Gaspésie

Bonaventure River

Intermediate
★★★★★ 5.0
16
rapids mapped

About

The Bonaventure River flows 125 kilometers from remote Lac Bonaventure through the Chic-Choc Mountains to Baie des Chaleurs. Known for its crystalline waters so clear you appear to be floating on air, this river offers continuous Class I-III rapids with virtually no portages, making it perfect for skilled paddlers seeking an authentic wilderness adventure. The river passes through pristine forests and dramatic mountain gorges, with excellent Atlantic salmon fishing and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

Highlights

Crystal-clear watersWorld-class whitewaterRemote wildernessAtlantic salmonContinuous Class I-III
Best season: June only

The rapids this document describes

The document describes 78. The map shows 16, because it only places rapids a national survey publishes a coordinate for. The two counts measure different things.

RapidClassPortageSurveyor's note
RIIRII R2Rapide de classe II
RI 670 mRI R1Rapide de classe I de 670 mètres
RII 50 mRII R2Rapide de classe II de 50 mètres
RI 620 mRI R1Rapide de classe I de 620 mètres
RII-IIIRII-III R2-350 m
RI-IIRI-II R1-2745 m
RIRI R1325 m
RI-IIRI-II R1-2Suite de RI-II 12,5 km
EV-RIEV-RI EV-R1Suite de EV-RI 500 m
RI-IIRI-II R1-2Suite de RI-II 2 km
RI-IIRI-II R1-25,3 km
RI-IIRI-II R1-2450 m
RII-IIIRII-III R2-3100m
RIIRII R225 m
SIIISIII S3yes droiteCordelle à droite
SIISII S2yes gauchecordelle à gauche
RII-IIIRII-III R2-3
RI-IIRI-II R1-21,4 km
Suite de RI-IIRI-II R1-21,2 km
RIIRII R250 m
Suite de RI-IIRI-II R1-212,5 km
Suite de RI-EV 2,1 kmRI-EV EV-R1Suite de RI-EV 2,1 km
Suite de RI-EV 6,2 kmRI-EV EV-R1Suite de RI-EV 6,2 km
RI-II 5,3 kmRI-II R1-2RI-II 5,3 km
RI-II 430 mRI-II R1-2Rapide de 430 mètres de longueur
RI 235 mRI R1Rapide de 235 mètres
RII 195 mRII R2Rapide classe II de 195 mètres
RI 600 mRI R1Rapide de 600 mètres
RIRI R1
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes
RIRI R1yes
RIIRII R2
RIRI R1
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes
RIRI R1yes
RIIRII R2yes
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes
RIRI R1
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes
RIIRII R2yes
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes
RIIRII R2yes
RIRI R1yes
Rapide NoirRI-II R1-255 m
RI-II R1-2
RI R1
RI R1
RI R1
RI 315 mRI R1
RI 250 mRI R1
RHEV 300mRHEV
RI-II 155 MRI-II R1-2
RI-II 50 MRI-II R1-2
RI 1,8 KMRI R1
RII 130 mRII R2
RI-II 80 mRI-II R1-2
Rapide Noir RI-II 55 mRI-II R1-2
RI-II 220 mRI-II R1-2yesRapide de 220 mètres près de l'Île de l'Épinette
RI 75 mRI R1yesRapide de 75 mètres
RI 50 mRI R1yesRapide de 50 mètres près de Mont Chauve
RI 80 mRI R1yesRapide de 80 mètres
RI 315 mRI R1yesRapide de 315 mètres
Suite de R1R1Suite de R1 km
Rapide Cheval BlancRII R2170 m
RI-II 100 MRI-II R1-2100 M
RI 50 MRI R150 M Île des Trois Frères
RI-II 220 mRI-II R1-2220 m Île de l'Épinette
RIRI R1yes rive droitePremier rapide de classe I
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes rive droiteRapide de classe I-II
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes rive droiteDeuxième rapide RI-II
RI-IIRI-II R1-2yes rive droiteTroisième rapide RI-II
Rapide DuvalRII R2yes rive droiteRapide Duval de classe II
Le Bec ScieRI R1yes rive droiteRapide Le Bec Scie
Rivière DuvalRI R1yes rive droiteRapide à la confluence de la rivière Duval
L'AigleRI R1yes rive droiteRapide L'Aigle
Rapide du MalinRII R2yes rive droite530 m
RIRI R1yes rive droite70 m

This table publishes no position for any rapid. Where a surveyor's note mentions a kilometre, those are their words quoted as written, and the figure was read off a scanned map: use it to follow their description, not to navigate. Most of these surveys were written in French.

Surveyed by Bernard Goutier, 2021-06. BonaventureGoutier2021.pdf

The portages this document describes

The document describes 15 portage(s).

PortageLengthBankNotes
Portage de 220 m pour éviter RI-II220 m
Portage de 75 m pour éviter RI75 m
Portage de 50 m pour éviter RI50 m
Portage de 80 m pour éviter RI80 m
Portage de 315 m pour éviter RI315 m
Portage RI 70 m70 mrive droite
Portage RI-II 70 m70 mrive droite
Portage RI-II 230 m230 mrive droite
Portage RI-II 250 m250 mrive droite
Portage RII 950 m950 mrive droiteRapide Duval
Portage RI 320 m320 mrive droiteLe Bec Scie
Portage RI 563 m563 mrive droiteRivière Duval
Portage RI 180 m180 mrive droiteL'Aigle
Portage Rapide du Malin530 mrive droiteRII 530 m
Portage rapide RI70 mrive droiteRI 70 m

The campsites this document describes

The document describes 17 campsite(s).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difficulty level of Bonaventure River?

Bonaventure River is rated Intermediate. Whitewater ratings are not exact: grades change with water level and season. Verify current conditions locally before you paddle.

When is the best time to canoe Bonaventure River?

The best time is June only.

Where is Bonaventure River located?

Bonaventure River is located in the Gaspésie region of Canada.

View interactive map View original PDF map

Sources

cartespleinair.org · cimeaventure.com · canoethewild.com · smokingrivers.com · wildernesscanoe.ca · paddlingmag.com

Conditions change with water level and season. Grades and positions are for planning, not navigation. Verify locally before you paddle. Terms of use

Something wrong on this page? Report it