For your first glamping trip, the packing list is short: food and a cooler, layers of clothing, sturdy shoes, a headlamp, and your swimsuit. Almost everything else is already there. Here’s the list that’s been tried and tested by hundreds of guests at Station Chêne Rouge in North Hatley.
The beginner’s mistake: bringing too many things that are already there, and forgetting the three things you really need. If you’re still unsure about the concept itself, start with our article on glamping in Quebec: what it is and who it’s for.
Items already provided (do not bring them)
Here: a bed, heat, firewood with fire starters, a butane stove, basic dishes, drinking water, coffee at the clubhouse, BBQs, and hot showers. Check to see what’s provided at any site you book—half of what you’d normally pack for camping becomes unnecessary.
Essential Items to Bring
- Your food and a cooler—that’s the golden rule of ready-to-camp. Bags of ice are available for purchase on site.
- Layered clothing for the forest: Even in summer, evenings can get chilly, so it never hurts to have an extra layer for warmth.
- Good shoes: The site is for pedestrians only—the trails are waiting for you.
- Headlamp or flashlight for evening trips.
- Swimsuit and pool towel; the pool is heated with saltwater.
- Your own bedding or rental: Depending on your package, bedding is either included, must be brought, or is available for rent on-site.
- Your ground coffee, if your unit has an Italian-style or French press coffee maker.
The Three Classic Oversights
Marshmallows (and skewers): a private campfire without marshmallows is only half a campfire. A portable charger: even if the clubhouse has charging stations, it’s reassuring to have backup power. Your dog’s pillow if your furry friend is coming along: the familiar scent of home helps them settle in right away. On that last point, our guide to glamping vacations with your dog covers everything.
What to Leave at Home
Firewood: You’re not allowed to bring your own—to protect the forest—but it’s provided. Loud speakers: Quiet hours begin at 9 p.m.; the forest provides its own soundtrack. And the packed schedule: The best part of glamping is doing nothing—at all. At Station Chêne Rouge in North Hatley, 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montreal, it’s even the highest-rated activity: 4.9 out of 5 based on more than 1,200 reviews.
Yes, at most campsites, that's how it works: bring your own cooler, your own meals, and set your own pace. Cook on a camp stove, a BBQ, or over a campfire.
Depends on the location and the package. At Station Chêne Rouge: included in the packages; otherwise, available for rent as a complete set (sheets, comforter, pillows, towels).
No. Like most reputable sites, we don't allow it to protect the forest from invasive insects. Firewood is provided on site.
The layering system: T-shirt, warm sweater, waterproof shell, and a hat for the evenings. The stove does the rest.
