About us
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
12
Victoria Day Long Weekend Camping at Bruce Peninsula
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
Join us for the first camping trip of the season as we head to the turquoise waters and towering cliffs of the famed Bruce Peninsula!
We are kicking off the year with a beginner-friendly weekend at one of Ontario’s most legendary landscapes: The Bruce is famous for its shimmering, crystal-clear pools and rugged limestone shores.
Securing a spot here can be tough, but luckily we have handled all the logistics, so you can focus on mastering your camp skills, soaking in the fresh spring air and maybe even going for a cheeky swim.
Our home for the night is a cozy site at Cyprus Lake, tucked within the National Park. Whether you want to learn to build the perfect campfire or simply chill in a hammock under a canopy of pines, this trip is designed for relaxation and discovery. When the sun goes down, we will gather for a communal dinner under skies that offer some of the best stargazing in the province.
What's included
- Professional & certified guides
- All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits
- Tents
Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. Please note that due to the trip’s itinerary and extremely limited parking options on the Bruce Peninsula during long weekends, you’ll need to ride with Wilderness Union for this adventure. Please note that the cost of transport is included in the price.
Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first time in a tent, this adventure has something for everyone.
Highlights
Grotto Exploration - Visit the famous sea caves that feel more like the Mediterranean than Ontario
Dark Sky Stargazing - Our campsite sits in a Dark Sky Preserve, offering a window into the cosmos in dazzling, untouched clarity.
Learn Camp Skills- Our guides will show you how to set up a tent, build a roaring fire and any other skills you want to learn so you can feel totally prepared for the season ahead.Event cost: $420+HST
Register here.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
3 attendees
Locating Limberlost - A Wilderness Hike
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
Please note that this adventure was originally planned for April 4th, but was rescheduled due to severe weather.
Join us for this 10km trek through the quiet, stunning wilderness of Muskoka.
We'll be exploring the edge of Algonquin Provincial Park in a little-known spot with pristine lakes, budding forests, and incredible rocky landscapes.
As we hike along the trail and trace the edge of a crystal-clear lake, you can expect:
- Dense, old-growth forests where towering trees create a dramatic canopy overhead
- Ancient granite cliffs rising up from the shoreline, carved by glaciers over millions of years.
- Possible glimpses of wildlife like deer, beavers, and all sorts of birds that call this place home.
One of the coolest parts of the hike is getting to see the raw beauty of the Canadian Shield up close. We'll stop at several lookout points where you can take in the incredible panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.
There's a mix of terrain, including boardwalks, rocky sections, and well-maintained paths, which is suitable for any moderately fit hiker.
Highlights
Stunning Views - Enjoy wild views of the iconic Canadian Shield at the many lookout points along this hike
Floating Boardwalk - Stroll across a beautiful floating boardwalk along the lake’s edge
Sprawling Forest Reserve - With over 10,000 acres and 70+ trails, this hidden gem has so much to offerEvent cost: $60+HST (for explorer members) - $50 optional transport available.
Register here.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
5 attendees
Canoe Foundations Clinic
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
Join us for this essential course as we break down the foundations of wilderness canoeing!
We are heading north to help you build up the necessary skills for your summer adventures. This isn't a rigid certification course but a practical, hands-on clinic led by our two master paddler guides, Rory & Zac. They will share their breadth of knowledge gathered over many years of paddling to help you feel confident and prepared on the water.
In this course you will learn:
- Fundamentals of canoeing safely and effectively
- Bowing & sterning
- Paddle strokes & techniques (including the J stroke!)
- Capsizing & righting a canoe
Who is this course for?: It is a day designed for anyone who wants to stop fighting the wind and start gliding through the wilderness with ease.
If you have never held a paddle before and want to start with the right habits, then this clinic is for you. If you have some experience but want to refine your technical skills for longer trips, then our guides can help you dial in your form. We provide the canoes, paddles, and safety gear so you can just focus on the rhythm of the water.
Interested in joining this year’s Epics? Completing this and other relevant courses will support your approval process for advanced adventures.
Included: Rentals for the canoes, paddles & life preservers.
Who It’s For: Beginner and intermediate paddlers who want to develop and hone their skills, as well as practice real-world simulations of emergency situations.
Highlights
Outdoors Skills Training: Develop essential skills to survive and thrive in the wild.
Expert Instructors: Our amazing expert guides will teach you everything you need to know in a safe and fun way.
Backcountry Readiness: These skills are the building blocks for every major wilderness expedition we run. Mastering these basics ensures you are ready to tackle vast, untouched lakes and winding rivers on your next big trip.Event cost: $95+HST - $50 optional transport available.
Register here.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
2 attendees
Algonquin Park Group Camping
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note the only way to register for this adventure is on our website.
Join us as we head back into the massive, untouched wilderness of Algonquin Park for our second camping adventure of the year!
We are returning to the legendary home of Ontario nature to soak in the early season vibes. Algonquin is famous for its tall trees and stunning scenery. This trip is an easy introduction to the wild, making it perfect for those who want to get comfortable in the woods, while still having the convenience of a frontcountry site.
Our base for the weekend is a site on the edge of Whitefish Lake, where we will have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the fresh forest air. You can hike, learn to master a campfire or simply relax by the water as the sun dips below the tree line. When night falls, we will share a communal meal under some of the clearest, most magic star-filled skies you have ever seen.
On day 2 of this adventure, we’ll take the morning to learn canoe fundamentals from our guides. Once we complete the lesson, you can either hang out at camp and relax on the beach or paddle to one of two stunning hikes near the camp.
We have handled all the logistics and gear so you can focus on making new friends and soaking in the peace of the woods. If you are looking to build your confidence for more rugged trips later in the summer, this is the perfect place to start.
What's included
- Professional & certified guides
- All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits
- Tents
- Canoe rental
Whether you are a seasoned camper or it is your first time in a tent, this adventure has something for everyone.
Highlights
Learn Camp Skills - Our guides will show you how to set up a tent, build a roaring fire and any other skills you want to learn so you can feel totally prepared for the season ahead.
Stargazing - Free of light pollution, the stargazing at Algonquin is otherworldly.
Canoeing on Whitefish Lake - Paddle through amazing scenery with our expert guides.Event cost: $350+HST - optional transport available.
Register here.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
2 attendees
Past events
370
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