Forillon National Park

Park Gaspé Peninsula national park protecting coastal cliffs and wildlife

On Quebec’s Gaspé Peninsula, Forillon National Park protects coastal cliffs, sea stacks and marine waters; activities include whale watching, sea kayaking, cliff-top hikes and camping.

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Forillon National Park is a Canadian national park at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula in Québec, protecting coastal cliffs, headlands and forested interior areas. The park encompasses a mix of marine and terrestrial habitats.

Visitors use the park for cliffside walks, wildlife viewing (including seabirds and migrating whales offshore), lighthouse visits and multi-use hiking trails that follow the coastline and penetrate inland. The park’s coastal panoramas and marine access points are principal attractions.

The park was created as a federal national park to preserve the peninsula’s natural and cultural landscapes and has facilities for visitors including trailheads and interpretive signage.

It is located on the easternmost part of the Gaspé Peninsula, where the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the Atlantic seaboard meet, and is accessed from nearby Gaspé and surrounding communities.

  • Size and status: Established as a national park in 1970 and covers roughly 245 square kilometres of coastal and inland terrain at the tip of the Gaspé Peninsula.

What to See #

  • Coastal headlands: Coastal trails and headlands with viewpoints over cliffs, sea stacks and the Gulf of St. Lawrence; several marked hiking routes lead to lookout points on headlands.
  • Trails and coves: Interior trails and small coves that provide access to tundra, boreal forest edges and marine shorelines; used for wildlife viewing and short to multi-day hikes.
Forillon National Park
Forillon National Park, Gaspé Peninsula, Quebec, Canada
48.9001, -64.3486
Park areas generally accessible year-round; visitor centre hours vary seasonally.
Park entrance fees may apply for certain services; check Parks Canada/Quebec park information for current rates.

How to Get to Forillon National Park #

Forillon is reached by Route 132 to the Gaspé peninsula with the main park entrance near Cap-des-Rosiers; Gaspé town is the nearest major service centre. Regional buses and driving from Quebec City or Montreal are the usual approaches; the park is best accessed by car.

Tips for Visiting Forillon National Park #

  • Drive the coastal roads slowly and watch for marine mammals along the cliffs-mornings and evenings are best for sightings.
  • Bring layered clothing-the weather on the Gaspé Peninsula can change rapidly, even in summer.
  • If hiking, purchase a map from the park office; trails can be remote and cell coverage is spotty.

Best Time to Visit Forillon National Park #

Summer and early autumn are ideal for outdoor activities; services taper off in late autumn and winter.

Summer (June-August)
Jun-Aug · 10-20°C
Best for whale watching, hiking and full visitor services.
Autumn (September-October)
Sep-Oct · 5-15°C
Brilliant fall foliage and fewer tourists; some services reduce after September.
Spring (May)
May · 0-10°C
Migratory birds return and trails reopen; still cool and wet at times.

Weather & Climate near Forillon National Park #

Climate

Forillon National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -16°C to 22°C. Abundant rainfall (1129 mm/year), wettest in October, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
22°
Warmest Month
-16°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -6°C and lows of -16°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).

Comfort

-11°
Feels Like Freezing
-11°C
Temperature
-16° -6°

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
5.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

February

February is freezing with highs of -5°C and lows of -15°C. Moderate rainfall (69 mm).

Comfort

-10°
Feels Like Freezing
-10°C
Temperature
-15° -5°

Weather

69 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

March

March is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -10°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-10°

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

April

April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

May

May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°

Weather

92 mm
Rainfall
4.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

June

June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (86 mm).

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
18°

Weather

86 mm
Rainfall
3.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

July

July is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (108 mm).

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
12° 22°

Weather

108 mm
Rainfall
3.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

August

August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).

Comfort

16°
Feels Like Cool
16°C
Temperature
11° 21°

Weather

98 mm
Rainfall
3.6 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

September

September is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (79 mm).

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°

Weather

79 mm
Rainfall
4.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (112 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°

Weather

112 mm
Rainfall
4.5 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

November

November is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-4°

Weather

103 mm
Rainfall
4.8 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

December

December is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -11°C. Significant rainfall (101 mm).

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-11° -3°

Weather

101 mm
Rainfall
5.3 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze

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