Lean-tos at Windigo Lake
Exclusively at Montagne du Diable Regional Park!
Ready for an incredible experience? A lean-to is a small open wooden shelter where you can sleep. It is similar to a rustic campsite except that you don’t need a tent!
The particularity of the two lean-tos at Montagne du Diable Regional Park is that they are built right by the water, far from the activity of the Windigo sector, in the middle of the wilderness. You can get there by canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, or hiking.
Reach your Lean-to by canoe, kayak or paddleboarding.
Your journey begins the moment you push off from the sandy shores of Lake Windigo, just below the Desjardins Pavilion.
Leave behind busy schedules, daily distractions, and the noise of the modern world as you paddle across the lake toward your own secluded retreat. Surrounded by water, forest, and silence, you’ll quickly discover that getting there is part of the adventure.
A truly unique Québec wilderness experience.
While the Lean-tos can also be reached on foot, the hiking trail is rated intermediate to difficult. Steep climbs, exposed roots, and rocky sections make it unsuitable for wheelbarrows or any other wheeled equipment. If you choose to hike in, be prepared to carry your gear in a backpack designed for backcountry travel. For this reason, hiking access is recommended for experienced adventurers seeking a more challenging wilderness experience.
Arriving by canoe, kayak or paddleboarding remains the most enjoyable and immersive way to experience the Lean-tos and the natural beauty of Lake Windigo.
- Arrival time: noon
- Departure time: 11 a.m.
- Dogs allowed
- Snowmobile or ATV prohibited
- Quiet time: 11 p.m.
2 Lean-tos by Lake Windigo
Located on the shore of Lake Windigo, 2 lean-tos (wooden shelters) without services (no water and electricity) are accessible via canoe, kayak, or hike only.
Exclusive access to the site for the duration of your stay.
*Plan ahead: Water from Windigo Lake will need to be boiled or purified -or simply bring your own potable water- (no potable water is available in the entire Windigo sector). Check-in is mandatory at Desjardins Pavilion upon arrival.
Lean-to Épervier
Distance: On foot, the distance is 3.5 km. With a watercraft, the distance is 1.2 km
Lean-to Access: We recommend accessing the Lean-to by watercraft (canoe, kayak or paddleboarding*). While it is possible to reach the Lean-to on foot, the trail is rated intermediate to difficult. Steep sections, exposed roots, and rocky terrain make it unsuitable for wheelbarrows or any other wheeled equipment. In addition to making it easier to transport your gear, arriving by canoe or kayak is an essential part of the experience. It offers a truly immersive outdoor adventure and adds an authentic touch to this one-of-a-kind stay in nature.
* Available for rent
Location: On the shore of Lake Windigo, just 3.5 km away from the Desjardins welcome centre.
Maximum capacity: 4 people (2 adults, 2 children)
Amenities: direct access to Lake Windigo, picnic table, campfire ring
Dogs: allowed, on leash
Nearby services offered at the Desjardins reception pavilion:
Bathrooms (toilets and showers ($) with hot water and soap)
Outdoor kitchen sinks
Firewood ($)
Bag of ice ($)
Dimensions:
You can set up your own tent inside the lean-to for added comfort.
Here are the dimensions of the lean-to structure:
1 – Height : 7,67 ft (92 in)
2 – 1/2 Height : 6,67 ft (80 in)
3 – Width : 11,42 ft (137 in)
Lean-to Pékan
Distance: On foot, the distance is 4 km. With a watercraft, the distance is 1.5 km
Lean-to Access: We recommend accessing the Lean-to by watercraft (canoe, kayak or paddleboarding*). While it is possible to reach the Lean-to on foot, the trail is rated intermediate to difficult. Steep sections, exposed roots, and rocky terrain make it unsuitable for wheelbarrows or any other wheeled equipment. In addition to making it easier to transport your gear, arriving by canoe or kayak is an essential part of the experience. It offers a truly immersive outdoor adventure and adds an authentic touch to this one-of-a-kind stay in nature.
* Available for rent
Location: On the shore of Lake Windigo, just 4 km from the Desjardins welcome centre.
Maximum capacity: 4 people (2 adults, 2 children)
Amenities: direct access to Lake Windigo, picnic table, campfire ring
Dogs: allowed, on leash
Nearby services offered at the Desjardins reception pavilion:
Bathrooms (toilets and showers ($) with hot water and soap)
Outdoor kitchen sinks
Firewood ($)
Bag of ice ($)
Dimensions:
You can set up your own tent inside the lean-to for added comfort.
Here are the dimensions of the lean-to structure:
1 – Height : 7,67 ft (92 in)
2 – 1/2 Height : 6,67 ft (80 in)
3 – Width : 11,42 ft (137 in)
| Price | |
|---|---|
Price per lean-to per night *
| 50$
|
* If you are not a member, do not forget to add the access rights to the Park (free for 18 years old and under).
Trail access fees for overnight guests
For adults, spending a night at the park, a right of access to practice all the activities is automatically charged (one night = one right of access)What to bring
- Food
- A first aid kit
- Sleeping bag (and pillow for those who like comfort…).
- Dishtowels
- Towels, washcloths, biodegradable soap
- A tablecloth
- Coins of $1 and 0.25 cents for accommodations that do not have a shower
- Flashlight or headlamp with a spare battery
- If you want to do nautical activities or mountain biking, we recommend that you bring your life jacket or bike helmet
- Pots, dishes and utensils
- Container of drinking water (no potable water available on the entire Windigo site)
- Dishtowels
- Biodegradable dish soap
- Stove and fuel
- Matches or lighter
- Lighting system
- Biodegradable toilet paper
- Garbage bags
- Small repair kit (ex: gray duct tape and cable ties, etc.)
Trail Maps (French only)
Nearby activities
Rental equipment for camping
Rules and regulations
Rules and regulations
Accommodation
The cabins are inspected on regular basis. Any damage or deterioration inflicted to the cabins will be brought to the attention of the guest who will ultimately assume the repair cost. All trash generated by a guests’ stay should be taken off the mountain to respect our “leave no trace” policy. It’s also important to separate your recyclables from your trash.
Responsibilities
The Regional Park Montagne du Diable will not, in any case, be held responsible for possible thefts in the cabins (it is therefore recommended to always lock the cabin before leaving).The Regional Park Montagne du Diable will not be responsible for the guests’ cabin keys. In the event that a guest forgets to return the keys, it is his or her responsibility to cover the cost of returning the keys or pay the appropriate fine. The same policy applies to lost keys as well.
Photos
If a guest accepts to transfer their photos to our image bank (photo gallery) at the end of their visit, he or she is accepting that the Regional Park Montagne du Diable can use the photos for commercial purposes without compensation on the part of the Park Regional Montagne du Diable.
Environmental Rules
It is prohibited to make a fire or to smoke in the forest as well as outside the cabins except for the predetermined places to this effect.
It is prohibited to pick or destroy all natural elements as well as approach or touch any wild animal.
Reserve online!