What we’re about
Wilderness Union makes it easy to get into the wild and find your outdoor crew. We plan regular, unique trips with great people each weekend, and arrange the transport along with all the gear you'll need. All you need do is show up.
We plan wilderness adventures to show you more of Ontario than you thought possible, and feel reset after the weekend. All of our trips are professionally guided and we do a huge variety of activities with regular hikes, camping, paddling, skiing, snowboarding and other special adventures.
We're obsessed with creating the most unique, professionally run, wilderness experiences that you'll find. Many of our trips are unique to Wilderness Union and you'll often visit places with nobody else around. It's just us and nature.
Join us to explore more of the incredible wilderness around our city, find your people and live your weekends to their fullest.
Our community
Our community of members is the heart of Wilderness Union and we carefully manage new applications to the group so you can feel confident that you'll be safe and surrounded by people you'll enjoy exploring with.
Members get access to all of our adventures, discounted pricing and other benefits including:
- Regular socials
- Discounts at outdoor retailers like MEC, Teva, Algonquin Outfitters and more
- Free, member led clubs like Run, Climb, Bike and Book Club
We'd love to have you join! Learn more here.
Most of our members are between the ages of 18-40 and live in the GTA.
Public Adventures
We offer a selection of Public adventures that are also open to non-members. Filter by adventure type on our website to find what's right for you.
Wondering why the RSVP count for events is low?
Members sign up for trips at www.wildernessunion.com - we just use Meetup to alert everybody to new adventures. We limit attendance to 18 people for our adventures and many more at our socials!
Want to figure out if Wilderness Union is right for you?
We host a regular new member intro session as an opportunity to learn more about the community, meet other members and get prepared for upcoming adventures. New members have a one month free trial and $25 in trip credit so you can try us out, risk free!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Manitoulin MagicKeele Station, Toronto, ON
This trip proved to be one of the most popular we've ever organized, selling out in just 2 minutes so we're giving you another chance to see what makes Manitoulin so special.
Manitoulin Island is literally the biggest island located in a freshwater lake anywhere in the world, with lakes within it containing more islands. The kind of geography messes with your head in a fun way.Crystal clear waters, ancient limestone formations, breathtaking viewpoints and night skies that seem to engulf you completely... all in a location that is so quiet, it feels undiscovered. Ending with a spectacular cruise across Georgian bay, this will be an unforgettable long weekend.
Wilderness that will leave you speechless
This carefully crafted 3-day journey takes you through some of Manitoulin's greatest treasures. You'll camp in a certified Dark Sky Preserve where stars blanket the night sky, conquer the legendary Cup and Saucer Trail with its 70-meter cliffs and panoramic vistas, stand behind the misty curtain of Bridal Veil Falls, and cruise across Georgian Bay on the iconic Chi-Cheemaun Ferry. It's a perfect balance of adventure and relaxation, allowing you to truly disconnect and immerse yourself in Manitoulin life.Experience natural wonders
There are surprisingly few organized trips to this magnificent place, despite its incredible natural offerings. We're thrilled to offer Wilderness Union members this unique island escape at an unbeatable price – just another benefit of your membership!Adventure details
Our journey begins in Toronto, traveling through the Canadian Shield to reach Manitoulin Island. Our base for the trip is an eco reserve, where pristine wilderness surrounds us.Each evening transforms into a stargazing paradise as we take full advantage of our Dark Sky Preserve location. Far from city lights, the night sky reveals itself in spectacular fashion – presenting stars, planets and constellations with remarkable clarity that simply cannot be experienced in urban environments.
Day two brings our most active adventures, hiking the famous Cup and Saucer Trail with its breathtaking lookouts across the island's rolling landscapes, followed by the gorgeous Bridal Veil Falls where you can actually walk behind the cascading water. There's plenty of time built in for swimming, exploring, or simply relaxing at our campsite.
Our final day features the perfect conclusion – crossing Georgian Bay aboard the legendary Chi-Cheemaun Ferry ("Big Canoe" in Ojibwe) from South Baymouth to Tobermory. This two-hour cruise across deep blue waters offers spectacular views on the way to the beautiful town of Tobermory where we stop for lunch and a quick explore before returning to Toronto later that evening.
What's Included
This trip includes all of the following:- Campsite fees at Manitoulin Eco Park
- Expert guidance throughout the entire journey
- Transportation from Toronto and back
- All group meals from Saturday dinner through Monday lunch
- An unforgettable island experience
- Comfortable shared tents
Meals
We'll provide vegan/vegetarian and meat options for all group meals, catering to various dietary preferences while maintaining delicious camp cuisine.
Sample menu
Breakfast – Hearty oatmeal with fresh berries, maple syrup, and granola
Lunch – Build-your-own wraps with hummus, vegetables, cheese, and protein options
Dinner – Fire-roasted vegetable and chicken skewers with seasoned riceItinerary
Friday, August 8th - Day 1
06:00 – Depart from Keele Station, Toronto
Afternoon - Arrive at camp, set up
Evening – Dinner and stargazing in the Dark Sky Preserve
Saturday, August 9th - Day 2
Hike Cup and Saucer Trail, visit bridal veil falls
Sunday, August 10th - Day 3
Break camp, take Chi Cheemaun to Tobermory, Lunch in town, head home.Please note that you will first need to become a member at www.wildernessunion.com and complete registration there for this activity. We offer a one month risk-free trial and $25 trip credit to new members to figure out if the group is right for you.
About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community of people like you who will become your new friend group. Members range from 20-40 years old and are a mix of people who've grown up here but their friends are in a different place, newcomers to Canada, and folks from out West who want that lifestyle in Toronto
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! - Weekly New Member Intro and Upcoming Trip InfoLink visible for attendees
Join us for a Zoom and learn more about Wilderness Union. In this short info session you'll have the chance to:
- Meet other members
- Learn about the huge variety of activities we offer
- Find out about our upcoming adventures and socials
It's a great opportunity to get a feel for the group and understand why WU is much more than a meetup!
Register for this session below or at this link. - Mono Cliffs Carriage TrailKeele Station, Toronto, ON
Join us for a summer adventure!
Mono Cliffs Provincial Park is a stunning section of the Niagara Escarpment, just over an hour from the city. Known for its dramatic 30-meter-high cliffs and panoramic views, the park is a geological gem shaped by ancient glaciers and filled with rich biodiversity. You'll find hardwood forests, peaceful ponds, fern-lined crevice trails, and unique plant life that thrives in the park’s cool, shaded valleys.This is a moderately challenging 11 km hike with one short, steep section that offers big rewards at the top. We’ll hike across open fields, through quiet forest, and along cliff edges that reveal incredible views of the surrounding countryside. Our final destination is Jacob’s Ladder, a wooden staircase that winds through a narrow rock corridor and offers an unforgettable finish to the climb.
Itinerary
8:00: Bus leaves from close to Keele Station
9:30: Meet self-drivers at parking lot
9:30 - 15:30: Hike, stopping for lunch en route
15:30: Return to Toronto
17:00: Anticipated return to Keele subway stationThis adventure is open to non-members - you will need to register here.
About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community of people like you who will become your new friend group. Members range from 20-40 years old and are a mix of people who've grown up here but their friends are in a different place, newcomers to Canada, and folks from out West who want that lifestyle in TorontoAttendance 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!
Questions, come to our next info session!
- Algonquin Park Centennial TrailKeele Station, Toronto, ON
Join us for a summer adventure on one of Algonquin Park’s most iconic trails!
Centennial Ridges is a 10.4 km loop that winds through rugged forest, over rocky ridgelines, and up to some of the most breathtaking views in the entire park. With plenty of elevation gain and technical footing in places, it’s a moderately challenging hike that rewards every step with sweeping panoramas, serene lakes, and classic Canadian Shield terrain.
Summer in Algonquin is magic: long days, sun-dappled forests, and the hum of life all around. The trail offers a great mix of shaded woodland, open ridges, and exposed rock, perfect for a breezy picnic with a view. Wildlife is still active, so we’ll keep our eyes peeled for moose in the lowlands, loons and osprey circling above the lakes, and the occasional beaver dam.
We'll head into the park along the scenic Highway 60 corridor, a stunning drive that gives you a glimpse of just how vast and wild Algonquin really is. Often called the jewel in the Ontario Parks crown, this place is the size of a small country, and every trip here feels like tapping into something timeless. Whether you’re looking to break in your boots or just soak in the views, this hike is not to be missed.The cost of this trip includes your entrance into the park.
Itinerary
07:00 - Leave from close to Keele Station
10:00 - 11:00 - Check in at park, look out for wildlife along Highway 60
11:00 - 16:30 - Hike the Centennial Ridges Trail
20:00 - Anticipated return to Keele StationThis adventure is open to non-members - you will need to register here.
About Wilderness Union
Wilderness Union is deliberate about building an outdoors community of people like you who will become your new friend group. Members range from 20-40 years old and are a mix of people who've grown up here but their friends are in a different place, newcomers to Canada, and folks from out West who want that lifestyle in TorontoAttendance 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!
Want to learn more? Come to our next info session!
