The most beautiful islands to camp on this summer

Kiamika, offers 58 canoe-camping sites accessible by boat only. A real adventure awaits! Less than 200 km from Montréal, the park remains a well-kept secret, surprising in its splendour and wild nature.

Covering an area of 184 km², the park encompasses a vast body of water measuring approximately sixty square kilometres, with ten lakes and some forty islands and islets, including Grande Île de la Perdrix Blanche and Petite Île de la Perdrix. You'll need your own boat to venture out. The good news, however, is that, while there's no passenger transport service, the wood for the campfire comes to you, with one bag of firewood per night being delivered and included in the reservation. That's one fewer thing to carry!

Another option in the region:

Parc régional du Poisson Blanc near Notre-Dame-de-Laus

Opémican, the the “new kid” in the SÉPAQ network, is the perfect opportunity to play explorer, navigate the waterways of the river and Lac Kipawa, climb the cliffs around Lac Témiscamingue and gather around the fire, under tall pines, to the sound of Anishinabeg legends. For the night, the place to be is the Île-aux-Fraises area. Two canoe-camping sites, each on its own island, are available to adventurers.

Good to know: Canoe and kayak rental is possible, but beginners are advised that the lake can sometimes be difficult to navigate with its great distances to cover, strong winds, boat traffic and the multitude of islands and bays. Therefore, it is better to have some experience in order to have fun throughout the journey.

At least we can say is that there is no shortage of choice at the l’Île aux Lièvres campsite! Choose the beach 10 sites at the edge of the sea and only 300 metres from the pier, or choose Les Cèdres to set up your bivouac. This eight-site area, located on the steep coastline of the north shore, facing the Charlevoix mountains, is accessible within 75-minute walk from the pier.

Alternatively, in the south-centre of the island, also a 75-minute walk away, you'll find Anse à la Boule and its three sites overlooking the islet of La Boule (access prohibited), Pot à l'Eau-de-Vie islands, and the south shore of the river. Lastly, the more athletic will be rewarded with the remarkable Belugas site. Twelve km or a three-hour walk from the pier at Bout-d'en-Haut (western tip), there are four sites, well isolated from one another.

Good to know: A ferry service operates from Rivière-du-Loup. As a bonus, hikers can enjoy a network of trails of varying levels of difficulty. Be on the lookout, because a beluga whale might just greet you as you pass by, from afar in the St. Lawrence River!

Other options in the region:

Camping Île Saint-Barnabé near Rimouski
Camping Ô fleuve on l’Île Verte

On L'Isle-aux-Coudres, you’ll find yourself transported to another world, as they say. Access to the river, spectacular views of the Charlevoix mountains and the possibility of spotting whales make the location very attractive. And to stay there Camping du Ruisseau Rouge offers 60 camping sites, seven fully equipped cottages and two shelters. All you have to do is relax and take a leisurely walk along the beach or participate in the many musical, artistic, cultural and sporting events that take place on the island and in the surrounding area.

Looking for a peace haven? With one of 29 sites in the Camping municipal de L’Isle-aux-Grues, you may just have found it. And no need to paddle to get there! Take the L'Isle-aux-Grues – Montmagny Ferry. A paradise for experienced kayakers and cyclists alike, L'Isle-aux-Grues also offers captivating landscapes, colourful houses, and the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of artist Jean-Paul Riopelle or taste local flavours, including the famous cheeses of the Isle.

Good to know: Isle-aux-Grues is the only one of the archipelago's 21 islands to be inhabited year-round. And it's not crowded either! The population is 130, plus 140 summer visitors.

The monoliths, these fascinating stone giants found scattered across the islands of the Mingan Archipelago, are impressive, making people feel very small, especially since, in this area, it is off the coast of Havre-Saint-Pierre, where the largest concentration is found in the country.

More than just a campground, the Parc de Gros-Cap is a natural attraction in itself, offering panoramic views of the sea! It's also an ideal vacation resort for water sports enthusiasts. With 137 sites, mostly on grass, campers aren't driven by a desire for privacy, but rather by a desire to discover island life and the many activities on offer. Kayaking and paddleboarding are among the activities available, as are sandcastles, waterside yoga, and storytelling evenings around the campfire. It's certainly a wonderful base camp for discovering the magnificent Îles-de-la-Madeleine. 

Another option in the region:

Camping La Salicorne in Grande-Entrée

Near Saint-Michel-des-Saints Lac Taureau is one of the largest bodies of water near Montréal with its immense reservoir of 270 kilometres of shoreline and its surface area of 95 km². 

The area has 45 islands and several sandy beaches, making it a paradise for island-loving campers! To fully enjoy the water, campers have several choices since the conditions are excellent for swimming and pleasure boating.

Good to know: Do you want to be taken away to focus on the beauty of the surroundings? Different themed cruises are available.

Lac des 31 Milles stretches and twists from north to south near the town of Bouchette. You can even “reserve” an sland with rustic campsites and become Robinson Crusoe for your stay! About 30 sites are located on islands or peninsulas, and are only accessible by boat. Here again, the distribution of wood and even ice is handled on demand by patrol boats. Less weight on your shoulders (or in the canoe)!

Kingdom of fine sandy beaches where swimming and water sports are the order of the day on the shores of Lac Saint-Jean parc national de la Pointe-Taillon is immense! On the north side, the Péribonka River offers canoe trips. The cycle path that encircles the park lets you discover, by bike or on foot, diverse flora and fauna.

To camp on the islands, however, you should head toward the Île-Bouliane and Connelly, Petite-Île-Verte, and Beemer island campgrounds. The former has six rustic campsites accessible only by water via the Périkonka shuttle or by watercraft (25 km, approximately 4 hours). The latter offers six campsites per island with an outhouse (pit latrine), picnic table, and fire pit. Each island is dotted with beautiful little sandy beaches and offers breathtaking views of Lac Saint-Jean. The archipelago is sure to delight explorers!

Good to know: A tourist route has just been inaugurated in the region: the Tour du Lac Saint-Jean. A 263-km route of freedom in a welcoming territory full of history... where everything is larger than life. A great way to continue your journey!

Found at the eastern tip of Île d'Orléans, near the city of Québec, the campsite offers a unique nature experience in the region. A variety of accommodations are available, including micro-shelters or some 80 tent sites in the forest or on the riverbank. During the day, you can walk along the hiking trails, explore the St. Lawrence River or even go swimming. Don't be surprised if you meet young explorers in the woods with scarves around their necks. The establishment is operated by the Québec District Scouts and provides an ideal framework for the development of young people.

An island of greenery in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, but also just a few kilometres from downtown Montréal parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville opens its green spaces, its canals teeming with life and its waterfront trails to campers, hikers, cyclists and canoeists.

Camping Grosbois hidden there is accessible on foot or by bicycle. Fortunately, luggage carts are available free of charge, and a river shuttle from Boucherville provides direct access to the campground. The 50 unserviced sites allow you to enjoy the land, forest, and aquatic environments that co-exist and intertwine.

Good to know: The site is partially accessible to individuals with restricted mobility, in addition to offering a network of Bienvenue cyclistes (Welcome cyclists) camp sites!