Set up camp on a trail of lakes

Simply arriving at Lac-Témiscouata National Park feels like a mini-vacation – the scenery is awesome. But you wouldn’t be content just to sit and stare, would you? There are several trails that range from two to four hours round-trip, and while they’re drastically different in length and scenery, they’re all great options for intermediate hikers.

The 5.8km Montagne-du-Fourneau hike leads you through pine forests with great lake views and the largest altitude drop in the park’s trail system. Nimbler feet should check out the rocky expanses of the Grands-Pins hike, while nature lovers can get deep into it with the 12.4km Rivière-des-Mémoires hike

If you’re a natural wanderer, you don’t need to settle down in a single campsite. Instead, you can turn your camping trip into a multi-day backpacking trip on the National Trail, which crosses the whole park on a dynamic 37km route. There are campgrounds, huts and ready-to-camp facilities where you can sleep along the way.

Given that this is a glacier-sculpted landscape, it’s pocked with some of the prettiest lakes and streams you’ve ever seen, so be sure to include paddling in your expedition. You can voyage to various campsites, and you may see trout, beavers, moose or the park’s iconic bald eagles along the way. One to look into is the Touladi lakes trip, a 16km route that goes through beds of lush sea grass and between remote islands. Remember that these islands are fragile ecosystems, so refrain from disembarking.

A short drive from the park is the town of Témiscouata-sur-le-lac, an awesome place to restock your supplies and grab a bite to eat. Check out Amarante, the town’s ecological grocer and pick up some organic marshmallows to roast over your next camping trip.