Lac du Caribou is located within La Mauricie National Park in Quebec and sits at a notably high altitude compared to surrounding lakes in the park. This elevation makes it susceptible to high winds and significant wave action, which can develop quickly and catch paddlers off guard. Parks Canada specifically advises that luggage be well secured inside boats in case of capsizing, and that paddlers ensure their craft is stable before setting out. Checking weather forecasts before departure and postponing if conditions are hazardous is strongly recommended.

The lake serves as both a starting point and a destination within the park's canoe-camping network. Paddlers can depart from Lac du Caribou itself or from the Wapizagonke Picnic Area, and the lake connects to a broader circuit that includes Lac Wapizagonke, Lac de la Halte, Lac Maréchal, Lac Tessier, and Baie des Onze Îles. Portages in this part of the network are generally shorter than in other sections of the park; the portage connecting Lac du Caribou to Lac de la Halte is 600 metres. Canoe-camping sites are available at or near Lac du Caribou, with designated sites including Site 1, Sites 2 to 4, Cobb Bay, and Baie des Onze Îles, each with its own downloadable sector map provided by Parks Canada.

Registration at either the Saint-Mathieu or Saint-Jean-des-Piles entrance is required before proceeding to any campsite, including those accessed via the Saint-Gérard entrance. Paddlers renting canoes must collect a rental token from the on-site boat and equipment rental at the Shewenegan Picnic Area. Row-and-go canoes are available for rent, allowing paddlers to access backcountry lakes without portaging. The loop routes through this sector can be paddled in either direction at the same level of difficulty, with route segments rated as easy to intermediate with portage, or very difficult with portage depending on the chosen circuit.