About
Contact Nature is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of natural environments to promote collective well-being while ensuring continued access to the outdoors and recreational tourism activities.
The organization includes the Rivière-à-Mars, the Bec-Scie Outdoor Centre and Campground, Okwari guided activities, the ice fishing villages of La Baie, the Eucher Trail, the Kénogami Lake Regional Park, and the Au Jardin de mon Père Campground. Visitors can enjoy salmon fishing, explore trails in the forest and along the Rivière-à-Mars canyon, participate in guided nature interpretation experiences, or stay in a campground or yurt.
Through its activities, Contact Nature seeks to create opportunities to discover, understand, and connect with the natural environments that characterize the region. This approach is part of a broader vision: to create and maintain lasting connections between people, the land, and nature.
Contact Nature is all about relationships. Relationships with natural environments, with communities, and with those who frequent them, discover them, and contribute to their preservation.
What sets us apart
- Community-Driven Approach
- Collaborative Living Laboratory
- Meaningful Outdoor Experiences
- Responsible Nature Connection
- Conservation & Community Impact
Experience the fjord differently
Our Must-Dos
01. Okwari — The Black Bear and Its Habitat
Gain a deeper understanding of the boreal forest in just one afternoon: that’s what we offer with this activity that awakens the senses as you explore a territory that is both wild and fragile, guided by our experienced experts.
The afternoon begins with a possible black bear observation (“Okwari” in Mohawk). A perfect moment of quiet contemplation to discover this animal in its natural habitat. The observation takes place from a specially designed observation tower, with the utmost respect for the animals. The tour to the tower is conducted in an electric vehicle when the number of participants allows, in order to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
This first part of the afternoon will be followed by a complementary interpretive activity: a canoe trip on Lake Côme when weather permits, or otherwise a guided hike focusing on boreal flora, or an activity exploring musical or Indigenous heritage.
Why this experience is a must
The experience offers an opportunity to discover the natural and cultural heritage of the region alongside Okwari’s experienced guides, through a meaningful story of the relationship between people and the natural world. Each experience becomes an encounter — with landscapes, ecosystems and the knowledge rooted within them — helping visitors better understand these environments and their delicate balance.
Duration
3.5 hours — 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Audience
- Tourists
- Local Residents
- Nature Enthusiasts
Ideal for
Nature enthusiasts
02. Forest Escape Game — Self-Guided Hike with Puzzles
The Backpack Escape Game offers a self-guided hike into the heart of the boreal forest. Equipped with a bag with lockable pockets and a booklet filled with puzzles, participants must find clues along the way to solve the Mystery of the Kingdom. Two routes are available, either 3 km or 5 km, depending on the desired level of challenge. Both fun and educational, the activity allows participants to learn more about First Nations culture, the formation of the Rivière-à-Mars canyon, and boreal flora and fauna. A great way to combine hiking, discovery, and teamwork.
Duration
Two routes: 3 km (approx. 2 hours) or 5 km (approx. 3.5 hours)
Audience
- Hikers
- Tourists
- Local Residents
Why this experience is a must
This experience is a must-do, as participants will learn about First Peoples’ culture, the geological formation of the Rivière-à-Mars Canyon, and the flora and fauna of the boreal forest throughout the hike.
Why Choose Us?
Discover the territory — and protect it
Integrating Contact Nature into an itinerary means discovering the Saguenay through meaningful connections with nature. Hike along the Rivière-à-Mars canyon, take on a forest escape game, join a guided activity about black bears and their habitat, paddle a rabaska canoe, or experience salmon fishing—our diverse offering provides multiple ways to explore the region.
Our activities combine outdoor adventure, discovery and interpretation while raising awareness of the richness and fragility of natural environments. They integrate easily into a Saguenay itinerary and appeal to families as well as nature and adventure enthusiasts.
Choosing Contact Nature also means supporting a non-profit organization committed to preserving, restoring and showcasing the region’s natural environment.
- Daily Departures
- Exclusive Experience
- Small Groups
- Customization
Partially accessible (works in many cases, but some accommodations are not possible)
- Bec-Scie Outdoor Centre & Campground
- Circonflexe equipment rental
- Eucher Trail, La Baie
- Kénogami Lake Regional Park
- Au jardin de mon père Campground
Pairs well with your itinerary
Our certifications
- AEQ
- Biosphère
- 1% for the Planet
- Planetair
- Les Pages Vertes
Ready to step into the forest?
- 7400, chemin des Chutes, La Baie (G7B 3N8)
- [email protected]
- 418 697-5458