Gaspesian Provincial Park

What is Gaspesian Provincial Park?

Gaspesian Provincial Park is a protected area located in eastern Quebec, Canada, situated on the Gaspé Peninsula near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Established in 1937, the park covers 500 square miles (1,295 square km) and was created to preserve the region’s natural beauty and protect declining caribou herds.¹

The park’s landscape is characterized by dense forests, numerous lakes, and the Shickshock Mountains, which run east to west and feature rare Alpine flora. Its highest point is Mount Jacques Cartier, reaching an elevation of 4,160 feet (1,268 meters). The park is also well known for its salmon fishing, particularly in the areas surrounding the Port-Daniel, Saint-Jean-Rivière, Lapetite-Cascapédia-Rivière, and Matane River districts.¹²

What are the Shickshock Mountains?

The Shickshock Mountains (also known as the Mont Chic-Choc) are a mountain range that serves as the backbone of the Gaspé Peninsula in eastern Quebec, Canada.³²

As an extension of the Appalachian Mountains, these mountains form a distinct range that parallels the south shore of the St. Lawrence River for approximately 100 miles (160 km). The range is characterized by its rugged, forested terrain and reaches its highest elevation at Mount Jacques Cartier, which stands at 4,160 feet (1,268 meters). Much of this mountainous region is protected within Gaspesian Provincial Park, which preserves the area’s natural landscape and biodiversity.³²

Why are caribou herds protected in this region?

Caribou herds in the region of Gaspesian Provincial Park are protected primarily because their populations were fast-diminishing. When the park was established in 1937, the creation of this protected area was a direct conservation effort intended to halt this decline and ensure the survival of the species within their natural habitat.¹

What makes the Gaspé Peninsula unique in Canada?

The Gaspé Peninsula is a unique region in eastern Quebec, Canada, defined by its dramatic geography and significant conservation efforts. Situated between the St. Lawrence River and Chaleur Bay, the peninsula is home to the Shickshock Mountains, an extension of the Appalachian Mountains that features the 4,160-foot Mount Jacques Cartier.²²

The region is distinguished by several key characteristics:

• Natural Preservation: Large portions of the peninsula are protected, notably within Gaspesian Provincial Park, which was established in 1937 to protect caribou herds and preserve rare Alpine flora.⁴²
• Scenic Accessibility: A highway encircles the peninsula, providing access to rugged coastal views and mountain landscapes.⁴
• Ecological Significance: The area is renowned for its outstanding salmon rivers, including the Cascapédia and York, which support both local and sporting interests.⁴²
• Economic Diversity: Beyond tourism and conservation, the region sustains itself through lumbering, mining (copper, lead, and zinc), and pulp production.⁴