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Canoeing, kayaking and rafting in Quebec: where to paddle, from calm lakes to whitewater

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A lake at sunrise by canoe, a slow river by kayak with a picnic on an island, a run through rapids by raft with a guide shouting instructions: Quebec has the water for every wish, from June to September. This guide brings together Quebec’s rental centres, outdoor bases and river runs, with each one’s listing, boats, routes and prices.

Choosing your water

For a first outing, a lake without waves or a class I river, with hourly rental and a return shuttle. Paddleboarding calls for calm water and a life jacket worn, not just on board. Rafting is done in a group with a guide, from the age shown on the listing depending on the river, from family runs to class IV rapids.

Safety

Life jacket mandatory, whistle, hat and sunscreen: you burn twice as fast on the water. Check the weather and wind before leaving; on a big lake, hug the shore. Rental shops provide the dry bag and the route map.

🛶 Places by region

MontrealQuebecLavalAbitibi-TémiscamingueBas-Saint-LaurentCentre-du-QuébecCharlevoixChaudière-AppalachesCôte-NordEastern TownshipsEeyou Istchee Baie-JamesGaspésieÎles-de-la-MadeleineLanaudièreLaurentidesMauricieMontérégieNunavikOutaouaisSaguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

Montreal

27 places

Mount Royal Park

Designed by Frederick L. Olmsted, this park boasts a network of walking paths and stairs that will lead to you a variety of landscapes.

Parc-nature de l’Anse-à-l’Orme

Located opposite Lac des Deux-Montagnes, this linear park is a favourite of windsurfers and boaters, who come for the prevailing west winds.

Parc-nature du Bois-de-l’Île-Bizard

By bicycle or on foot, explore the many paths of this large park.

Plage Jean-Doré

A beautiful sandy beach close to downtown, where water quality is always excellent and many services are available.

Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques

Whether you are at the ecological farm, in a picnic area, on the beach or in the forest, you will appreciate this area set in the wilderness.

H2O Adventures

H2O Adventures offers kayak, SUP, pedal boat, rabaska or electric boat rentals.

See 21 more ›

Quebec

32 places

Parc national de la Jacques-Cartier

This park is home to one of Québec’s most spectacular glacial valleys, the Jacques-Cartier valley.

Club nautique lac Saint-Charles

Discover Lac Saint-Charles (7 km/4.5 mi. long), Rivière Huron and the navigable wetlands leading to Lac Delage.

Plage Eau Claire

A magnificent beach rated "A", where the water quality has never been anything less than exceptional.

Réserve faunique des Laurentides

Laurentides Wildlife Reserve is known as a reservoir of natural and wildlife resources.

Parc linéaire de la Rivière-Saint-Charles

Explore a beautiful 32-km (19.2-mi.) walking trail that runs along the St-Charles River, from its source at St-Charles Lake to its mouth at the Old Port.

Parc naturel régional de Portneuf

This regional nature park covers a 70-km2 (27-sq. mi.) territory of some of the most extraordinarily beautiful rock formations.

See 26 more ›

Laval

2 places

Parc de la Rivière-des-Mille-Îles

A unique attraction in Québec, this park is the largest protected wildlife area in the greater metropolitan area.

Centre de la nature de Laval

This green space, an ideal spot for a range of recreational and educational activities, welcomes outdoor activity lovers year-round.

Abitibi-Témiscamingue

18 places

Parc national d’Aiguebelle

Come observe traces of the ice age, lava flows and rocks that are 2.7 billion years old.

Plage municipale Rotary du lac Blouin

Enjoy fun in the sun at the Rotary municipal beach, a stone's throw from downtown, on highway 397, heading towards Barraute.

Mont-Vidéo

Our trails snake across a forest of maple trees, aspen and birch.

Parc national d’Opémican

Experience this brand new national park and explore the pristine rivière and lac Kipawa and the cliffs of lac Témiscamingue.

ZEC Kipawa

The Kipawa ZEC offers a wide range of activities, including fishing for bass, pike, walleye, whitefish, yellow perch and lake trout, and hunting for ruffled grouse, hare, moose, black bear and spruce grouse.

Plage Kiwanis

Come summer, this beach is the place to go!

See 12 more ›

Bas-Saint-Laurent

20 places

Parc de la Frontière

Set in the heart of Pohénégamook and part of the Border Route (Route des Frontières), this park provides a heritage and walking tour.

3 Bondaries Trails

Ecotourism trails touching on three borders'Maine, New Brunswick and Québec'and which can be explored by land or water.

La Forêt de Maître Corbeau – Sentiers aériens

With 94 games that increase in difficulty, over 2 km of aerial trails and a series of six ziplines, this forest has courses for participants of all ages!

Plage municipale de Notre-Dame-du-Lac

This beach offers visitors exclusive access to one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bas-Saint-Laurent region: Lac Témiscouata.

Aventures Archipel

Enjoy a guided tour in a kayak.

Camping d’Eau Claire

You'll enjoy this enchanting site in the heart of nature, on the shores of Grand lac Squatec.

See 14 more ›

Centre-du-Québec

15 places

Parc du Réservoir-Beaudet

This reservoir is a birdwatcher’s delight, with over 269 catalogued species.

Parc Kounak

The perfect spot for a family picnic.

Manoir du lac William Hôtel & Spa

The Manoir du lac William Resort & Spa invites you to immerse yourself in a world where adventure and relaxation are one, and where your wellness is a priority.

Parc Sainte-Thérèse

Magnificent park where you can rent various boats for water activities!

La route bleue – Lac Joseph – Boucle du lac Joseph

The 16.9 km loop on Lac Joseph, between Inverness and Saint-Pierre-Baptiste, offers a peaceful getaway on calm waters, ideal for beginner paddlers.

Club de voile et plage municipale de Drummondville

The Drummondville sailing club and municipal beach offers an enchanting getaway just minutes from downtown.

See 9 more ›

Charlevoix

10 places

Parc national des Grands-Jardins

A memorable getaway awaits you at this park showcasing the beauty of the boreal forest and tundra.

Parc national des Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie

The parc is one of Québec's most beautiful natural monuments.

Palissades de Charlevoix

Aventurex offers and organizes climbing activities, via ferrata and mountain adventure packages in some of Quebec's most beautiful destinations, in collaboration with the L'Ascensation climbing school, a pioneer of modern climbing since 1989.

Katabatik – Aventure dans Charlevoix

Operating out of Baie-Saint-Paul, the Katabatik - Adventure in Charlevoix base camp offers experiences and activities accessible to all.Rivière du Gouffre: An ideal river for recreational kayaking.

ZEC Buteux – Bas-Saguenay

At the ZEC Buteux-Bas-Saguenay, you have access to unique fishing, hunting, accommodation and camping sites, as well as beaches, a canoe-camping or hiking trails.

Descente Malbaie enr.

In the winter, learn to drive your own team of huskies during half-day to five-day dogsledding expeditions while discovering the Charlevoix mountains.

See 4 more ›

Chaudière-Appalaches

17 places

Club de plein air des Aulnaies

More than just a kayak ride, our tour takes you on a unique experience, similar to a ride on Louisiana's Bayou Lafourche.

Parc national de Frontenac

Nature, wildlife, boating and camping activities on Grand lac Saint-François.

Domaine de la Seigneurie

Park crossed by the Route Verte bike path including an island.

Plage O.T.J. Saint-Victor

A welcoming beach accessible to everyone!

Vieux Moulin de Metgermette-Nord

Erected in 1873, downstream from Lac des Abénaquis, this imposing four-storey structure is testimony to one of the last attempts at the French colonization of North America.

Éco-Parc des Etchemins

Beautifully landscaped park on the shores of Lac-Etchemin.

See 11 more ›

Côte-Nord

18 places

Plage du lac Daviault (Marina de Fermont)

Beach offering various water and beach activities plus boat rentals.

Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier – Sept-Îles

Larger than life, Port-Cartier-Sept-Îles Wildlife Reserve is a land of breathtaking landscapes in a natural setting that leaves no one indifferent.

Village forestier d’antan de Franquelin

Vibrant heritage, generous nature and restful nights.

Tadoussac Autrement

This local family business offers tours in a 12-person zodiac with sliding windows, a glass roof and an open deck area to feel the wind, taste the rain and smell the St. Lawrence River.

Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve

For your vacation in Quebec, enjoy an unforgettable experience in the Mingan Archipelago!

Mer et monde ecotours

An experience linking humans and natureWe provide people with the opportunity to commune with nature while enjoying a relaxing sea kayaking or lodging experience.

See 12 more ›

Eastern Townships

49 places

Plage du lac Stukely (Parc national du Mont-Orford)

Discover Lake Stukely beach, a magnificent supervised beach with clear water and equipped with a playground for children.

Plage du lac Fraser (Parc national du Mont-Orford)

Discover Lake Fraser beach, a magnificent supervised beach with clear water and equipped with a playground for children and a professional beach volleyball court.

Parc Ouellette

In Ouellette Park, a water and recreational equipment rental centre is open during the summer, offering free rental of all types of watercraft (canoes, kayaks, paddle boards, including life jackets and emergency kits), as well as fun games, such as Spikeball, Finnish bowling, ladder ball games and bean bag games.

Plage McKenzie

On the shores of Grand Lac Brompton in the Eastern Townships, Camping Mckenzie Beach offers one of the finest sandy beaches in the area with stunning views of the lake.

Plage du Centre de la nature

At the Nature Center, on the shores of Davignon Lake, come and experience swimming, water games for children or other water sports in a green environment.

Plage municipale du lac Bromont

Public beach with access to Lake Bromont.
Free

See 43 more ›

Eeyou Istchee Baie-James

5 places

Nibiischii Corporation – Albanel-Mistassini-Waconichi Wildlife Reserve

Discover our packages with or without fishing in a chalet, floating chalet, prospector camp, Coolbox or camping in one of our four developed sites.

Chibougamau Aventure

Take an adventure off the beaten track!Chibougamau Aventure specializes in tailor-made adventure trips.

Parc régional Obalski

Magnificent regional park full of amenities whose mission is to promote outdoor recreational activities in a natural setting and encourage forest conservation and wildlife preservation.

Nuuhchimi Wiinuu

An eco-tourism indigenous site is ready to welcome you.

Réseau Bell – Nature

This park on the banks of the Bell River offers approximately 3 km of trails lead you to the observation tower, rapids, and a terrace, from where you can observe nature.

Gaspésie

28 places

Réserve faunique de Matane

Recognized above all for its exceptionally rich wildlife, Matane Wildlife Reserve offers visitors a stunning panorama of mountains and deep valleys furrowed by majestic rivers.

Forillon National Park

Located just minutes from Gaspé, Forillon National Park offers a wide range of exciting experiences by the sea, along cliffs and in the forest.

Parc national de la Gaspésie

With 25 peaks over a thousand metres (3,280 ft.) high, this park in heart of the Gaspé peninsula is unique due to its very diverse fauna and flora.

Plage du Parc des îles

Perfect for relaxing or enjoying various activities, this park is connected to the city hall district and Mathieu-D’Amours dam by a pedestrian bridge.

Eskamer Aventure

From canyon to sea, experience adventure with EskamerSea kayak during the day, at sunset or even at night to contemplate the phenomenon of bioluminescence created by phytoplankton moving in the water.

Caroune Ski Shop

We are a specialized ski shop in backcountry services that repairs, tunes, rents and sells equipment for backcountry skiing and splitboarding.

See 22 more ›

Îles-de-la-Madeleine

4 places

Aérosport Les Iles

Aerosport is the first kite school to be created in the Magdalen Islands in 1998 and the first kiteboarding school created in Canada.Since then, Aerosport has become the reference school in Quebec and Canada in the Magdalen Islands for wind and water sports.

Parc de Gros-Cap

A kayaking must on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

Cindyhook Sports Aventures

An unforgettable experience in the landscapes of the Îles de la MadeleineTreat yourself to a unique perspective of the coastal landscapes of the Îles de la Madeleine with Cindyhook Sports Aventures.

La route bleue – Golfe du Saint-Laurent – Gros-Cap

This route stretches along the region's picturesque coastline, offering an immersive experience in the heart of the Magdalen Islands seascape.You'll be surrounded by breathtaking panoramas.

Lanaudière

45 places

Plage municipale Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie

Intimate beach with play modules, volleyball and boat rentals.

Parc André-Auger

Located on the shore of the Achigan River, this park is the nautical destination in Saint-Lin-Laurentides.

Plage Maria-Goretti

Public beach in shallow water, ideal with young children.

Parc régional du lac Taureau

Lac Taureau Regional Park is home to the largest body of water located less than 2 hours from Montreal.

Plage municipale de Rawdon

Beach on the shores of Lac Rawdon with a natural slope of fine sand and access to a swimming area.

Plage du Camping Vacances St-Tropez

Our campsite will allow you to enjoy a magnificent fine sand beach giving access to swimming thanks to our natural lake.

See 39 more ›

Laurentides

40 places

Mont Habitant Beach

Just 2 km from Saint-Sauveur, at the foot of Mont Habitant, this beach is an ideal place to enjoy a family outing in a quiet, lakefront environment.

Plage Major

Vast public beach (admission fee) able to accommodate large groups.

Parc national du Mont-Tremblant

The dean of Quebec's national parks, two-thirds of which are located in the Lanaudière region.

Parc Nature du Lac Beattie

This nature park is located 50 minutes from Montréal and offers a wide variety of year-round outdoor activities in a 100% preserved environment.

Tremblant Beach and Tennis Club

This heavenly site on Lac Tremblant offers a stunning view of the mountain, plenty of outdoor activities, such as beach volleyball, and a vast array of water sports.

Parc national d’Oka

From the Calvaire Hill to Lac des Deux-Montagnes, history abounds.

See 34 more ›

Mauricie

32 places

Sentiers Aux berges du Lac Castor

This hiking and snowshoeing network is made of 16 trails totalling about 30 kilometres (18.5 mi.).

La Mauricie National Park

An array of trails, lodgings, forests, lakes and beaches are available to outdoor enthusiasts, campers and sports enthusiasts, summer and winter alike: road biking, hiking, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and much more.

L’Île Saint-Quentin

This family park, located at the confluence of the St-Maurice and St-Lawrence rivers, combines relaxation and recreation.

Réserve faunique Mastigouche

The reserve's special appeal is a magnet for visitors who come to enjoy other recreational activities for the day or to stay at one of the superb cabins located in enchanting surroundings.

Hydravion Aventure

Discover Quebec and the Mauricie Valley!

Parc des Chutes-de-la-Petite-Rivière-Bostonnais

The Bostonnais River transforms into a 30-metre waterfall as it enters the park.

See 26 more ›

Montérégie

65 places

Glissades et Camping les cèdres

Come enjoy this waterpark's sliding and swimming facilities, including four waterslides and two pools.

Parc historique de la Pointe-du-Moulin

A heritage site where visitors can take a guided tour of the oldest working mill in Québec (built in 1708), its miller's house (built between 1785 and 1791) and the interpretation centre with its two exhibitions.

Centre nautique de Châteauguay

The Nautical Centre offers many outdoor activities such as kayak, canoe, stand up paddle (SUP), pedalboat and sail boat (dinghies and catamarans).

St-Zotique municipal beach

Come enjoy this beach’s various activities: aquatic obstacle course, swimming, water games area, wading pool, playground, swimming lessons, open water training, pedal boat rentals, canoeing, kayaking, Yogakayaking, volleyball and tennis courts, soccer fields, picnic areas and lots of sunshine!

Le Sablon plage & camping et Sherifville

Campground and outdoor center offering numerous summer water activities: swimming, children's water games, volleyball, Tarzan rope, Wibit course on the water and the Sherifville children's amusement center.

La route bleue – Rivière Châteauguay – Centre Nautique à la Pointe Nautique

Out-and-back route on the Châteauguay River.For a longer adventure, continue south toward the launch site at Marcel-Seers Park or paddle around Île Saint-Bernard, exploring a portion of Lake Saint-Louis.Watercraft rentals are also available at the City of Châteauguay Nautical Centre ($).

See 59 more ›

Nunavik

5 places

Parc national Tursujuq

Near Hudson Bay, discover the largest national park in Québec!

Parc national Ulittaniujalik

Ulittaniujalik has a rich millennial history.

Parc national Kuururjuaq

Covering 4,460.8 square kilometres, this park extends from Ungava Bay to Mount Caubvick (Mont D'Iberville in Québec) —the highest peak in eastern North America, rising to 1,646 metres crisscrossed by the majestic Koroc River, whose shores are lined with countless archeological gems.

Parc national des Pingualuit

The legendary crystal eye of a 1.4 million year old meteorite crater, in which the blue waters that bathes in this circular lake are of pure transparency, will leave you spellbound.

Nurrait – Jeunes Karibus

Outaouais

32 places

Réserve faunique de Papineau-Labelle

In summer, enjoy the fine sand beaches and calm lakes where you can set out in your canoe, kayak or pedal boat.

Parc du Lac-Beauchamp

Lac-Beauchamp Park offers recreational facilities accessible all year round, and 15 km of recreational trails.

Parc national de Plaisance

Located on a series of islands in the Ottawa River, the Parc national de Plaisance is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly birdwatchers: over 250 species can be observed all year.

Éco-Odyssée Nature Park

Live a unique experience at the Eco-Odyssee Nature Park in Wakefield.

Kenauk Nature

Who doesn’t wish to escape in the great outdoors where time stands still?

Plage du Pont blanc

Located in the Pontiac MRC, just 1h30 from Gatineau-Ottawa, Plage du Pont Blanc is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and families in search of relaxation.

See 26 more ›

Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

40 places

Parc national du Fjord-du-Saguenay

Imagine standing among breathtaking cliffs and steep slopes.

Parc de la Rivière-du-Moulin

Discover the pleasures of the outdoors in the city!

Parc national de la Pointe-Taillon

A unique view onto lake Saint-Jean, an immense inner sea.

Parc national des Monts-Valin

Set in the heart of the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, this national park boasts peaks over 900 m (2,953 ft.) high, spectacular views, and rivers and other bodies of water ideal for hikers, canoeists and fishing enthusiasts.

La route bleue – Lac Saint-Jean – Pekuakami – Mashteuiatsh

From the village of Mashteuiatsh, embark on the waters of Pekuakami and experience the lake as the Pekuakamiulnuatsh have always lived it.

Auberge Île du Repos

A member of the Objectif Scène, ROSEQ and RIDEAU networks, this establishment presents quality professional shows by emerging and renowned artists in an intimate atmosphere, with state-of-the-art equipment.

See 34 more ›

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