Best places for camping in Quebec

In terms of campgrounds in Quebec, there's no need to say, we have plenty of choice! With nearly 900 campgrounds covering the province’s 17 regions, there is one that will suit all tastes, or almost. . .

Choosing a campground is like choosing a pair of shoes. Which one is better? Hiking boots or stilettos? It depends on each one's preferences and needs. There is no "good answer".

Travelling with a Class B RV and being nature lovers and photography enthusiasts, our selection criteria for a campsite are certainly different from people who prefer wilderness camping and owners of a camper trailer, a travel trailer or a 45-foot motorhome equipped with a washer, dryer, two air conditioners, two televisions, a full kitchen and a semi-Olympic pool—not an Olympic one, of course! We want it to be at least a bit different from home!

The main criteria that will influence our choice will be tranquility and nature. Depending on our needs of the day, an electrical connection will be important or not. We can therefore alternate between sites that are equipped with services (electricity and water) and sites that are completely rustic.

So here are our top five favourite campgrounds.

#1 – Quebec wildlife reserves and national parks

The Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) has nearly 7000 campsites, including 4100 that can accommodate travel trailers, tent trailers and motorhomes of all classes—yes, even those 45 feet long equipped with a washer, dryer, two air conditioners, two televisions, a full kitchen and a semi-Olympic swimming pool!

With its 13 wildlife reserves and 24 national parks, the Sépaq is a unique collective treasure. The Sépaq deserves the first place in our top 5 for its sublime landscapes, abundant nature, the tranquility of the campgrounds and campsites, the activities and services offered, the maintenance and cleanliness of the premises, the quality of the customer service and the courtesy of the staff.

If you plan on visiting several national parks over the year, we recommend purchasing the Quebec National Parks Card, which provides unlimited access to all national parks for one year, along with other benefits. It is also possible to purchase the annual Quebec National Parks Card for unlimited access to one park of the Sépaq network.

Photo credit: Vincent Drolet

You could have a beautiful encounter on Sépaq campgrounds. But be careful! Feeding wildlife is prohibited.

#2 – Canada's national parks

Comparable to the wildlife reserves and national parks managed by the Sépaq, Parks Canada's national parks quickly come second in this Top Five ranking of the best campgrounds in Quebec. There are three Canadian parks in the province: Mauricie National Park, Forillon National Park and Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve. Which ever one you choose, you can't go wrong.

If we had to recommend one particular site, it would certainly be the Des-Rosiers campsite in the northern part of Forillon National Park. There, you can admire breathtaking landscapes where mountains mingle, meadows are covered in wild flowers, pebble beaches and small coves where the waves come to die, as well as rugged cliffs overlooking the sea.

To the great joy of great outdoors and camping enthusiasts, Parks Canada offered the 2017 Discovery Pass for free. This highlighted the 150th anniversary of the Confederation and free access to all Parks Canada site was offered, provided you ordered you Discovery Pass online for free.

Photo credit: Vincent Drolet

Pebble beach near Des-Rosiers campground in the northern part of Forillon National Park.

#3 – Natashquan Chemin Faisant municipal campground

Who hasn't heard about the mythical route 66, an integral part of the American heritage and a symbol of freedom and travel? In Quebec, we also have a route that represents freedom and travel for many people: route 138!

For those who have the courage of travelling all the way to its eastern end, you will discover Natashquan, a village made famous by Gilles Vigneault and also because it was the last one at the end of route 138. Since 2013, the road goes to Kegaska, 51 kilometres further. Getting to the end of the road where a sign indicates the end of 138 is an experience in itself. For travellers at heart, being able to say that you have met the end of the road is quite an accomplishment. It's impossible to go any further. "I've done it. I've travelled to the end of the road, as far as possible. I can now head back. I have lived my dream." This feeling is one that only true road trip enthusiasts will experience.

The Chemin Faisant municipal campground, located in the heart of the Natashquan dunes, has 39 sites close to the beach. They also have fifteen campsites equipped with two services to accommodate travel trailers and motorhomes. However, these sites are located close to the road and the reception area. The campground also has campsites that are surrounded by vegetation, but these are without services.

Beyond the dunes, after a 10-minute walk, you will stumble upon a beautiful beach. The water temperature is surprisingly warm! This is because the Petite Natashquan river and the Grande Natashquan river flow into the Bay, warming the water. So bring your swimsuit, because even the sceptics will be proven wrong.

For those who enjoy long walks on warm and fine sand beaches, it is possible to take a five-kilometre walk to the Montagnais communities of Natashquan and Pointe-Parent. The Café-Bistro L'échourie, which can be reached after a twelve-minute walk is also a must!

Photo credit: Vincent Drolet

Natashquan beach: five kilometres of fine warm sand and surprisingly warm water!

#4 – For a panoramic view, two campgrounds that should not be missed

To rank this one, we placed the view before tranquility, but it is still worth it! First is Camping Tadoussac in Tadoussac (admit that if we hadn't specified it, you would have wondered where it was located, huh?!). Perched on top of a steep mountainside, this campground offers 200 sites. To fully benefit from the panoramic view of the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay fjord, we recommend campsites Nos. 53-69. Note that only tents, camper trailer, and small travel trailers can camp on these sites. For owners of large travel trailers, or large 45-foot motorhomes equipped with a washer, dryer, two air conditioners, two televisions, a full kitchen and a semi-Olympic swimming pool, they can equally enjoy the fantastic view from sites 1 to 17.

The small village of Tadoussac will seduce you with its beautiful landscapes, its artistic and cultural events, its coffee shops and restaurants and its whale-watching expeditions. It's impossible to get bored!

Photo credit: Vincent Drolet

Panoramic view of Tadoussac and the St. Lawrence River and the Saguenay fjord at dusk.

Second is La Côte Surprise campground in Percé, which has a superb view of Rocher-Percé and Bonaventure island. However, not all camping sites come with the privilege of this magnificent view. It's up to you to make the right choice! Similarly to camping Tadoussac, this campground is not very intimate. You should not expect the same tranquility and peacefulness as what you might experience on Sépaq campgrounds, or those of Parks Canada.

Located two minutes from downtown Percé, you can enjoy all the charms and activities that this must-see destination offers road trip enthusiasts.

We therefore mostly recommend the Tadoussac and Côte Surprise campgrounds for the view and only for a short stay, certainly not for an entire holiday.

#5 – Le camping du Village historique de Val-Jalbert

Comparing favourably to Sépaq and Parks Canada campgrounds, most of its campsites without services are located in a mixed forest. We were impressed by the tranquility and privacy of the place. We recommend camping in the La Cédrière area, in sites 76 to 85.

A living museum in the open air, the historic village of Val-Jalbert will delight history enthusiasts, allowing them to live a unique and immersive experience. By staying at the campground, you can benefit from a discount on the price of admission to the site.

Photo credit: Vincent Drolet

The historic village of Val-Jalbert is a source of inspiration for a photography enthusiast/communications specialist and a graphic designer. By combining photography and graphics, I had fun simulating a photo that looks like it was taken from a completely different era.

That's it! Yes, I'll admit, these are not five campgrounds, but rather five types or genres of camping destinations. So in the end, you got more than what you paid for! With this long list of campgrounds, you will have much to discover over the summer.