We're visiting what may be the most beautiful park in Ontario. Killarney is famous for its shining white quartzite cliffs, beautiful lakes and some of the best mountain views that the province has to offer.
We've planned a trip that's suitable for beginner backcountry campers but has something to offer more experienced explorers who want a challenge too.
This camping trip showcases both the best of Killarney but also backcountry camping with a beautiful canoe in campsite at one of the quieter spots in an already remote park. The trip begins with a relatively short paddle to our campsite on beautiful Grey Lake. We'll set up camp there and chill out for the afternoon.
Want to learn camp skills? We'll show you how to pitch a tent, light a fire, portage a canoe - whatever you want to learn! We'll have a pristine lake to swim in and the East end of Killarney to explore by canoe.
The first night, you'll fall asleep outside under what will hopefully be clear night skies. The stargazing in Killarney is otherworldly and you can expect to see the Milky Way along with more stars than you've ever seen before.
Day two, you'll have the choice of spending a day at the campsite or hiking up Silver Peak, the highest point in the park. Not for the faint hearted, this challenging 11km hike has some of the best views in the park with a 360 panorama over Killarney's famous white peaks. Those who stay in the campsite can cool off in the water at what might be the best time of year to visit the park, explore by canoe or simply lay back in a hammock and relax.
We'll eat delicious meals over campfires and wake up each morning to hot coffee and an endless sense of possibility.
On our final day, we'll paddle back to civilization and stop at a local diner for a celebratory group meal before heading home to Toronto.
We start the adventure by picking up our canoes and getting a short lesson that will have you all comfortable on the water. Then it's just a short 2km paddle to our group campsite, taking about one hour.
On day one, we should arrive at camp with enough time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and have a swim in the lake. Day two, you'll have the option of heading out to climb the highest peak in the park or hanging out around the campsite. Silver Peak is a steep, 11km return trip that we'll access by canoe. The views from the top are some of the best in Killarney.
Day three, we'll have a slow morning, paddling out of the site and stopping in at a nearby restaurant for a celebratory group meal.
The Camp
We've got a beautiful South Facing campsite on the lake that should have enough room for all of us. Everyone will be assigned a different responsibility at camp and together, we'll set up our home for the night. This involves:
Sleeping Arrangements
There's limited space on the campsite so we're sharing WU provided tents separated by gender. If you'd like to bring your own hammock to sleep in, please let us know on Discord asap.
Toilet
There'll be a thunderbox on the site - this is a wooden box on top of 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.
Friday 3rd October
06:20 - Meet at the PetroCanada next to Keele Station to pack van. There's a Tims around the corner if you want to grab breakfast/packed lunch
6:30: Bus leaves
11:15 - Meet self-drivers at Killarney Kanoes on Bell Lake
11:15 - 12:00 - Pick up gear, eat lunch
12:00 - 15:00 - Hit water, paddling lesson, canoe to campsite
Afternoon - Set up campsite, swim, soak up the sun, free time.
18:00 - Dinner around a campfire
Evening - Chill around campfire, roast smores, stargaze
Saturday 4th October
Morning - Choice of paddle and hike of Silver Peak or relaxing at the campsite.
Sunday 5th October
11:00 - Leave Campsite
12:00 - Return canoes, drive for meal
19:00 - Anticipated return to Toronto
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:
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 should also bring your own snacks!
Friday lunch - Packed lunch that you bring
Friday night dinner - Hot meal
Saturday morning breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Saturday lunch - Wraps
Saturday night dinner - Hot meal
Sunday morning breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Sunday lunch - Meal at local restaurant (not included)
You're welcome to bring your own burner for making tea and coffee.
We'll provide the following:
Ticks - 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
Water danger - 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.
Drowning - You must wear your PFD (life jacket) at all times in the canoe and only canoe under the supervision of one of our guides
Getting lost - 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!
Hiking injuries - 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.
Wildlife - 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.
Killarney (or Shebahonaning) has a rich Indigenous history, deeply connected to the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) peoples, particularly the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi nations, who are collectively part of the larger Anishinaabe group.
Before European contact, the Anishinaabe peoples lived in and around the Killarney area, which was known to them as Shebahonaning, meaning "safe passage" or "canoe passage." This name reflects the area's significance as a key water route for trade, travel, and communication among the Great Lakes, particularly along the northern shores of Georgian Bay. The landscape, with its numerous waterways and rich natural resources, provided the Indigenous communities with ample food, shelter, and materials for crafting.
We're visiting what may be the most beautiful park in Ontario. Killarney is famous for its shining white quartzite cliffs, beautiful lakes and some of the best mountain views that the province has to offer.
We've planned a trip that's suitable for beginner backcountry campers but has something to offer more experienced explorers who want a challenge too.
This camping trip showcases both the best of Killarney but also backcountry camping with a beautiful canoe in campsite at one of the quieter spots in an already remote park. The trip begins with a relatively short paddle to our campsite on beautiful Grey Lake. We'll set up camp there and chill out for the afternoon.
Want to learn camp skills? We'll show you how to pitch a tent, light a fire, portage a canoe - whatever you want to learn! We'll have a pristine lake to swim in and the East end of Killarney to explore by canoe.
The first night, you'll fall asleep outside under what will hopefully be clear night skies. The stargazing in Killarney is otherworldly and you can expect to see the Milky Way along with more stars than you've ever seen before.
Day two, you'll have the choice of spending a day at the campsite or hiking up Silver Peak, the highest point in the park. Not for the faint hearted, this challenging 11km hike has some of the best views in the park with a 360 panorama over Killarney's famous white peaks. Those who stay in the campsite can cool off in the water at what might be the best time of year to visit the park, explore by canoe or simply lay back in a hammock and relax.
We'll eat delicious meals over campfires and wake up each morning to hot coffee and an endless sense of possibility.
On our final day, we'll paddle back to civilization and stop at a local diner for a celebratory group meal before heading home to Toronto.
We start the adventure by picking up our canoes and getting a short lesson that will have you all comfortable on the water. Then it's just a short 2km paddle to our group campsite, taking about one hour.
On day one, we should arrive at camp with enough time to enjoy the beautiful surroundings and have a swim in the lake. Day two, you'll have the option of heading out to climb the highest peak in the park or hanging out around the campsite. Silver Peak is a steep, 11km return trip that we'll access by canoe. The views from the top are some of the best in Killarney.
Day three, we'll have a slow morning, paddling out of the site and stopping in at a nearby restaurant for a celebratory group meal.
The Camp
We've got a beautiful South Facing campsite on the lake that should have enough room for all of us. Everyone will be assigned a different responsibility at camp and together, we'll set up our home for the night. This involves:
Sleeping Arrangements
There's limited space on the campsite so we're sharing WU provided tents separated by gender. If you'd like to bring your own hammock to sleep in, please let us know on Discord asap.
Toilet
There'll be a thunderbox on the site - this is a wooden box on top of 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.
Friday 3rd October
06:20 - Meet at the PetroCanada next to Keele Station to pack van. There's a Tims around the corner if you want to grab breakfast/packed lunch
6:30: Bus leaves
11:15 - Meet self-drivers at Killarney Kanoes on Bell Lake
11:15 - 12:00 - Pick up gear, eat lunch
12:00 - 15:00 - Hit water, paddling lesson, canoe to campsite
Afternoon - Set up campsite, swim, soak up the sun, free time.
18:00 - Dinner around a campfire
Evening - Chill around campfire, roast smores, stargaze
Saturday 4th October
Morning - Choice of paddle and hike of Silver Peak or relaxing at the campsite.
Sunday 5th October
11:00 - Leave Campsite
12:00 - Return canoes, drive for meal
19:00 - Anticipated return to Toronto
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:
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 should also bring your own snacks!
Friday lunch - Packed lunch that you bring
Friday night dinner - Hot meal
Saturday morning breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Saturday lunch - Wraps
Saturday night dinner - Hot meal
Sunday morning breakfast - Hot oatmeal
Sunday lunch - Meal at local restaurant (not included)
You're welcome to bring your own burner for making tea and coffee.
We'll provide the following:
Ticks - 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
Water danger - 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.
Drowning - You must wear your PFD (life jacket) at all times in the canoe and only canoe under the supervision of one of our guides
Getting lost - 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!
Hiking injuries - 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.
Wildlife - 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.
Killarney (or Shebahonaning) has a rich Indigenous history, deeply connected to the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) peoples, particularly the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi nations, who are collectively part of the larger Anishinaabe group.
Before European contact, the Anishinaabe peoples lived in and around the Killarney area, which was known to them as Shebahonaning, meaning "safe passage" or "canoe passage." This name reflects the area's significance as a key water route for trade, travel, and communication among the Great Lakes, particularly along the northern shores of Georgian Bay. The landscape, with its numerous waterways and rich natural resources, provided the Indigenous communities with ample food, shelter, and materials for crafting.
