River, stream, or creek camping near Alma with campfires

Surrounded by countryside and set on a massive lake full of sandy beaches, Alma is a fantastic base from which to explore a stunning part of Quebec. The town has fantastic restaurants that showcase the many gourmet foods produced in the area, sweet boutiques and galleries, a botanical garden, winter dog-sledding, museums, and all the amenities you need. And once you venture out from it, you’re close to many incredible camping spots that make Alma the perfect jumping-off point for exploring the region’s parks and reserves.

Pointe-Taillon National Park

Live your best lake life at this park set around the vast Lac-Saint-Jean, known for warm temperatures and many beaches perfect for lounging and swimming. Interestingly, the sands here are known to be studded with semi-precious stones for you to find. Ride the 45 kilometres of bike trails at this lush park, looking out for moose, beavers, and other wildlife along the way.

Mashteuiatsh

This First Nations community offers several tours to visitors wishing to learn the Indigenous history of the area, as well as galleries, boutiques, and festivals throughout the summer season.

Ashuapmushuan Nature Reserve

This park—open from May through October—is a haven for hunters (you can book to hunt moose or black bears there) and fishers, but it’s also an amazing, secluded place to hike, forage, canoe, kayak, and camp.

Monts-Valin National Park

Massive 1,000-metre peaks dominate this park, drawing skiers and snowboarders for perfect winter powder as well as camping. The summer hiking is superb with pristine waterways to kayak, canoe, and fish. 

Véloroute des Bleuets

This 256-kilometre bike path takes you around Lac-Saint-Jean, through villages and woodland, national parks and lakeshore. You can rent a bike from several locations in Alma.

Although Alma is a year-round town of some 30,000 residents, it relies heavily on tourism with some attractions only open between May and October. You’ll find plenty to do in winter though, and for lovers of snowy pursuits, it can be an awesome destination. Expect Alma to be busy in July and August, its festival season.

• Alma has several outdoor outfitters where you can pick up camping supplies.
• Not everyone you encounter in this region will be fluent in English, so it’s a good idea to have a translation app on your phone. Also, many guided activities in Quebec national parks are only delivered in French.
• You’ll need a car—or at least a bike—to get around Alma and the surrounding region.