Camping in the Laurentians: Treehouse Camping at Les Refuges Perchés
Ready-to-camp in a treehouse, on the water in Parc Éco-Laurentides, near Mont-Tremblant. Here is what a stay with us is really like, and what you can do once you are here.
What kind of camping is this, exactly?
It is ready-to-camp in a treehouse. Each of our 20 treehouses is insulated, heated with a wood stove, furnished with comfortable beds, and equipped for cooking on a propane cooktop. You pack your food, clothes, and sleeping gear, and we provide the rest. It keeps the hands-on feel of back-country camping while giving you a warm, dry place to sleep above the trees and critters.
Do I have to hike in, and how far?
Yes, all our treehouses are reached on foot only, and you bring your gear in by cart, toboggan, or canoe. From the parking and reception, it is a walk of roughly 10 to 20 minutes depending on which treehouse you choose. Lakeside East (treehouses 1 to 10) is closer and easier to reach, with the nearest about 10 minutes away. Lakeside West (treehouses 11 to 20) sits on higher ground, some perched on a cliff, about 22 minutes up from the parking. The trail has hills, so we recommend packing light.
It is a 20-30 minute hike with lots of uphill and downhills (or less time by canoe!) from the main reception building to the treehouses. They provide carts at the reception building to haul your gear and water gallons, but it is quite a trek so please pack light! Once you arrive, you are rewarded with a beautiful, deeply private space.
Can I bring my baggage in by canoe instead?
You can. Canoe paddle time is about 8 minutes to Lakeside East and about 12 minutes to Lakeside West. For Lakeside West we recommend bringing baggage in by the trail rather than the canoe, because there is a steep hill up from the dock. Many guests enjoy the paddle in as part of the adventure.
What does "off-grid" mean for my stay?
There is no electricity, no roads, no running water at the treehouses. You start your own wood stove, cook on a propane cooktop, and manage your own water and waste. We provide power battery packs for the treehouse lights, but bring your own headlamps or flashlights for walking at night. There is Wi-Fi available at our reception if you need to check in with the outside world, so being off-grid is something you choose rather than something forced on you the whole time. Our reception also has full bathrooms with showers and potable water.
Will I be warm enough in winter?
Our treehouses are insulated and heated by a wood stove, and we are open all four seasons. Guests regularly stay in late fall and deep winter. Treehouses stay warm overnight once the stove is going. We keep wood, kindling, and water available so you can keep the fire going through the night.
The treehouse was super cozy (so warm!), the equipment provided was very handy and we got detailed instructions to make the most of it. We especially appreciated being steps away from the trails from our treehouse and the gorgeous view of the lake. The access to showers after our long hike was especially lovely. A perfect late winter getaway.
What are the bathrooms like?
There are clean outhouses a short walk from each treehouse. Back at the reception building, about a 20-minute walk away, you will find modern private bathrooms and clean showers open 24/7. Many guests tell us the walk back to a hot shower after a day on the trails is one of the small pleasures of the stay.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes. Dogs are welcome in our treehouses, up to two per treehouse. We ask you to keep them on a leash on the trails. Quality ready-to-camp options that welcome dogs are not easy to find, and our four-legged guests tend to have just as good a time as everyone else.
Finding high-quality prêt-à-camper options that allow dogs is rare. Our dog honestly had the best time of all of us!
Is this a good fit for families with young kids?
Many families camp with us, including with babies and toddlers. The treehouses give you the back-country feel with a warm, enclosed space, comfortable beds, and a small selection of food, drinks, and supplies for purchase at the reception building if you forget something. Plan for the walk in with your gear, and pack light if you are carrying little ones.
It was the right balance of backcountry camping that my partner and I like with the comfort and safety we were looking for having a 7-month old and a 2-year old with us in the spring season. The treehouses are neat and there's lots of hiking and canoeing to explore.
Where does my drinking water come from?
You haul non-potable water from the lake dock for washing and cooking, and drinking water from the reception building. We provide large water containers for both. Carrying your own water is part of what makes you think about how much you use, in the spirit of sustainability.
What do I need to pack, and what is already there?
The treehouse comes furnished with beds and equipped for cooking, with cleaning supplies and brooms on hand. You bring your own food, clothing, sleeping gear (sleeping bags or bedding, as there is no linen service), and a headlamp or flashlight. Pack light because you carry it in yourself. See our packing tips.
What is there to do around the treehouses?
You are inside Parc Éco-Laurentides, with 36 km of hiking trails in the warmer months, plus canoeing and swimming from the docks. In winter, guests snowshoe and cross-country ski from the door. There is also a boardwalk trail across the water that is quiet and full of birds. Wake up, step out, and you are already on the trail.
How does check-in and late arrival work?
Check-in is at the reception building, where our bilingual team helps you get oriented and loaded up for the walk in. We have a self-check-in system for late arrivals, so you can still reach your treehouse if you get in after hours. Reach us at info@refugesperches.com or (819) 681-4994 if you have questions before you come.
How do I reserve a treehouse?
You can reserve directly on our website. Our calendar fills up, especially for weekends and peak seasons, so we recommend reserving in advance to get the dates and the treehouse you want. Spaces are limited.
