Looking for a peaceful place to pitch your tent that offers both the sounds of nature and great access to the sights of the city? It’s easier than you might think to find outstanding camping near Montreal. Situated at the confluence of two mighty rivers, Quebec’s largest and most cosmopolitan city nestles on a smattering of islands surrounded by freshwater. Head across any of Montreal’s many bridges and you’ll soon find yourself climbing north into the Laurentian Mountains, west into the Gatineau Hills or east into the Appalachians of the Eastern Townships.
With such diverse and rugged geography just a short drive away, the Montreal area offers a huge variety of camping opportunities. From family camping by the beach and luxury camping in the forest, to riverside camping by the put-in and canoe camping on a backcountry lake, we’ve rounded up the very best Montreal camping parks and campgrounds. These spots are all within a two-hour drive of the city, and all offer outstanding access to outdoor activities.
[This article is part of our 24 Adventurous Things To Do In Montreal series. Learn more about where to hike, bike, paddle and sightsee around Quebec’s largest city.]
Campgrounds near Montreal
Wondering where to go camping near Montreal so that you can enjoy easy access to paddling and other outdoor adventures? Not to worry—most of our favorite Montreal area campgrounds are located on or near the water, so they feature great paddling right out your tent door or just a short drive away. Many Montreal camping parks also offer superb trail systems, beaches, canoe/kayak/SUP rentals, bicycle rentals and Ready-to-Camp sites—furnished canvas tents with kitchenettes and beds so you only need to bring your food and bedding. In short, Montreal campgrounds make it easy to enjoy a stress-free camping vacation or staycation!
Best Camping near Montreal
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Îles-de-Boucherville National Park Camping
The best place to camp in Montreal is this beautiful national park situated right in the middle of the St. Lawrence River, less than 10 kilometers from Montreal’s Old Port. Five closely-knit, vehicle-free islands make up Parc National des Îles-de-Boucherville, offering a peaceful escape from the noise of the city with green spaces and leafy channels teeming with birds and aquatic life. The park offers outstanding wildlife watching (adorable deer sightings are almost guaranteed), cycling around the islands’ extensive network of bike paths, and exploring the two marked water trails by kayak or canoe. Campers who don’t have their own paddle craft or bicycles can rent equipment at the park visitors center.
The national park has 50 tent campsites and 25 Ready-to-Camp sites on Îles Grosbois, located 3 km from the parking area and accessible on foot, by bike or by canoe/kayak. Additionally, a pedestrian river shuttle directly to the campground is available from Boucherville, across the river from Montreal.
Camping Chenal-du-Moine
The Sorel Islands–Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere is one of the most ecologically diverse places to explore near Montreal. Less than an hour down the St. Lawrence from the city, a dense archipelago of 103 islands stretches across the river at the western end of Lac Saint-Pierre. The Sorel Islands are home to 50 percent of the St. Lawrence River’s wetlands, making it a bird-watcher’s paradise. The paddling is also first-rate—you’ll discover a mosaic of kayak-sized passages, secret maple swamps and bird-filled marshes.
Tucked among orderly rows of farmland on the south side of the river, Camping Chenal-du-Moine offers exceptional access for paddling trips among the Sorel Islands. The campground’s spacious tent, trailer and RV campsites are situated in a grassy area with ample trees for shade and privacy. Even better, the camping area is just steps from a protected channel and launch site.
Camping Laurentian
Set in a picturesque valley in the Laurentian Mountains just one hour north of Montreal, the charming village of Val-David seems conceived for the enjoyment of outdoor enthusiasts. At the foot of the mountains, the Riviere du Nord meanders through the village before reaching Lac Raymond, paralleled along its green banks by the long-distance P’tit Train du Nord cycle path. Minutes from the village, expansive Val-David-Val-Morin Regional Park offers hiking, mountain biking, climbing and spectacular viewpoints. Camping Laurentian is located just 2 km south of Val-David, with easy access to the village by vehicle or bicycle. The campground offers 85 sites, sunny or shaded, for tents, trailers and RVs. The downside: this campground’s convenient location just off the highway means campers should come prepared for traffic noise.
Family Camping near Montreal
Camping L’Escale Pointe Calumet
Located just 30 minutes from the city, this lovely oasis is one of the nicest places to camp near Montreal. Camping L’Escale Pointe Calumet checks all the boxes for the best family camping near Montreal: a clean, private lake with warm water and supervised swimming beach; quiet and spacious lakefront campsites with semi-private docks; right on the bicycle path connecting to Oka National Park and Lake of Two Mountains; fun activities and events happening all summer long; super tidy facilities and free high-speed WiFi. Plus, more than 50 percent of the 230 tent, trailer and RV sites are waterfront. But the best news for kids may be that the campground is right across the road from the incredible Super Aqua Club water park. After a day of wave pools, lazy rivers, epic water slides and so much more, this is one family camping vacation they’ll never forget!
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Camping Choisy
If you’re looking for some of the best tent camping near Montreal, Camping Choisy is a five-star family campground just 45 minutes west of the city, tucked in a leafy forest near the Ottawa River. Enjoy loads of family-themed activities, two supervised swimming pools, trampoline area, a forest ropes course, mini golf and more. Nearly 100 traveler campsite options range from rustic riverside campsites nestled beside the peaceful Raquette River to serviced forest sites for trailers and RVs. Log cabin or funky COOLBOX rentals suit families looking for a more comfortable glamping experience. If you’re heading up north toward Mont Tremblant after your stay, the nearby Hudson Oka Ferry crosses at the head of Lake of Two Mountains for a unique shortcut around Montreal.
Camping Lac-des-Plaines
Many camping spots near Montreal are too close to major roads to feel like you’ve truly escaped the city. Happily, if you’re looking for a quiet family getaway within an hour’s drive from Montreal, this campground north of the city offers a peaceful retreat among the rural landscape of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, with plenty to keep children busy. Camping Lac-des-Plaines features a tranquil pond with supervised swimming beach, heated pool, outdoor movie nights for kids, playground, sports fields, mini golf and quiet hours after 11 pm. Affordable rates keep parents happy, too. The campground offers 55 traveller campsites, 150 seasonal (RV) sites and 2 Ready-to-Camp sites.
Camping near Montreal with Lake
Oka National Park Camping
Located on the mainland shore of Lake of Two Mountains just 30 minutes west of the city, Parc National d’Oka is the perfect spot for beach camping without leaving the Montreal metropolitan area. This park has the best beach near Montreal where you can swim, paddle along 7 km of fine sand or go for a wildlife-filled tour of the vast marsh at Grande Baie. Oka offers hiking and bicycling trails, a pilgrimage site dating back to 1740 and a rich cultural heritage, plus you can rent kayaks, canoes, SUPs, sailboats and bikes at the park. Five camping areas with a total of more than 1,000 campsites mean you can choose a site right by the beach, or tucked away under shady forest canopy. Serviced RV sites and semi-serviced sites available, as well as 62 Ready-to-Camp sites and 10 cozy rental cabins—some of which are dog-friendly.
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Mont-Orford National Park Camping
The Eastern Townships are just a 1.5-hour drive from Montreal, yet here the Appalachian Mountains rise to impressive heights and a diverse mix of waterways, forests and valleys promise all-season outdoor adventures. From the Mont-Orford Massif, at 853 meters in elevation, visitors can admire the region’s landscape as far as the eye can see. Parc National du Mont-Orford offers some of the best hiking in the Montreal area with over 80 km of trails. You’ll also find lookouts, paddling, cycling, mountain biking, rock climbing and more—as well as a diversity of camping experiences, from rustic hike-in campsites to lakeside campgrounds. Together, Lac-Stukely and Lac-Fraser campgrounds provide nearly 425 serviced and semi-serviced campsites, plus an assortment of Ready-to-Camp sites and canoe, kayak and SUP rentals.
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Yamaska National Park Camping
Another Eastern Townships gem near Granby, just 1.5 hours from Montreal, petite Parc National de la Yamaska surrounds the Choinière Reservoir, an artificial lake perfect for paddling activities built on the North Yamaska River. Cyclists love the beautiful bike path that circles 19 km around the lake, while families appreciate the supervised beach and water games station. The campground here has 147 sites for tents, trailers and RVs, as well as Ready-to-Camp sites and more rustic lakeside campsites for canoe camping. Canoe, kayak, SUP and bike rentals are available at the park, as well as introductory paddleboard instruction, SUP yoga classes and after-dark SUP tours. The canoe camping package—which includes equipment rental, campsite and firewood—is perfect for first-timers.
Mont Tremblant National Park Camping
It’s hard to believe this huge national park is within such easy reach of the city. Less than two hours north of Montreal, the forested mountains, sparkling lakes and rushing rivers of Parc National du Mont Tremblant offer an incredible variety of outdoor activities. Paddling opportunities in the park range from easy sojourns on mountain lakes to exciting whitewater descents of the Diable and L’Assomption Rivers. There is also a Via ferrata, an intermediate activity between hiking and climbing that lets you discover the park’s mountains in a way most of us could otherwise only dream about.
Camping in Mont Tremblant Park is available year-round with over 900 campsites and an unmatched variety of cabins, huts and yurts offering a wide range of camping experiences for everyone. Most of the park’s campgrounds are situated on beautiful lakes, and many offer kayak and canoe rentals right in the camping area.
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Ouareau Forest Regional Park Camping
Two hours north of the city and a short drive to Mont Tremblant National Park, the vast Ouareau Forest Regional Park entices outdoor enthusiasts with verdant mountain trails, wild lakes and the magnificent Ouareau River. Each of the park’s five sectors offers rustic camping in a pristine natural environment, with 29 lakeside tent and RV campsites in the Foothills sector at cliff-lined Castor Lake. Here you’ll find hiking and cycling trails, rock climbing, scenic lookouts and canoe rentals. Explore the park to discover a suspension bridge, forest trekking course, whitewater paddling and over 100 km of multi-use trails.
Canoe Camping Montreal
Canoe camping near Montreal is the ultimate way for paddlers to experience the beautiful lakes and rivers that lie on the doorstep of this vibrant city. Enjoy Montreal canoe camping in the heart of the city on the Boucherville Islands, or slumber to the sound of gently lapping waves and murmuring rapids in Mont Tremblant Park.
Îles-de-Boucherville National Park Canoe Camping
Cradled by the St. Lawrence River just a few kilometers from Old Montreal, this wonderfully accessible national park has 50 tent campsites and 25 Ready-to-Camp sites on Îles Grosbois. While you can also walk or cycle 3 km from the parking area to reach this riverside campground, the best way may be to approach from the water with everything you need for the night loaded snugly in your canoe.
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Mont Tremblant National Park Canoe Camping
Two hours to the north of the city, Mont Tremblant National Park offers the best backcountry camping near Montreal. Enjoy canoe camping along the park’s two main rivers—the Diable and the L’Assomption—or discover lakeside gems at three destination canoe camping lakes.
The Rivière du Diable offers a 2- to 3-day, 26-kilometer course of calm meanders, peaceful lakes and class I-II rapids. More than 80 canoe camping sites scattered all along the river and a shuttle service make it easy to enjoy a one-way journey while wild camping Mont Tremblant’s best-known river.
The L’Assomption River canoe route begins at the north end of Lac de L’Assomption and travels 15 km through river, rapids and lake to the visitors centre at the park entrance. Most paddlers plan to camp one or two nights on the river—choose from 20 sites clustered at the beginning, km 5 and km 13 of the route.
For lake-lovers seeking calm and solitude, the rustic canoe camping sites on the sandy shores of Rossi, Savane and L’Assomption Lakes make great destinations for one or more nights. Discovery packages available May to September—which include canoe equipment rental, firewood and your camping permit—make it easy for first-timers to try canoe camping in Mont Tremblant.
Glamping Montreal
Montreal’s glamping accommodations are perfect for romantic getaways, Insta-worthy girls’ weekends or as a special treat for your family vacation. Whether you are looking for convenience, comfort, decadence or all of the above—you’re sure to find it luxury camping in Montreal.
A popular option throughout the region is the Ready-to-Camp tent—a comfortably appointed canvas tent constructed on a sturdy platform and outfitted with basic furniture. Searching for something more exotic? The sky is the limit—literally! Try treehouse camping and take luxury to new heights.
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Les Refuges Perchés | Mont-Tremblant Treehouses
Escape to the forest canopy in one of these fairytale cabins perched high in the trees, set in a beautiful mixed hardwood and conifer forest overlooking Lac Cordon. Just over an hour drive from Montreal, treehouse camping is available year-round and features 20 unique, Instagram-worthy wooden treehouses—each with a cozy, rustic living space and room to sleep 2–6 campers. All of the treehouses are built to blend into their natural environment with south-facing windows and decks to maximize sunlight and views. Woodstove heating, off-grid camp kitchens and outhouses put an extra bit of adventure in your stay.
Situated within the 2,000-acre Parc Eco des Laurentides, the treehouses are accessible by a 10- to 20-minute walk or 10-minute paddle down the lake (baggage carts/sleds and canoe rentals available). Those stellar views make it hard to pull yourself away, but when you’re ready the eco-resort also offers 36 km of hiking/snowshoeing trails and canoeing, kayaking and swimming in Lac Cordon. Travellers with pets take note: trails and treehouses are dog‑friendly.
Entre Cîmes & Racines
One hour from Montreal, the 12 eco-lodges nestled in this 175-acre forest are as comfortable as they are unusual. Undoubtedly one of the most talked about glamping sites in Quebec, “Between Roots & Crowns” offers various off-grid cabins including The Hobbit, inspired by the movie The Lord of the Rings. Bring candles and a sense of adventure. Besides bunking in a fantasy, families will enjoy the on-site hiking and mountain biking trails, kids’ climbing wall, giant maze and scavenger hunt.
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Les Pieds Sur Terre
Located just 45 minutes from Montreal near Rawdon, Les Pieds Sur Terre offers a selection of unusual glamping options nestled in a peaceful forest. Choose from a storybook treehouse, cozy tipi tiny house or truly out-of-this-world bubble camping. Each bubble is unique, sleeping 2, 4 or 6 people, with comfortable beds beneath a transparent stargazing sphere. Smaller bubbles are attached to fantastically crafted cabins, while the Great Bear Bubble houses everything under one dome. All bubbles include indoor kitchen, bathroom and private outdoor Jacuzzi. Whichever you choose, you’ll enjoy a short forest walk to reach your retreat and a sublime night under the constellations.
Huttopia Sutton
Nestled in the Eastern Townships between the town of Sutton and its mountain ski resort, Huttopia Sutton is well worth the 1.5-hour drive from Montreal. Surrounded by sun-dappled hardwood forest, the 160-acre site features a restaurant, café, heated outdoor pool, access to a river for swimming and a play area for children. A full itinerary of interactive indoor and outdoor activities for families is also available. In terms of lodging, Huttopia offers 20 all-season wooden chalets, which house six people; 20 Trapper tents and 40 Canadienne tents, which can fit up to five people; and 20 Bonaventure and Trapper Duo tents, ideal for romantic getaways for two. All options include real beds with mattresses, linens and pillows, cooking and cleaning appliances and utensils, mini-fridge, camp stove, heating and electricity.
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Bel Air Tremblant Dome Resort
The stunning geodesic dome rentals at Bel Air Tremblant Resort offer a truly unique lodging experience and the perfect blend of luxury and nature. Tucked between the Rouge River and Mont Tremblant National Park, these modern domes are just a 1.5-hour drive from metropolitan Montreal. Even better, each dome is set on a spacious deck with a private hot tub, barrel sauna and beautiful views. A wall of windows keeps the domes bright and airy and brings those views inside, where you can luxuriate in a king-size bed, take a hot shower or prepare a romantic fireside dinner in the kitchenette. Domes sleep 2 or 4 glampers, making them perfect for couples and families. The resort is open year-round and offers a huge variety of adventure activities, including paddleboarding and kayaking, hiking trails, zip lines, horseback riding, fat biking and more.
Oka National Park Ready-to-Camp
Stay in comfort in Parc National d’Oka with the park’s traditional Ready-to-Camp tents, available in Les Dunes campground. These spacious canvas tents feature 2 bedrooms with two double beds, plus heating, lighting, a table and chairs and everything you need to cook. All are located close to the sandy shores of Lake of Two Mountains with access to campground amenities. For even more roomy comfort, Les Dunes campground also has 20 Étoile Ready-to-Camp sites. These cube-shaped, canvas-and-wood structures feature more height, storage and three double beds (sleeps 6).
Mont Tremblant National Park Nature Cabins
Stretching the definition of “camping,” Parc Mont Tremblant boasts five different types of cozy cabins suitable for groups of 2 to 10. Couples love the unique architecture and huge windows of the intimate EXP Cabins. Families and friends enjoy the fully equipped comfort of the 4-person Écho Cabins, Nature Cabins and new Compact Cabins—all of which feature kitchens and bathrooms with shower. Best yet, these tiny homes-away-from-home use natural materials and designs that embrace and reflect their beautiful environs.
Kabania
Another storybook treehouse camping experience—this one just over an hour’s drive from Montreal—awaits at Kabania. Cozy wooden cabins on stilts and treehouse cabanitas perch amid the canopy on the edge of vast Oaureau Forest Regional Park. Each cabin includes basic furnishings, woodstove and veranda with lovely views. This little forest community also includes a comfortable and spacious common cabin with full kitchen and shower blocks for cooking, lounging and get-togethers. Picture a charming, rustic hostel in the woods. Hike from your cabin to lookouts in the Oaureau Forest or stay on-site—ropes courses in the trees, and tubing and swimming in the river make this a fun, year-round family glamping destination.
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Au Diable Vert
Less than 2 hours from Montreal and just minutes from the U.S. border in the Eastern Townships, Au Diable Vert is a four-season mountain resort offering an incredible variety of outdoor activities as well as glamping and cabin stays. Choose from seven unique types of eco-lodging—from cozy treehouses and adorable pod cabins to tent camping in a mountain meadow. Enjoy stunning views of the Green Mountains and Missisquoi River valley from 14 km of hiking trails; take a kayak, SUP or tube down a calm stretch of the river or try vélovolant—zipping through the treetops in a pedal-powered recumbent bike. But the best reason for an overnight stay at Au Diable Vert may be the evening astronomy presentation at their open-air, augmented reality planetarium. Cradled in heated stadium seats, and perched at over 1,000 feet of altitude, you’ll stargaze like never before from a mountainside amphitheater in Quebec’s newest Dark Sky Preserve.
Free Camping near Montreal
Free campsites are rare in the Montreal area. If you’re looking for a free place to pitch your tent in Montreal, you’ll have to look a little further afield than the city itself. Camping on Mount Royal and other Montreal parks is not allowed and fines for breaking this rule range from $100 to $1,000. If you do decide to participate in wild camping near Montreal, remember that when camping on public lands you must clean up the site and take away your garbage when you leave.
Winter Camping near Montreal
Many of the best Montreal camping areas and glamping parks are open year-round, so you can enjoy winter camping close to the city. Warmly equipped campers can try winter tent camping at Oka and Mont-Tremblant national parks.
Looking for a bit more comfort with your winter stay? Wood or propane heated backcountry huts are available at Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Orford and Yamnaska national parks, as well as Oaureau Forest Regional Park during the winter season. For even more cozy comforts, try the fully furnished all-season cabins at Oaureau Forest Park and Oka, Mont-Tremblant, Mont-Orford and Yamnaska national parks.
Many glamping parks offer a similar winter camping experience—albeit with a unique twist—such as snowshoe access or ski-in treehouses, bubble camping, domes, pods and cabins. Some favorite winter glamping destinations near Montreal include Mont Tremblant Treehouses, Entre Cîmes et Racines, Les Pieds Sur Terre, Bel Air Tremblant Dome Resort, Kabania and Au Diable Vert.
Camping Supplies Montreal
Whether you’re looking to buy or rent camping equipment, Montreal is a great place to get equipped.
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Buy Camping Gear Montreal
Dépôt Plein Air
Montreal’s huge go-to store for camping gear, kayaks & canoes, paddling equipment, outdoor apparel and more.
Location: 8267 Blvd St-Laurent, Montreal
Phone: 514-381-4399
Website: www.depotpleinair.com/
La Cordée
Quebec outdoor retail chain La Cordée operates a flagship store just north of the Old Port and steps to the St Lawrence. Purchase camping gear, apparel, paddling equipment and much else. If you’re in Laval, there’s also a La Cordée location here.
Location: 2159 Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montreal
Phone: 514-528-3546
Website: www.lacordee.com/en/
MEC Montreal
Outdoor retail chain MEC operates Laval and South Shore (Longueuil) locations in addition to their main Montreal store just north of Mont Royal, stocking everything you need to get out into the wilderness.
Location: 8989 Blvd de l’Acadie, Montreal
Phone: 514-788-5878
Website: www.mec.ca
SAIL
For a wide variety of outdoor equipment and camping gear Montreal retail chain SAIL has locations in Laval and the South Shore (Brossard).
Location: 2850 Ave. Jacques-Bureau, Laval
Phone: 450-688-6768
Website: www.sail.ca/en/
Plein Air Entrepôt
Located on the Plateau Mont-Royal, this outdoor retailer stocks hiking and camping gear including tents, hammocks, sleeping bags and camping mattresses.
Location: 1451 Mont-Royal Ave E., Montreal
Phone: 514-525-5309
Website: www.pleinairentrepot.ca/en
Atmosphere
Two locations make this popular Quebec outdoor retail chain a convenient place to stock up on camping supplies. The flagship store is found at the east end of downtown Montreal, with a second location in a shopping plaza in the city’s LaSalle borough.
Location: 1610 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal
Phone: 514-844-2228
Website: www.sportsexperts.ca/en-CA
Camping Equipment Rental Montreal
For a one-time outdoor adventure, it might make more sense to borrow than buy. Fortunately, you’ll find some excellent options for renting camping gear in Montreal.
MEC Montreal
If you’re looking for somewhere right in the city to rent camping gear Montreal MEC has you covered. The retailer rents a wide variety of camping equipment from the Montreal store including tents, self-inflating sleeping pads and sleeping bags.
Location: 8989 Blvd de l’Acadie, Montreal
Phone: 514-788-5878
Website: www.mec.ca
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La Cordée
Quebec outdoor retail chain La Cordée operates a flagship store just north of the Old Port and steps to the St Lawrence. Rents camping gear, climbing equipment, bikes and boats.
Location: 2159 Rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montreal
Phone: 514-528-3546
Website: www.lacordee.com/en/
Authentik Canada
Authentik is a travel agency based in Montreal, with a convenient online platform where you can rent reasonably priced, ready-to-go camping gear packages with local pick-up in Montreal.
Location: 7680 Rue Saint-Hubert, Montreal
Phone: 855-294-1555
Website: www.authentikcanada.com/ca-en
Windigo Travel
Another Montreal-based travel agent option, Windigo offers local pick-up of complete suites of camping equipment at competitive prices.
Location: 400 Atlantic, suite 801, Montreal
Phone: 514-948-4145
Website: www.windigo.travel/en
Nature is at your doorstep at these cozy campsites near Montreal. | Photo courtesy of: Huttopia Sutton, Cantons-de-l’Est © Tourisme Québec // Gaëlle Leroyer
