Go a Little Wild in Western Canada

In the nature of Western Quebec’s Outaouais region lies Parc Omega

, a reserve of rescued and rehabilitated animals that live among thick stands of trees, wide meadows and deep lakes. Inhabited by a range of wildlife species, the park is especially notable for its populations of wolves.

Adventurous families can spend a night in one of the specially designated wolf cabins located along the perimeter of the grey wolf habitat. The spacious cabins have kitchens, beautifully appointed bathrooms and can comfortably sleep four adults. Best of all, each cabin has a glass wall facing the wolf enclosure so you can observe them while they’re observing you. You may, like me, wake up to see a magnificent wolf looking through the glass at you.

Wolf at the window at wolf cabin. Photo: Debra Bokur

The park is open every day, year-round, and is divided into separate territories, each featuring different — and equally magnificent — creatures, including red foxes, bison, raccoons, black bears, moose, boars, grey and Arctic wolves, Alpine ibex, beavers, Arctic foxes, musk ox and reindeer.

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Wolf Cabin, view from window. Photo: Debra Bokur

Zoologist and park director Serge Lussier gave me a tour that was almost immediately interrupted by the arrival of an ambling mountain goat that approached us on the driver’s side of his truck, where an enormous bag of carrots is tucked into the space between the seats. Serge breaks off a piece of carrot and feeds it to the goat, then grins and passes a carrot my way so that I can share in the fun.

Over the next hour, we make frequent stops to deliver carrots to deer, boars and caribou. Park guests can purchase bags of carrots in the visitor’s center before they begin their exploration, though the rule is you stay in your vehicle and only offer the brightly colored vegetables to animals who approach of their own volition.

Buffalos in Parc Omega. Photo: Julen Arabaolaza | Dreamstime.com

When it’s time to stretch your legs, stop at the wood-beamed wolf amphitheater within one of the large wolf enclosures. At regularly scheduled times, a naturalist presents fascinating insights into wolf behavior while visitors can see them up close from an elevated platform, or through the glass of the lower area.

Parc Omega also offers an opportunity to learn about the history of Canada and the First Nations people. The park’s First Nations Trail is populated with deer and a number of fantastic totem poles and carvings — including a carved wooden serpent that acts as a bridge rail. Shelters shaped like teepees dot the shoreline of the zone’s lake, where feeding the trout is allowed.

Parc Omega giant sculpture. Photo: Debra Bokur

In the Land of the Pioneers, guests can watch wood sculptor and artist Michel Therrien at work, and see his latest piece — a colossal sculpture created from a single felled tree that stretches 60 feet in length and includes carvings of a deer, wolf, elk and moose.

Parc Omega Enchanted House. Photo: Debra Bokur

Another masterwork created by Therrien is The Enchanted House. Carved with magical animal faces that peer out from beams and branching tree motifs, the house looks as though it could be the setting for an ancient fairytale. Close to it is the new aerial course, appropriate for adults and kids from ages 7 and up.

At The Old Farm, pause for snacks in the café and peruse the museum of 19^th-century farming implements; or visit the Trading Post, with numerous artifacts that detail the history of the fur trade. There’s also a petting zoo where kids can have a picnic among gentle deer or take a short hike. New this season is Omega Park at Night, an audiovisual experience that takes place once the sun goes down.

A place such as this, Serge tells me as I climb out of his truck, makes the wild world real to those who may not experience nature in their daily lives. “Being here, observing wilderness and interacting with these animals is an enriching experience,” he said. He smiles as I climb out of his truck to carry on a tour in my own car.

As my feet reach the ground, he leans across the seat and hands me what’s left of the bag of carrots. His parting words make me laugh. “You might,” he said, “need these.”