If you live in or are visiting Montreal and want to get away from it all for a few days, camping is a great way to relax and spend some time in the great outdoors with your family or friends. There are several campsites within an hour’s drive of Montreal so you shouldn’t have any issue finding one. Here is a beginner’s guide to camping near Montreal.

Choosing a campsite

There are many campsites on the outskirts of Montreal. They all provide different facilities so it’s a good idea to spend some time finding the one that’s right for you. Camping Ameriqué Montreal is situated in Saint Phillipe around 25 minutes by car. As well as evening entertainment, they have a children’s playground, outdoor pool, and indoor games room. If you have children there is lots to keep them occupied so might be a great choice. Camping Du Lac Morin is located slightly further afield in Saint-Lin-Laurentides and will take around 50 minutes to get there from Montreal center. It has 150 pitches with a range of services depending on your needs. If you prefer not to cook, they have an on-site restaurant serving a wide range of meals throughout the day.

Camping with a large family can mean taking a lot of stuff with you and so driving there will make things far easier. If you don’t have access to a car, you can easily rent one instead. Globe car rental have many branches throughout Montreal. Visit GlobeCar.com to see the wide range of vehicle options available.

Tents, bedding, and chairs

There are many different shapes and sizes of tents available nowadays, air tents, in particular, being very popular. They take a fraction of the time to put up and take down, leaving you longer to relax and explore your surroundings.

You should also consider what kind of bedding you will take. Many campers pack little more than an airbed, travel pillow and sleeping bag. If you prefer the idea of a more luxurious night’s sleep, many people take everyday bedding with them. Duvets, pillows and fitted sheets can result in a warm and restful night.

Camping chairs are another essential so make sure you bring one for each member of your party. From bucket chairs to loungers with a built-in footrest, you should find something to suit.

MEC in Montreal is a large outdoor store that has a huge range of camping essentials so you can buy everything you need under one roof. It might be a good idea to pop in and see what’s available as well as get some professional advice.

Cooking

If you do decide to go it alone rather than use on-site restaurants then you will need a camping stove, cooking utensils and crockery. Travel kettles are also a welcomed addition to many campers. Not only will you have a lovely home-cooked breakfast to look forward to, but you can also enjoy a nice cup of coffee when you wake.