With just one month left before schools let out for the summer, some families are already planning their vacations. Quebec’s network of national parks and campgrounds, Sépaq, is encouraging families to discover new accommodations and activities for a local “staycation.” Across the province, SÉPAQ has 7,000 campsites. At les Iles de Boucherville, 20 minutes from downtown Montreal, you can go canoe camping and paddle to your campsite. There’s also bike-camping, where you pedal your bike to your spot. That’s easier to do when you don’t have to carry gear because SÉPAQ offers ready-to-camp units. Olivia Jacques with SÉPAQ explains, “It’s a great way to start camping. It has beds with mattresses and all the kitchen utensils. It’s a big wooden frame, so there’s a lot of space inside—even a table.” Some parks have cabins with indoor space in case it’s soggy outside. Other parks offer areas for recreational vehicles and private places for you to pitch your own tent. Whether you want to be close to town or very far from it, SÉPAQ has you covered. The map on their website shows all the different areas to choose from. Each park offers unique experiences like forest trails, fishing workshops, and discovery stops like lookout towers and tributes to First Nations Heritage sites. Jacques says the staycation idea is popular this summer. “I see that the political context, I’d say, with the United States, that has an effect on the reservations that we’re expecting to have a great summer. I’d say we still have a lot of availability, So don’t hesitate.” Hesitate? Some campers may do just that since SÉPAQ was in the news for a recent work stoppage. Jacques says, “Our wildlife reserves were on strike last weekend, a three-day strike. But we’re really hoping SÉPAQ is working hard to ensure that the negotiations go well. We hope that the strike won’t happen again. But, we’re really on it and ensuring that people can relocate if ever it happens or be reimbursed or credited for another stay.”
