, fin whales, and harp seals.
Climate
Get in
Quebec City is approximately 870 km from Havre-Saint-Pierre, while Montreal is roughly 15 hours away.
By car
Take Highway 138 from Quebec (approximately 870 km from Quebec to Havre-Saint-Pierre).
By bus
Autobus Intercar [dead link] links Quebec to Havre-Saint-Pierre via Sept-Iles (Information: Ste-Foy +1 418-650-0087; Quebec +1 418-525-3000; Baie-Comeau +1 418-296-6921; Sept-Iles +1 418-962-2126).
By plane
- From Havre-Saint-Pierre: Air Liaison (+1-888-589-8972)
- From Sept-Îles:
- Air Canada (+1-888-247-2262)
- Air Labrador (+1-800-563-3042)
- Pascan Aviation (+1-888-885-8777)
- Provincial Airlines (+1-866-962-0380)
By boat
The Croisières Relais Nordik line links Rimouski, Sept-Îles, Port-Menier, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Anticosti Island and the Lower North Shore with the Bella Desgagnés (+1-800-463-0680).
Fees and permits
Daily admission (2018):
- Adult $5.80
- Senior $4.90
- Youth and children free
- Family/group $11.75
Seasonal admission/before June 30:
- Adult $29.40/$14.70
- Senior $24.50/$12.20
- Youth and children free
- Family/group/$58.90/$36.80
Parks Canada Passes
The Discovery Pass provides unlimited admission for a full year at over 80 Parks Canada places that charge a daily entrance fee. It provides faster entry and is valid for 12 months from date of purchase. Prices for 2024 (taxes included):
- Family/group (up to 7 people in a vehicle): $151.25
- Children and youth (0-17): free
- Adult (18-64): $75.25
- Senior (65+): $64.50
The Cultural Access Pass: people who have received their Canadian citizenship in the past year can qualify for free entry to some sites.
Get around
See
- Limestone monoliths: The islands formed as the continent slowly rose after the last glaciation. Over the course of the last few thousand years, the limestone rocks were slowly eroded by the waves, the changing sea level and the winds, as well as seasonal freezing and thawing. The result is a unique set of limestone sculptures, which form the largest group of such monoliths in Canada.
Do
- Excursions with Services Maritimes Boréale, Pélagie Portal Cormier, 1010 Anciens Walk, Havre-Saint-Pierre, ☏ +1 418-538-2865, toll-free: +1 866-538-2865. 3- to 4-hour tours and day-long cruises offered June to September to see sea birds, monoliths and islands.
Buy, eat, and drink
There are no services on the islands. See Havre-Saint-Pierre
Sleep
Lodging
- In Havre-Saint-Pierre.
- Auberge de l'île aux perroquets, ☏ +1 418-949-0005. Overnight accommodations are available in the lighthouse keeper’s house or the assistant lighthouse keeper’s home from late June 23 to August. Single from $400, double from $300/person including breakfast.
Camping
Camping fees per night (2018):
- Primitive, with pit toilets $15.70
- oTENTik (glamping) $120.00
- Group camping without showers, per person $4.90-5.80