Beach camping near Shawinigan with campfires
Head to Shawi for your next outdoor escape—canoeing, skiing, or lakeside camping.
Popular camping styles for Shawinigan
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Beach camping near Shawinigan with campfires guide
Overview
Shawinigan, QC (known as Shawi by locals) is just south of Quebec City. Set along the Saint-Maurice River and offering a unique blend of outdoor experiences with proximity to urban life and convenience, the town is a perfect base camp for exploring the wilds of Quebec. Experience Shawi’s natural side with hikes to trek, trails to ski, and waterways to cruise. Plus, ample camping options are available in the area, including remote countryside campsites, glamping spots overlooking the water, and calm, cozy cabins in the woods.
Where to go
La Mauricie National Park
La Mauricie is an expansive park with outdoor activities offered year-round—try swimming, fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more. The park offers a canoe camping circuit for campers willing to pack up and portage between lakes, with over 200 campsites accessible only by boat. There are also RV campsites, cabin rentals, and glamping spots in the area.
Parc Récréoforestier Saint-Mathieu
To Shawi’s west is a sprawling recreation site with dense boreal forests that stretch more than 120 square kilometres. The trails are an especially popular attraction, with both linear and circular trails affording views of yellow maples, lakes, and Quebec’s impressive mountain ranges. Saint-Mathieu is very close to Shawinigan, meaning it’s a quick day trip from beach campsites or A-frame accommodations.
Parc de l'Île-Melville
On a small island along the Saint-Maurice River, this park is a major Shawinigan attraction. Parc de l'Île-Melville is well worth the trip thanks to easy walking trails through the woods; canoe rentals on the river and inlet; biking paths; winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; and even an aerial zipline course. Because the park is just outside the city, it’s a short jaunt back to creekside campsites or a romantic treehouse rental.
When to go
Shawinigan (and all of Quebec) never truly has an off-season. The boreal forests are lush, vibrant, and alive in summer, while each lake and waterway is teeming with adventure for hikers and paddlers. Winter offers its own impressive display of outdoor fun—just be prepared for chilly temps (an average high of -5°C in January). We recommend exploring the larger parks to enjoy the peaceful side of Shawi’s nature.
