Where are the best places to go canoe camping in Québec?
Canoe camping is part of Québec's DNA. It’s an age-old mode of transportation; Indigenous Peoples would use birch-bark or spruce-wood canoes to travel long distances throughout the province. Québec is home to so many incredible canoe camping territories.
Accessible to everyone, from novices and families to the pros, canoe camping allows you to discover preserved areas and magnificent, untouched nature. In our opinion, here are five of the best places to go canoe camping in Québec and what makes each of these experiences unique.
- The Bonaventure River in Gaspésie: famous for its crystal-clear water and Atlantic salmon
- La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve: more than 500 miles of routes, the most in the province
- Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve: remote, canoe-in-only campsites
- La Mauricie National Park: more than 130 campsites across 12 lakes
- The Laurentians and Lanaudière: wild rivers and exciting whitewater
Whether you head out on a simple day trip or a longer wilderness expedition, there's no better way to enjoy an adventure in Québec's great outdoors.
Quick facts
Bonaventure River
- Region: Gaspésie
- Skill level: Beginner–intermediate
- Trip length: Day trips
- Highlights: Atlantic salmon visible mid-June to mid-July, crystal-clear water (Wagamet)
- Rentals available: Yes (Cime Adventure)
La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve
- Region: Outaouais Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Skill level: Beginner–expert
- Trip length: 2–10+ days
- Highlights: 500+ miles of routes, 500+ campsites, Québec's largest canoe network
- Rentals available: Yes
Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve
- Region: Laurentians / Outaouais
- Skill level: All levels
- Trip length: Multi-day
- Highlights: Canoe-only campsites, 35 portages, whitewater on Sourd River
- Rentals available: Yes
La Mauricie National Park
- Region: Mauricie
- Skill level: Easy–difficult
- Trip length: Day trip & multi-day
- Highlights: 130+ campsites on 12 lakes, fishing for lake trout and northern pike
- Rentals available: Yes (Aventure Vent et Rivière)
The Laurentians and Lanaudière
- Region: Laurentians / Lanaudière
- Skill level: Intermediate–advanced
- Trip length: Multi-day
- Highlights: Whitewater rapids, Jacques-Cartier River, 1,640-foot-deep glacial valley
- Rentals available: Yes (Au Canot Volant, Aventuraid)
Can you see Atlantic salmon while canoeing the Bonaventure River?
Region: Gaspésie · Character: Crystal-clear water, Atlantic salmon · Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Sourced from the Chic-Choc Mountains and found in the Gaspésie region of Québec, the crystal-clear waters of the Bonaventure make for an unforgettable river adventure. Beginner paddlers and more experienced canoeists will all find something to enjoy here. The clarity of the waters here has earned it the Indigenous name Wagamet (clear waters) in the Mi’gmaq language. Depending on the time of year, you may be sharing the waters with Atlantic salmon—from mid-June through mid-July, you can often see these magnificent fish swimming below your canoe.
Cime Aventure can help get you set up on the water, and their base camp is a great place to relax before or after your excursion. This base also serves as a departure point for the shuttles that travel to Lake Bonaventure or to day trips along the lower river. As well, you can find canoe, kayak and mini-raft rentals.
What can you see and do at La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve?
Size: 4,861 square miles · Routes: 500+ miles of canoeable circuits · Duration: 2 to 10+ days
Straddling the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions of Québec, La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve is a beautiful place that spans 4,861 square miles of wilderness. Canoe campers will have their pick of the litter, with more than 500 miles of canoeable routes—the widest selection in the province—and circuits that can take anywhere from two to 10 days. In this reserve you can find Grand lac Victoria as well as the Duzois and Cabonga reservoirs.
This natural reserve covers rivers and nearly 20 lake and river circuits with more than 500 overnight campsites. While some routes do require expert canoeing skills, others are the perfect start for newcomers.
Well-organized and wild, you'll have a hard time finding a more enjoyable escape. At this reserve, you can get boat rentals and have the chance to learn about the area from experts who know all about it. And at the South reception desk, there is a permanent exhibition where you can learn about the wildlife found in La Vérendrye.
What makes the Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve so special for canoe campers?
Region: Laurentians/Outaouais · Features: Remote campsites accessible only by canoe · Bonus: Whitewater for advanced paddlers
When you dip your paddle in Montjoie or Sept-Frères lakes, with only the sounds of wildlife to keep you company, you can't help but feel a strong connection with nature. Discover these and other beautiful lakes in Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve, where many campsites can only be reached by canoe. That's the magic of this reserve — the most beautiful spots are reserved for paddlers willing to work for them. There's even a bit of whitewater for more advanced paddlers looking for excitement between tranquil lake stretches. The reserve also has canoes for rent, so you can avoid the hassle of bringing your own. Hundreds of lakes and streams dot the serene landscape of the Laurentian Mountains here, with secluded campsites that feel a world away from civilization.
What is La Mauricie National Park like for canoe camping?
Campsites: 130+ spread across 12 lakes · Fishing: Lake trout, northern pike · Bonus: Guided tours with gourmet cooking
More than 130 canoe camping campsites are spread out across 12 of La Mauricie National Park’s 150 lakes. All of the campsites are accessible by water or on multipurpose trails. Whether you take a guided tour or head out on your own, this massive park (200+ square miles) is full of waterways to explore and is a great place to fish for lake trout and northern pike.
The park offers routes ranging from easy (no portage) to difficult (longer portage sections). Even if you have some paddling experience, you may want to consider booking a guide, as their cooking will definitely come in handy after a few hours of paddling! Waber Falls and Lake Wapizagonke are highlights where the rivers cut through the Laurentian Mountains to reach natural havens perfect for rest and picnics. The park lies 33 miles from Trois-Rivières and 9 miles from Shawinigan.
What wild rivers can you paddle in the Laurentians and Lanaudière?
Rivers: Mistassini, Mistassibi, Samaqua, Ashuapmushuan · Character: Untouched wilderness, exciting rapids · Experience: Learn a different way of life
Fantastic canoe routes are not limited to Québec's parks. In fact, you can discover beautiful, untouched rivers in the Laurentians or the Lanaudière region with the help of Au Canot Volant. And if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, head into the whitewater with experienced guides and take on exciting rapids.
The Mistassini, Mistassibi, Samaqua, Ashuapmushuan and other wild Québec rivers will teach you not only about canoeing, but about a different way of life. The kind folks at Aventuraid will help you get there, with organized canoe camping expeditions on some of these remote waterways. Jacques-Cartier River in particular is a must for whitewater enthusiasts. You will wind through a 1,640-foot-deep channel in one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the province.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best destination for beginner canoe campers in Québec?
The Bonaventure River in Gaspésie is ideal for beginners, offering calm, crystal-clear waters that are easily accessible via outfitter Cime Aventure, which provides rentals, shuttles and camping accommodations. La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve also has circuits suited to newcomers as well as more challenging routes.
When is the best time of year to go canoe camping in Québec?
The prime season runs from May through October, with peak conditions in July and August. Mid-June to mid-July is especially memorable on the Bonaventure River, when Atlantic salmon are visible swimming beneath canoes.
Are there canoe-only campsites in Québec's provincial parks?
Yes. In Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve, campsites on Lake Écho and Sourd Lake are only reachable by canoe, making them exclusively accessible to paddlers. This design ensures the most scenic spots go to those willing to work for them.
Do I need to bring my own canoe to camp in Québec's wilderness reserves?
No. Most major destinations including La Vérendrye, Papineau Labelle and La Mauricie National Park, offer canoe rentals on site. Outfitters like Cime Aventure (Bonaventure) and Aventuraid (Laurentians/Lanaudière) also provide gear, guided trips and logistics support.
Where can experienced paddlers find whitewater canoeing in Québec?
Advanced paddlers have several options. Papineau Labelle features whitewater on the Sourd River. The Laurentians and Lanaudière region offers exciting rapids on wild rivers including the Mistassini, Mistassibi and Jacques-Cartier—the latter cuts through a spectacular 1,640-foot-deep glacial valley.
How many campsites does La Mauricie National Park have for canoe campers?
Within its 207 square miles, La Mauricie has 132 designated canoe-camping campsites spread across 12 lakes. All sites are accessible by water or multipurpose trails, and guided tours with gourmet cooking are available.
Sources
Destination Canada — travel.destinationcanada.com
Sépaq, La Vérendrye — sepaq.com/rf/lvy
Sépaq, Papineau Labelle — sepaq.com/rf/pal
Parks Canada, La Mauricie — parks.canada.ca/pn-np/qc/mauricie
Cime Aventures — cimeaventures.com
Au Canot Volant — canotvolant.ca
Aventuraid — aventuraid.qc.ca
Tourisme Québec — quebecoriginal.com