by Mélanie Leroy
Since I arrived in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, in November 2018, everyone talks to me about the Opémican national park (Opémican National Park).
A brand new park affiliated to the SEPAQ, here, in the Témiscamingue area! I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of it in December, but I could not wait for the Summer season to live the experience wholly! With a ready-to-camp stay, for example… Guess where I was on the first weekend of July?
Arrival at the Opémican national park in a century old forest

As my friend and colleague Réjean has written already in a previous article, what marks our spirits the most when we turn onto the path to enter the Opémican park is the immensity of its red and white pine forest.
Naturally, my foot releases the throttle for the few last kilometers between Road 101 and the service center of the sector of the Pointe Opémican (Point Opémican).
I wholeheartedly marvel at these beautiful trees surrounding me. I roll down the car windows and some magic instantaneously happens: the scent of the pines, it’s my Madeleine de Proust, it the smell of vacations!
After a warm welcome at the service center, the employee explains where I can find my ready-to-camp accommodation and how to get there.
I go back to the car and drive to the Boucle des Remorqueurs (The Tugs’ Loop) crossroads, where you can find the ten ready-to-camp Étoile (Stars) of the park.
Still surrounded by the majestic pines, I cannot wait to discover my haven for the night.

Ready-to-Camp Étoile #64
I drive carefully so I can find the ready-to-camp accommodation where I will be spending the night. 62, …, 63, … Ha! #64! Wow, what a beautiful place!
Still in the middle of this tall pine forest, and enveloped by this vivifying scent which makes me feel like on a holiday, I park in front of my accommodation and admire with a strong curiosity my ready-to-camp Étoile!
I never spent a night in these large "tent-cabins" and I am positively surprised by these new rentals available at the Opémican national park.


At the location, a fireplace, and 4 super comfortable chairs placed around it which awaits only one thing: that the camping guests take place at night once the fire has been lit.
Just a little farther away, a brand new picnic table made of a light shade of wood, and on my right, the few steps leading to a small terrace with a direct view of the forest.
Two chairs, turned towards the pine trees, invite me to sit down a few minutes just to listen to the absolute silence, and to the whispers of the Lac Témiscamingue (Temiskaming Lake) below, audible through the trees.
Luxury Camping in a Ready-to-Camp Accommodation at the Opémican national park
After having let this quietude invade me, I continued my discovery of the Ready-to-Camp Étoile. On the terrace, where I was sitting, there was also the gas stove and a small prepping area. Everything is protected under the tarp of the Ready-to-Camp accommodation, ideal for cooking while it rains! I open the window-door and enter the camp, which I can now qualify as luxurious.

Right from the get-go, I explore the kitchen area. Its large table, covered with a pretty checkered tablecloth, was surrounded by six yellow chairs, a small fridge, a beautiful work surface and absolutely EVERYTHING required for cooking!
The three full size beds are located right in front of me. You probably have guessed it, this accommodation has a capacity of six guests! Ideal for families!
The bonus? Every bed has tarps which can be put away or lowered to get a little more privacy during the night. I had never camped in such a comfortable manner before! I was lucky to live this experience!

I told myself that it was truly the type of stay in a national park that my friends and my family from Belgium would want to experience. Especially when we travel all the way from Europe! We forcibly do not have our camping equipment on hand, it’s truly perfect! We can enjoy every benefit of camping without a care in the world! One only has to bring his sleeping bag and his food to experience an unforgettable stay!
Sunset on the Beach, Cozy Campfire Night

Sunset on the Lac Témiscamingue during my Ready-to-Camp stay at the Opémican national park, in Abitibi-Témiscamingue.
After having made myself at ease in the Ready-to-Camp accommodation, I decided to walk up to the Pointe Opémican. I sat on the beach to admire the sunset on the shores of the Lac Témiscamingue. The day had been quite windy and the lake agitated. Once the sun starts to disappear behind the small hills farther away, the wind drops, the lake water surface becomes smooth as a mirror and the show begins.
The sky goes from orange to darker shades. The more the sun lowers down, the more the colors get closer to a pinkier hue, before wrapping the whole scenery with a purple glow which will finally turn to blue. Sitting on the pier, with my feet in the water, I admire this daily show in total silence. I am living the present moment, free from any strain of thoughts, and it feels crazy good!
When the show ended, I ascended back towards the Boucle des Remorqueurs where my Ready-to-Camp accommodation was located. I prepared and lit a fire with the logs I had bought earlier. Sometimes, I contemplate the hypnotizing flames, sometimes I get mesmerized by the stars. Firebugs appear. It is a beautiful night at the Opémican national park. A beautiful night I could not wait to live in my region of adoption.

Opémican, the debriefing…
The night in the Ready-to-Camp accommodation lets you enjoy nature and experience camping in only its attractive aspects! I open the tarp wall of the “tent”, at the head of my bed, like a window. Protected by the screen, I contemplate the sky, the pines and I listen to the forest sounds in the night. The cooler night air enters the Ready-to-Camp accommodations, as well as the appeasing pine scent. I fall asleep peacefully, lulled by this natural music. Until the soft wake-up, in the early morning, under the first sun rays and to the sound of the birds’ songs.
Another beautiful day begins. A day full of adventures awaits me in the Opémican national park: paddle board, canoe, hiking, cycling… With my batteries recharged and my appeased mind, I am ready for more discoveries.