There are experiences that define a season, and this canoe-camping trip to Lac Taureau, in the regional park of the same name, is definitely one of them. I discovered a true paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, where wilderness, disconnection, and unforgettable moments intertwine.
I admit it: I didn't know it was possible to go canoe camping directly from the Saint-Michel-des-Saints municipal campground. It was an incredible surprise, and my best discovery of the fall!
Accompanied by my two adventure partners, we decided to go during the week to enjoy the tranquility on the water. After stopping at the reception desk to pick up our paddles, life jackets, and canoe keys, we headed to the landing stage to load our barrels, coolers, and everything else we needed for four days of complete autonomy in nature into the canoes.
DAY 1: CROSSING TO OUR ISLAND
We set out paddling under cloudy skies. The northwest wind and swell made for a challenging crossing, reminding us that Lac Taureau is an imposing body of water that demands respect and experience. But once we were sheltered by the islands, the going got easier. Our destination: Grosse Roche Nord Island, site 17, a small sandy peninsula all to ourselves. Picnic tables, a fire pit, and firewood provided: everything we needed for a perfect stay. We chose to set up our tents right on the beach. And what luck! That evening, after a comforting fire and a headlamp-lit dinner, the clouds cleared, giving way to shooting stars, the Milky Way... and even, to our great surprise, the Northern Lights. A magical spectacle, visible to the naked eye.
DAY 2: SUNRISE IN THE FOG
Early in the morning, the show continued: a postcard-perfect sunrise shrouded in mist. Coffee in hand, I slipped my canoe onto the lake to soak up this timeless moment. The day was as warm as a return to summer: swimming, laughter, shared meals, interspersed with a few games of cards. When evening came, the stars and the northern lights made another appearance.
DAY 3: COPYING AND PASTING HAPPINESS
Sometimes, there's nothing more to add: the day was a perfect repeat of the previous one. Total disconnection, time standing still, infinite gratitude. Swimming and a few canoe trips to explore the lake and contemplate the magic of the landscape as it changes over time.
DAY 4: THE SMOOTH RETURN
Thick fog kept us at camp a little longer than planned that morning. There was no question of setting off at the risk of not being seen by motorboats. When the fog lifted, the landscape revealed itself: the water was calm, the sun piercing through the mist. A peaceful crossing to conclude this adventure marked by simplicity and the raw beauty of nature.
This trip will remain etched in my memory as one of my most beautiful canoe-camping trips in Quebec. Thank you to Tourisme Lanaudière for this discovery and to my two adventure partners who made this experience even more exceptional.
USEFUL LINKS FOR PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE AT LAC TAUREAU:
- Map: Canoe-camping sites
- Reservations: Lac Taureau Regional Park
- Information: Water activities
- Useful contact information:
Municipal Campground: 350 Chemin du Lac-Taureau, Matawinie, QC
450-833-1161
- Pricing: Access fees
- To learn more about the region: Matawinie Regional Parks
MY ESSENTIALS FOR A SUCCESSFUL FALL CANOE-CAMPING TRIP:
- A good sleeping bag: Fall nights can be surprisingly cool.
- Merino wool layers: to prolong the pleasure of evenings around the fire or to admire the northern lights.
- Waterproof bags: clothes, food, and accessories always stay dry, whether it rains, you capsize, or simply because of dew.
- A small folding chair: a luxury that takes up almost no space.
- Simple, comforting meals (and a few hot drinks!): no need to go without!
- Lights and lanterns: fairy lights, headlamps, lanterns, or even candles... for atmosphere and practicality.
- And before you go: check the weather and, above all, the wind before setting out on a body of water as vast as Lac Taureau.
