Lakeside camping near Richmond with campfires

Surrounded by farmlands, this charming town in the Eastern Townships is filled with historic architecture, a convent-turned-arts centre, and brick homes with walled gardens that provide an English country village vibe. Set on the banks of the Saint-François River and surrounded by parks and wild places, Richmond makes a picturesque base for a camping trip, especially with its dozens of surrounding wineries.

The Eastern Townships are considered a four-season destination, but for those looking to get the most out of a camping trip, mid-June through to October is going to give you the most predictable weather. July and August can get busy, while fall is incredibly pretty and quieter than the summer months. Spring can be wet, and although some parks offer winter camping around Richmond, the extreme cold keeps campgrounds fairly empty.

• If you don’t have your own vehicle, plan on renting one, as it'll be tough to explore this region without a car. Travelling by bike is also an option thanks to many planned bike routes that run through the Eastern Townships.
• You can explore the Saint-François River by guided or self-guided tour by renting equipment from the Richmond Canoe-Kayak Center.
• Richmond offers several electric vehicle charging stations.
• Although most people working in tourism speak English fluently, you may well come across occasions where a translation app will come in handy. Not all signage (or business websites) in the region are bilingual.