Popular camping styles for Sept-Îles
Camping near Sept-Îles guide
Overview
Set in the Côte-Nord (North Coast) region of eastern Québec, the area around the city of Sept-Îles offers terrific escapes into nature. Its name literally translates as “Seven Islands,” and the seven-island archipelago is home to diverse seabird colonies, seals, and even whales. While camping on the Seven Islands isn’t allowed, boat tours and guided hikes are offered. Back on the mainland, Réserve faunique de Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles, a wildlife reserve with over 1,000 bodies of water, offers tent, RV, and cabin camping. Hipcampers can also find unique camping experiences in tear-drop shaped structures at the Mingan Archipelago. Explore Sept-Îles for rugged coastlines, dense forests, and great salmon fishing.
Where to go
Réserve de parc national de l'Archipel-de-Mingan
Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve offers a remarkably stunning coastal landscape marked by an abundance of unique monoliths, the largest concentration in all of Canada. Boat operators recognized by Parks Canada provide sea excursions to provide a closer look at these unique rock formations, including visits to Île aux Perroquets, île Nue de Mingan, and Île Quarry. Visit colonies of birds, hike more than 80 kilometres of trails, or rent a paddle board. The park’s campground features toilets, showers, and firepits for tent and RV campers, plus unique Ôasis tear-drop shaped camping structures.
Réserve faunique de Port‑Cartier–Sept‑Îles
About 45 minutes southwest of Sept-Îles, The Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles Wildlife Reserve spans over 6,000 square kilometres of pristine wilderness. The diverse landscape features boreal forests, rivers, and wetlands. Keep the binoculars handy for spotting birds of prey while exploring the hiking trails and cycling paths, and while picking seasonal blueberries and raspberries in the forest. Moose hunting is permitted with proper authorization. Designated camping areas allow both tents and RVs, and there are cabin rentals and unique Étoile ready-to-camp sites with permanent canvas-sealed structures.
Moisie River
Regarded as one of the top salmon fishing destinations in the province, Moisie River is a short 20-minute drive east of Sept-Îles. Local Atlantic salmon is at its most abundant in the summer. Fishing in late spring and early fall can see runs of salmon, too. Private campgrounds in the area offer modern amenities like laundry and bathrooms with showers.
When to go
July and August are the most popular time of the year to go camping near Sept-Îles. Daytime temperatures hover around 20℃, and daylight hours are longer for hiking, kayaking, and abundant fishing. Peak salmon fishing season aligns with peak camping season, so advance campsite reservations are highly recommended. With its subarctic climate, winter camping near Sept-Îles can be challenging for the inexperienced. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures are common, but they also set the stage for snowshoeing, ice fishing, and winter photography.
