Adventure is closer than you think
A city-wide day of free outdoor adventure, presented by Wilderness Union; your gateway to the outdoors.
.webp){kind=logo}
Just 90 minutes from the city, you'll find some of the most extraordinary wilderness on earth. But you don't even have to drive that far. The outdoors is already woven into Toronto's ravines, rivers, parks, and most of us walk past it every day.
On May 24, we're showing you four ways in. Hike one of the world's largest urban trail networks. Paddle the wilderness inside city limits. Learn survival skills from top experts. Get inspired by Ann-Marie Brissett, who made the leap from outdoors-shy city girl to wilderness warrior.
You'll never look at the city the same way again.
Four ways to spend the day, all leading to one room at MEC.
Join a free, small-group experience led by Wilderness Union's expert, certified guides. Bring a friend, or come alone and leave with a new outdoor crew.
A 3km guided through David Balfour Park and Yellow Creek, one of the deepest ravines in the city. Boardwalks, footbridges, and a forest canopy that swallows the traffic thirty steps in off Yonge & St Clair. Look for herons, red-tailed hawks, and the occasional white-tail deer.
An hour on the lower Humber, a natural oasis most Torontonians don't know exists. Pick up canoes from the put-in, a quick lesson with our expert guides, then down the river and far from city noise. Look for kingfishers, herons, and the occasional beaver.
In partnership with Toronto Adventures.
.webp)
Expert led outdoor skills clinics at Fjällräven Queen West. Learn first aid from a wilderness medicine expert, knots to save your skin (and canoe) and more.
At 16:00, everyone gathers at MEC's Queen West flagship for the Wild Toronto party, celebrating the official launch of our free Crew Membership. There'll be live music, drinks, and Ann Brissett-Laverty persuading you that the outdoors is for people exactly like you. When the doors close, the social spills out to a nearby bar.
The culmination of Wild Toronto - The Gathering. From 4 to 7pm on Sunday, May 24, MEC's Queen West flagship becomes Toronto's outdoor living room for the night.
Whether you spent the day hiking the Don, paddling the Humber, learning skills at Fjällräven, or you're just curious about getting outside, this is where the day comes together.
Ann Brissett-Laverty tells the story of how she moved from outdoors-shy city girl to wilderness warrior. 30 minutes of honest, conversational storytelling with actionable advice for anyone who wants to get started.
Sidelaunch on offer (Northbound Lager and Lemon Berry Mist), live music, and a room full of outdoor enthusiasts at every level. Bring questions, bring opinions about gear, bring a friend or come alone. You'll leave with new ones.
You'll get an exclusive 15% discount off most items in store along with MEC prizes and a gift bag to go home with.
The moment we've been working toward all year. Wilderness Union is launching a free Crew Membership: a new way to be part of Toronto's outdoor community without commitment or cost. Join the crew, hear about socials and skills clinics, and get plugged into the network.
When the doors close at 7, we move to a nearby bar to keep the night going. Address shared on the night.
After almost a decade competing nationally in powerlifting, Ann set the singlet aside in exchange for hiking boots and her tent, coined her “nylon mansion”.
Her story to the outdoors didn't start when she was young, so this was all brand new to her. Years later, she's sharing her love and journey of the outdoors through her chuckle-filled content.
Ann inspires others to take the leap with her. She's a weekend warrior through and through, and her love for the backcountry isn't complete without a paddle and fishing rod that she holds onto year-round.
Featured in the book Tent Life, Ann reminds us that getting outside shouldn't be difficult. It's simply about doing the damn thing and living in the moment of it all.
Pick up a paper passport at your first event. Get it stamped at every event you attend through the day. Bring it to MEC in the evening and claim a Wild Toronto patch.
Patches are limited. Only handed out at MEC.
Wilderness Union is an outdoor adventure crew for Toronto adventurers aged 18 to 45. We take people from their first night in a tent to multi-day expeditions in Ontario's wildest places, and run skills clinics, in-town socials, and volunteer days throughout the year. Gear, guides, and transport all arranged.
Our free Crew Membership launches at MEC on May 24. It's the easiest way to be part of the community, join our trips, and find your kind of people.
Hosts the evening, the talk, and the patches. Every Wild Toronto path leads here.
Hosts the wilderness skills clinic at Fjällräven Queen West, and outfits the day's guides.
Running every paddle session on the Humber. Canoes, expertise, and a deep love of the river.
Fashionable, active sandals perfect for our summer trips. You'll have the opportunity to try them on the day during the canoeing.
Sunday · May 24 · 2026
The outdoors comes to the city. One day. Free. RSVP required.
