Canoeing Toronto

Up the Oxtongue: A Wilderness Paddle

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/up-the-oxtongue)** **Join us for this gorgeous 16 km paddle up the Oxtongue River to the base of Ragged Falls.** The Oxtongue River is a major waterway that flows out of Algonquin Park, and if you follow it upstream by canoe, it'll take you right to the base of Ragged Falls: one of the most powerful waterfalls in the Muskoka watershed. Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven, struck by its natural beauty, paddled and painted these same shores. You'll soon see why. We launch from Algonquin Outfitters on Oxtongue Lake and paddle roughly 8 km northeast through open lake water before the shoreline closes in and the river takes over. The current is gentle enough that the upstream paddle feels easy. The downstream return feels even easier. The round trip is about 16 km, with time at the falls included for lunch and swimming. When you arrive, you can take in the falls from the water, then pull your canoe up and hike 300 meters to the top. The view from the rocks above is worth every stroke it took to get there. Back at the bottom, the pool at the base of the falls is one of the better swimming holes in the area. No canoe experience required. If you can hold a paddle, you can do this trip. This trip includes canoe rentals, PFDs, paddles and safety kits. **Highlights** **Algonquin Exploration:** The Oxtongue flows straight out of Algonquin Park, with this paddle taking you right to its edge. **Ragged Falls:** The first major waterfall in the Muskoka watershed. View it from the water or hike 300 meters to the top and stand on the rocks while the river rushes around you **Stunning Summer Scenery:** Forested riverbanks, open water, and the kind of quiet you only get when the only sound is your paddle **Event cost: $100+HST (for explorer members) - $60 optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/up-the-oxtongue)** **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 TRIP 2/26, CANADA DAY AT SPIDER LAKE, SUN. JUN. 28 - WED. JUL. 1st

This is an easy trip in The Massassauga Provincial Park, where we had a great time last Thanksgiving. Our campsite and parking spaces are guaranteed, on the busiest week of the season, but we are limited to nine people, and the cost for the weekend is $17 per person plus $10 to park each car. Our campsite, number 21, is on a high rock point, open to the breezes on three sides, to keep down the bugs. It has a table, fire pit, thunder box, and good swimming off the rock. The surrounding shoreline is dry and solid. Spider Lake is broken into many bays. It is inland, and protected from the winds off Georgian Bay. There are no cottages or power boats. This will be a cool place to spend a hot Canada Day Weekend. One portage: 370 m., gentle rise 10 m. in the center. Paddle distance, total: 7 km. Driving distance from Hwy 400 & Hwy 7: 202 km., 2 hours. Traffic on Hwy 400 should be fast on Sun. morning. **LCATION:** **Massassauga Provincial Park Access Point** **Three Legged Lake Road** **45.26379072549102, -80.00827766607452** There is space right at the lakeshore to unload your canoe, then move your car to the big parking lot 280 m. up the road. **SPREAD SHEET:** https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1RUbAOQrpmLz_P7J2lgvKYLPLNE6rVddygG_cjaM64eg/edit?usp=sharing This is an operating provincial park, so we have to report the name of everyone who is going, and pay to park cars. Please fill out the spread sheet, and phone me with the make, model, and plate number of your car.

Weekend Backcountry Getaway

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/weekend-backcountry-getaway)** **A beginner-friendly, paddle-in camping adventure through the Algonquin Highlands.** St. Nora Lake sits in the heart of Algonquin Highlands, tucked away from the car-accessible campgrounds and the crowds that come with them. It is just as beautiful as its more famous neighbours in the park, and a lot easier to get into. The adventure starts with a canoe lesson on the water before we paddle a short 2.5km to a spacious group campsite on the lake. Along the way you will pass classic Canadian Shield scenery: sandy beaches, granite rock faces, and pine-fringed shores. No portages, no prior experience required. Once you are set up, the rest of the weekend is yours to shape. Swim off the rocks, read in a hammock, or pick up real campsite skills like hanging your food away from bears and building a proper fire. That night, the campfire and a clear sky full of stars will give you some amazing views. On day two, we take the canoes back out to explore the lake more fully, poking around the shoreline and finding the corners of it that most people never see. This is a two-day getaway built for people who want real backcountry experience without a gruelling multi-day commitment. We handle the gear, the food, and the logistics. You show up, load the canoe, and go. Group sizes are kept small on purpose so the site stays quiet and the experience stays personal. By the time you paddle back out on Sunday, you will have put some genuine distance between yourself and the city. That tends to matter more than people expect. What's included * Professional & certified guides * ‍All camp meals, cooking equipment and mess kits * ‍Tents * Canoe rentals Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or it’s your first time in a tent, this adventure has something for everyone. **Highlights** **Canoe-in seclusion:** Your campsite is only accessible by water. No road noise, no neighbouring RVs, just a lake, a fire ring, and genuine quiet. **The paddle in:** A short, flatwater crossing past a small island, through some of the most beautiful Canadian Shield scenery in the province **Learn to camp:** Our guides cover the essentials: hanging your food away from bears, building a fire, and setting up a site that works. **Event cost: $349+HST - optional transport available.** **Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/weekend-backcountry-getaway)** **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/)***

Weekday Social Paddle, Wed June 24 Credit River @ Pt Credit Mt 10 Launch 10:30

Canoeing the Humber River

Epic #1 - The Brent Run

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-1)** ***Welcome to The Epics!*** ***Through this series, we will embark together on five of the most legendary and challenging adventures anywhere in Ontario.*** **History** The origins of the iconic Brent Run are steeped in wilderness lore. What we do know is that, starting nearly 100 years ago, hardcore guides in Algonquin began trying to complete this grueling 160 km challenge in a 24-hour window. Few have succeeded but, to this day, the legend lives on. **What You Need to Know** For our version of the Brent Run, we’ve taken the best half of this historic adventure and stretched it over five days. This maintains the challenge of the journey (trust us, it will still be a significant challenge) while also allowing us the time to actually appreciate the impressive makeup and scale of the park. You'll travel ***from the top of Algonquin Park all the way down to the Highway 60 corridor*** in this incredible test of endurance and determination. Covering roughly **80 km with 11km of portages**, this journey takes you through the heart of the park’s rugged wilderness, combining long paddling stretches with challenging portages that require strength, patience, and planning. We'll be getting up early each day and putting in long hours (up to 12 hours some days!) to make it to our next campsite each night. Along the way, you'll begin to understand how special Algonquin is, as you cover huge distances without once coming into contact with civilization. Expect to navigate a mix of serene lakes and winding rivers, each with its own character and obstacles, from choppy open waters to twisting, narrow channels. Portages along the route can range from manageable to gruelling, with some stretches featuring steep climbs, uneven terrain, and slippery rocks that will test both your body and your gear. ***For those willing to embrace the challenge, the Brent Run offers one of the most rewarding and unforgettable journeys in Algonquin Park.*** **What's Included:** * *Return transport between Toronto and Algonquin* * *2 expert guides with advanced wilderness skills and medical training* * *Rentals for lightweight canoes, PFDs and paddles* * *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* NB: As this is a one-way adventure, self-driving will not be possible. ***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 -** Follow the historic 80km line from Cedar Lake to Canoe Lake, tracing the path of the legendary park guides who turned this route into a provincial icon. **Abundant Wildlife -** Algonquin is teeming with wildlife and you'll get to experience it over our 5 days in some of the most remote regions of the park. ‍**Backcountry Bonding -** Forge friendships and memories that will last a lifetime as you work together to successfully complete this adventure. **Event cost: $1050+HST. Please register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-1)** **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/)***

NOGANOSH LAKE, SAT. AUG. 1 - MON. AUG. 3 CANOE TRIP 4/26 CIVIC HOLIDAY

This trip has flexible dates. If you want to come in on Friday, or leave Sunday. We will arrange the trip to suit the people who want to go. Noganosh Lake is a remote, quiet area. We have always been able to get a premium campsite there. Noganosh Lake is an non-operating Provincial Park. There is no Park Gate, no rules, and no fees. Most campsites have a fireplace with a steel grill and a thunder box. The Park covers 3000 ha of pristine forest, all of the land within 60 to 200 m. of the shore of the lake. The water is deep, clear and full of fish. There is one fishing camp with a few small power boats. There are no public roads. Noganosh is a remote, quiet area. We have always been able to get a premium campsite there. We will paddle in on Sat. AM. The distance is 15 to 20 km., to find a campsite. There are 2 portages, of 153 m., and 318 m. on Smokey Creek. They are easy. Smokey Creek is still, winding, and deep, except for one spot where you push through floating bushes. On Sun. we can explore 20 km. of lakes, hike, fish, and swim. We will paddle out on Mon., the way we came in. **LOCATION:** **Fleming's Landing** **Birchwood Trail & Hwy. 522** **45.893272, -80.160721** Distance from Toronto, Hwy 400 & Hwy 7: 310 km., 3.5 hours. This is an easy, fun, trip for experienced canoe campers. To avoid a long drive on Sat. morning, some paddlers camp at Grundy Lake Provincial Park on Fri. night. The park is only 20 minutes from the put in. Reserve your campsite well in advance. Post your reservation so other paddlers can share your campsite, and the cost. Tornado's Resorts, 10 minutes from the put in, rents motel rooms for $100 per night and canoes for $40 per day. Tornado's is convenient because you don't have to unload your car, you just drive in, sleep, and they serve breakfast. **To join us: Add your name to the Spread Sheet and post your contact info on the Spread Sheet to arrange paddle partners and canoes.** https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XRW4tAqGA7bLGCTqv6aFqLhqVVHfCdFqp8OdVotgL58/edit?gid=0#gid=0 1\. Find a paddling partner\, one of you has to be good paddling stern\. 2\. Own\, rent\, or borrow a canoe\. Grundy Lake Supply Post may or may not rent kevlar canoes to use in Noganosh for $50 /day. You must make your reservation months in advance, and specify it is for a Noganosh Lake trip. [https://grundylakesupplypost.ca/rentals/](https://grundylakesupplypost.ca/rentals/) The best location to get the best quality canoes is Swift, Georgian Bay, on Hwy 400,. A quality kevlar canoe is $60/day, and they will show you how to load it on your car. [https://swiftoutside.com/rentals/](https://swiftoutside.com/rentals/) 705-538-0881 3\. Please message or email me\, earlcowan@hotmail\.com\, to arrange your schedule or if you need help\.

Wilder Series: Epic Day Paddle

**Please note the only way to register for this adventure is on [our website.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-paddle)** **Seven portages. Four lakes. One very full day.** St. Nora Lake sits at the edge of the Frost Centre Crown lands, a stretch of Algonquin Highlands backcountry that stays quiet even when the rest of cottage country is packed. We spend the day working a loop through four connected lakes, portaging between each one and finishing where we started. Fourteen kilometres of paddling. Seven portages. Three kilometres of carries. **Interested in joining this year’s Epics? Completing this and other relevant courses will support your approval process for advanced adventures.** This trip has a specific purpose. It is the strongest single-day preparation we offer for members who are working toward WU's multi-day canoe epics. The portage load is real, the distances are meaningful, and by the time you reach Orlay and turn around, you will have a clear-eyed sense of your paddling fitness and your portaging form. That information is genuinely useful. The Epics ask a lot more of you over multiple days, and knowing where you stand before day one of a multi-day trip is better than finding out on the water. These are not casual lakes. The Canadian Shield terrain means the portages have character: rooted trails, rocky footing, the occasional steep pull. Come with footwear that can handle both wet landings and uneven ground. We will be on the water most of the day, and you should pack for it. **Included:** This trip includes canoe rentals, PFDs, paddles and safety kits. **Who It’s For**: Intermediate and advanced paddlers who want to further develop their skills and endurance. **Highlights** **3km of Portages.** Rooted trails and rocky footing make this one of the most physically demanding day paddles in WU's lineup. **Quiet lakes.** St. Nora, Sherbourne, Little Avery, and Orlay sit within Algonquin Highlands Crown land, quiet in a way that cottage-country lakes simply don't manage. **Epics Preparation.** Fourteen kilometers of paddling plus a full portage load will tell you exactly where you stand before you commit to a multi-day expedition. **Event cost: $110+HST for explorer members. Optional transport available. Register [here.](https://www.wildernessunion.com/adventures/epic-paddle)** **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 Camping at Barker Lake

**THIS EVENT IS HOSTED BY JAMES.** **TO REGISTER GO TO: [Ontario Backcountry Camping | Meetup](https://www.meetup.com/ontariobackcountry/?eventOrigin=your_groups)** This is a canoe camping trip to Barker Lake. We will be staying on crown land so camping is free. Barker Lake is about 3.5 hours from Toronto, north of Bon Echo Provincial Park. There are two easy portages along the way, Ashby Lake to King Lake (100m) and King Lake to Barker Lake (75m), both dry and well maintained with some rocks along the path. The parking and put-in is Ashby Lake boat launch, we will meet there at 12pm. The plan is to camp on King or Barker Lake. We can do a day trip into Barker if we decide to camp on King. If you like to fish, and you're not having any luck, it's easy enough to portage from one lake to another to try somewhere else. Ashby Lake is mostly shielded from the wind, has a few cottages and light boat traffic, but mostly wild shoreline along the canoe route. The paddle distance across Ashby Lake is about 4km to the first portage. For fishing, Ashby Lake has lake trout, northern pike, pumpkinseed, smallmouth bass, white sucker, and yellow perch. King Lake is a small lake with crown land along most of the shoreline. There are some campsites, and we can camp here if we find a nice site. It's a 1km paddle across King to the next portage. King Lake has rainbow trout and yellow perch. After the second portage is Barker Lake. There are a few campsites here; one is a nice island site which could be a good spot to camp, and most of the shoreline is crown land. Expect another 2km paddle if we camp here for a total trip distance of 7-8km including portages. Barker Lake has lake trout, pumpkinseed, white sucker, and yellow perch. Have a way to get here and a canoe or kayak, paddle board, paddle partner with a canoe, something of that sort. You are responsible for yourself and your own safety. **LOCATION: Ashby Lake** **784 Ashby Lake Rd · McArthurs Mills, ON**

WOODLANDS LAKE, FRI. JULY 17-SUN JUL 19 CANOE TRIP 3/26

This was one of our most popular trips of last year. The dates are flexible on this trip. If you want you can come in Saturday or leave Sunday or Monday, and make it a two to five day trip. This is an easy trip to a great location. We usually stay at a large shaded campsite on Brothersons Lake; but we have discovered a great new campsite on Woodlands Lake that we will try. There is great swimming and great fishing. Hidden in the midst of the million dollar cottages in Muskoka, are a group of "finger" lakes that remain wilderness because they can only be accessed by canoe. They lie on crown land, there are no roads in, and no cottages are allowed. Woodlands Lake and Brotherson's Lake are in the headwaters of the Gibson River, and in the Severn River Conservation Reserve, a 9927 hectare area of Crown land, located within the District Municipality of Muskoka. We will be able to find a campsite in this area, and there are no restrictions; we don't have to make reservations or pay fees. This is wild country, with only a few campsites. We may get a firepit, but don't expect a thunder box. Bring your axe, we may have to cut a clearing in the bush. The lakes are long, narrow, and deep, with high rocky shores. Several small waterfalls stream down the cliffs on the north shore of Brotherson's Lake. **LOCATION:** **9 Mile Lake Marina** **9 mile lake, Bala, ON P0C 1A0** **44.940719979001265, -79.54977542446953** There is a free municipal parking lot at the Nine Mile Lake Marina. If it is full, we have to pay the Marina to park in their lot. To Brotherson's Lake: Paddle distance: 8 km. Portages: 650 m. + 200 m. To Woodlands Lake: Paddle distance an additional: 2 km. Portages: 100 m. Driving Distance: from Hwy. 7 & Hwy 400: 172 km. 2 hours. To join us: 1. Find a paddling partner, one of you has to be good paddling stern. 2. Own, rent, or borrow a canoe. Swift Canoe, Muskoka, Hwy. 11, Gravenhurst, is close, and on our route. 3. Get a car and tie down straps to transport the canoe. 4. Please use the Spread Sheet to list your name and contact information, so other paddlers can find you to arrange for canoes and cars. [WOODLANDS LAKE CANOE 3/26 - Google Sheets](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1WNqQ1YoKoDPOCalLStdV7pXJ-A3vkeNlrdDBdBbAPxU/edit?gid=0#gid=0) 1.

Safe canoeing course on Toronto Island July 19,2026

Music on the River - ft. Blk Orchid

Come jam with us to tunes from Blk Orchid! To book your spot, please go to the link: *[https://torontoadventures.ca/all-adventures/music-shows-on-the-river/](https://torontoadventures.ca/all-adventures/music-shows-on-the-river/)* Link shows live boat availability and options! Located on Toronto’s beautiful Humber River our Music On The River event starts at our Humber Paddling centre which is only a 5-Minute walk from Old Mill TTC Station! Upon arrival we’ll get you signed in and set you up with your boat and equipment before you embark on your scenic paddle of the meandering Humber River before enjoying a 45-Minute set from Popular Local Toronto Artists! ***Events are subject to weather and other factors out of our control. If we must cancel or delay an event we will let you know as soon as possible.*** **Booking and Pricing:** [https://torontoadventures.ca/all-adventures/music-shows-on-the-river/](https://torontoadventures.ca/all-adventures/music-shows-on-the-river/) Single Kayak (seats 1 person) : $49.95 +taxes Tandem Kayak (seats 2 people) : $89.95 +taxes Regular Canoe (seats 2 people) : $79.95 +taxes Large Canoe (seats 3 people) : $99.95 +taxes Stand Up Paddleboard (1 person) : $49.95 +taxes Bring Your Own Boat (boat/equipment): $9.95 +taxes. **What's Included:** * Boat(s) * Paddle(s) * PFD(s) “Lifejackets” * A concert right on the river! * Our experienced staff to help you every step of the way! **What to Bring:** * Dress for the weather! * Sunscreen, Sunglasses & Hats, are all recommended for sunny days! * We recommend securely fastened footwear (footwear is not required for SUPs). * Blanket to keep you cozy during the show * Snacks & Drinks (Non Alcoholic) * Don’t forget your Cameras! **[Google Link Directions](https://torontoadventures.ca/directions/#humberriverlocation)** **[Cancellation Policy](https://torontoadventures.ca/faq/#cancellation)**[ ](https://torontoadventures.ca/faq/#cancellation) We hope to see you out on the water!