In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Kamouraska to the Jardins de Métis: 300 kilometres of Rte 132 on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, where the river becomes the sea and seals lie in front of your pitch.
The spirit of the route
Here the St. Lawrence grows as wide as a sea, and the tide comes and goes as if you had the Atlantic outside your sliding door. Rte 132 strings together villages with white churches, fish weirs on the mudflats and farmland that reaches right up to the embankment, with the river always on your left. At low tide the mud lies open and gulls search for shellfish; in Kamouraska the old fishing weirs still stand in the flats. When the fog lifts you can see the opposite shore of Charlevoix. Off Rivière-du-Loup, minke whales and belugas surface, at Le Bic seals lie on the rocks, and at Pointe-au-Père stands one of the tallest lighthouses in Canada. In the evening it smells of salt and seaweed, and in autumn the sky glows orange over the water. The route is short and easy to drive in four to five days; it rewards a relaxed approach: keep an eye on the tide table, allow for fog, and reserve campgrounds in late summer.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Kamouraska to Rivière-du-Loup (approx. 45 km)
- The drive
- From Kamouraska, take Rte 132 north-east through farmland and small villages, with the river always in sight. The road is two-lane, flat and with few bends, 90 km/h and 50 in the villages. Pure driving time is around an hour, half a day with stops. Rivière-du-Loup has fuel stations, supermarkets and waste disposal facilities in large numbers.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kamouraska: The village on the river is known for eel fishing, mudflats and sunsets; the historic fish weirs stand in the flats, and the Musée régional de Kamouraska tells of fishing and farming. Check opening times beforehand.
- Île Verte: Ferry from Notre-Dame-des-Neiges or L’Isle-Verte; the lighthouse from 1809 is regarded as the oldest on the St. Lawrence. Check crossing times and season before the trip; in late summer the ferry runs only a limited service.
- Rivière-du-Loup: The waterfall in the Parc des Chutes lies in the middle of town, and walkways and viewing platforms are a short walk away. Whale-watching trips start from the harbour of Rivière-du-Loup; ask locally about operators and season.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
-
Official campsite or RV park: In and around Rivière-du-Loup there are municipal and private campgrounds on the river and on the edge of town, some with electricity, water and waste disposal; check names, opening times and facilities with Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent or via iOverlander or Campendium, and reserve in advance in late summer. If you want to spend the first evening by the river, Kamouraska also has campgrounds right on the shore; check availability by phone, as after the end of the season (usually mid-October) many are closed.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Overnighting on streets, in car parks and on riverside jetties is not permitted in the villages and in Rivière-du-Loup where signs prohibit it; municipalities carry out checks and issue fines. Shores and mudflats are in some cases private land or protected; enter only where it is explicitly permitted. Crown land inland is accessible to campers from outside Québec only under its own conditions.
- Insider tip for campers
- Look at the Canadian Hydrographic Service tide table for Kamouraska and Rivière-du-Loup: at low tide you can see the fish weirs in the flats, and at high tide the sunset is reflected in the water. Do not park the motorhome in the mud in the beach car park; the access roads can be flooded.
2Stage 2: Rivière-du-Loup to Trois-Pistoles (approx. 50 km)
- The drive
- Continue on Rte 132 north-east through farmland and small villages, with the river staying on your left. Two-lane, flat, mostly 90 km/h and 50 in the villages. Pure driving time is under an hour, but with stops at viewpoints it easily becomes a whole day. There are fuel stations in Rivière-du-Loup and Trois-Pistoles, and occasional ones in between.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Pointe de Rivière-du-Loup and whale watching: From the harbour and waterfront promenade you can see right across the river to the far shore in clear weather; minke whales, belugas and seals are sighted here regularly. The best time is roughly summer to early autumn; ask the operators for dates.
- Île aux Basques off Trois-Pistoles: A nature reserve with a history of 16th-century Basque whalers and seabirds; access is by boat from Trois-Pistoles and is restricted by season. Check times and protection rules before you arrive.
- Cap-à-l’Aigle: A stretch of coast near Saint-Fabien with rocks and a view of the river; Rte 132 has several small lay-bys here. Only stop where parking is signed.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
-
Official campsite or RV park: Along Rte 132 between Rivière-du-Loup and Trois-Pistoles there are several private and municipal campgrounds on the river; check names and facilities with Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent or iOverlander and reserve in advance in summer. If you want to continue to Parc national du Bic, book one or two nights there with Sépaq (see stage 3). After the end of the season, usually mid-October, many campgrounds are closed.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Shores and car parks in the villages are not open to campers where signs prohibit it; no overnight pitches at viewpoints. Crown land inland is accessible to visitors from outside Québec only under its own conditions; check the rules with the MRNF before the trip.
- Insider tip for campers
- If you want to see whales, plan a morning slot: the river is often calmer in the morning, but fog can lie out at sea until midday. Wind and sea state decide whether trips go ahead; allow for an alternative date and take warm clothing.
3Stage 3: Trois-Pistoles to Parc national du Bic (approx. 55 km)
- The drive
- From Trois-Pistoles, take Rte 132 north-east through Saint-Simon and Saint-Fabien to Parc national du Bic. The road is two-lane, with few bends and well built, 90 km/h and 50 in the villages. Pure driving time is around an hour. In the Bic area the coast, with its hills and bays, moves closer to the road.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Parc national du Bic (Sépaq): Coast with rocks, bays, salt marshes and seals that lie on the rocks at low tide; marked hiking trails such as the coastal path to Cap à l’Orignal offer views of the river. The best time is roughly late summer and autumn; watch the tide table.
- Seal watching at low tide: Harbour seals and grey seals lie on the rocks in the bay; keep your distance and watch with binoculars. Dogs on the beach and in the park only according to Sépaq’s rules.
- Kayak and bike: In the park you can rent kayaks and bicycles; ask on site about rental hours and season. In wind and strong currents, only guided tours or experienced paddlers.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
-
Official campsite or RV park: Sépaq operates several campgrounds in Parc national du Bic: Camping Rivière-du-Sud-Ouest (around 135 sites, some with electricity or two hook-ups, near the shop and bike rental), Camping Tombolo (20 sites without and 33 sites with electricity, between the bays Baie des Cochons and Baie du Ha! Ha!), Camping Rioux (41 sites without hook-ups in the interior of the park near the Ferme-Rioux centre), Camping La Coulée (8 basic sites, reached on foot, by bike or by kayak) and Camping Porc-Épic (four sites for cyclists, no reservation). The season runs roughly from mid-May to mid-October; reserve online with Sépaq; check vehicle lengths and hook-ups before booking.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the park, overnighting is only permitted at the designated campgrounds. Outside it, municipal regulations apply; no free camping in car parks on the river. Heed fire bans and light fires only in the fire rings at the campgrounds.
- Insider tip for campers
- Camping Rivière-du-Sud-Ouest and Camping Tombolo offer the most motorhome sites; reserve early, especially for weekends in late summer. Check the dump station and water at the campground before booking. Look at the Canadian Hydrographic Service tide table for Le Bic: at low tide the seals are exposed, and at high tide many shore paths are impassable.
4Stage 4: Parc national du Bic to Rimouski and Pointe-au-Père (approx. 30 km)
- The drive
- From Parc national du Bic, take Rte 132 north-east through Saint-Valérien and Rimouski to Pointe-au-Père. Two-lane, partly four-lane in the urban area, 90 km/h, 50 to 70 in Rimouski. Pure driving time is around 30 to 40 minutes. Rimouski has fuel stations, supermarkets and garages in good numbers; parking for large vehicles is signed at the harbour and at the museums.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Site historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père: Lighthouse from 1909 (one of the tallest in Canada), the former naval submarine Onondaga open to visit, and the museum on the sinking of the Empress of Ireland (1914), with over a thousand deaths. Check times, season and prices before you visit.
- Rimouski: Harbour with marina, beach promenade and the Musée régional de Rimouski; explore the town on foot, and larger vehicles are best left in the harbour car park. Check opening hours beforehand.
- Coastal stretch near Sainte-Luce: Beach and a view across the river; parking is signed, and mind the tides. Only stop where signs allow it.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
-
Official campsite or RV park: Around Rimouski, Pointe-au-Père and Sainte-Luce there are several municipal and private campgrounds on the river and on the edge of town; check names, opening times and facilities with Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent and via iOverlander or Campendium, and reserve in good time in summer. For motorhomes, an extra night in Parc national du Bic (stage 3) is also a good option; from there it is only around 20 minutes to Rimouski. After the end of the season (usually mid-October) many campgrounds are closed.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Rimouski and Pointe-au-Père, overnighting in car parks and on riverside jetties is not permitted where signs prohibit it; municipalities carry out checks. On Crown land inland, visitors from outside Québec are subject to their own conditions (see stage 1).
- Insider tip for campers
- Allow one to two hours for Pointe-au-Père; the Empress of Ireland museum and the lighthouse combine well, while the submarine Onondaga is only suitable in dry weather and involves stairs. In Rimouski, fill up with fuel, shop and empty your tanks before continuing east towards the Gaspésie.
5Stage 5: Rimouski to Jardins de Métis (approx. 60 km)
- The drive
- From Rimouski, take Rte 132 north-east through Sainte-Luce and Sainte-Flavie to Grand-Métis. Two-lane, flat, 90 km/h and 50 in the villages. Pure driving time is around an hour. Beyond Sainte-Flavie the coast becomes more open, the villages get smaller and the river moves even closer to the road.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Sainte-Flavie: The Centre d’art Marcel Gagnon shows the row of sculptures “Le Grand Rassemblement” on the shore, which at high tide stand partly in the water; check times and prices before you visit.
- Jardins de Métis (Reford Gardens) in Grand-Métis: a garden laid out from 1926 by Elsie Reford, known for the Himalayan blue poppy; the season runs roughly from June to early October, so check opening hours and admission in advance.
- Coastal promenade of Métis-sur-Mer: Older summer houses, a lighthouse and the river in sight; a walk on foot, and larger vehicles only in signed car parks.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
-
Official campsite or RV park: Along Rte 132 between Sainte-Flavie and Métis-sur-Mer there are several municipal and private campgrounds on the river; check names and facilities with Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent or iOverlander and reserve in good time in summer. If you want to continue in the Gaspésie, you will find more campgrounds and the national parks from Matane; see further routes in this section. After the end of the season (usually mid-October) many are closed.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Free camping on the coast and in the gardens’ car parks is not permitted; no overnighting at viewpoints or in residential areas. On Crown land, visitors from outside Québec are subject to their own conditions.
- Insider tip for campers
- Visit the Jardins de Métis early in the day, before the coaches arrive; check the car park for larger vehicles on arrival. In fog, do not park the vehicle in an exposed position by the river; tides and wind can quickly change the access roads.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- On Crown land (terres du domaine de l’État), camping is generally permitted in Québec, but visitors from outside Québec are subject to their own conditions, in some cases with a permit or fee. Check the rules before the trip with the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (MRNF). On the south shore of the St. Lawrence, shoreline areas and fields are mostly private land; genuine free camping is hardly possible on this route.
- In the villages and towns (Rivière-du-Loup, Trois-Pistoles, Rimouski), overnighting on streets, in car parks and on waterfront promenades is not permitted where signs prohibit it; municipalities carry out checks and issue fines. Use supermarket car parks only with permission.
- SOPFEU forest fire monitoring applies in the Bas-Saint-Laurent too: during fire bans, campfires are prohibited. Check the current situation on sopfeu.qc.ca before every night and light fires only in the fire rings at the campgrounds.
- Apps and websites: iOverlander, Campendium, Park4Night, Sépaq for Parc national du Bic and Tourisme Bas-Saint-Laurent for current campgrounds. Reservations with Sépaq are made online.
- Wildlife: Harbour seals and grey seals lie on the rocks at low tide; keep your distance and do not feed the animals; do not disturb seabirds. Whales are best watched from land or on guided trips, keeping your distance from the animals. Black bears inland; keep food in the vehicle at night.
- Tides: The river has a noticeable tidal range; mudflats and rocks can be flooded quickly. Look at the Canadian Hydrographic Service tide table, never walk far out, and do not park the motorhome in exposed spots by the river.
- Fog and wind: Fog on the river can come in suddenly and reduce visibility to a few metres; switch on the vehicle’s lights and adjust your speed. Gusty wind makes driving high vehicles harder.
- If you are checked, stay friendly, leave the site and do not get drawn into discussions about interpretation.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations are found at many campgrounds in the region, at Sépaq campgrounds in some cases only in individual sectors; check locations in advance with Sépaq or via map apps. Public disposal points in towns are rare.
- Tap water from the mains is drinkable in Québec; bring canisters for campgrounds without a water connection. Filter or boil surface water.
- Never discharge grey water onto the ground or into the water; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane at fuel stations, DIY stores and dealers in Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski. European gas cylinders need an adapter and are usually not refilled; rental motorhomes have permanently installed tanks, so check the level before departure.
- Fuel: Prices in Canada are quoted per litre; there are fuel stations in all the larger places along Rte 132, and in large numbers in Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski.
- Shopping: Supermarkets in Rivière-du-Loup, Trois-Pistoles and Rimouski; in small villages grocery shops and bakeries with a limited range, and in summer seasonal farm stands.
- Electricity: Campgrounds with hook-ups offer 15, 30 or 50 A at 120 V; rental motorhomes usually have the right cable. Without a hook-up, plan on your leisure battery.
- Laundry and rubbish: Launderettes in Rivière-du-Loup and Rimouski; dispose of rubbish in the bins at campgrounds and close them wildlife-proof.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in km/h: Rte 132 mostly 90, in built-up areas 50, outside schools 30, motorway sections 100. Maximum vehicle height in Québec is 4.15 m; bridges and underpasses are signed. With a trailer the same limits apply; increase your braking distance.
- No tolls on the roads of this route. Ferries (such as to Île Verte) and park entry (Sépaq, Jardins de Métis) are subject to charges; check current amounts with the providers.
- Parks and entry fees: Sépaq parks charge a day-use fee, which is usually included if you use a campground. Check current amounts on sepaq.com.
- Dimensions and lengths: Sites in Parc national du Bic and private campgrounds are in some cases designed only for vehicles of limited length; check lengths when booking. Small access roads and village streets are narrow for large motorhomes.
- Reservations: Sépaq campgrounds online with several months’ notice, especially at weekends and in late summer; private campgrounds by phone. The season usually ends in mid-October.
- Weather and season: Summer mild to warm, with fog and wind on the river; autumn with clear air and autumn colours, cold nights from October. Whale watching roughly summer to early autumn.
- Traffic law: Turning right on red is permitted in Québec after coming to a complete stop, except in Montréal and where a sign prohibits it. Signs are in French; “ARRÊT” means stop. Mobile phones at the wheel only hands-free, open alcohol containers in the vehicle are prohibited, and seat belts and child seats are compulsory in motorhomes too. A German driving licence is sufficient for tourists.
- Entry: If you fly to Canada as a German citizen, you need an eTA (electronic travel authorisation); check the conditions beforehand on the website of the Canadian immigration authority. Sort out the rental motorhome and insurance in advance.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception is mostly good on the coast and patchy inland. Never underestimate tides and fog; on walks along the river, make sure you are back before the tide comes in.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens for seals, whales and seabirds on the river.
- Tide table as an app or printout from the Canadian Hydrographic Service for Kamouraska, Rivière-du-Loup, Le Bic and Rimouski – flats and rocks are only accessible at low tide.
- Windproof jacket and warm layers: there is almost always a wind on the river, and nights in autumn cool to a few degrees.
- Levelling ramps and boards for sloping pitches on the shore and soft ground.
- Water canisters (20 l) and a drinking-water-quality fresh water hose for campgrounds without a hook-up.
- Offline maps and printed reservations, return tickets for the ferry (Île Verte) and small change for parking meters.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
