Canadian Blog House was invited for a media stay at Parc Omega by Serge Lussier, to experience an overnight stay in their lodging, amongst the wolves and bears. All opinions are our own.
Parc Omega, located in the beautiful Outaouais region of Quebec, continues to surprise and amaze us every time we visit this spectacular wildlife park.
This July, we were invited to come spend the night at Parc Omega, to sleep with the park’s wolves and bears.
Well, okay, we didn’t exactly sleep with the wolves and bears, but we did sleep just a short walk from their habitats.
Nestled on a small mountain, surrounded by the natural beauty of a tranquil Quebec forest, our rustic log cabin was the perfect place for us to spend the night to allow us take part in a full Park Omega experience.
Parc Omega offers several types of accommodations depending on your needs, budget, and the accommodation style you prefer:
- Tipi
- Prospector Cabin
- Wi-Tent
- Log Cabin
- House on Stilts
The beautifully constructed log cabin that we stayed in, was built with great attention to detail. From the exquisitely carved entrance, to the spectacular wooden bed frames, this is a one-of-a-kind log cabin.
This rustic log cabin provides lodging for up to 4 people. This large cabin is plenty big enough to house 4 adults and all their gear, very easily.
As people who don’t tend to camp, we found the log cabin to be perfect for our needs. We had the comforts of home (proper beds and a toilet) while lodging deep in the forest surrounded by beautiful trees and wildlife. It was so peaceful and relaxing!
Sleeping With Wolves And Bears
Perhaps the best thing about Parc Omega’s accommodations is the proximity to the wolf and bear observation lookout. Just a short walk from the accommodation area, and exclusive to overnight visitors of Parc Omega, you will find some of the beautiful grey wolves, and black bears, that make Parc Omega their home.
The opportunity to “sleep with the wolves and bears” was by far the most exciting thing for me during this visit to Parc Omega. The “exclusive” access to these magnificent beasts, given to overnight guests at Parc Omega, is reason enough to come and stay.
We checked in just before supper time, and snuck off for a quick bite to eat in the town of Montebello (a very short drive south of the park).
We had a terrific meal at Le Bistro, and then rushed back to Parc Omega. We did NOT want to miss the 7PM feeding of the wolves!
The walk to the boardwalk, and wolf feeding area, is an easy one. That being said, you do have to walk on dirt paths through the forest, and up some small hills. You are required to climb several stairs to access the boardwalk.
We were amazed at how close we could come to the beautiful grey wolves, as they patiently awaited feeding time.
Our timing was perfect for being able to observe the young wolf pups, who were absolutely adorable.
Watching these amazing creatures was mesmerizing.
As the wolves eagerly awaited each piece of their meal, our Park Omega guide provided those of us in attendance with information about the wolves, their habitat, and the feeding. What a great way to learn more about these beautiful beasts…and in such an extraordinary way.
With bellies full, the wolves were content to play, lounge in the grass, observe the visitors, and even provide a smile or two…or so it seemed!
The black bears, who do not get a special feeding like the wolves, were also in attendance and very curious about all the people gathered around.
One black bear decided to get a better view of all the humans staring at him, by climbing up a tree and onto a wooden platform, so he could practically look us in the eye. Ironically, he seemed to relish watching the humans!
After a great night’s sleep in our log cabin (it was SO peaceful in the woods!), we ventured out to meet Serge for a tour around Parc Omega.
First Nations Trail
As I mentioned the last time we were at Parc Omega this past winter, there’s no better wildlife park tour guide than Serge. Serge, an award-winning zoologist, and Parc Omega’s Directeur Technique & Porte-Parole, has a huge respect for all the animals under his watch, and you can tell he cares deeply about them.
And the animals care about Serge! When Serge whistles and calls for them, they come running!
[bctt tweet=”Parc Omega ~ Where visitors live the experience of the wild Canadian nature. ~ Serge Lussier” username=”CanBlogHouse”]
Serge started our tour at the First Nations Trail.
This Thunderbird marks the start of First Nations Trail. As the legend says, passing under its wings will provide you with powerful protection.
Under Serge’s guidance, Parc Omega is always looking to improve and make things better for the animals, and for visitors to this magnificent park.
Erected just this summer, Parc Omega’s newest totem pole, ADABIJ ATISOKEWIN MITIK’MO (the tree who is telling the tale in a new way), on the First Nations Trail, will be a sight to behold. With an observation deck overlooking the beautiful lake, visitors will be able to enjoy the beauty of this totem pole from all sides.
The spiritual meaning behind this totem pole? Artiste métissé Algonquin, Denis Charrette, says it best:
“This sculpture is inspired from an old Algonquin legend but especially told by Innus. “Tshakapesh”, who is looking for the monster “Katshituashk”, who killed his parents.
This monster is described by the anthropologist Serge Bouchard as a creature which closely resembles a mammoth. This story is one of the oldest legends in the North American oral tradition.
About twenty years ago, during a stay at Maliotenam, someone told me this story. The elder told that the mammoth in this legend proved their existence since at least 15,000 years on the territory.
My inspiration came from a beautiful 400 years old red cedar from Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands, BC) that was stored for a couple of years in Hawksbury, Ontario. I saw an elephant leg at the base of the log that became a mammoth, the inspiration for the story.
This totemic mast will be erected on the First Nations trail at Parc Omega, Montebello.
It is a majestic piece, bearer of historic roots. This unique piece of art will help to build awareness of the history of the First Nations, as it is reminding us about the Sacred Walk that started 15,000 years ago.”
This First Nations Trail boasts a scenic path following along the shoreline of an idyllic lake, passing totem poles, a foot bridge, carved rock formations, and a pretty waterfall.
There are plenty of areas along this path where visitors can sit, rest, have a picnic, or just enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.
It is along this First Nations Trail where visitors will encounter several spiritual, and stunning, totem poles, carved by Denis Charrette, representing each of the first nations.
The Colonization Trail
The Colonization Trail, home to a brand new lumber camp, an old farm (with tractor rides and petting zoo), the Enchanted House (a fabulous kids playground), a trading post, artist’s workshop, and more, is a wonderful part of the park!
Be sure to save some time to spend in this fun and educational area!
Look overhead for this amazing piece of art in the lumber camp…
This is one of the best playhouses I have ever seen! Look at the detail in the wood carvings..and all the places (and animals) for kids to play on!
Not to mention this fabulous tree bridge! So much fun for all the kids!
Grey Wolf Observatory
Next, Serge took us on a tour of his newest pride and joy – the Grey Wolf observatory found along the Colonization Trail.
More magnificent carvings, by Denis Charrette, greet visitors at the entrance of the Grey Wolf observatory.
This observatory, and habitat, was designed by Serge himself. Serge is an expert when it comes to knowing the needs of his wolves. With this new venture, he has created another fantastic habitat for the wolves, and an amazing observatory for visitors.
This habitat allows visitors to get up close and personal with the wolves, at ground level, safely behind a see-through barrier.
Serge put so much thought into the safety of both visitors, and the wolves, that he had special netting installed below the railings to catch any random personal items that may fall from the hands of visitors as they peer into the habitat from above. Smart thinking!
The day we visited, it was evident the wolves are comfortable in their new habitat. Wandering all around the area, up and down the hill, over rocks, and behind trees, these wolves were very much at ease in front of any visitors.
This newest section at Parc Omega also features a natural theatre where guests can watch daily wildlife shows.
Oh Deer They Ate All Our Carrots!
Our final destination on the tour was a quick ride around the park’s circuit to view the habitats we viewed last time we visited Parc Omega.
I love how each season at Parc Omega makes for such a different experience every time we visit!
This time, we even got to catch a glimpse of Parc Omega’s resident moose. He wasn’t terribly social but, I was able to catch a shot of him from afar.
This guy’s best friend is a goat! That’s right, this unlikely pair live together in their own habitat! Keep your eyes peeled for them!
One of our favourite things about a visit to Parc Omega is the chance to feed carrots to the deer.
This experience never gets old. It’s always fun to have a deer stick its head through the car window looking for a treat!
A day at Parc Omega is so much fun but, a night spent at the park makes a Parc Omega visit so much better!
If you want to plan your own overnight stay at Parc Omega, here a few tips from us that could help you enjoy your experience even more:
Tips For Your Overnight Stay At Parc Omega
- Accommodations are nestled up in a small mountain. The walk from the parking lot to the accommodations takes approximately 10 minutes. Not a long walk but, it is when you have luggage with you. Be sure to request Parc Omega’s valet service to get you back and forth to your car when you are checking in and checking out. You’ll enjoy the quick ride – on a Parc Omega golf cart! Don’t forget to bring a tip for the driver!
- Enter the accommodations area on the left just as you come into the park entrance. You do not have to pay admission, and enter the actual park, in order to get to the accommodations.
- Upon check-in, make sure to purchase some firewood to take with you if you intend on making a campfire for cooking…or roasting marshmallows! During cooler months, you’ll want firewood to help heat your accommodation using the wood stoves.
- Bring shoes, such as hikers, suitable for walking in the woods.
- One of the allures of staying overnight at Parc Omega is the ability to “unplug” from the digital world. In fact, with no electricity available in the accommodations, electronic devices and appliances are frowned upon. Cell phone reception, while in the accommodations, is pretty much non-existent. You can usually pick up a signal in the parking area if you need to make contact with the outside world.
- Do bring your camera, or mobile phone, for taking photos. Just remember that you will not be able to charge your devices once the batteries run out.
- Bring bug spray to keep away the mosquitoes in the evening.
- Bring a lighter or matches if you wish have a campfire or light the woodstove.
- Pack a cooler with ice packs for drinks, and anything you wish to keep cool
- Bring a flashlight. You will need this at night if you wish to use the outdoor toilet.
- Speaking of toilets, you will have access to an organic toilet located outside your accommodation. This involves bags and sawdust. Surprisingly clean and easy to use.
- Bring carrots for the deer!
- Even in summer, bring some warm clothes. Evenings can be chilly.
- Bring some snacks for that evening snack attack.
For those who prefer some of the “comforts of home”, Parc Omega provides guests with access to regular washrooms and showers, located in a facility within walking distance to all accommodations.
For more information on Parc Omega, or to check out their great overnight accommodation options, visit the Parc Omega website! Don’t forget to read the lodging rules and regulations!
And guess what? Rumour has it that Parc Omega is acquiring some new residents within the next year or so – Rocky Mountain Goats! Stay tuned!
Have you ever visited Parc Omega overnight? What was your favourite part about your stay?
