Kouchibouguac Lagoon
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Quick Facts
| Features | birds, dunes |
| Access | dock |
| Route Difficulty | easy |
| Water Body Type | tidal lagoon |
| Current Type | tidal |
| Route Type | loop |
| Route Distance | 7.2 km |
| Portage Distance | 150 metres |
| Estimated Time | 3 hours return |
| Elevation Change | none |
| Scenery Rating | beautiful |
| Cell Reception | none |
| Fees | park fees |
Description
Note: When you first leave the dock you will cross the Kouchibouguac River channel to get into the shallower lagoon. The channel is marked with triangles on sticks. Use caution in this area due to shifting currents from the tides, and fishing boat traffic.
We carried our boats down to the dock and stopped by Ryan's to rent two more. At Ryan's they provided us with a map of the lagoon that included the restricted areas that I have added this this map. We crossed the channel, passing by the Loggiecroft Wharf, and then continued along the shore. We came around a turn and we started to see strange shapes in the woods. Once we got closer we realized that we were seeing the teardrop cabins at Côte-à-Fabien Campground.
As we continued along the shore, the rain would start and stop. It was warm out so it didn't matter to us. We watched terns dive in the water for fish, and cormorants sitting on logs with their wings outstretched to dry off. We passed by a few bays that I noted for future adventures. We then decided to cross over to the dune. We knew we couldn't go to shore on the dune because it was restricted, but we wanted to see what kind of birds and ducks we could find.
When we got close to the dunes it got really shallow (only about 3 inches of water). We could mostly paddle but in a few spots we had to get out and walk, dragging our boats. I learned from my adventures in Saint-Louis Lagoon to walk lightly and carefully. If not you could suck a hermit crab into your sandal.
When we turned to go back towards the wharf we saw hundreds of great blue heron fishing in the shallows. I have seen lots of blue herons before but usually they are solo. I couldn't believe how many I was seeing. It was probably a good indicator on how shallow this part of the lagoon was. The breeze showed us where it was shallow. Waves were absobed the the shallow areas with lots of eel grass.
We made our way back towards the dock. We could see the boardwalk to Kelly's Beach in the distance. We watched a fishing boat makes its way in around the dunes and go to the wharf. The heron seemed unphased by the activity. We eventually made our way back to the dock and called it a day. A pretty good adventure when you get to see that many blue heron in one place.
Map
Directions
For directions to the park go to the Kouchibouguac Park page.
You will need a park pass to visit the park. You can get a park pass from either the gate near Route 11 or the information centre on the first road just past the gate. To get to the lagoon continue on the road past the information centre. Drive for just over 11 kilometres and turn right towards Ryans. After 600 metres turn left into the parking lot. Park here. You will see the paved path down to Ryans Rental Centre on the right at the start of the parking lot.
You can access Kouchibouguac Lagoon at the dock next to Ryan's Rental Centre. You can also rent a canoe or kayak from here if you don't have one of your own. Walk down the paved path to the rental centre. In front of the Rental Centre, on the right, you will see a paved ramp doing down to the dock. A 150 metre portage is required to get your boat from the parking lot down to the dock. If you rent boats they are in a shelter next to the dock.
Trail Last Hiked: August 28, 2022.
Page Last Updated: November 26, 2023.