Parc national du Bic campground

For the last night of the trip, it is hard to imagine better than the campground at Parc national du Bic. On Route 132 west of Rimouski, this Sépaq park is one of the most photogenic in Quebec: steep headlands, deep bays, coves, islands, marshes and tidal flats that reveal themselves to the rhythm of the tides. After two weeks on the road between the Côte-Nord, Labrador, Newfoundland and the Maritimes, it is a conclusion worthy of the journey.

The campground offers close to 135 sites with no services, with one service or with two services, spread across four quite distinct sectors: the brand-new Tombolo campground, ideal for families; the Rivière-du-Sud-Ouest campground, the largest and the best equipped; the Rioux campground, right in the heart of the park, more wooded and quieter; and the La Coulée campground, a peaceful spot directly along the river. For those travelling light, nine ready-to-camp sites are also offered in the Cormoran and Grand-Héron loops.

The park is a paradise for wildlife watching. Harbour seals and grey seals bask there by the dozen on the rocks — Île aux Amours and Baie du Ha! Ha! are sure bets at low tide. You also come across porcupines, red foxes, white-tailed deer and a multitude of seabirds. On the trail side there is something for everyone, from a short family stroll to the climb up Pic Champlain and its panorama over the river and the Charlevoix mountains.

But if there is one thing not to miss, it is the sunset. Le Bic is known for its blazing ends of day over the St. Lawrence. A word of advice: sites book up very early in summer — the ones with electricity sometimes go within hours of reservations opening in January. And several trails depend on the tides, so check the schedule before setting out to walk!