Published at 6:15 p.m.
Some visitors' expectations seem a little unrealistic and they are unsettled when reality does not match their idealized idea of nature.
It should be noted that the vast majority of comments found on these sites are very positive. Visitors appreciate the national parks, they are impressed by the landscape, they like the activities on offer and they praise the friendliness of the staff.
If they leave negative reviews, they are essentially legitimate reviews. For example, several visitors complain that dogs are not allowed on certain hiking trails. Others report poorly maintained sanitary facilities. Many visitors who spend a night at the Rivière-du-Sud-Ouest campsite in the Bic National Park complain about the noise from Route 132, which is just a stone's throw away.
Many visitors to national parks also complain about the costs of various services, which end up adding up and resulting in a hefty bill.
Rocks, mosquitoes and poison ivy
PHOTO LOUIS LALIBERTÉ PHOTOGRAPHY, PROVIDED BY SEPAQ
Be careful, there may be stones on the paths of the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park.
In addition to this very understandable criticism, we find some gems from visitors who forget that nature is nature. Like complaints about the condition of the trails.
“Far too many stones, enough to break your ankles and knees on the descent,” complains a couple about a hiking trail in the Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie National Park.
If it's not the stones, it's the vegetation that worries some visitors. “The land is literally surrounded by poison ivy,” notes a Montreal family after a visit to Oka National Park. I think there are millions of them. It's not easy with a small child. »
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
For those who hate mosquitoes, we recommend Mont-Tremblant Park in winter.
Visitors are unpleasantly surprised by the presence of mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects.
“When I arrived at my campsite, I got out of the car and was surrounded by mosquitoes and insects,” says a visitor to Mont Tremblant National Park. It was crazy, it pushed the boundaries, it drove you crazy. I had 30 bites in an hour. I used the best sprays and creams available in the park, but nothing could stop them. »
Raccoons also leave bad memories in Oka National Park.
“From our first evening, raccoons invited themselves onto our land in search of food. They are very difficult to scare away as they are very familiar with the presence of humans. It was particularly unpleasant to have to constantly pay attention to the surroundings while eating and not being able to leave any food unattended. They are really fast and cheeky, they even dare to fly in front of us. »
Other visitors tend to complain about the absence of wildlife.
“We didn’t find what we were looking for: calm and wild animals,” says a French tourist after a visit to Mauricie National Park. Despite two short hikes, the largest animal we encountered was a squirrel. »
Another French tourist is disappointed by the monotony of the landscape in the same park.
“I thought I was on the highway where you see a bit of the same thing: fir trees, lakes, fir trees, lakes. I naively imagined that seeing animals would be better than going to the zoo. »
French tourists miss their own forests. “We were supposed to see animals and beautiful landscapes, we saw nothing,” complains a tourist from Avignon after a visit to the Gaspésie National Park. This park is neither more nor less a forest with hiking trails like so many in France: no originality. »
PHOTO MARIE TISON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVE
A kayak trip in the Parc du Bic is not always idyllic.
Another French family had a very disappointing kayaking trip to Bic National Park.
“We had to put on wet wetsuits. We set off in the rain. The guide had little to say and the wind picked up. Finally, we have to put away and wash all the equipment. Given the price and the conditions at the time, it was a blessing. »
However, the French do not have a monopoly on criticism. A visitor from Quebec multiplies her complaints after a visit to Gorge de Coaticook Park: campsites not very intimate, pool water too cold.
“And the place that doesn’t sell hot dogs.” In my opinion, that’s the least you can do at a campground. »
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