Chemin du Parc de la Vérendrye — Réserve faunique La Vérendrye Circuit
Moose country, mud roads, zero crowds.
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.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1640 ft |
| Best season | June-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Maniwaki, QC |
| Land manager | Sépaq — Réserve faunique La Vérendrye |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | sepaq.com |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this circuit, or do I need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD handles this trail fine in dry conditions. Mud season (May–early June) can get sloppy enough that a lift and aggressive tires help, but most of the 299 km is graded gravel forestry road, not rock crawling.
When does the reserve open and close for the season?
Sépaq officially opens La Vérendrye for the summer season around late May and closes access roads in late October or early November depending on snowfall. Avoid the spring thaw window — roads are torn up and some gates are locked.
Do I need a permit, and what does it cost?
Yes, a daily access permit is required from Sépaq — as of recent seasons it runs roughly CAD $10–12/day per vehicle. Purchase at the entrance station on Route 117 or through Sépaq's online portal before entry. Rangers do check.
What's the hardest section of this circuit and what should I actually expect?
The deeper forestry spurs off the main chemin are where it gets honest — loose gravel washouts, tight canopy, and water crossings with no formal bridges. Nothing technically extreme, but after rain those low sections flood fast and ruts deepen; ground clearance and lockers matter more than horsepower here.
Is there any gas or resupply inside the reserve, or do I need to top off in Maniwaki?
There is no fuel inside La Vérendrye — the reserve is 299 km of wilderness with zero services. Top off in Maniwaki before entry and carry a jerry can; the full circuit can push 350+ km of driving once you factor in camp exploration and dead-end spurs.
Trail track
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