The Massasauga is one of the only provincial parks in Ontario you can only reach by water. That changes the feel of everything.
The Massasauga sits nestled into the eastern shores of Georgian Bay. Upon arrival at the park, we paddle 9km through beautiful lakes and bays to reach Moon Island, a water-access-only backcountry camp that will be our home for the weekend.
Friday starts with a canoe orientation on flat water, then the crossing. By evening you'll know how to set up a tent, hang a bear hang, and cook over a camp stove. Saturday morning brings the Moon Island Trail, a loop through varied terrain with lookouts over the bay. The afternoon is yours: swim from the island's rocky shoreline, take a canoe out to explore the surrounding channels, or sit and watch the water.
Sunday we pack up and paddle home.
This trip is built for people who want the real backcountry experience. We bring the boats, the gear, the food, and the guides.
What's included
Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee.
This trip is slightly more challenging than our introduction to backcountry adventures. You should have a decent fitness level and a sense of adventure!
The Massasauga is one of the only provincial parks in Ontario you can only reach by water. That changes the feel of everything.
The Massasauga sits nestled into the eastern shores of Georgian Bay. Upon arrival at the park, we paddle 9km through beautiful lakes and bays to reach Moon Island, a water-access-only backcountry camp that will be our home for the weekend.
Friday starts with a canoe orientation on flat water, then the crossing. By evening you'll know how to set up a tent, hang a bear hang, and cook over a camp stove. Saturday morning brings the Moon Island Trail, a loop through varied terrain with lookouts over the bay. The afternoon is yours: swim from the island's rocky shoreline, take a canoe out to explore the surrounding channels, or sit and watch the water.
Sunday we pack up and paddle home.
This trip is built for people who want the real backcountry experience. We bring the boats, the gear, the food, and the guides.
What's included
Sleeping bags and sleep pads can be rented from WU for a small fee.
This trip is slightly more challenging than our introduction to backcountry adventures. You should have a decent fitness level and a sense of adventure!
The 9km crossing: Nine kilometres of open Georgian Bay water is a real paddle. Finishing it with a backcountry campsite on the other side is a genuinely good feeling.
Moon Island Trail: A loop through mixed forest and exposed Canadian Shield granite, with lookouts over the bay, a heron rookery, and a beaver pond. Moose, deer, bear, and grouse all share the island.
True backcountry: Water-access only means no roads, no car campers, no neighbours unless they paddled in too.
Friday 17 July
07:30 - 10:30 - Pick up close to Keele Station. Drive to site
10:30 - 14:00 - Collect canoes, short paddle orientation, and paddle in to our campsite
14:00-18:00 - Set up camp. Hang out at the campsite. Learn camping skills, or just relax in a hammock
18:00 - Dinner
Evening - Fireside hangs and stargazing
Saturday 18 July
Dawn - Optional paddle to nearby hike to explore Moon Island
Morning - Chill morning at campsite
12:00- 13:00 - Lunch at campsite or on trail
Afternoon - Paddle exploration of the area or campsite chill
18:00 - Dinner
Evening - Fireside hangs and stargazing
Sunday 19 July
Morning - Breakfast and campsite chill
10:00-11:00 - Pack up camp and early lunch
11:00 - 14:00 - Paddle back to access point
14:00 - 18:00 - Drive home
18:00 - Anticipated return Toronto
Carbon Offsetting
Wilderness Union offsets the estimated carbon emissions of every trip by investing in a global portfolio of verified carbon reduction projects.
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