The 5 Best Places to Go Canoe Camping in Québec — Lakes, Rivers & Wilderness
Start with the mood: calm water, morning fog, and true backcountry scenery - exactly the kind of Québec canoe-camping the article helps you choose. Credit: Thibault Goffioul
Quick Summary:
Canoe-camping is part of Québec's DNA. An age-old mode of transportation, Indigenous peoples used birch bark or spruce wood canoes to travel long distances throughout the province. Plus, between its old growth forests, countless rivers, and thousands of lakes, Québec is full of incredible canoe camping terrain. Accessible to everyone — from novices and families to the pros — canoe camping allows you to discover preserved areas and magnificent, untouched nature. 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. From the crystal-clear Bonaventure River in Gaspésie to the 500+ miles of routes in La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve, these five destinations will connect you with Québec's paddling soul.
Quick Facts:
- Top destinations: Bonaventure River, La Vérendrye, Papineau Labelle, La Mauricie, Laurentians/Lanaudière
- Trip lengths: Day trips to 10-day wilderness circuits
- Skill levels: Beginner-friendly lakes to whitewater rivers
- Best season: May–October (peak: July–August)
Overview:
Québec has more than 3,000 rivers and countless lakes, making it a fluvial paradise for paddlers. Even the name "Québec" was inspired by an Algonquian word meaning "where the river narrows." Beyond the fertile valley of the St. Lawrence, the Canadian Shield covers most of Québec — glacier-polished rock outcrops have created dozens of beautiful and accessible pool-and-drop rivers. South of the St. Lawrence, the Appalachian mountain chain extends to the Gaspé Peninsula, where deep valleys hide emerald-green canoe camping rivers. Whether you're looking for a calm introduction to paddling or an advanced whitewater expedition, Québec's provincial parks, wildlife reserves, and wild rivers offer the perfect canoe camping adventure.
The Bonaventure River — Crystal Clear Gaspésie Waters
A post shared by Cime Aventures (@cimeaventures) on Feb 21, 2017 at 11:13am PST
The Bonaventure River stands out for visibility and color: water this clear helps readers compare scenery and trip ‘feel’ before they commit to a river-based canoe‑camping plan.
Region: Gaspésie · Character: Crystal-clear water, Atlantic salmon · Skill level: Beginner to intermediate
Found in the Gaspésie region of Québec, the crystal clear waters of the Bonaventure make for an unforgettable river adventure. Both beginner paddlers and more experienced canoeists will find something to enjoy here. The water is so clear you can see Atlantic salmon swimming below your canoe — depending on the time of year, you may be sharing the waters with these magnificent fish. Cime Aventures can help get you set up on the water, and their base camp is a great place to relax before or after your excursion. Their riverside base serves as a departure point for shuttles to Lac Bonaventure or day trips on the lower river, with canoe, kayak, SUP, and mini-raft rentals plus camping, glamping, cabins, and eco-lodges. The Bonaventure drains the Chic-Choc Mountains — gaze over the side of your canoe into pools full of salmon swimming in plain view.
La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve — Québec's Largest Canoe Network
A post shared by Josh (@josh_vosburgh) on Sep 6, 2017 at 5:42pm PDT
A beach landing like this signals ‘family-friendly logistics’: it’s easier to picture portages, camp setup, and lake-to-lake travel in La Vérendrye when you can see the shore access.
Size: 5,020 square miles · Routes: 500+ miles of canoeable circuits · Duration: 2 to 10+ day trips
Straddling the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions of Québec, La Vérendrye Wildlife Reserve is over 5,020 square miles of spectacular wilderness. Canoe-campers will have their pick of the litter, with over 500 miles of canoeable routes — the widest selection in the province — and circuits that can take anywhere from two to 10 days. Named in honour of Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, Lord of La Vérendrye, this natural reserve covers rivers, lakes, and nearly 20 lake and river circuits with over 500 overnight campsites. Some routes require expert canoeing skills while others are ideal for newcomers. Well-organized and wild, you'll have a hard time finding a more enjoyable escape. The reserve offers boat rentals, flotation jackets, safety kits, and advice from qualified experts to make your experience most enjoyable.
Papineau Labelle Wildlife Reserve — Canoe-Only Campsites
A post shared by szetoszeto (@szetoszeto) on Nov 23, 2017 at 4:37am PST
This overhead perspective helps readers evaluate ‘route design’: Papineau‑Labelle is sold on space and solitude, and the image makes campsite placement and travel rhythm instantly legible.
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.
La Mauricie National Park — 150 Campsites on 40+ Lakes
A post shared by Tourisme Qu?bec (@tourismequebec) on Jun 15, 2017 at 12:18pm PDT
A sunset lake scene communicates the reward side of the decision: La Mauricie isn’t just accessible—it’s where timing (evening light, calm water) becomes part of the experience you’re choosing.
Campsites: 150+ spread across 12 lakes · Fishing: Lake trout, northern pike · Bonus: Guided tours with gourmet cooking
Over 150 campsites are spread out across La Mauricie National Park, covering 536 square kilometres with approximately 150 lakes. Whether you take a guided tour or head out on your own, this massive park is full of waterways to explore and is also 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 — their cooking will definitely come in handy after a few hours of paddling. Connect with Aventure Vent et Rivière to learn more. 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 45 kilometres from Trois-Rivières and 15 kilometres from Shawinigan.
Laurentians & Lanaudière — Wild Rivers and Whitewater
A post shared by Tourisme Qu?bec (@tourismequebec) on Apr 15, 2018 at 3:21pm PDT
Fog and moving water signal a different trip profile than the park lakes above—this image helps readers distinguish the Laurentians/Lanaudière choice as the ‘wild river’ chapter of the list.
Rivers: Mistassini, Mistassibi, Samaqua, Ashuapmushuan · Character: Untouched wilderness, exciting rapids · Experience: Learn a different way of life
Fantastic canoe routes are of course not limited to Québec's parks. Discover beautiful, untouched rivers in the Laurentians or the Lanaudière region with the help of Au Canot Volant. 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 — winding through a 550-metre-deep channel in one of the most beautiful glacial valleys in the province, it's the only Québec river that is part of the Canadian Heritage Rivers System.
Québec's canoe camping regions span the province — La Vérendrye and Papineau Labelle in the Outaouais/Laurentians west of Montreal, La Mauricie between Montreal and Quebec City, the Bonaventure in Gaspésie to the east, and wild rivers like the Mistassini in the north.