If you've been curious about backcountry canoe camping but unsure where to start, this is a solid way to get into it. We’ll be heading into Algonquin Park—one of the most iconic wilderness areas in the province—for an easy overnight on Joe Lake. It’s a short paddle in, about 7km total, with just one 200m portage along the way. The route offers a good intro to carrying gear between lakes without being overwhelming, and we’ll take it at a steady, manageable pace.
We'll launch from Canoe Lake and follow a calm route past narrow channels and rocky shorelines typical of the Canadian Shield. Weather conditions can change quickly, so we’ll pack accordingly and help you plan ahead. Wildlife sightings are common in this area—loons, beavers, and the occasional moose if we’re lucky.
Once we reach camp, you can settle in and do what feels right. Swim, read, hang out with the group, or practice campsite basics like setting up a tarp or hanging food safely. You’ll learn what you need to know without being thrown in the deep end.
We’ll handle the food, group gear, and guidance—just bring your personal gear, questions, and a willingness to pitch in.
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.
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/sandwiches
Canoe/Hike details
You'll have approximately 7km of canoeing to get to the campsite. We'll start everyone off with a group canoe lesson to ensure that everybody's comfortable and mix more experienced paddlers with beginners.
This route also has a short 250m portage so some folks will be carrying the canoe from one lake to another. As always, we'll split tasks according to comfort and ability.
Sleeping Arrangements
We'll be bringing Wilderness Union tents, split according to gender. There's limited space on site so you're unable to bring your own tent but exceptions can be made for hammocks - please message in discord if you plan to do this.
If you reserved gear: We'll be providing a sleeping pad and sleeping bag for you.
Washing facilities
There'll be a thunderbox on the site - this is a wooden box atop a hole in the ground. You should bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Toilet paper can go in the hole, nothing else can so you'll have to pack out wipes and period products. There's no garbage bins on the site.
Water
There's a risk of water contamination with Protozoa like Giardia (beaver fever!) and bacteria so we'll be purifying water on site. We'll be providing all necessary equipment for water purification but feel free to bring your chosen method in addition.Fire
There's no fire ban so we'll be able to have a campfire at night.
Campsite responsibilities
This trip is an opportunity to build your skills so we'll all be mucking in to make the trip a success. We'll divide up responsibilities on the campsite so you learn how to set up a tent, do a bear hang, purify water etc. We'll also share in the work to cook and keep things clean. Is there something you really want to learn while we're out? Do you have skills you could share with the group? PM us on Discord and let's work it in.
Saturday 5th July
06:45 - Those getting a ride meet the white bus at the pull in just North of Keele Station on Keele Street. There's a Tims around the corner if you want to grab breakfast.
07:00 - Bus leaves
10:30 - Meet self-drivers at the Portage Store on Canoe Lake where we'll collect our canoes, get any extra permits then hit the water!
11:00 – 15:00 – Paddle in to our campsite, eating packed lunch en route
15:00 – 18:00 – Set up camp. Hang out at the campsite. Learn camping skills, paddle, hike, or just relax in a hammock
18:00 – Dinner
Evening – Fireside hangs and stargazing
Sunday 6th July
Morning – Chill morning at campsite - paddle, swim or hang out in a hammock
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:00 – 16:00 – Paddle out
16:00 - Begin return to Toronto
20:00 – Return to Toronto feeling utterly reset and refreshed
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Clothing:
It looks like we've got good weather and travelling by canoe means you can pack a little more for comfort than you would on a hike in trip. This is a suggested list:
Gear:
Camping Gear/Sleep system
We'll be providing tents for everybody but you will need to bring the following:
Personal Stuff:
Period Products
Wondering how to handle camping on your period? Here's a great resource with everything you could need to know.
Random Stuff:
Got light-weight games? Bring em!
We'll be providing most meals (either vegan or meaty according to your dietary requirements) for this adventure along with tea and coffee but no milk.
You're responsible for your own breakfast (before we meet) and a packed lunch on day 1.
Day 1 lunch - Packed lunch that you bring
Day 1 dinner - Gourmet hot meal
Day 2 breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Day 2 lunch - Wraps
Day 2 dinner - Back home!
You're welcome to bring your own burner for making tea and coffee. You should also bring your own snacks!
We'll provide the following:
- Tents
- Canoes, paddles and all safety equipment
- Additional gear for those who requested it
- All necessary cooking and eating equipment
- Equipment for bear hang
- Water purification method
Self drivers will need to purchase parking once we arrive at a cost of approx $14 per day. Please note that we've recently upgraded to a larger bus so, if you'd rather ride with us and avoid this cost, open a ticket in #get-help on Discord!
Black legged ticks are in the area. You should wear pants rather than shorts to prevent them latching on and lighter colours make it easier to spot them and keep you more cool. There's no need to worry about ticks if we take a few precautions and we'll talk about doing a tick check after the hike just to confirm we haven't picked any up. You can learn more here.
Only swim in places where you've been told it's safe to do so and only under the supervision of one of our guides. If you can't swim, keep out of the water.
You must wear your PFD (life jacket) at all times in the canoe and only canoe under the supervision of one of our guides.
This is a wilderness location, away from help so it's important that we stay together at all times. If you get separated from the group, stop and blow your whistle/shout for help if there's no phone reception. It's unlikely that you'll have reception during this adventure. No breaking off without first discussing it with the hike leader!
Wear appropriate footwear and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles. Any injuries? Let us know in advance of the hike.
Bears are active in the area. We'll give you a full briefing on bear safety but rest assured that they pose very little threat to us. Want to learn more about wildlife safety? Watch the recording from our session with Ontario Park's bear expert. We'll provide all equipment necessary for a bear hang.
It's extremely important that no food is left unattended at the campsite (we've had meals stolen by raccoons before!) and at night, we'll take everything smelly out of bags and hang them in a tree, safe from wildlife.
Algonquin Park has a rich indigenous history that predates the establishment of the park itself. The park is situated on the traditional territories of several Algonquian-speaking First Nations, including the Algonquin, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat peoples.
For thousands of years, these indigenous communities relied on the land and its resources for sustenance, trade, and cultural practices. They engaged in hunting, fishing, gathering, and agriculture, establishing seasonal camps and villages throughout the region. The lakes, rivers, and forests provided them with a diverse range of food, such as fish, game, berries, and medicinal plants.
The Algonquin people, in particular, have a deep connection to the land that encompasses Algonquin Park. They refer to themselves as Anishinaabe, which translates to "the people" in their language. Their traditional territories extended across a vast area in present-day Ontario and Quebec.
Algonquin Park, as we know it today, was established in 1893 as the first provincial park in Canada. The creation of the park disrupted the traditional way of life for indigenous communities in the area. Many were displaced from their ancestral lands, and their access to resources and sacred sites within the park was restricted.
Despite these challenges, indigenous peoples have maintained their cultural connections to the region. They continue to assert their rights and engage in land stewardship initiatives, collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to protect and preserve their cultural heritage within Algonquin Park.
If you've been curious about backcountry canoe camping but unsure where to start, this is a solid way to get into it. We’ll be heading into Algonquin Park—one of the most iconic wilderness areas in the province—for an easy overnight on Joe Lake. It’s a short paddle in, about 7km total, with just one 200m portage along the way. The route offers a good intro to carrying gear between lakes without being overwhelming, and we’ll take it at a steady, manageable pace.
We'll launch from Canoe Lake and follow a calm route past narrow channels and rocky shorelines typical of the Canadian Shield. Weather conditions can change quickly, so we’ll pack accordingly and help you plan ahead. Wildlife sightings are common in this area—loons, beavers, and the occasional moose if we’re lucky.
Once we reach camp, you can settle in and do what feels right. Swim, read, hang out with the group, or practice campsite basics like setting up a tarp or hanging food safely. You’ll learn what you need to know without being thrown in the deep end.
We’ll handle the food, group gear, and guidance—just bring your personal gear, questions, and a willingness to pitch in.
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.
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/sandwiches
Canoe/Hike details
You'll have approximately 7km of canoeing to get to the campsite. We'll start everyone off with a group canoe lesson to ensure that everybody's comfortable and mix more experienced paddlers with beginners.
This route also has a short 250m portage so some folks will be carrying the canoe from one lake to another. As always, we'll split tasks according to comfort and ability.
Sleeping Arrangements
We'll be bringing Wilderness Union tents, split according to gender. There's limited space on site so you're unable to bring your own tent but exceptions can be made for hammocks - please message in discord if you plan to do this.
If you reserved gear: We'll be providing a sleeping pad and sleeping bag for you.
Washing facilities
There'll be a thunderbox on the site - this is a wooden box atop a hole in the ground. You should bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Toilet paper can go in the hole, nothing else can so you'll have to pack out wipes and period products. There's no garbage bins on the site.
Water
There's a risk of water contamination with Protozoa like Giardia (beaver fever!) and bacteria so we'll be purifying water on site. We'll be providing all necessary equipment for water purification but feel free to bring your chosen method in addition.Fire
There's no fire ban so we'll be able to have a campfire at night.
Campsite responsibilities
This trip is an opportunity to build your skills so we'll all be mucking in to make the trip a success. We'll divide up responsibilities on the campsite so you learn how to set up a tent, do a bear hang, purify water etc. We'll also share in the work to cook and keep things clean. Is there something you really want to learn while we're out? Do you have skills you could share with the group? PM us on Discord and let's work it in.
Saturday 5th July
06:45 - Those getting a ride meet the white bus at the pull in just North of Keele Station on Keele Street. There's a Tims around the corner if you want to grab breakfast.
07:00 - Bus leaves
10:30 - Meet self-drivers at the Portage Store on Canoe Lake where we'll collect our canoes, get any extra permits then hit the water!
11:00 – 15:00 – Paddle in to our campsite, eating packed lunch en route
15:00 – 18:00 – Set up camp. Hang out at the campsite. Learn camping skills, paddle, hike, or just relax in a hammock
18:00 – Dinner
Evening – Fireside hangs and stargazing
Sunday 6th July
Morning – Chill morning at campsite - paddle, swim or hang out in a hammock
12:00 – 13:00 – Lunch
13:00 – 16:00 – Paddle out
16:00 - Begin return to Toronto
20:00 – Return to Toronto feeling utterly reset and refreshed
This custom map is georeferenced, meaning it will show you where you are on the map in the right software and lays out the rough path that we’ll be following. It’s opened with the Avenza app which must be downloaded and installed in advance of the adventure.
You should also download the What3words app - this makes it easy to share and find locations in the unlikely event that you get lost.
Clothing:
It looks like we've got good weather and travelling by canoe means you can pack a little more for comfort than you would on a hike in trip. This is a suggested list:
Gear:
Camping Gear/Sleep system
We'll be providing tents for everybody but you will need to bring the following:
Personal Stuff:
Period Products
Wondering how to handle camping on your period? Here's a great resource with everything you could need to know.
Random Stuff:
Got light-weight games? Bring em!
We'll be providing most meals (either vegan or meaty according to your dietary requirements) for this adventure along with tea and coffee but no milk.
You're responsible for your own breakfast (before we meet) and a packed lunch on day 1.
Day 1 lunch - Packed lunch that you bring
Day 1 dinner - Gourmet hot meal
Day 2 breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Day 2 lunch - Wraps
Day 2 dinner - Back home!
You're welcome to bring your own burner for making tea and coffee. You should also bring your own snacks!
We'll provide the following:
- Tents
- Canoes, paddles and all safety equipment
- Additional gear for those who requested it
- All necessary cooking and eating equipment
- Equipment for bear hang
- Water purification method
Self drivers will need to purchase parking once we arrive at a cost of approx $14 per day. Please note that we've recently upgraded to a larger bus so, if you'd rather ride with us and avoid this cost, open a ticket in #get-help on Discord!
Black legged ticks are in the area. You should wear pants rather than shorts to prevent them latching on and lighter colours make it easier to spot them and keep you more cool. There's no need to worry about ticks if we take a few precautions and we'll talk about doing a tick check after the hike just to confirm we haven't picked any up. You can learn more here.
Only swim in places where you've been told it's safe to do so and only under the supervision of one of our guides. If you can't swim, keep out of the water.
You must wear your PFD (life jacket) at all times in the canoe and only canoe under the supervision of one of our guides.
This is a wilderness location, away from help so it's important that we stay together at all times. If you get separated from the group, stop and blow your whistle/shout for help if there's no phone reception. It's unlikely that you'll have reception during this adventure. No breaking off without first discussing it with the hike leader!
Wear appropriate footwear and hike within your abilities. If you need extra support, bring hiking poles. Any injuries? Let us know in advance of the hike.
Bears are active in the area. We'll give you a full briefing on bear safety but rest assured that they pose very little threat to us. Want to learn more about wildlife safety? Watch the recording from our session with Ontario Park's bear expert. We'll provide all equipment necessary for a bear hang.
It's extremely important that no food is left unattended at the campsite (we've had meals stolen by raccoons before!) and at night, we'll take everything smelly out of bags and hang them in a tree, safe from wildlife.
Algonquin Park has a rich indigenous history that predates the establishment of the park itself. The park is situated on the traditional territories of several Algonquian-speaking First Nations, including the Algonquin, Anishinaabe, and Huron-Wendat peoples.
For thousands of years, these indigenous communities relied on the land and its resources for sustenance, trade, and cultural practices. They engaged in hunting, fishing, gathering, and agriculture, establishing seasonal camps and villages throughout the region. The lakes, rivers, and forests provided them with a diverse range of food, such as fish, game, berries, and medicinal plants.
The Algonquin people, in particular, have a deep connection to the land that encompasses Algonquin Park. They refer to themselves as Anishinaabe, which translates to "the people" in their language. Their traditional territories extended across a vast area in present-day Ontario and Quebec.
Algonquin Park, as we know it today, was established in 1893 as the first provincial park in Canada. The creation of the park disrupted the traditional way of life for indigenous communities in the area. Many were displaced from their ancestral lands, and their access to resources and sacred sites within the park was restricted.
Despite these challenges, indigenous peoples have maintained their cultural connections to the region. They continue to assert their rights and engage in land stewardship initiatives, collaborating with the government and other stakeholders to protect and preserve their cultural heritage within Algonquin Park.
