Kenauk Nature

At Kenauk Nature, a wedding happens deep in the woods beside Whitefish Lake, far from city halls and close to everything that makes the Outaouais wild.

Kenauk is one of the largest private nature reserves in North America, a conservation property reached from Montebello, roughly an hour and three quarters from Ottawa and two and a half hours from Montreal.

Ceremonies and receptions gather at the Whitefish Lake Activity Centre, a permanent log shelter with a roof and an open upper half, so guests feel the forest air while staying covered. It welcomes up to 120 people, and a tent can be added for more room.

The site comes with a kitchen for caterers, barbecues, a refrigerator, washrooms and security, plus access the day before for setup and the day after for takedown. Couples bring their own caterer and vendors, and the team shares a list of suppliers they trust.

Guests can stay on the reserve in up to 22 chalets spread across the land, along with glamping options. One chalet, Commandant, was built in 1931 from the same logs as the famous château in Montebello. Some chalets sit a short drive from the ceremony site, which keeps every cabin quiet and private.

Between celebrations, guests can fish the reserve's many lakes for trout, bass and pike. Summer and fall are the favourite seasons, when the forest is at its finest, though ceremonies can be held year round.

For couples who picture their vows framed by lake, logs and forest, with friends tucked into cabins nearby, Kenauk Nature offers a wedding that feels like a true wilderness escape.