La Mauricie National Park of Canada
Canoe-Camping and Primitive Camping
Canoe-Camping Expedition at Anticagamac Lake
© Parks Canada/Mark Mills
Roughing It In the Bush
Primitive camping, the ultimate challenge for nature lovers, is available year-round. All sites are accessible by canoe; some, situated near trails, can be used by hikers, mountain bikers and skiers.
Sites, Facilities, and Services
There are some 200 primitive campsites dispersed amidst a dozen lakes in the park. Wood fires are permitted only on certain lakes, in fireplaces provided for this purpose. Each site is equipped with a maximum of four tent platforms situated at a greater or lesser distance from each other, as well as a dry pit toilet and a bear-proof food hanger. Take care! The level of difficulty of these circuits varies according to the number, length and denivellation of the portages.
To guide you during your expeditions, we recommend that you obtain a map of the park, available at the Reception Centres.
Canoes may be rented at any one of three boat rental facilities in the park.
No reservations will be accepted for canoe-camping or primitive camping. For these activities, registration at either of the two Reception Centres is mandatory. Admission will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The canoe-camping season runs from mid-May to mid-October.
Suggested Routes
1. The Observer
May we suggest to you three routes that are greatly appreciated by park visitors: The Observer, The Explorer and The Portager. Upon registering at one of the Reception Centres, you will be provided with a map of canoe-camping routes.
- Lakes and bay visited: Wapizagonke - du Caribou - baie des Onze îles - de la Halte.
- Length: 2 days, 1 night
- Distance: 20 km
- Departure/return: Wapizagonke picnic area
- Portages: 3, total distance 4.7 km
- Wapizagonke - lac du Caribou portage, 2.8 km long, uphill on the first kilometre.
- Baie-des-Onze-îles - de la Halte portage, 600 m long, level ground.
- Lac-de-la-Halte - Wapizagonke portage, 1.3 km, downhill.
- Description of the route:
This circuit comprises lakes bordered by magnificent quiet beaches. The Wapizagonke is renowned for its beautiful landscapes. Steep cliffs, sometimes over one hundred metres high, alternate with inviting sand spits. Situated at a higher altitude, lac du Caribou has exceptionally clear waters, but is also very windy. Good physical condition and technical ability with a canoe are required. Baie des Onze îles is a quiet refuge for wildlife. Keep on the lookout and be discreet!
- Shorter route:
If you prefer to avoid the lengthy Wapizagonke - lac du Caribou portage, you may leave a vehicle at the Wapizagonke picnic area and another at lac du Caribou.
2. The Explorer
- Lakes and bay visited: du Caribou - Cobb Bay - Maréchal - Tessier - Waber - Wapizagonke.
- Length: 3 days, 2 nights
- Distance: 40 km
- Departure/return: Shewenegan picnic area
- Portages: 5, total distance 7.7 km
- Wapizagonke - du Caribou portage, 2.8 km long, uphill on the first kilometre.
- Cobb - Maréchal portage is 500 m long.
- Maréchal - Tessier portage is 1 km long.
- Tessier - Waber portage is downhill for 400 m.
- Waber - Wapizagonke portage, 3 km long is mostly downhill. The portage has a magnificent lookout over Wapizagonke Lake.
- Description of the route:
Known for its crystal waters, lac du Caribou has some of the most beautiful beaches of the park. You can also spend a day exploring baie des Onze îles. An excursion to the majestic Waber waterfalls is a must. Upon returning to Wapizagonke Lake, the landscape is more abrupt and the sandy beaches invite you to swimming and relaxation.
- Shorter route:
If you have two vehicles, you may leave one at the Shewenegan picnic area and another at the Wapizagonke picnic area. By doing so, you will not have to return on Wapizagonke Lake.
3. The Portager
- Lakes and river visited: Wapizagonke - Anticagamac - Matawin River - des Cinq - Dauphinais - Houle.
- Length: 4 days, 3 nights
- Distance: 50 km
- Departure/return: Shewenegan picnic area
- Portages: 5, total distance 15.7 km
- Wapizagonke - Anticagamac portage, 2.4 km long, mostly level ground.
- Matawin - des Cinq portage, 5.4 km long, uphill on 2 km.
- des Cinq - Dauphinais portage, 200 m long.
- Dauphinais - Houle portage, 3 km long, uphill on the first 1.5 km.
- Houle - Wapizagonke portage, 4.7 km, downhill.
- Description of the route:
Anticagamac Lake merits a visit: its unique water garden is submerged with colourful aquatic plants. The wildlife is varied and abundant. Matawin River, once used for log driving, presents a very different landscape and vegetation. The currents permit us to paddle along without too much effort. Lac des Cinq and lac Dauphinais are among the most peaceful lakes in the park. The Houle Lake trail will impress you with its giant pines.
- Shorter route: two options are available!
- If you choose to end your route at the Wapizagonke picnic area instead of the Shewenegan picnic area, you will reduce by one half the number of kilometres to paddle.
- If you have two vehicles, you may leave one at the Shewenegan picnic area and the other at the Lac-Soumire parking lot. This will permit you to avoid two long portages totalling 7.7 km. Instead you will use three small portages of less than 1 km. Your route will therefore be much easier!
What you need to know
- All trips must get underway before 7 p.m. or earlier depending on the itinerary.
- Canoe-camping is permitted only on designated sites.
- No pets are allowed in boats or in the backcountry.
- Motorboats are prohibited on all park lakes.
- Fires may only be set at sites equipped with a fireplace. Fires are only permitted in this fireplace.
- It is strictly forbidden to cut down or gather trees or branches in the park to start or maintain a fire. Use only the firewood provided.
- Quiet hours begin at 11:00pm.
- The itinerary must be respected.