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
3
Fall Colours at Bruce Peninsula
Location not specified yetPlease note we simply list our events on Meetup - the only way to register for an adventures is on our website so we keep RSVPs closed here.
We're doing a day trip to some of the most spectacular locations in Ontario as we visit the Bruce Peninsula. The area is full of unique, dramatic landscapes with stark cliffs and views over the enormous Georgian Bay.
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 changing leaves 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.
Transport cost is included in this adventure along with all necessary permits.
Itinerary
07:00 - Leave Keele Station
11:30 - Arrive at Park
11:30-16:30 - Hike to Stormhaven campsite and back, stopping for lunch at the Grotto
20:30 - Anticipated return to TorontoEvent cost
Wilderness Union members: $60+HST
Non members: $75+HST
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 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!
Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com1 attendee
Fall Birdwatching
Tommy Thompson Park, 1 Leslie Street, Toronto, ON, CAPlease note we simply list our events on Meetup - the only way to register for an adventure is on our website so we keep RSVPs closed here.
Join us alongside inspirational birdwatching guide Pedro Hernandez from Outdoor Commute for an Introduction to Birdwatching Workshop at Toronto’s unique urban wilderness, Tommy Thompson Park (The Leslie Spit).
This slow-paced walk is designed for beginners and anyone curious about the birds that share our city. Together, we’ll learn how to identify both local and migratory species, practice using binoculars, and explore field guides and apps, all while deepening our appreciation for the natural world around us.What we might see
October is peak fall migration season, and Tommy Thompson Park is one of the best birding spots right in the city. Depending on conditions, we might encounter warblers, sparrows, thrushes, and waterfowl such as northern shovelers and gadwalls, along with year-round residents like red-tailed hawks, black-capped chickadees, and northern cardinals.## Highlights
Fall Migration
Experience birding at one of the best times of year, connecting with both local and travelling species before many move south for the winter.
Binoculars Included
Every participant will get to use a pair of high quality NOCS binoculars.
Professional Birder
Learn from Pedro Hernandez, founder of the popular Instragram account Outdoor CommuteItinerary
8:30-09:00: Welcome and introductions
09:00-12:00: Easy hike in Tommy Thompson and learn from a professional birderEvent cost
Wilderness Union members: $30+HST
Non Members: $40+HST
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 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!
Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com2 attendees
Western Uplands Backcountry Escape
Toronto, ON, CAPlease note we simply list our events on Meetup - the only way to register for an adventure is on our website so we keep RSVPs closed here.
Members kept asking for one more camping trip, and we’re delivering. This time, we’re heading into Algonquin’s backcountry for a quick overnight hike to Islet Lake — a stunning section of the Western Uplands Backpacking Trail that’s perfect for a weekend escape.
This isn’t your ordinary camping trip. You’ll hike 10 km through classic Algonquin terrain - pine forests, rocky ridges, and quiet lakeshores - before reaching a remote campsite on the edge of Islet Lake. It’s a real backcountry experience: no modern conveniences, no cell service, just the sounds of loons, wind, and water.
## What to Expect
Expect a challenging but rewarding hike with full packs, clear water for swimming, and a beautiful place to unwind for the night. We’ll set up camp, cook dinner over the fire, fall alseep to the sounds of howling wolves and with a bit of luck, see the Milky Way reflected on the lake.
On Sunday, we’ll pack up and hike out, finishing the weekend with tired legs, clear minds, and that deep sense of reset that only Algonquin can offer.
What's included
This trip is professionally guided and includes all camp meals and cooking equipment, along with tents. We have cheap equipment rental for those who need a sleeping bag and sleeping pad.Before the trip we'll be sharing a detailed packing list telling you absolutely everything you need to think about and pack so you can turn up feeling totally prepared, ready to have an amazing time with the WU crew.
Meals
We'll have vegan/veg and meat options for each meal
Saturday Lunch - BYO packed lunch
Saturday Dinner - Hot dinner around the campfire
Sunday Breakfast - Hot Breakfast and coffee/tea
Sunday Lunch - Wraps/sandwichesGetting There
Self drivers, please note that to get to this trip you'll have to drive for almost an hour up a rough dirt road. You're recommended to take WU transport if you're not comfortable with these conditions!Highlights
Untouched Wilderness
Step into a landscape that feels frozen in time—wild and wonderfully remote. Just you, the forest, and the sound of your boots on the trail.
Camp Skills
Learn skills like fire building, finding shelter and keeping a bear safe campsite from our expert guidesWildlife
Bears, moose, beavers and loons are just some of the creatures that call this area home. You'll have a chance to spot some from a safe distance for a magical encounter.
Event cost
Wilderness Union members: $250+HST (+optional transport)
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 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!
Learn more at our website www.wildernessunion.com2 attendees
Past events
328
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