Unique in Quebec, Omega Park offers a 12-km car trail from which to observe animals in their natural habitat. Moose, bison, elk, beavers—there are more than 400 wild animals to see in the 900-hectare park. The wolf observatory, the first of its kind in the world, will impress the whole family. For little ones, a visit to the farm animals is a must. Besides showcasing Canadian wildlife, Omega Park allows you to learn more about the history and culture of Quebec’s First Nations. Stay for a full day and explore the hiking trails, the suspended bridge among the trees, and the picnic areas. 

Want to pet and feed a whole menagerie without leaving the region? Ferme L'Éco des champs, just minutes from Gatineau, is home to alpacas, pigs, cows, horses, goats, sheep, rabbits and hens roaming freely. Summer and winter alike, kids and grown-ups have fun on the hay structures before stopping for a picnic or painting their own creation in the art bus, converted into a ceramics studio. 

At Courges et Cie, the mini-farm also makes for great encounters: rabbits, hens, pigs, goats, sheep and even a pony mingle with visitors between a stop at the gourmet shop and a round of u-pick. 

In the Pontiac, Ferme Pure Conscience stands out as the only farm in the region raising yaks. Guided tours introduce visitors to the animals and crops, three-course country lunches made with local ingredients are available by reservation, and a year-round shop lets you bring their products home. 

Explore the Outaouais on horseback at Captiva Ranch, the largest equestrian farm in Eastern Canada, with more than 60 horses on 450 acres, just outside Wakefield. Riding lessons, trail rides for all levels and pony rides for ages 3 and up: riders big and small will find their own way into the saddle. Bilingual service in a safe environment rounds out the experience. 

The White-Tail Deer Interpretation Centre invites you to observe this graceful animal in its natural habitat while enjoying a 14-km network of hiking trails. The whole family will delight in the fawns being rehabilitated, which will be released back into the wild in the fall. Learn more about this species that inhabits our region through the interpretive exhibits in the log pavilion. Take the opportunity to walk in the woods, discover Rouge Falls and take in the view of Thirty-One-Mile Lake from the lookout.

The bond with dogs also comes to life on the snow, all across the region. In Petite Nation, at Gatineau Sled Dogs in Saint-Sixte, settle comfortably into a sled pulled by an experienced team with a guide, through the heart of the Saint-Sixte River valley, then take time to cuddle the dogs once the ride is over. 

For something more active, the Tanwen Pack in Montpellier, in Petite Nation, has offered outings of an hour or more since 2005, where you can actually drive your own four-dog team through the region's forests. 

In the Gatineau Hills, the International School for Earth Studies looks after 500 acres of forest owned by the Cushing family, with white pines over 200 years old, a private lake and exclusive trails. Along with sled rides pulled by Seppala huskies, you'll encounter Canadian horses and rehabilitated birds of prey in this reserve, which has become a refuge for the surrounding wildlife. 

In the Pontiac, Escapade Huskimo offers dog-sled rides along trails lined with lakes and mountains, with the option to pair your outing with a relaxing spa package.