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The Ultimate Guide to Camping in the Laurentians

Rounded mountains, lush forests, and tranquil lakes fill the Laurentians, a region north of Montreal. Camping in the Laurentians tops many Quebec bucket lists. It’s home to Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, Rรฉserve de faunique Papineau-Labelle, and many more. An outdoor lover’s dream destination.

Also referred to as the Laurentides, this verdant part of Quebec is a one-hour drive from downtown Montreal. Visit Sainte-Adรจleโ€™s spas and Saint-Sauveurโ€™s Parc Aquatique. Spend a night camping in Mont-Tremblant, then branch out and go camping in the Laurentians’ other destinations. Throw in some hiking or canoeing, and Quebec terroir, and you have a near-perfect outdoorsy getaway.

Tip: Campsites book up quickly, and planning at least a year in advance is highly recommended.

Camping Car - in the Laurentians - ByoungJoo from Getty Images
Photo: ByoungJoo from Getty Images

Here Are 9 places to Go Camping in the Laurentians

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant was the first park created in Quebec. The park has 6 grand rivers, and around 400 lakes and streams. There are 40 different species of wildlife, 82 km of hiking trails, and activities year-round to enjoy. Of course, when it comes to camping, Mont-Tremblant is one of the best places in the Laurentians.

The park offers a variety of camping accommodations: yurts, ready-to-camp sites, cabins, and canoe camping. Camping is available in 4 sectors of the park. La Diable, Pimbina-Saint-Donat, Lโ€™Assomption, and Lac-Cachรฉ. The first 3 have around 887 campsites available. The last has 24 rustic campsites.

Camping in a Roof Top Tent - in Front of a Lake - Uriel Mont from Pexels
Photo: Uriel Mont from Pexels

Rรฉserve de faunique Papineau-Labelle

Straddling the Outaouais and Laurentian regions, Rรฉserve de faunique Papineau-Labelle is one of the best wildlife reserves in Quebec. The reserve is well known for its fishing and hunting activities. It also offers forest berry picking, canoeing, and hiking.

Camping accommodations include cabins, rustic shelters, traditional campsites, and canoe camping. Campsites are mostly on the shores of lakes. Lac-ร‰cho is the only site with washrooms and showers.

FYI: Camping tariffs are the same across all SEPAQ parks. Prices range from 19.90 CAD (rustic) to 72.80 CAD per night (camping with 3 services). Cabins are higher.

Camping Labelle et la Rouge

For travellers looking for comfortable camping, the Laurentians has several great options. Camping Labelle et la Rouge is one of the best. Itโ€™s located close to a cycling trail leading to Mont-Tremblant village, and a short walk from Riviรจre Rouge. Activities include wild berry picking, volleyball, hiking, fishing, and badminton.

There are several wild campsites, each with a picnic table and outdoor stove. There are prรชt-ร -camper sites, Indigenous teepees, glamping, and tiny cabins, too. Pricing ranges from 49 CAD to 147 CAD per night.

Camping Lac-du-Cerf

In the Upper Laurentians, about 30 minutes south of Mont-Laurier, is Camping Lac-du-Cerf. I spent my childhood just north of there and itโ€™s a real gem of a region.

A large campground with 300 ft of sandy beach is open on Petit lac-du-Cerf. Outdoor activities include fishing, hiking, pรฉtanque, and a playground for kids. Thereโ€™s also a community hall and billiards.

Stay in a colourful gypsy trailer, caravan, or cottage. Prices range from 118 CAD to 290 CAD per night, and change depending on the season. A minimum of 2 nights is required to make a reservation.

Camping Morin

Camping Morin has a beach, a lake perfect for swimming, and beach volleyball. There is a pรฉtanque, a playground, and a lake slide, too. Campsites range from no service to three services.

There are 165 sites in total, and the grounds feature a laundry, restaurant, and washrooms. Prices range from 35 CAD to 45 CAD per night. The campground is open from mid-May to mid-September.

Tent in Campsite - in Laurentians - Scott Goodwill - From Unsplash
Photo: Scott Goodwill from Unsplash

Camping Fou du Roi

The reception at Camping Fou du Roi looks like a modern medieval castle. It’s located steps away from the P’tit Train du Nord cycling path. Making this a great place for camping in the Laurentians while on a cycling adventure. There is a pretty little garden and a beach along Riviรจre Rouge. Tubing down the river is popular here, and kids will have fun on the playground.

Book a traditional campsite or a pioneer wagon complete with a queen-size bed and a small deck for relaxing. There are two wagons available for 175 CAD per night. A communal kitchen is available to all guests, as well as a laundry room.

Domaine des Cรจdres

Camping Domaine des Cรจdres is bordered by Riviรจre Rouge and Lac-Bem. Itโ€™s quite large, with two beaches, a pizzeria, laundry, and a community hall. Activities include hiking, swimming, fishing, beach volleyball, and canoeing. Thereโ€™s billiards and pรฉtanque as well. Itโ€™s quiet, beautiful, and family-friendly.

Campsites range from no service to three services, and tariffs range from 52 CAD to 75 CAD per night. There are also tent trailers, and a variety of caravans and campervans to book (207 CAD to 245 CAD per night). Dogs are allowed, for a fee.

Camping in a Tent - in the Forest - Hoozone from Getty Images
Photo: Hoozone from Getty Images

Camping Ste-Agathe

Camping Ste-Agathe is a four-season camping and outdoor adventure destination. The grounds opened in 1967 and has grown to be one of the best campgrounds in Quebec. Itโ€™s close to Pโ€™tit Train du Nord, has a convenience store, and a cross-country ski school. Itโ€™s a massive site, with hiking trails, a beach, fishing, and much more.

There are traditional campsites for 45 CAD to 64 CAD per night. If you need a break from tent camping, then book a cabin or pod. They also have fun prospectorโ€™s tents which come with a double bed, an outdoor deck space and fire pit. The prices for these accommodations range from 80 CAD to 250 CAD per night.

Parc rรฉgional de la Forรชt Ouareau

Located south of Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, Parc rรฉgional de la Forรชt Ouareau has 120 km of mountainous trails. Actually, itโ€™s not quite in the Laurentians, mainly Lanaudiรจre region, but itโ€™s almost as if it was!

Itโ€™s a great place for hiking, rock climbing and fat biking in summer. In winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing are the choice activities. Kids will love the modules on the hebertism trail.

Parc rรฉgional de la Forรชt Ouareau has traditional campsites and eight cozy cabins, two of which allow dogs. Traditional (rustic) camping is 40 CAD per night. Cabins range in price from 70 to 130 CAD per night.

Camping Chairs - with a View - Anna Om from Getty Images
Photo: Anna Om from Getty Images

Camping in the Laurentians is the epitome of relaxation and adventure. A destination to be enjoyed year-round whether youโ€™re a novice or a hardcore outdoors person. Are you ready for some camping fun?

Check out these articles for some additional ideas for your Laurentians camping trip:

Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images to your boards to favourite them for your next trip to Quebec when youโ€™ll need a little inspiration!

What to Do in Mont Tremblant, Laurentians?

Wondering what to do during the day when you’re in Mont Tremblant? Here are some of the top activities you’ll want to add to your itinerary:

– Head out for an adventurous buggy ride

– See the Laurentians in all their splendour during a breathtaking helicopter ride

– Hit the water for a rafting outing on the Rouge river, or try the kayaking alternative and even SUP

– Set yourself free on Mont Tremblant’s zipline adventure course

– Go for a walk along the Sentier des cimes panoramic tower

– Try your hand at some rock climbing

Laurentians / Quebec Destinations / Trip Planner / Where to Stay
About Author

Passionate about travel and food, Jennifer Dorรฉ Dallas is a freelance travel writer, author and creator since 2010. On top of this amazing Chasing Poutine blog, she also founded Moi, mes souliers in 2010 and she is the author/co-author of around two dozen Lonely Planet, Ulysse and Parfum d'encre travel guidebooks, in addition to having contributed to other books and hundreds of tourism and Web platforms, magazines, DMOs and Websites over the years. As a lecturer in Web writing and SEO for a Quebec college and consultant for various companies and DMOs, she loves combining technological advances with the classic beauty of words, and is a member of TMAC, SATW, NATJA and IFTWTA!

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