Using public land legally

Public land, which makes up 92% of Québec, is peppered with luxuriant forests, lakes full of fish and winding rivers. This enormous playground for vacationers and lovers of the great outdoors may be structured or open.

The structured parts of public land, such as ZECs (controlled zones), wildlife reserves, outfitting operations with exclusive rights and national parks, are managed and governed by specific organizations.

The open territories are under the direct control of the government or a delegated RCM. Access to these territories is less restrictive, but everyone still has to follow the rules related to sharing and occupying the territory, environmental protection and safety.

Whether you love camping, hunting, fishing or recreational activities, you are allowed to use public land, but you still have to be considerate and follow the rules. 

Backcountry or rough camping is permitted in many areas of public land. Your stay must be temporary, however, and the camping equipment you use must be mobile and not permanently attached to the ground.

Some RCMs have regulations that set out different provisions. Contact the regional RCM directly to ask about its camping regulations.

Camping is not permitted on Île au Bœuf, Île au Cochon, Île aux Crapauds, Île aux Hérons, Île Sainte‑Thérèse, Île aux Vaches and Île au Veau, which are in the territory of Ville de Varennes.

Most of the public land and bodies of water in Québec are open to everyone. That means you can hunt, fish and trap there, as long as you comply with the rules in effect.

If you plan to do your activity in a wildlife territory or a conservation and protection territory, please refer directly to the organization that manages it.

You can generally hike, snowshoe, cross-country ski or cycle freely on public land, as long as you respect nature and occupation rights.

Trails may be maintained and managed by regional or municipal associations or organizations, but they are still open without restriction. Some territories may be located on structured public land, however, such as regional parks or ZECs. In these places, access fees may be charged.

Make sure you remain on public land and that you have the authorization of the owner if the trail you are taking crosses private land. You can use the interactive Forêt ouverte map to see the boundaries.

The same rules apply when you want to access a body of water to do a water activity such as kayaking, canoeing or paddle boarding. The lakes and rivers are for everyone, but make sure you use a public access way or that you have the permission of the owner if you have to cross private property.

You have to follow certain rules before, during and after your stay:

• On open public land, you are only allowed to put up temporary structures that you can dismantle and remove after the activity.
• Safety rules and environmental protection rules must be followed at all times. Carry out all your trash.
• Before you set out, find out whether there are campfire restrictions in effect in the area where you plan to go.
• Do not set up your camping equipment or park your vehicle on a road, on a trail, or on or near a facility that provides public access to a body of water.
• Make sure you set up in a safe place that is not close to a dangerous area such as a cliff, a river with a strong current or an area prone to landslides.
• Leave the site after a stay that cannot exceed seven months in the same year.
• At the end of your stay, dismantle your camping equipment, gather up all the trash and return the site to its original condition.

Refer to this document (PDF 1.15 Mb) for all the best practices to follow.

Structures that are prohibited without authorization

The following buildings or structures are considered to be permanent, and their construction requires authorization:

• Camps or shelters
• Cottages
• Other permanent constructions

If you see an illegal occupation, report it to us.

Complete the report form (in French only)

On public land, you cannot erect a building or structure such as a cottage or camp unless you obtain a property right (lease or authorization).

There are three ways to obtain rights:

• Acquire an existing vacation lease.
• Apply to lease or purchase.
• Enter a vacation lot random draw.

You can hold sports and recreational activities or events on public land, such as races, rallies, snowmobile circuits or competitions.

To check whether special rules apply, contact customer service using the information below. You should be aware, however, that you may need to apply for a temporary occupation permit.

The government also grants construction, development, maintenance and operating rights for recreational trails (motorized or not), such as off-road vehicle trails and walking, snowshoeing or cross-country ski trails. Operating a recreational trail on public land does not give the operator any lease or ownership rights, however.

The government is taking more initiatives to improve access to public land for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It financially supports public development projects through the Programme d’aide de mise en valeur du territoire public.