The lake is named after Simon Kanawato, a Cree man baptized at Oka in 1808, who settled with his family on Île du Canard Blanc around 1820. The first farmers and loggers came in 1852, log drives fed the sawmills in Hull, and the township of Hartwell became Lac-Simon in 1965. That history is back at town hall too: the municipality scheduled October 3, 2026 to name its council chamber Salle Louise-Simon Minawasikekwé.
Today Lac-Simon lives on cottage life. Campgrounds, chalets, B&Bs, a free municipal beach and a paid boat launch in summer. In winter, 16 km of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails, a lit skating trail in the woods and a winter beach party. The municipal business list is full of campgrounds, but also excavators, welders, cabinetmakers and firewood sellers. Both economies run side by side.
What makes Lac-Simon
White Duck Island
Île du Canard Blanc runs three kilometres down the middle of the lake. It once had its own inn, the Canard Blanc, linked to writer Robert Choquette.
Lac des Étoiles
A small lake on the island said to have been formed by a meteorite. From the air, people said you could see the outline of a star. You reach it by boat through a creek on the east side.
Rocher Manitou
On the west shore, a sacred Algonquin site with rock art, the most important in Petite-Nation.
Belvédère Denis-Papin
Above Baie Creuse, near 2000 chemin du Tour-du-Lac. Opened in 2011, with a view over the whole lake.
Petite Nation River falls
The river runs through the municipality with the Pontbrin and Lockbow falls.
A few local businesses in Lac-Simon
- Domaine Lockbøw · Cabins and rustic camping · Route 315
Sixty acres of forest on the Petite Nation River, with Lockbow Falls right on the property. - Camping La Pinède · Campground · rue de la Pinède
Tall pines, a fine-sand beach, trails and even a mini farm for the kids. - Manoir du Lac-Simon · Large rental property · chemin du Tour-du-Lac
Six units on the lake with a heated indoor pool and a hot tub, open year-round. - Camping Domaine Canard Blanc · Campground · chemin du Tour-du-Lac
Forty-five lakeside sites, open May to September, pets welcome. - Chalets aux Crocollines · Cottage rentals · chemin Marsolais
Six cottages named after birds, with 150 feet of private beach on Lac Simon. - Mario Harisson, ébéniste · Cabinetmaker · chemin de la Baie-de-l’Ours
A cabinetmaker listed in the municipality’s 2026 business directory. - Excavation V.L inc. · Excavation · chemin du Tour-du-Lac
An excavation contractor on the Tour-du-Lac, listed in the municipal directory.
Getting found in Lac-Simon
Lac Simon gets booked months ahead, and a lot of that happens in English from Ottawa. People type “Lac Simon cottage rental”, “beach camping Outaouais”, “cabin waterfall Quebec”. Most places to stay here depend on Airbnb, Vrbo or camping platforms, which all take their cut. Contractors often have nothing more than a phone number in the municipal directory. We’d do two things: a solid Google profile for each business, and a bilingual site that lets people book direct or ask for a quote without going in circles. We’re in Montpellier, right next door.
Lac-Simon has a population of 1,173 (2026), according to the Quebec government's population order.
Petite Nation Numérique is not affiliated with the municipality or the MRC; this information comes from public sources.
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DetailsFrequently asked questions
My campground is full all summer. Why should I care about my website?
To fill spring and fall, and to sell your seasonal sites. A clear page with rates, rules and a site map also saves you from answering the same ten questions on the phone.
I’m a contractor and I’m already in the municipal directory. Isn’t that enough?
It’s a start, but cottage owners don’t read the directory. They search Google. A profile with your service area, photos of your work and a few reviews puts you in front of them.
Do you come to Lac-Simon?
Yes. We are based in Montpellier and meet clients in person anywhere in the MRC de Papineau, including Lac-Simon. We can also work entirely online.
My business is small. Is an online presence worth the investment?
Yes, particularly in a rural region. A complete Google profile and a simple site are often enough to stand out from competitors who aren't online. We start with what pays off most for your budget.