This Place is a Canoe-Camping
Eldorado
From the reception centre, set course for the south of the Poisson Blanc Reservoir, where you’ll find your campsite. Along the way, take the time to discover the area by stopping at the different island rest areas and hiking trails. You’ll arrive at your destination after 15 minutes of canoeing… of 6 hours for the most remote islands!
What is Canoe Camping ?
An activity where users travel by canoe to go camping, and carry their camping equipment in that same canoe; an increasingly popular practice, especially since it allows you to escape in nature completely and at your own pace. At Poisson Blanc, canoe-camping trips are experienced on your own. It requires knowing the risks inherent to the activity before leaving and having the right reflexes to paddle safely.
Who Can Go on a
Canoe-Camping Trip ?
Canoe camping is accessible to everyone as long as you have the necessary equipment for that kind of activity and are well-prepared! After you park your car, head towards your rustic and isolated campsite for an extraordinary stay surrounded by nature.
Disconnection guaranteed
This adventure activity involves being self-sufficient. That means no electricity, no running water, no network and only dry toilet. Bring with you all the necessary equipment for your stay including:
- A tent;
- A camping stove;
- A large capacity cooler;
Travel light
Leave your suitcase on wheels and bike at home! If this is one of your first trips, choose a campsite on the island close to the welcome centre. The furthest sites are 5-6 hours of canoeing away… if you’re not paddling against the wind!
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Accueil - Le Bastion
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The Prisme
60 meters 1 minute by foot
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The Tourterelle
250 meters 4 minutes by foot
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The Cardinal
300 meter 4 minutes by foot
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The Pic-Flamboyant
300 meter 4 minute by foot
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The Pic-Mineur
400 meters 5 minutes by foot
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The Grand-Pic
400 meters 5 minutes by foot
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1 La Cigogne
0,5 km 15 minutes
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2A Site des Pères
2 km +/- 40 minutes
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2C La Pointe des Pères
2 km +/- 40 minutes
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3A Site des Mauves
1.3 km +/- 30 minutes
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3B La pointe des Mauves
1.5 km +/- 30 minutes
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6 La Sainte Paix
1.6 km +/- 30 minutes
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12A Le Cap du soleil couchant
2.5 km +/- 45 minutes
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12C La Pointe aux Harles
2.5 km +/- 45 minutes
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12D La Pointe au Cerisier
2.5 km +/- 45 minutes
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20 Les pieds dans le sable
1.6 km +/- 30 minutes
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13 Le Soleil du Midi
3.5 km +/- 1:15
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23A L'aurore
3 km +/- 1 hour
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24 La Pointe du Couchant
3.3 km +/- 1:10
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25 La Retraite
3 km +/- 1 heure
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23B La Pointe à Bill
3.7 km +/- 1:15
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27A La Canopé
4 km +/- 1h20
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29 L'île à la Loutre
4 km +/- 1h20
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26 La Lagune
4 km +/- 1:20
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27B La Cigale
5 km 1h30
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31 Le Paradis
4,5 km +/- 1:30
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36 L'Entrée du Chenal
4.9 km +/- 1:40
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34 Katimavik
4 km +/- 1:20
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40 L'oasis
5 km 1h30
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41A La pointe de Granit
6 km +/- 2 hours
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41B L'horizon
7.5 km +/- 2h15
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39 Pointe aux bleuets
5.4 km +/- 1:45
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42E L'Équateur
7 km +/- 2 hours
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42A La Chanterelle
6 km approximately 2h of canoeing
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44B L'évasion
9 km 3h
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44A L'Enclume
9 km 3 hours
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44C La pointe à la perdrix
9 km +/- 3 heures
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45A Le Parasol
9 km 3h
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45B La pointe aux Dorés
9 km +/- 3 hours
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47A La pointe du Brochet
9.1 km +/- 3 hours
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47B La Terrasse
9.1 km +/- 3 hours
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47C La pointe Ensoleillée
10 km +/- 3:20
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52A La Plage Cachée
11 km +/- 3:40
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52C Le cap siffleur
11 km +/- 3:40
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55A Le Lagon Bleu
12.5 km +/- 4:10
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55C Le site de la Sand Bar
13 km +/- 4:20
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56 Le Rocher Fendu
13.5 km +/- 4:30
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59 La Pointe aux Bouleaux
15 km +/- 5 hours
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60 La Plage d'or
14 km +/- 4:30
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63A Cap à la Tortue
15 km +/- 5 hours
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63B Site de la Paroi Éléphant
15.2 km +/- 5 hours
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63C La Péninsule
15.5 km +/- 5:10
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65 L'aube
12,5 km +/- 4 hours
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64 L'Île Mira
15 km +/- 5 hours
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66A La Pointe au Pin
13 km +/- 4:20
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66D Le cap à l'aigle
13.5 km +/- 4:30
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68 L'Île aux voyageurs
14 km +/- 4:30
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70A La petite Plage
16.4 km +/- 5:30
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70B La grande Plage
16.4 km +/- 5:30
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70C La Pointe aux Chênes
16.2 km +/- 5:30
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70G La Citadelle
14 km +/- 4:30
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70K La Pointe de l'Épervier
16.2 km +/- 5:20
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Le camp de base
6.7 km 10 minutes by car
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Le site de la plage
6.5 km 10 minutes by car
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Picnic Stop 8
2 km 40 minutes
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Picnic Stop 9
2 km 40 minutes
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Picnic Stop 10
2.2 km around 45 minutes
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Picnic Stop 12B
2.5 km around 45 minutes
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Picnic Stop 21
1.5 km 30 minutes
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Picnic Stop 22
2 km +/- 40 minutes
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Picnic Stop 28B
3.8 km around 1h20
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Picnic Stop 30B
3.8 km around 1h20
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Picnic Stop 33C
4.5 km around 1h20
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Picnic Stop 35
4.5 km around 1h20
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Picnic Stop 38
5 km around 1h40
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Picnic Stop 42B
6.5 km around 2h30
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Picnic Stop 48
10.5 km around 3h30
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Picnic Stop 49
11 km around 3h40
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Picnic Stop 54C
12 km around 4h00
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Picnic Stop 55D
13 km around 4h20
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Picnic Stop 55E
13.5 km around 4h40
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Picnic Stop 57A
14 km around 5h00
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Picnic Stop 57B
14 km around 5h00
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Picnic Stop 66C
14 km around 5h00
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B2 Blocs des Pères
0,7 km +/- 30 minutes of canoeing 2 boulders 11 problems from V1 to V7-8
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PS42 Psicobloc du Chenal
7 km 2h30 minutes of canoeing 10 problems from V1 to V7-8
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P42 Paroi Écho - Canot
7 km +/- 2h30 of canoeing 32 routes from 5.6 to 5.12
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P42 Paroi Écho - Terre-ferme
7 km +/- 2h30 of canoeing 31 routes from 5.7 to 5.12
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B44 Blocs du Chenal
7,5 km 2h45 minutes of canoeing 11 problems from V1 to V9
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P45 Paroi Amiral
9 km +/- 3h of canoeing 12 routes from 5.5 to 5.11
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P63 Paroi Éléphant
15 km +/- 5h of canoeing 28 routes from 5.5 to 5.12
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Plage du Rapide-du-Fort
5,5km
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Sentier des Merisiers
Débutant
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Sentier La Baie-Durand
Intermédiaire
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Sentier du Chenal
Intermédiaire
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Sentier Katimavik
Intermédiaire
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Sentier le Cap du sud
Intermédiaire
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Sentier du Sommet
Intermédiaire
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Sentier de l’île en U
Intermédiaire
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Sentier du Crique
+/- 4 heures Intermédiaire
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Sentier de la Paroi Éléphant
Débutant
Getting Ready for Your Canoe-Camping
Trip in the Laurentians
Do you know what kind of equipment to choose? Do you have all the materials you need? Download the checklist prepared by Canot-Kayak Québec to make sure you don’t forget anything (French only).
What Fits in a 17-Foot Prospector Canoe ?
A prospector type canoe can safely contain about 650 pounds (250 kg), including the weight of the occupants. Often the load capacity is more a question of volume than weight. In other words, bring the essentials and travel light :
- A plastic barrel to carry your tent and sleeping bags;
- A bag or barrel with your camping stove and other equipment;
- A cooler;
- A waterproof bag (as much as possible) per person for your personal items;
- A little day bag for what you’ll need quick access to while paddling.
Tips for Best Luggage Placement in Your Canoe
- Distribute the weight evenly so the canoe maintains a horizontal level in the water
- Place the luggage according to the weight of the passengers
- Avoid piling up bags and equipment
- Keep your equipment as close to the water level as possible
- Tie the luggage that can sink to the benches and rails of the canoe and make sure they can’t move around the canoe along the way, even in heavy waves
- Put your equipment in waterproof bags, bins or barrels
- Put your food in a cooler or barrel
Paddling on the Reservoir
Before setting off for adventure on an 85 km2 reservoir, there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you enjoy a pleasurable excursion without surprises.
- Navigate near the banks (and in a group if there are several canoes)
- Expect quick changes in weather
- Make sure you are highly visible to other boaters to avoid risks of collisions
- Stop at the designated rest areas on the islands to relax, drink water, eat or go for a little swim before resuming your navigation.
- Do you have your license to fish in the Laurentians? Don’t hesitate to cast your line!
Did You know ?
The Poisson Blanc Reservoir islands are part of the planned Mont-Sainte-Marie biodiversity reserve. Here, we apply “leave no trace” outdoor recreation principles.
Did you forget something ?
Remember, you need a watercraft to get to your island. We offer a watercraft rental service. Any other questions, check out the links below.