Things to Do at Lac Simon and in Duhamel: Activities All Year Round

Wondering what to do at Lac Simon? In Duhamel, in the Outaouais, the answer changes with the seasons, but it always comes back to the essentials: water, forest and fresh air. Here is an overview of activities in Duhamel to help you plan a family weekend, a getaway for two or an outdoor adventure. Distances are measured from the Motel du Lac Simon.

Summer: Beach, Paddling and Fishing

The Lac Simon Beach

Just 3 km away, about a 5-minute drive, the beach at the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon (Sépaq) stretches along 2 km of fine sand beside clear water. You'll find a picnic area, washrooms, an ice cream stand, a convenience store and free parking. Kids have their own play areas: a giant trampoline, a climbing rock and a pirate ship. Pack towels and sunscreen, and save the ice cream stand for the end of the day.

Kayaking, Canoeing and Stand-Up Paddleboarding

Lac Simon covers nearly 29 km², enough to paddle for hours. No boat? The Centre touristique rents canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. If you bring your own, the Duhamel roadside rest area, 220 m away, lets you paddle down the river to Lac Simon, and you can have a picnic there too. For a quieter outing, Lac de la Ferme (3 km) also rents boats and offers beautiful sunsets. Find all the details on our kayak, canoe and paddleboard page.

Fishing

Lac Simon (2,900 ha) is part of the provincial lake trout monitoring network. According to the ministry, you'll also find ouananiche (landlocked Atlantic salmon), lake whitefish and yellow perch. Nearby are Lac de la Ferme (3 km), the Club des Douze outfitter (11 km) and the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, with more than 760 lakes; its Gagnon welcome centre is 15 km away. Before you go, check the regulations and the permits required. More on our fishing at Lac Simon and in the region page.

Strawberries and Raspberries

In summer, the Domaine du Mont-Vézeau (25 km) invites you to pick your own strawberries and raspberries at the foot of its vines. Check with the vineyard for picking periods before you head out.

Fall: Hiking in the Petite-Nation

When the maples of the Petite-Nation blaze with colour, the trails around Duhamel are at their most beautiful. Two sections of the Sentier national au Québec run close by:

• The Iroquois Trail (6 km): the easiest one, it follows the Iroquois Creek and its falls.
• The Route des Zingues (13 km): for more experienced hikers, it winds between Lac Gagnon and Lac Preston. According to Tourisme Outaouais, it is one of the finest sections of the Sentier national.

Find the details on our hiking page and in our guide to fall at Lac Simon. Back at the end of the day, nothing beats the fire pit and its Adirondack chairs, available in every season.

Winter: Snowmobiling, Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing

Snowmobiling and ATV Riding

The motel offers direct access to snowmobile and ATV trails: a convenient base for your rides. The Les Maraudeurs club (13-760) maintains about 150 km of trails between Duhamel, Lac-des-Plages and La Minerve. From Lac Simon, Trans-Québec 43 leads toward the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, a ride deep into the forest.

Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing and Tobogganing

3 km away, the Centre touristique du Lac-Simon maintains 17 km of cross-country ski trails. It also offers snowshoeing, tobogganing, a skating rink, snow hiking, dogsledding and ice-fishing packages. In the village, 300 m away, the outdoor rink awaits families, and the Iroquois Trail can be explored on snowshoes. Our winter activities page brings it all together.

Spring: A Lake Waking Up

Spring is a quiet time to enjoy the region away from the crowds. It's the moment for an unhurried getaway and for wildlife watching: Duhamel is surrounded by forest, the western part of the municipality is part of the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve, and white-tailed deer wander right into the village, especially in winter. More ideas on our nature and wildlife page.

All Year Round: Cycling, the Village and Parc Oméga

• Cycling: 300 m away, the Carrefour Duhamellois gives access to a bike path and a cycle-touring route, with bike rentals on site. See cycling and cycle touring.
• Village games: 300 m away, you can play mississippi and shuffleboard under cover, and horseshoes and pétanque at the town hall.
• Parc Oméga: about 45 minutes away, a 12 km drive-through circuit among deer, elk, bison, wolves and black bears, with three walking trails.
• Spa and sauna: our relaxation area is under construction. Details will be announced when it opens; see the spa and sauna page.

Which Activity for Your Group?

• As a family: the beach and play areas at the Centre touristique, the swing set on site (three seasons) and the village rink in winter.
• As a couple: a sunset at Lac de la Ferme, a swim, then an evening by the fire. See our romantic getaway page.
• For outdoor enthusiasts: the Route des Zingues, fishing, and the snowmobile and ATV trails.

For the big picture, see our four-season activities in Duhamel.

Where to Stay in Duhamel

We're open year round and offer three types of accommodations:

• Classic Rooms (12): from $140 a night, the essentials done right.
• Comfort Suites (4): from $225 a night, with a fully equipped kitchen and a living room with a sofa bed.
• Signature Apartment (1): from $850 for 2 nights, with 3 closed bedrooms and room for up to 9 guests.

These are "starting from" prices: the exact amount depends on your dates and is shown when you book. Check-in is from 4 p.m., check-out is by 11 a.m., and the person booking must be at least 21 years old. On site you'll find Wi-Fi, parking and a picnic area with tables and a propane BBQ (three seasons).

Ready to Go?

Beach and kayaking in summer, colourful trails in fall, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in winter, quiet calm in spring: there is always something to do at Lac Simon. To have the best home base, book your stay at the Motel du Lac Simon or call us at 438 448-0131. Have a question before choosing your dates? Write to us through our contact page.