If you’re looking for a place to see North American wildlife up close without heading deep into the backcountry, Parc Oméga in Montebello is a great option. It’s not your typical zoo, and it’s not a hike either, it’s somewhere in between, and it works.
The drive-through safari
The core of the experience is a 12 km route you drive through at your own pace, right from the comfort of your car. Elk, bison,and deer wander close enough to take carrots straight from your hand through the window, and if you’re patient, you’ll spot wolves and bears along the way too. It’s a slow drive by design, so budget more time than you’d expect, closer to half a day than a quick stop.
Beyond the car: the walking pens
The drive-through is only part of it. There are also several pens and walking areas where you can get out and see animals that don’t roam the open route, wolverines among them. These stops break up the drive nicely and give you a closer, more still look at animals you’d otherwise only catch a glimpse of from the car.
Dinner with a view of the bears
The park’s restaurant is a real highlight on its own. The food is genuinely great, and the setting is hard to beat, tables looking out over the animal habitats means you can end up having dinner with bears in view just outside the window. It’s a nice way to close out a day at the park instead of rushing back to the car right after the drive.
A few practical notes
Pets aren’t allowed anywhere on the property, including the accommodations, so this isn’t one you can bring the dog along for. Bring your own carrots or buy a bag at the park house if you want the animals to come right up to your window, and give yourself the full day if you want to do the drive, the walking trails, and the restaurant without feeling rushed.
