Beach camping near Victoriaville with wildlife watching
Frolic the diverse forests of La Belle Province when camping near Victoriaville.
Popular camping styles for Victoriaville
Beach camping near Victoriaville with wildlife watching guide
Overview
About halfway between Montreal and Quebec City, the quiet French Canadian town of Victoriaville is a solid launch point for outdoor adventures in La Belle Province. Lakes and rivers criss-cross the area, so campers can paddle out in a kayak or canoe, or drop a line to catch trout, bass, pike, and walleye. Head over to Mont Arthabaska for epic hikes that reward with stunning views of the maple, oak, spruce, and eastern pine forest—keep those binoculars and cameras ready for deer, moose, and bears, too. Brave winter camping conditions for cross-country skiing that’s très magnifique, too. Some rustic campsites are accessible only by snowshoe or ski, including both tent campsites and heated cabins, for a true off-the-grid escape.
Where to go
Parc du Mont Arthabaska
With free park admission, Parc du mont Arthabaska is open for year-round outdoor adventuring with 19 kilometres of mountain biking trails, 10 kilometres of fat biking trails, 10 kilometers of hiking trails, a BMX bike park and freestyle track, and indoor and outdoor skateparks in summer. Ascend the mild incline to the 305-metre peak for unobstructed views of expansive fields and low-lying forest. Winter offers inner-tubing, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Camping in the park isn’t allowed, but modern RV parks with swimming pools and shuffleboard dot the surrounding area.
Lac Nicolet
About 35 minutes southeast of Victoriaville, Lac Nicolet is the source of the Rivière Nicolet, a tributary of the Saint Lawrence River, where anglers can catch trout, bass, and pike (with a required fishing license purchased online). Check local restrictions on the size, number, and species allowed. Stunning fall foliage, with hues of red and orange, is another reason to visit Lac Nicolet. Nearby campsites range from primitive tent camping to RV sites with full water and electricity hookups. Or, go glamping in style with unique cabins, cottages, and chalets.
Parc National de la Yamaska
Parc National de la Yamaska (Yamaska National Park in English) surrounds the man-made Choinière Reservoir—a 4.5-square-kilometre reservoir popular for boating, swimming, and fishing. Walk or bike around the reservoir following the 19-kilometre trail, discover 40 regional tree species, or look for the northern dusky salamander (the park’s emblem), as well as beavers, herons, and deer. Rustic and modern campsites with picnic tables await—just remember to buy a daily access pass or annual card online before visiting.
When to go
The summer months, from June to September, are the most popular time to camp in and around Victoriaville because the warm, sunny weather is ideal for fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities. Hipcampers may enjoy the changing colours of the leaves in fall throughout Quebec’s forests. For hardy winter campers who enjoy very cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, there’s local snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.
