Car Camping Toronto

Bruce Peninsula Camping Adventure

Kid Friendly Canoe trip to Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park

This is a two-night trip. We will car-camp the first night, and paddle into the interior for the second night. There are 1 medium length portage. This will be a mix of kids (9-12 yrs old) and adults. I have a 3-4 spots available only. Camp sites and canoes will be reserved. Food will be provided and carpooling arranged. You do not need to bring any food. We will be asking for a $30 deposit via paypal or bank email transfer to keep your spot since I need to reserve the sites and canoes ahead of time. I will send out a note with further information to those who sign up. See paypal and bank email transfer info under "COSTS" below. RSVP REQUIREMENTS RSVP "Going" if you are sure you can attend, are able to meet the difficulty requirement, bring what is needed and have reviewed the costs associated with this event. EVENT DETAILS Difficulty: Easy to Moderate - You are able to paddle 3-4 hours per day and are reasonably fit. Length: Friday night to Sunday night Cars should leave around 5 Friday night. Leaving Saturday morning is not possible. What to Bring: Hat, Personal water bottle, 2 or 3 dry bags or garbage bags (to use for your clothes & sleeping bag) Put the garbage bag inside to line you backpack. Put another one inside your sleeping bag case to line that. Waterproof Coat. List of Clothing : Hat, swimsuit, sweaters or sweatshirts (it will get chilly in the evenings), jeans or long pants, 1 towel, 2 pairs shoes - 1 for dry hiking and 1 for wet stuff. Wet shoes need to be secure, flip flops and loose sandals may get stuck in the mud. bowl, cup, spoon, fork, sun glasses, flashlight or strong headlamp, Toiletries: Toilet paper, sunscreen, bug spray. When you pack your stuff, make sure you leave room to carry food and cooking gear: we may split some that evenly among the backpacks. If you can pack everything in one pack, portaging will be much easier! Other camping items: Backpack, Sleeping bag (suitable for cold weather), sleeping pad or mattress GETTING THERE Drivers will be notified by the organizer where to meet and pick up passengers. Drivers will be sent complete directions as to where, when and who to meet and directions to Barrie and the Park. Please sign up for the carpool here: COSTS Other: $30 deposit to remain on going list. Total cost between $180 and $220. This cost includes all gas, camp fees, food and canoe rentals. The balance is payable at the end of the trip when we calculate the costs owed by each member. HOW TO PAY: contact Pedro for paypal account and e-mail address INTRODUCTION TO CANOEING Please review the following safety videos: (You don't need to kneel, sitting is fine for this type of trip. The other safety tips are good) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrjXT9bAB6c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrjXT9bAB6c) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTtFSpelQk4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTtFSpelQk4) [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zHSfEhEqkU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zHSfEhEqkU) Please ALWAYS check your email or the event post in the evening or in the morning prior to the event for cancellation, rescheduling or last minute changes. Please Note: You are required to respond to Meetup messages in a timely manner. The messages may be on the comment board below, private message, or through the email address you have registered with [Meetup.com.](http://Meetup.com.)

Bruce Peninsula Camping Adventure

Survivalist Series: Introduction to Camp Skills

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-camp-skills)** Think you're ready to get into the wild? Start here. In this intro session, you will practice the core skills every outdoor adventurer needs. You'll learn how to read and select a campsite, pitch a tarp in any conditions, tie the knots that actually matter, hang your food to stay bear-safe, and use your tools with confidence. Learn hands-on fundamentals built for real wilderness. Whether you're brand new to camping or filling gaps in your skillset, the Survivalist Series gives you the foundation to go further more safely. **Who It's For:** Anyone who wants to further develop their camping fundamentals. No prior camping experience required. For those with some background, this is a great change to fill in gaps and build greater confidence. **About this series:** The Survivalist Series is an expert-led set of courses designed to develop applicable and life-saving skills in the outdoors. Keep your eyes peeled for more courses on many other topics as they become available **Highlights** **Expert Instruction:** Our amazing expert guide will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and approachable way. **Hone your Skills**: Get hands on experience Pitching a tent, tying knots, using tools, and protecting your food for your next backcountry adventure. **Confidence Built from Scratch**: Use practical skills and knowledge to demonstrate your new abilities. Ask questions, get experience, and practice with friends. **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members) - $50 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/intro-camp-skills)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Come to BC With Us!

Holiday Time! I'm away for a week. Keep an eye on the schedule for our sunday hikes!

Hike & Swim the Grotto at Bruce Peninsula National Park

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-swim-grotto)** We're doing a day trip to one of the most spectacular locations in Ontario: the Bruce Peninsula National Park. This area is full of unique, dramatic landscapes with stark cliffs and views over the enormous Georgian Bay. We'll be tackling a moderately difficult 8.5km hike through some of the most incredible summer scenery in Ontario. We're starting the day off by visiting the Grotto, perhaps the most famous natural spot in the province. We'll hike through the forest then along the beach, ending up at the incredible rock formations and crystal clear waters of the Grotto. Here we'll stop for lunch, taking in the incredible views and turquoise water before hiking on to the backcountry Stormhaven Campsite. On the way we'll cross pebble beaches, forest trails and unreal views of Lake Huron before coming back the way we came. **Please note that self drivers will need to purchase a permit for parking.** **Highlights** **Visit the Grotto:** Explore Ontario’s most famous natural landmark, where striking limestone cliffs meet crystal-clear turquoise waters. **Hike Pebble Beaches:** Walk across rugged shoreline beaches and forested trails that lead to the remote Stormhaven backcountry campsite. **Views of Georgian Bay:** Take in sweeping panoramas of cliffs and open water, with autumn colours adding even more drama to the landscape. **Event cost: $70+HST (for explorer members) - $70 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/hike-swim-grotto)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Canoe & Hike the Best of Algonquin

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/canoe-hike-algonquin-26)** **We’ll be headed to Rock Lake in Algonquin Park for an adventure that will allow you to take in the stunning scenery from two perspectives: a floating canoe on the lake’s serene waters and atop an amazing rocky lookout point.** We’ll start with a quick canoe lesson onshore and then launch our boats into the lake and set off. We’ll cruise through crystal clear waters and follow the shoreline beneath dramatic granite cliffs. Keep your eyes on the western shore: if we’re lucky, we’ll be able to see ancient pictographs that are etched into the rock face near the southern end, which are amongst the oldest recorded evidence of Indigenous presence on these shores. Loons are also common out here, and moose have a habit of appearing at the marshy edges when you least expect them. We’ll eventually arrive at the Booth's Rock trailhead, where the trail climbs steadily through mixed boreal forest before breaking out onto an exposed granite ridgeline with views over Rock Lake, Whitefish Lake, and a sweep of unbroken Algonquin forest. The descent follows a long wooden staircase back into the trees, then traces the old Booth railway grade along the water's edge until we return to the trailhead. Plan for a full day of amazing nature. This is Algonquin at its best! **Highlights** **Rock Lake Cliffs:** The eastern shore drops its dramatic granite faces plunge straight into the water, creating a dramatic landscape.. Paddling beneath them puts the scale of these structures in perspective. **Sandy Beaches:** Discover lakeside sandy beaches contrasting the granite cliffs. **Booth's Rock Lookout:** Views over Rock and Whitefish lakes and hundreds of square kilometres of Algonquin forest. **Event cost: $100+HST (for explorer members) - $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/canoe-hike-algonquin-26)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Wilder Series: Secret Wilderness Hike & Swim

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/ragged-rapids)** ***The Wilder Series is back! Are you up to the challenge?!*** We're heading deep into Ontario's Canadian Shield for a day on one of the province's most rugged backcountry routes. Tucked inside a little-known nature location, this trail trades manicured paths for raw granite, beaver dams, and dense forest that test both legs and navigation skills in equal measure. While only 15km, this trek and it's technical terrain are no joke. However, the payoff is incredible: raging rapids, amazing views and an incredible wilderness swim that you won't soon forget! **Secret Location** This is one of Wilderness Union's secret hikes. We visit spots that are undiscovered by the wider world, keep them pristine, and share them only among members. The location is revealed to registered members in the days before the trip. ***Please note that attendees will need a high fitness level to successfully complete this adventure. This will be a serious challenge!*** **Highlights** **True Wilderness:** Experience the Canadian shield in all of its glory! Unmanicured, untamed and unbelievably beautiful. **Beaver Dams:** Cross quiet backcountry ponds and streams along the way. **Powerful Rapids**: The Black River churns through a gorge with 20–30m cliffs. **Event cost: $60+HST (for explorer members) - $50 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/ragged-rapids)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

The High Route of the Lost, and the Tour of the Vignemale

Beautiful Awenda Park - hike, lay on the beach, swim - repeat

Awenda Park is one of the best provincial parks. it has beautiful beaches on Georgian Bay and great hiking trails. It is close to great attractions like the Wye Marsh and Sainte Marie Among the Hurons. **Important Reminder:** By participating in this hike, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to the Liability Waiver and Acknowledgement of Risk. If you have not done so, we kindly request that you refrain from participating in this event. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to an enjoyable and safe adventure! • Dress for the weather! Prepare for the weather and wear suitable gear for the trail • Arrive on time! Please be punctual, as the group will leave on time. • Know your limits! Choose the hike that match your fitness level. This is an intermediate hike. We will meet in the parking lot at 8:30 am. https://maps.app.goo.gl/x1Dn9SPXNs1J9FAb6 We'll go to Beach to # 3 and enjoy the beach and the amazing water and then after lunch go on a hike. Pack a lunch and snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and a lot of water. There is a park entrance fee/car. You may consider carpooling. If you get lost, call my cell 647 949 6912.

Epic #4 - Western Uplands Backpacking Trail

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-4)** ***Welcome to The Epics!*** ***Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.*** **Background** The Western Uplands Backpacking Trail is widely considered the premier hiking challenge in Algonquin Provincial Park. While the area is now a recovering hardwood forest, these paths once served the industrial logging operations that preceded the park's establishment. Today, the trail is famous for its solitude and wildlife; you’re likely to meet grouse that aggressively defend their territory and see constant signs of the moose population that calls the area home. **What You Need to Know** We’re hiking the northern most loop of the trail, entering at the beautiful Rain Lake access point. We’ll have 45km of hiking ahead of us, a significant challenge when you’re carrying all of your gear on your back. This access point feels like finding a secret back door to the park's most remote reaches, starting with a gentle stretch along an old logging railway bed. It starts as a flat, historic stroll that lets us find our rhythm before the real work begins as we climb into the rugged heart of Algonquin. We'll trade the flat path for a steady rhythm of roots and ridges, pushing into the lush hardwood forests that define the park's western highlands. The rewards come in the form of solitude, like the deep, clear waters of Islet Lake - the perfect mid hike swimming spot. Day 2, we push on for a massive 18km day, making our way to Brown Lake. It's a world of total silence and dark skies where the only sounds are the wind in the hemlocks and our own footsteps on the trail. This is a tough, honest trek through a landscape carved by ancient glaciers, offering a sense of pure wilderness that few others ever get to see. We can guarantee that this trail will test you. Because there is no bailout option mid-route, we move as a tight crew, supporting each other through every climb. For those willing to put in the work and find out what they are made of, the Western Uplands offers some of the most raw and rewarding backpacking in the province. **What's Included:** * *2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training* * *All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits* * *All safety equipment (including first aid kits and water purification)* * *Tents and all the camping equipment you'll need (sleeping bags and pads are available for rent)* * *All permits and campsite bookings for the whole trip* * *A preparatory information session* * *Detailed trip plan with packing lists, maps and the indigenous history of the route we're following* * *Extensive planning to ensure your safety throughout the adventure* * *A custom, iron-on patch to immortalize your unforgettable adventure* ***Epics are mentally and physically demanding adventures, and participation isn’t automatically guaranteed. These expeditions require skill, determination and teamwork to get through.*** ***To help ensure a safe and rewarding experience for all, anyone who has not previously completed an Epic will need to fill out a short questionnaire so we can assess readiness together.*** ***Your level of fitness and outdoors experience will play a role in this process. Having certain adventures under your belt will ensure you have the right skills and preparation for these kinds of experiences. These include:*** * ***Any Wilder Series adventure, including the upcoming Wilder Loop*** * ***Any Survivalist Series adventure, including Introduction to Navigation or Cold Exposure*** * ***Canoe Foundations Clinic*** * ***Hilton Falls Mega*** * ***Any other adventure with 4 or 5 star difficulty*** ***If you register for an Epic and are not approved, you will receive a refund in full.*** **Highlights** **An Epic Challenge -** Our shortest epic packs a serious punch. Conquering this 45km loop with packs on our backs will be an incredibly rewarding challenge. **Moose Spotting** \- There are a huge number of moose in this part of the park and there’s a good chance we’ll come across them during our journey\. **Uninterrupted Wilderness -** Deep in the woods, with no roads or cell service, this adventure gives you the ultimate opportunity for nature immersion **Event cost: $635+HST. $50 optional transport also available. Please register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-4)** **About Wilderness Union** Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community that connects you to the life-changing magic of the outdoors and helps you find your people. Members range from 20-40 years old. The group is a mix of GTA locals and newcomers to Toronto from within Canada and abroad. Attendance numbers on Meetup don't reflect our actual event attendance - we typically have 15-20 community members at each event. Large enough that there's someone new to meet but small enough that it's not overwhelming! ***Learn more at our website [www.wildernessunion.com](https://www.wildernessunion.com/)***

Hiking Wilket Creek Trail/Sunnybrook Park Trail