Kouchibouguac!

This Canadian National Park deserves a special post.

We have travelled through 23 Canadian National Parks and have not been disappointed in the least by any one of them.  However, Kouchibouguac National Park has become very special to us.  The Park Staff is the most kind, generous, and helpful of any park we have been to in Canada or the States.  All the facilities in the campground, and indeed, throughout the park, are clean and well stocked.  Even the poly port-a-johns are immaculately clean.  The layout of the campground was very much to our liking, with enough space to create some privacy.  The park itself has numerous easy walking trails to beaches and other places of interest, some of which are boardwalks.  Though we did not bring our bikes on this trip, you can be sure the next time we come here, we will take advantage of the 60+ kilometers of bike trail found throughout the park.

At check-in with Angie, we were greeted with a hearty “Bonjour, Hello!”  The process of check-in went very smoothly, despite having three different sites booked over the course of six days.  She traced the map exactly where we needed to be, making it easy to find our sites, restrooms, kitchen areas, and water.  She is also the marvelous creator of the best Origami frogs, four of which will be travelling across Canada with us.  We have named them after our Canadian Ancestors:  Louis & Rose Morneau-Cloutier and Alexander & Julia Bissette-Guyette.  Thanks again, Angie!

Later on, we met Adeline, who was helpful in answering questions we had while at the park.  She was hard at work cleaning and restocking the restrooms and kitchen area, and she still made time to answer our questions, and direct us appropriately.  This may not seem like a big deal, but she did it with such joy, and in 87-degree heat and humidity!  That joy became contagious and lifted our day immensely.

When we stopped by the Visitor Center for UdaVAN’s obligatory sticker purchase, we were greeted with the standard, “Bonjour, Hello!”  The staff at this facility is amazing.  They are helpful, kind, and generous with their time.  Betty G. even took the time to teach us a few more French words that we will need as we cross Quebec.

Like all National Park facilities across Canada, Kouchibouguac’s were clean and well stocked.  The water spigots, trash, and recycle were generously placed throughout the campground.  The dump station was easy to access; it was clean with no barriers.

We hiked five of the trails within the Park.  They were laid out well and easy to follow, with clear and concise signage.  We did not get to do the bike trails, but you can bet we will be back to do those!

Thanks again to the entire Kouchibouguac Staff for kindness! We will be back with our bikes!!