Laurentides Wildlife Reserve: New Nomadic Spaces are offered to vanlife enthusiasts and campers in small motorhomes

Three sectors of the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve have been offering Nomadic Spaces for vanlife and small motorhome enthusiasts since this year. They can park overnight at Camp Mercier, Lake Talbot, and Lake de la Cour ($), but there are no hookups for electricity or water.

At Camp Mercier, 10 Espaces Nomades sites are clearly marked in the parking lot. Travelers who reserve them have access to the bathrooms and showers in the beautiful reception building. Restrooms are open 24/7, and showers close at 9 p.m.

A lovely community space with picnic tables and a huge fire pit is located at the back of the building, where guests can enjoy a chat.

Near the front entrance of the reception building, a special room is set up for fishermen to tend their catch. It features stainless steel countertops and large sinks. A garden hose also allows for a small water supply to be replenished in the vehicle, should the need arise.

Multi-purpose room

The reception building houses the reception desk, the shop, and the rental equipment. There's also a large multipurpose room where you can enjoy your lunch in case of bad weather outside, whether you're parked at the Espace Nomade or just passing through. Good to know!

This room, with its abundant windows and a large fireplace, sofas, and tables, is designed to host meetings and conferences. Even weddings. If the lovers met in a rowboat on the lake at Christmas, why not?

For camper vans and small motorhomes

Nomadic Spaces are reserved for vanlife enthusiasts (camper vans) and RVs (“motorized”) under 25 ft. They cannot be reserved with a tent or anything that is towed (tent-trailer, trailer, etc.).

These campers are instead redirected to the La Loutre campsite in the L'Étape sector, located a few kilometers away. It is designed to accommodate tents and RVs. It also offers ready-to-camp Étoile accommodations.

There are 10 Nomadic Spaces at Camp Mercier (toilets and showers in the main building), seven sites at Lac de la Cour (dry toilets), and eight sites at Lac Talbot (dry toilets). Dogs are allowed on these sites. Check all the regulations on the Sépaq website. In 2025, camping on Nomadic Spaces is allowed until November ^1st .

• Marie-France Bornais is a journalist and author of five travel guides published by Éditions de l'Homme.
• She wrote the best-selling book Le Québec en camping as well as the practical guide Camping 101 .
• His guide New Brunswick in Camping is a national award winner from the Travel Media Association of Canada.
• She also wrote the travel guide American Escapades (Vermont, New Hampshire, Upstate New York).
• She is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada.
• She regularly presents lectures at book fairs and public libraries.