A family visit to see wildlife at Parc Oméga in Montebello, Quebec

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Disclosure: Author Stephen Johnson was a guest of Parc Oméga, which neither reviewed nor approved this post.

When I first told my wife, Sandy, that we would be spending the weekend sleeping near wolves and bears, she said, “We’re what?”

When I told our 10-year-old son, David, he said, “Cool—when do we go?”

I was talking about staying overnight at Parc Oméga, which visitors drive through to see various animals found mostly in North America. When I learned it was also possible to spend the night at the park, I knew it had to be on our summer bucket list. We loaded up the car with a cooler and marshmallows for s’mores, and made our way to Montebello, Quebec (about an hour from Ottawa).

We arrived early and had the chance to tour the park before settling in for the night. We were impressed by the diversity of animals—which include boars, Rocky Mountain goats, caribou and bald eagles—and the amount of space they had to live in.

After our drive-through, it was time to settle into our lodgings. Full disclosure: Sandy and I will not be gracing the cover of Explore magazine anytime soon. We love outdoor activities but also like our creature comforts. I thought the wi-tent was the perfect solution for our needs. It was a solidly constructed wood-frame tipi with comfortable beds and a wood stove to keep us warm.

The first order of business was to visit the raised walkway that allowed us to get a close-up view of the wolves and bears. This walkway is only available to guests staying overnight at the park. I started a stare-down contest with a black bear, but my gaze quickly broke when he grunted at me, as if I would be a tasty snack. I tried the same thing with a wolf that I thought was the alpha male. Let’s just say I won’t be taking over his pack.

David loved the experience, as he has always been something of an animal expert. He shared numerous facts about wolves and bears as we walked. It is rare to be able to get as close to the animals as we did, while still being at a safe distance.

When we returned to the tent, it was time for a campfire. I have felt mild trepidation about starting campfires ever since almost failing to start one when I was in Cub Scouts. My go-to choice would have been to douse the fire with flammable liquids to guarantee success, but that was not an option. Sandy, David and I huddled over the fire pit and, after much coddling and encouragement, we got a decent fire going. Considering that it had rained recently, it was even more rewarding to see the flames.

We had great fun around the campfire, intentionally burning marshmallows and sharing scary ghost stories. David and I introduced Sandy—originally from Mexico City—to s’mores.

After a few hours, the rain started in earnest and it was time to turn in for the night. A special treat was hearing the wolves howl at 5am. It could not get more Canadian than that.

Our wi-tent had a fully equipped kitchen, so we were able to enjoy coffee and a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs. We also appreciated the fact that showers were a two-minute drive away.

After breakfast, we met up with Serge Lussier, technical director of Parc Oméga. He has been involved with animal parks for over 40 years—including Parc Safari in Quebec and African Lion Safari near Hamilton, Ontario—and is passionate about Parc Oméga and his job.

We hopped into his truck, fully stocked with carrots, and headed into the preserve. The first animal we fed was a large female elk. She put her mouth next to the truck window on my side and I tentatively offered up a carrot, which she seemed to eat in one bite. David confidently gave the elk another carrot, which again disappeared immediately.

Next, we stopped at the First Nations walking trail, which highlights the history of 11 First Nations of Quebec and was developed in consultation with them. A carved wooden thunderbird stands at the trail entrance. There are also numerous totems along the pathway, designed by Métis Algonquin artist Denis Charrette.

We jumped back into the truck and continued along the road, stopping a few minutes later at the black wolves encampment. Serge called, the wolves came running and Serge offered David sausages to feed them. When David hurled small pieces of sausage into the enclosure, the wolves jumped and scampered for them.

Next, it was off to see the arctic foxes, caribou and muskox. I have to admit, I kept thinking of Hinterland Who’s Who. For the younger set, Hinterland Who’s Who was a series of 60-second nature shorts that seemed to play on CBC television in the ’70s and ’80s in permanent rotation. It was much more exciting to see the animals in real life, especially the arctic fox kits and a buffalo calf.

At our next stop, the lumber camp, we found a small canteen and gift shop. Inside one of the buildings, displays helped us learn about the history of the coureurs des bois and the region’s logging industry.

After that, Serge picked us up in a golf cart and we visited the wolf presentation area, where a glass wall allows you get an up close and personal view of the wolves.

At the end of our tour, we saw arctic wolves, cinnamon bears and other animals. David, Sandy and I left Parc Oméga in awe. None of us had ever had such close-up encounters with wild animals. And the s’mores tasted pretty darn good, as well.

If you go

Parc Oméga is about an hour east of Ottawa, on Highway 323 along the route to Mont Tremblant. Follow all of the park’s safety instructions while visiting.

If you want a short side trip, the charming village of Montebello is a six-minute drive south of the park and is home to the Fairmont le Chateau Montebello.

For more information on Parc Oméga, check the park’s website.

Stephen Johnson is an Ottawa writer.

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