Chemin du Parc de la Vérendrye — Réserve faunique La Vérendrye Circuit

La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve sits between Ottawa and Val-d’Or on Highway 117, and the network of roads punching into its interior is some of the best low-key overlanding in Quebec. The main circuit links Lac Cabonga to Lac Dozois via unpaved forestry roads, crossing the Outaouais River watershed through stands of black spruce and jack pine. Keep an eye out for the bridge crossing at Rivière Coulonge — it marks the true backcountry threshold where cell service vanishes and moose outnumber other vehicles three to one.

Roads here range from well-graded gravel to rutted two-track that gets genuinely sloppy in spring and after rain. A high-clearance 4WD is recommended; stock AWV crossovers will struggle on the worst spurs. A Sépaq access permit is required to enter the reserve — grab it online or at the Highway 117 checkpoint. Best season is late June through October. Fuel up in Maniwaki or Val-d’Or; there’s nothing inside. Dispersed camping is allowed at designated sites throughout. You come out of here with moose sightings, a coated-in-mud rig, and zero regrets.