In Anicinabe (Algonquin) traditional territory, Parc national d’Opémican is more than just a place to camp — it’s a landscape shaped by thousands of years of Indigenous presence and glacial activity. Found between Lac Témiscamingue and Lac Kipawa in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec, the park protects a rare intersection of boreal and deciduous forests, towering white and red pines, and dramatic rock walls that rise from the lake.
Opémican” comes from an Algonquin word that translates to something close to “along the path followed by the tribes” or “along the river,” or “between the waters.” Totally fitting for a park that sits between two major lakes and a web of water routes.
The land here holds deep stories — from the ancient rivers that carved through the rock to the people who have lived with and cared for this place since long before it became a park. It’s a space that invites you to come for quiet reflection, respectful exploration, and the kind of family connection that comes from spending time in places that truly matter.
I’m on a 10-day road trip with my kids. Miss M, who is now almost 16, and Z Man, who is 11. They’re really fantastic kids, and I’m excited to have all this dedicated time with them, exploring and adventuring through parts of the country we’ve barely heard of, let alone ever fathomed visiting. I might have overpacked the Jeep. I’m not sure yet, but as the trip progresses, I will find out.
Our first stop is Parc national d’Opémican, where we will be camping and exploring for a few days.
Let Me IntroduceYou To Parc national d’Opémican
Are you seeking a relaxed, nature-filled camping experience that doesn’t require reserving a site six months in advance? Let me introduce you to Parc national d’Opémican, located in the beautiful Abitibi-Témiscamingue region of Quebec.
Abitibi-Témiscamingue is a huge and wild region in western Quebec. It is bordered by Ontario to the west and north of the Laurentians. It’s not far from North Bay (4 hours from my place in Toronto) or New Liskeard, so it’s easily drivable for those of us coming from southern Ontario. No ferries or multiple highways required.
The region is made up of small towns, lakes, rivers, forests, and rock formations that appear straight out of a Group of Seven painting. It’s a land where nature is the show, and small, tight-knit communities of people are curious when they see Ontario plates on a Jeep parked on their street.
What makes Abitibi-Témiscamingue special is its raw landscape that still feels largely untouched. The region carries the legacy of logging and mining, but you can feel a shift toward eco-tourism and outdoor adventure taking root. And here’s the best part: it’s not overrun. You can hear loons, spot a heron, and take in the view without being held up by a large group for a photo op or two or three (insert eye roll here and impatient sigh at any southern Ontario conservation area look out point).
When you’re paddling, hiking, or just sitting fireside with your kids, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, you can slow down and reconnect with the kind of wild, soulful Canadian nature most people don’t even know exists.
The kids (Miss M, 15, and Z Man, 11) and I packed up the car and headed out as part of our exploration of the region, and Parc national d’Opémican became one of my favourite stops. Here’s why you should consider camping here too.
1. It’s an Easy Road Trip from Ontario
First things first — let’s talk about where Parc national d’Opémican is located, because if you’ve never heard of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, you’re not alone. But trust me, once you’ve been, you’ll start dropping the name in conversations just to sound cool and well-travelled. Plus it’s fun to learn the pronunciation of Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
One of the top perks? It’s closer than you think. Opémican is about a 5-hour drive from Toronto — even shorter if you’re starting in eastern Ontario. That means it’s totally doable for a weekend getaway or a mid-week adventure without chewing up two days in the car.
The park is on the Ottawa River, so if you get in a canoe in the park, you can paddle across the river and touch Ontario.
It’s also just a short drive to the nearby town of Témiscaming, which is great if you forget the marshmallows or suddenly need emergency bug spray.
2. Parc national d’Opémican Ready-to-Camp Sites Make It So Comfortable
To me, setting up camp isn’t that much hard work. Over many years of camping and assembling tents solo and wrangling my kids while getting my camp stove set up, I’ve refined my process. But if setting up a tent and camp isn’t your jam, you’re going to love this: Opémican has fully equipped, ready-to-camp units that take the hassle out of roughing it. It’s extreme glamping minus the toilet and shower.
We stayed in Étoile #62, and here’s a hot tip from me to you — act quickly to snag one. These units are built with a wood-frame and canvas design, are tall enough to stand in comfortably, and sleep up to six people with three double beds. One of the beds is a bunk bed. While there was a ton of vacancy while we were there (I couldn’t believe it), I have a feeling that once Ontario residents find out how close this is and how easy it is to camp in Parc national d’Opémican, they’ll be running there.
Inside the ready-to-camp units at Parc national d’Opémican, you’ll find:
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A small fridge/freezer
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Electric heat and lights
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All utensils, cookware, and tableware (even a coffee maker)
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A table and chairs
Outside on the patio, you will find:
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A propane stove
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Picnic table, fire pit, and garden chairs
All you need to bring is your own bedding, food, and a little seasoning (no salt, pepper, or oil is included). And don’t forget coffee — the drip-style coffee maker won’t do anything without your own grounds.
The windows have zippered plastic screen flaps and velcroed canvas that can be rolled up and the plastic screen unzipped for air flow. The front door is a double sliding door. One is glass, the other is a screen.
I was really impressed with the setup when I arrived. I’ve never seen a camp like this before. Now, Miss M and Z Man are a little bit spoiled, and I might have a tough time getting them to sleep on the ground again.
3. Parc national d’Opémican is Peaceful — Like, Actually Quiet
Ontario campers, you know the drill: book six months in advance – if you can get through on the website for your dates, elbow your way through a packed park, and hope your neighbours aren’t playing EDM at 11 pm.
Not at Parc national d’Opémican.
We arrived at Opémican and found the campground half-full. No overcrowded washrooms, in fact, never a wait for a shower or a toilet. No aggressive site competition. No excessive radio noise, no big camping groups (while we were there), no beach takeovers.
Just quiet, calm, and friendly fellow campers who were actually happy to be there.
It felt like camping used to feel — before everyone bought matching rooftop tents and Instagrammed their s’mores.
I loved it.
4. Trails That Won’t Break Your Knees (or Your Kids’ Spirits)
To be very real: Z Man does not like hiking. He voices that to me all the time. I have rebranded the term “hike” in so many ways that he’s caught on. So when he tolerated a couple of trails without protest except for the mosquitoes, I knew we had something good going.
We tackled Sentier des Pierres, Inukshuk Trail, Paroi-aux-Faucons and La Grande Chute. What I like about the trails is that they are marked with signage and have clean pathways. You’re not going to get lost here because the trail is really clear. There’s no question where you are going.
Sentier des Pierres
One of the best short hikes at Parc national d’Opémican is Sentier des Pierres, a scenic 1.9 km loop trail that starts near the Visitor Centre and we did it the evening of our arrival. It’s easy to moderate, with just enough elevation to feel like a “real” hike without being too intense for kids or adults who have forgotten their cardio routine. As much as I hike and walk, you’re still going to see me hiding that I am winded on any elevation!
You’ll hike through towering pine and fir forest, and partway through, you’re rewarded with a couple of gorgeous lookouts over Lac Témiscamingue and the historic Opémican wood-floating station below. As we did it during the golden hour, you can imagine how gorgeous this was.
It’s a solid payoff for a 40-minute walk. The trail is well-marked and peaceful; we didn’t pass a single soul while we were out there. If you want to go a bit further, you can combine this loop with Sentier de la Prucheraie and turn it into a 4 km outing. Either way, this trail offers the best of the park’s geology, forest scenery, and a real sense of quiet — just you, the pines, and the sound of your own panting.
Inukshuk Trail
The Inukshuk Trail is a short, easy walk with a big visual reward — and it’s one of those trails that quietly surprises you. At just around 2 km round trip, it’s the kind of hike that even the most reluctant little adventurers (yes, even Z Man) can handle without asking, “Are we done yet?” every five minutes. The trail winds through forest and across rocky terrain, eventually leading to a spot where you’ll find — you guessed it — a striking inukshuk built from local stone, standing tall against the backdrop of Lac Témiscamingue.
It’s a quiet, reflective place that feels a little bit sacred, especially when the wind is still and the lake is glassy. This trail isn’t about big climbs or sweat equity — it’s about taking a moment to appreciate the land, the symbols left by those who came before us, and the deep Indigenous presence in this territory.
From the Inukshuk, continue on; there’s a short path that leads to a stone staircase that takes you down to a peaceful rock where you can sit and reflect.
Bring your camera and your sense of respect — this one’s a short but meaningful stop. You’ll find a memorial and it’s one of the other areas that canoes and kayaks can be launched from.
Paroi-aux-Faucons
The Paroi-aux-Faucons Trail is another must-do while you’re in Parc national d’Opémican — and it pairs perfectly with the Inukshuk Trail if you’re looking to turn your outing into more than just a stroll. This trail takes you through mixed forest and rocky terrain, leading up to a lookout point perched high above Lac Témiscamingue. The name translates to “falcon wall,” and it suits due to the peregrine falcons that nest on the cliff. We didn’t spot any, but we looked!
It’s not a long hike, but it’s just enough to earn your snack break at the picnic table. These are easy, short hikes with some serious lookout payoffs. The views of Lac Témiscamingue are worth it, these are some very photogenic rock formations.
From there, if you’re up for a longer day trip, you can continue on to La Grande Chute — the park’s dramatic waterfall — and make a full day of it. You’ll cover some ground, but it’s worth it for the changing scenery, the quiet, and that feeling of really exploring the landscape instead of just passing through it.
La Grande Chute
We did check out La Grande Chute, but I’m going to tell you a story about this! First of all, if you are a fan of roaring water and dramatic rock faces, this waterfall is for you.
So here’s what happened: Google Maps didn’t show me that the trails all went together, so I didn’t plan to hike them all together. Google Maps sent me on a 40-minute extra drive outside the park and through a town to the lookout on the other side of La Grande Chute. It was a twenty-minute off-road trek. The kids and I were in my Jeep, so no problem, but it was a definite exploration.
Long story short, there’s a trail to La Grande Chute in the park with a lookout point. It’s roughly 1 kilometre round trip to go from the trailhead and back.
There’s also a lookout point on the other side of the waterfall, but it requires a 40-minute round-trip off-road exploration and a 400-metre hike to reach.
5. You Can Paddle the Day Away
Want to get out on the water? Parc national d’Opémican offers kayak, canoe, peddle boat and paddleboard rentals. You can access canoes and kayaks at both sections, and the lakes are calm enough for beginners and scenic enough to keep the kids interested. The rentals are at Pointe-Opémican at the beach.
We spent a full afternoon cruising along the shoreline on our paddleboards, which we had brought. We tend to travel with our own lifejackets (mine has pockets!) and paddleboards. Best investment I’ve ever made years ago.
Just as a heads up, you cannot go into the water at the sandy area at the Visitor’s Centre. There is sediment in the sand under the water; they don’t want it stirred up due to the risk of injury, so there is no swimming or launching kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards from that area.
Pointe‑Opémican was once a crucial stop along historic fur trade and logging routes, thanks to its location on Lac Témiscamingue near the headwaters of the Ottawa River. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it became a major log-driving relay station. So you’d paddling an old route here. The site eventually housed a forge, carpentry workshop, boom shed, and the Auberge Jodoin, all of which have been restored to give visitors a glimpse into the rugged life of timber workers and voyageurs. Today, this historic hub lives on inside Parc national d’Opémican as both a cultural touchpoint and a base for outdoor adventures.
6. Parc national d’Opémican is a Geography and Geology Nerd’s Wet Dream
The phrase “a geologist’s wet dream” is something I learned in Namibia when I was travelling through there in my late 20s. I was told they could get off on the story of a rock or the colour of the sand. After many more explorations through many different areas, I really see what that phrase means.
This park protects a unique pocket of nature where deciduous and boreal forests meet. It’s filled with a fun mash-up of maples, birches, and trembling aspens mixed with white and red pines, rugged hills, and impressive rock walls carved out over thousands of years by glaciers and water. If you’re the kind of person who stops to touch the rocks and wonders how cliffs got to be where they are (hi, I see you), Parc national d’Opémican will rock your world.
Sorry, I had to.
The landscape has been shaped by glacial retreat, water erosion, and tectonic drama over billions of years. The terrain here is rugged but not overwhelming and is filled with signs of the last Ice Age, including smoothed-out granite slabs, glacial striations, and fractured cliffs that hint at the slow violence of time.
Here’s a hot tip from me to you: bring your camera and your curiosity. And if you’ve got a budding naturalist in your family, this is where they’ll start asking questions you actually want to search for an answer. If your kids are into nature, this is their playground. And if they’re not? They can still enjoy climbing the rocks while you nerd out on the science.
7. Comfortable Amenities And Comfort Stations
One of the things that concerns my kids when we’re camping is where the washroom is located and what it will be like. My city kids don’t particularly like vault toilets or outhouses. When I was younger, I didn’t care at all where I peed. I still bush loo when I have to, but it’s not for everyone. While the ready-to-camp units lack plumbing (no toilet or shower), you’re not stuck roughing it too hard. There is a comfort station at the Visitor Centre.
In the comfort stations, there are women’s washrooms with a couple of showers as well as the same for the men. There are family washrooms, and in there is a shower. They’re huge and glorious and remove the uncomfortable situation of a 9-year-old boy in the woman’s washroom.
Drinking water jugs come with your ready-to-camp unit for filling bottles and cooking. Also suitable for washing dishes. For us, the water hose was a few sites away, and I could fill up the water jug about half full and carry it back comfortably. You can also bring your individual water bottle and fill it at the visitor centre.
Firewood is for sale at the visitor centre, and there are wagons for you to transport it back to your site. That’s a real perk not to have to throw the firewood in your vehicle and get the wood everywhere. The wood is also stored indoors so it’s not damp when you get it to your site. Please pay close attention to the opening and closing times of the visitor centre so you get that wood before they close.
Everything you need is within walking distance of the Pointe-Opémican ready-to-camp loop, making it easier than expected to manage kids and cook.
Planning Your Trip to Opémican?
If you’re planning a trip to Parc national d’Opémican, the camping season is from the middle of June to the middle of October. The section we camped in was Pointe-Opémican. This is where the beach is, located near the Visitor’s Centre, which features an area for kids to play, as well as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards available for rent. The types of camping supported in this area are the ready-to-camp sites, and traditional sites, some serviced, some not. We saw a mix of pop up trailers, trailers and tents.
- Book here: SEPAQ – Parc national d’Opémican
The closest town to stock up on food and any supplies you want to bring in is Témiscaming, Quebec. There’s an IGA grocery store and an SAQ (which is Quebec’s version of the liquor store).
Cellular service is very spotty in the park. I often found myself in SOS mode, even on the main roads.
What To Bring for a Ready-to-Camp Stay at Opémican
I’m a bit of a queen when it comes to over-packing. My Jeep will be absolutely stuffed when I take off on a road trip with my kids, so here are your necessities for packing for a no-stress trip:
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Bedding, but not a bed! Bring sheets or sleeping bags and pillowcases. There are pillows provided, but if you like your own from home, bring them.
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Food, coffee, and basic seasonings. You’ll need your oil, salt, pepper and all other cooking seasonings. The ready-to-camp unit comes with all the necessary utensils, cutlery, a coffeemaker, and everything you need for cooking.
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A deck of cards, board games or books. There is not much Wi-Fi out there, and that’s the point. Wifi is available at the Visitor Centre. Cell service is pretty dead in the campground and on the hiking trails.
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Clothing for chilly evenings and warm weather appropriate clothes.
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Definitely bring a bathing suit and a towel. You’ll need that towel in the washrooms as well.
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Reusable water bottles for refilling at the water barrel. The water is potable at this park, and there are places to fill up. You can pack electrolytes or flavoured tablets to add for taste.
What Did We Eat While Camping?
I’m never going to fool you into thinking I’m a Pinterest-worthy meal-prepping queen. We ate dinners of burgers one night and pasta the other. For lunch, we had sandwiches. Breakfast was oatmeal, fruit, and yogurt. I like to keep it simple, but tasteful when camping, and I do plan the meals in advance to be that.
How Are The Bugs at Parc national d’Opémican
I’m going to be honest, Z Man is a magnet for mosquitoes, horseflies, deerflies, blackflies —you name the bug, they want his blood. So, despite the repellent we utilized, it was worthless for him.
Both Miss M and I got a few mosquito bites, it wasn’t that bad and I’ve had worse. It was also the time of the summer.
Final Thoughts on Parc national d’Opémican
Parc national d’Opémican gave me and the kids the kind of camping experience that’s becoming increasingly rare. A camping experience that is peaceful, beautiful, easy to navigate, and filled with opportunities to unplug and just be.
So if you’re looking for a family camping spot with real nature, real quiet, and real beds? I’m telling you that Opémican delivers. This camping trip in a ready-to-camp site is 100% worth the drive.
From me, Miss M, and the ever-skeptical Z Man: we’d go back in a heartbeat.
Planning to visit the area, but unsure if camping is right for you? If you’re also okay with being a day visitor, check out these other area accommodations:
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Abitibi-Temiscamingue paid me to take my family and to document our regional experience. I wholeheartedly thank Audrey-Anne and the Abitibi-Temiscamingue partners for such an incredible family summer vacation. This is only the first blog post, with more coverage to come! Our last family trip in Quebec was in the Eastern Townships and you can read that post here Eastern Townships Quebec 5+ Things To Do For A Perfect Long Weekend
