Head to Lake Edja, a body of water as clear as a beautiful summer day. Yes, yes, I’m serious, it’s worth the trip! Discover this gem of the Valley with CarpeDiem Aventures, which specializes in organizing outdoor packages on the water and on land. They also offer rentals of high-quality equipment: kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards, and even bicycles, as well as a shuttle service. Enjoy day access to Lake Edja, including parking, access to the water, hiking trails, an obstacle course, and a picnic table. Restroom facilities, including toilets and showers, are also available. If you’d like to bring your own watercraft, ensure you first make a stop by the Blue Sea boat washing station located at 10 Ch. Principal. Clean your watercraft with a pressure washer and obtain your proof of cleaning. This ensures you’ll be granted access to the lake and helps limit the spread of invasive alien species that could harm the lake’s health.

If you’d like to experience the authentic thrill of sleeping in nature with basic amenities, beautiful little colorful micro-cabins are available for rent, as well as charming cedar cabins. Tree tents, campsites, and parking spaces for vanlife enthusiasts, along with a loft, are also available for rent. For those who find it hard to resist good food, even if you have a packed lunch waiting for you, Bistro CarpeDiem prepares delicious local dishes on-site. On the way back, if you don’t mind driving a few kilometers for some ice cream, which is definitely my case, you can head to La Luciole et le Wezo. This charming little spot offers artisanal ice cream treats and refreshing drinks. It’s a lovely little stop along your route!

Located at the confluence of the Désert and Gatineau rivers, on the border between Déléage and Maniwaki, Chasse-Galerie Base Plein Air offers a vast playground for outdoor enthusiasts and water sports lovers. Inspired by the famous Quebec legend of the same name, this destination embodies the spirit of adventure, community, and local traditions through the lens of outdoor activities.

Set out on a water adventure down the Désert river with the on-site kayak and canoe rental service. The calmer waters are ideal for a family outing. Paddle at your own pace to discover beautiful sandy beaches where you can go for a swim and dive headfirst into summer. What could be better than exploring a stunning body of water in your non-motorized boat and stopping wherever you like to discover peaceful little spots? Fishing and hiking enthusiasts will also find plenty to enjoy.

Extend your water-based getaway by reserving one of the 55 seasonal campsites or opting for a ready-to-camp site. Several amenities are available, including access to a swimming pool, a campfire area, a sandbox, and pickleball courts, all while being close to the community hall.

Make the most of your stay in the region by stopping by the famous Resto pub Le Rabaska, which serves hearty breakfasts, comforting lunches, and gourmet dinners. Enjoy the laid-back atmosphere and catch live music performances on Friday nights.

How does paddling on the picturesque Lac des 31 Milles sound? It’s time to pack your gear and head to the Parc régional du Lac des 31 Milles in Bouchette! Explore the crystal-clear waters on your stand-up paddleboard, canoe, or kayak, and take the time to admire nature in all its splendor.

You can rent your own island and go rustic camping with Fido, or opt for ready-to-camp sites, each one just as cozy as the next. A gear transport service is available from the main launch sites. You’ll have the choice of sleeping in a cozy dome in the heart of the forest, a charming little wooden cabin, a log cabin, or one of the three inviting yurts. If camping isn’t quite your thing, I suggest trading your air mattress for a queen bed by staying at the inn. It’s nice to have so many options, isn’t it? RV owners can also find a place to stay at the Pontmain campground, where sites are available for rent. It’s hard to find an excuse not to go! Another accommodation option is available nearby: the Auberge Minitik. Located in the heart of Majopial Village, it offers comfortable rooms with private balconies, views of Lac des 31 Milles, Adirondack chairs, and lounge chairs so you can fully enjoy the scenery. A little further on, to the north-east of Bouchette, is the Lac 31 Milles campsite, where you can hire a pitch for your tent, a ready-to-camp unit, a jetty, a paddleboard and other watercraft.

Round out your getaway by hiking the PERO trails, nearby attractions, and local flavors, including Village Majopial and its must-visit gourmet spot, L’Huile d’Olive. Sample the seasonal menus at this renowned restaurant and choose your wine not from the menu, but directly from the wine cellar.

Between the Gatineau River and Lac des 31 Milles, less than 10 kilometers north of Bouchette, lies Grand Lac Rond, whose shores form the setting for Pimishka Domaine Nature. A true nature retreat that offers a peaceful setting for relaxation. It’s the perfect place to unwind on the water. A rental service lets you borrow high-quality stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes. Anglers can also rent a boat equipped with an electric motor. A boat launch and dock are also available. Head out onto the lake and relax on the beach with your feet in the sand.

With so many options, you’ll want to extend your stay. That’s possible thanks to the lodging options, which include eight two-bedroom cottages that can accommodate up to 6 people and six renovated studios with a comfortable double bed, electric fireplace, and kitchenette. Renting a cottage or studio also gives you access to a spacious living room.

Inspired by the famous loon dive, whose call echoing from the depths of the bays is often synonymous with summer, Domaine des Huards offers the perfect setting to enjoy the warm season. Located in Grand-Remous on the shores of the massive Baskatong Reservoir, this destination promises an unforgettable family vacation. The resort offers a wide variety of water activities, including stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, pedal boating, and swimming. Boat rentals are available, and you can also use a dock or a rowboat. In addition to all the water activities this destination has to offer, it’s a true fishing paradise. A boat launch is available on-site if you bring your own boat. Be sure to stop by the Grand-Remous boat washing station, located at 1510 Trans-Canada Highway.

If the lakeside atmosphere enchants you so much that you don’t want to leave, Domaine des Huards offers a wide range of lodging options. You can choose from 14 cottages and 3 fully equipped trailers, as well as over 300 campsites. I just realized how big this place is!

Straddling the Outaouais and Abitibi-Témiscamingue regions lies a canoe-camping paradise and one of the largest areas where you can enjoy stand-up paddleboarding. The Réserve faunique La Vérendrye is the very embodiment of the great outdoors, with its 4,000 lakes and vast reservoirs. Head to the Domaine, where eight cottages await you near Lac Jean-Peré.

You can also stay on the shores of Lac de la Vieille, Lac Rapide, and Lac Savary thanks to the many campgrounds and ready-to-camp sites available for rent. If you’d like to swap your stand-up paddleboard for a canoe, the wildlife reserve offers the largest canoe-camping selection in Quebec!

The Réserve faunique La Vérendrye is the perfect place to explore, relax, and marvel at the beautiful natural environments that make our corner of the country so special. I still remember the summers when my parents and I would go to the Park. The days spent on the beach playing with my toy cars and discovering nature at its most beautiful remain etched in my memory. Let yourself be enchanted by this dream destination, too.

We’re often reminded to clean our watercrafts before each launch and after. In fact, it’s important because it’s the best way to prevent de spread of invasive exotic species from one body of water to another. These include, among other things, aquatic plants and small animals that are foreign to Quebec’s natural habitats and that fights with our native flora and fauna.

When cleaning your watercraft, be sure to thoroughly clean your equipment as well, including paddles, life jackets, and trailers for motorboats. Draining all water from the boat (bilge, live wells, and other areas) is also essential. If you don’t have access to a pressure washer at a cleaning station, you can clean your watercraft at home with a brush and a solution of water and white vinegar.

Check out the list of watercraft decontamination washing stations in the region in preparation for your trips, or this interactive map covering the entire region. Cleaning your boat is a simple but especially important step in helping to preserve our beautiful bodies of water!

Exploring the Outaouais in the summer is like embarking on a wonderful adventure where every detour has the potential to create beautiful memories.

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Have you caught the bug and want to visit another beautiful region? We also have a short guide to water activities to discover the Pontiac. The Outaouais has so much to offer!