Eco-Odyssey is a nature park built around a 6.4 km water maze in Wakefield (part of La Pêche municipality), in the Outaouais region. The site was designed based on beaver behavior and its network of channels. Allow approximately 30 minutes' drive from Gatineau-Ottawa.

Why Visit Eco-Odyssey

The park stands apart from most Quebec nature sites through an immersive approach: you travel by canoe, kayak, pedal boat or paddleboard through an actual marsh maintained by beavers themselves. The animals' dams have shaped the ecosystem, making it a rare observation site for understanding the species' natural engineering.

Three distinct natural environments coexist on the site: marsh, forest and agricultural fields. This diversity explains the variety of species present. Eco-Odyssey is not a zoo: animals roam freely in their habitat. A visit therefore does not guarantee direct observation, but their traces are everywhere.

Park History and Founder

Eco-Odyssey was born from the vision of one man, Michel Leclair, a former wildlife conservation officer at Gatineau Park. Drawing on this experience, he founded SOS animaux sauvages, a company specializing in beaver management and wetland habitats. His conviction: cohabitation with beavers is not only possible but desirable, provided their habitat is properly managed.

The purchase of a vast property in Wakefield in 1997 marked the project's starting point. Work on the aquatic maze began in 2002, and the park officially opened in 2007.

Michel Leclair's expertise has since crossed the Outaouais borders through the documentary The Beaver Whisperer, directed by Jari Osborne and featured in the series The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, broadcast on CBC. Cameras installed on site also allow direct observation of beavers, extending the experience beyond a physical visit.

What to See and Do

The Water Maze

The park's flagship activity, the water maze features 64 intersections spread over more than 6.4 km. You navigate it by canoe, kayak, pedal boat or paddleboard, in direct contact with the marsh's fauna and flora. Four options are offered:

• The Cruise: free exploration, with no time constraints. Ideal for a first visit, for families or couples.
• The Explorer: a route with clues to learn more about Quebec animals. Appreciated by families and school groups.
• The Scout: friendly team competition, map in hand, with 15 clues to identify. Designed for groups or visitors on a second visit.
• Twilight: an outing at dusk, offered Saturdays only. The marsh shifts between day and night, in a calmer atmosphere.

Visitors with their own equipment can bring their own kayak or paddleboard, subject to booking at least 12 hours in advance.

Hiking Trails

A foot maze and several trails wind through a forest of white cedar, black spruce and balsam fir. These routes offer another perspective on the marsh at a more leisurely pace, and are included in the daily access fee.

Observable Wildlife and Flora

Mammals: beaver, white-tailed deer, snowshoe hare, otter, black bear, as well as more discreet species like fisher and coywolf (coyote-wolf hybrid). Amphibians and reptiles: painted turtle, American toad and several snake species. Birds: great blue heron, bald eagle, Canada goose, mallard. The marsh edge is recognized by its cattails, pickerel rush and swamp milkweed.

On-Site Services

• Picnic area
• Volleyball court
• Restroom facilities with showers

When to Visit

The main season runs from spring through fall, when the water maze is navigable. June is interesting for vegetation in full growth and nesting bird activity. July and August offer the most stable conditions for family outings. September and early October allow you to combine paddling with autumn colors on the deciduous trees bordering the marsh.

To maximize your chances of spotting beavers, choose early morning or late afternoon outings—hence the appeal of the Saturday Twilight option. Check winter opening conditions directly with the park before traveling, as the main focus is seasonal.

Practical Information

• Address: 52, chemin des Sources, La Pêche (Wakefield sector), QC, J0X 3G0
• Season: primarily from late spring to early fall
• Rates: vary by option chosen and equipment rented—moderate range for the Cruise, higher for guided or twilight options
• Booking: recommended during peak season, essential for the Twilight option and to bring your own kayak/SUP (12 hours in advance)
• Duration: allow 2 to 4 hours depending on the option, more with hiking trails and picnicking

How to Get There

The park is located approximately 30 minutes by car from downtown Ottawa-Gatineau.

From Montreal, Quebec City or Toronto

• Take Highway 417 to the Nicolas-Mann exit.
• Cross the Macdonald-Cartier Bridge.
• Take Highway 5 North, then follow the route described below from Outaouais.

From Outaouais—via Highway 5 North

• Follow Highway 5 North toward Maniwaki to the end, then turn right.
• At the lights, continue straight on Route 366 East.
• After the bridge, approximately 4.5 km further, turn right on Geggie Road.
• Turn right on chemin des Sources and descend to the end.

From Outaouais—via Route 307 through Cantley

• From Highway 50 West, take the Saint-Louis exit, then turn right at the lights.
• Drive about twenty kilometers toward Cantley.
• Turn left on Route 366 West, then drive through the Edelweiss area for 8 to 10 km.
• Turn left on Geggie Road, then right on chemin des Sources to the end.

From Abitibi

• Follow Route 105 South, then Route 366 East.
• Turn right on Geggie Road, then right on chemin des Sources to the end.

Nearby and Other Canadian Parks

Wakefield and the Outaouais lend themselves to combined stays around Gatineau Park trails and valley villages. To expand an itinerary across the country, several other parks are worth visiting: Forillon National Park in the Gaspé Peninsula, Bic National Park in the Lower Saint Lawrence, Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland or Banff National Park in the Rockies. In Quebec City itself, Battlefields Park offers a different heritage setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plan Your Canada Trip

Eco-Odyssey easily integrates into a stay combining Ottawa, Gatineau and the Outaouais Valley. To build a broader itinerary mixing nature, wildlife and great parks, consult our Canada trips and their custom tour ideas.