Nature and outdoor fun for summer in Petite Nation

Published on June 30, 2025 • Destinations to explore

Located between Montreal, Ottawa/Gatineau and Mont-Tremblant, Petite Nation is an invitation to relax and marvel, whether you're travelling solo, as a couple or with your family. Its bucolic landscapes, roads lined with fields and forests, and protected natural environments are the perfect setting for making the most of summer. Whether you're a water sports enthusiast, a golfer or simply in search of cozy, unusual accommodations, you'll find plenty to satisfy your desire to get away from it all in Petite Nation.

Nature and outdoor fun for summer in Petite Nation

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Tourisme en Petite Nation

A fishing adventure in Petite Nation - Two adults and two children fishing on a small boat

Kenauk Nature - Two adults and a child on the edge of a quay, wearing life jackets

Centre touristique du Lac-Simon - Canoes on the beach

Paddling and fishing to convene with nature

With its winding rivers and peaceful lakes, Petite Nation is a veritable paradise for water sports. Either by canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat or pontoon boat, there's no limit to the ways you can explore the region's beauty from the water. A number of local companies also offer boat rentals, allowing you to cruise freely – and safely – on Lac Simon, Rivière de la Petite Nation or Ottawa River. Fancy a fishing trip? Look into the region’s outfitters, who can guide you through the heart of this exceptional territory.

A woman plays golf, with three other individuals observing her in the background.

Golfing for a change of pace and great challenges

Petite Nation’s golf courses offer something for players of every level. At Château Montebello, you can tee off on a historic course designed in 1931, where strategic challenges combine with the beauty of a mature forest. At Lac Simon, you'll discover a spectacular course featuring a Signature Hole named after former Montreal Canadiens player Stéphane Richer. There are other options too: a course at an inn for a golfing getaway, impeccable greens at Thurso or an idyllic course on the shores of Lac de l'Argile at the Royal Papineau. There's something for everyone!

Sleep and recuperate in a cozy nest

In Petite Nation, summer nights seem suspended in time. To complete your stay in the region, how about camping with the family, in a peaceful setting lulled by the sounds of nature? Or you could choose to sleep in a yurt, a cottage with a breathtaking view of the river, or a converted school bus! Unique summer accommodations abound, and you can even sleep next to wolves or deer! Unless you prefer canoe-glamping on Lake Papineau or a historic stay in an old post office... there are truly some whimsical possibilities!