1. The Appeal of the Eastern Townships for Resort & Leisure Investment
Acquiring a campground or glamping business is a major undertaking—a unique world with its own set of challenges and opportunities.
At CAMPINGAVENDRE.CA, we understand that this purchase is far more than just a real estate transaction: it’s a major decision, both personally and professionally. Even for an experienced entrepreneur, the campground sector stands out for its unique characteristics and specific demands.
That’s why choosing the right region is a key step in your planning. Today, we’re setting our sights on the Eastern Townships. Driven by undeniable tourist appeal, this region has established itself as an expanding market with significant growth potential. It offers investors a resilient and adaptable business model, alongside a unique quality of entrepreneurial life.
As specialists in buying and selling campgrounds in Quebec, our team breaks down this sought-after region for you. Drawing on a unique perspective gained as former owners and operators, our team presents key data to help you evaluate this market. Whether you want to solidify your financing strategy or simply explore our campgrounds currently for sale in Estrie (and beyond), we support you at every step of your acquisition to make your project a success.
2. The Eastern Townships at a Glance
Here are the key performance indicators that make the Eastern Townships a strategic region:
a) Attendance and visitor traffic
Top 3 region: The Eastern Townships rank among the Top 3 most visited regions in Quebec.
Total volume of tourists and overnight stays: The Estrie region welcomes a high volume of visitors annually, generating millions of overnight stays.
Average length of stay: For the summer season, the average length of a tourist stay in Quebec reached 3.8 nights (Source: Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, 2025 Report).
b) The outdoor accommodation market
Highest number of campgrounds: The Eastern Townships region historically boasts the largest number of campgrounds in Quebec, followed closely by the Mauricie and Laurentians regions.
Average campground occupancy Rate: Campgrounds in the Eastern Townships posted an excellent occupancy rate of 76.1%, outperforming the provincial average of 75% (Source: Camping Québec, 2025 Report).
Growth in glamping / “Ready-to-Camp”: After two consecutive years of decline, the ready-to-camp sector returned to growth, posting a 1% increase in its occupancy rate (Source: Camping Québec, 2025 Report).
c) Economic impact
Average tourist spending: Reported average spending stands at $308 per tourist per night (Source: Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, 2025 Report), highlighting strong purchasing power to develop secondary revenue streams.
Weight of tourism in the regional economy: Tourism is a major economic pillar, with the industry generating over 21,000 tourism jobs in the Eastern Townships, including 1,767 specifically in the accommodation sector (Source: Government of Quebec, Regional Tourism Job Data).
3. Must-see attractions, places, and activities: drivers of your future traffic
a) Mont-Orford national park (The Outdoor Hub)
A true natural jewel managed by Sépaq, Mont-Orford National Park is a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts across northeastern North America. Featuring hiking trails (including the famous Mont Chauve offering spectacular views), navigable lakes (Stukely and Fraser), and fatbiking routes during the winter, the park attracts an active clientele constantly seeking nearby lodging.
b) The Brome-Missisquoi wine route (The Agritourism Hub)
Considered the birthplace of Quebec viticulture, The Brome-Missisquoi Wine Route is a charming scenic route featuring over twenty recognized wineries. Agritourism is booming in Quebec, drawing epicurean visitors with strong purchasing power. This is a goldmine for regional campgrounds—especially those developing upscale glamping or high-end ready-to-camp units.
c) La véloroute des Cantons (The cycle tourism hub)
Cycle tourism is a rapidly growing niche. The Eastern Townships offer hundreds of kilometers of well-suited bike paths through La Véloroute des Cantons. Long-distance cyclists are constantly seeking overnight stops. A campground located near these main routes (and ideally certified “Bienvenue cyclistes!”) will instantly benefit from a steady stream of loyal passing travelers.
d) Bromont and mountain resorts (The Sports Hub)
With major resort and sports destinations such as Bromont, montagne d’expériences, Mont Sutton, and Mont Orford, the region drives high sports tourism. Water parks in the summer and mountain biking events in the autumn encourage families to extend their stays. These major facilities give you the opportunity to stretch your peak operating seasons.
e) Other key attractions
National Parks & Natural Attractions: Mont-Mégantic National Park and the ASTROLab, Yamaska National Park, Frontenac National Park, Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook (including Foresta Lumina), Parc de la rivière Magog, Mount Pinacle.
Major Lakes & Water Attractions: Lake Memphremagog, Lake Massawippi, Brome Lake, Lake Mégantic, Lake Lyster.
Agritourism, Culture & Entertainment: Granby Zoo (and Amazoo Water Park), Saint-Benoît-du-Lac Abbey, Bleu Lavande, The Townships Trail (Le Chemin des Cantons), major regional spas (BALNEA Spa, Spa Bolton, Strøm Nordic Spa Sherbrooke), Bombardier Museum, Ulverton Woolen Mill, Windsor Powder Mill Park.
4. The campground market in this region: expert insights
At CAMPINGAVENDRE.CA, we track opportunities across the province, but Estrie offers compelling advantages that transform a real estate investment into a true lifestyle choice. Here is why this region is a top destination for both investors and campers:
a) A milder microclimate and welcoming nature
Unlike regions further north, the Eastern Townships benefit from a noticeably milder climate. For a campground owner, this translates to an extended operating season and greater comfort for guests.
A well-kept secret? The forest here is predominantly deciduous. Beyond offering spectacular foliage in the autumn, broadleaf forests harbor far fewer biting insects than northern conifer forests. That’s a major selling point for families looking to enjoy the outdoors without constant bug bites.
b) Agritourism: fertile ground for business
Estrie is the birthplace of gourmet tourism. Fertile land creates incredible synergy between campgrounds and local producers (wineries, microbreweries, orchards). Investing here means embedding your business into an ecosystem where visitors come for the campsite, but stay for the local culinary experience.
c) Gentle valleys… and iconic peaks
The area’s topography is a charming blend that caters to all activity levels:
A Cyclist’s Paradise: The relatively flat terrain in the valleys makes cycle touring effortless—an asset for attracting active guests who seek safe bike paths.
National Parks: With Mont-Orford, Mont-Mégantic, and Yamaska National Park nearby, the range of outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, stargazing) is endless.
d) Urban proximity: Sherbrooke and Montreal
One of the greatest strategic advantages remains its geography:
Montreal’s South Shore: The Eastern Townships are the natural playground for South Shore residents. This proximity guarantees a loyal customer base capable of escaping for a weekend without spending hours in traffic.
Sherbrooke: Enjoying a vibrant urban core. Sherbrooke offers full services, a rich cultural scene, and robust infrastructure to support the regional economy. Its large university student population is also an excellent source of seasonal summer labor.
e) A Lifestyle choice above all
Investing in a campground in the Eastern Townships isn’t just about acquiring land. It’s choosing to operate in an environment where quality of life comes first. It means offering your guests—and yourself—a prestigious, accessible, and dynamic setting.
5. Our campgrounds for sale in the Eastern Townships
Strategically located in the Eastern Townships, a must-see connected to municipal sewers
Estrie, Québec, Canada Détails6. Conclusion
The region’s statistics and attractions prove it: Estrie offers fertile ground for the outdoor hospitality industry and guarantees natural foot traffic for your future business. Acquiring a campground in this strategic area is an excellent business decision.
To secure this investment, our team is right by your side. We guide you through every step of your acquisition, and our support extends far beyond closing. As former campground owners ourselves, we understand the day-to-day operational reality and remain a trusted partner to advise you once you hold the keys.
Ready to take the plunge? Our deep market expertise, combined with our privileged network of contacts, provides a significant advantage to help you make informed decisions and turn your vision into reality.
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Stéphanie KINTZIG embodies experience at the service of your camping project. More than 20 years...
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