Georgian Bay Scouting Trip
This trip is full and closed for registration. If you are interested in being added to the waiting list, please contact trip lead: Mark Schneider (Mark@ottersden.com)
Dates: 9/5/26 - 9/12/26
Trip Level L3
Availability: 6 (8 Capacity) If the trip is full please email the leader (mark@ottersden.com) to be added to a cancellation list.
Trip Sponsors/Leaders: Mark Schneider, David Nord
Join us for a week of exploring and primitive camping on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay, Ontario. The 30,000-island area of Georgian Bay is the world’s largest freshwater archipelago and is regarded as one of the most scenic paddling destinations in North America. We will be paddling and camping in a section of Islands, running from Dillon’s cove to Parry Sound.
The itinerary will be dependent on wind and weather conditions but is planned as:
Saturday - Travel Day; arrival Killbear Provincial Park
Sunday - Day paddle Parry Sound
Monday - Break Camp, Launch from Dillon’s Cove paddle to Big McCoy, set camp
Tuesday - Day Paddle (Destination based on weather)
Wednesday - Day Paddle (Destination based on weather)
Thursday - Break camp, move to Franklin Island
Friday - Day Paddle; Explore/Circumnavigate Franklin Island
Saturday - Break camp, depart for Dillon’s Cove
Sunday possible destinations are Rose Island, Cathcart Island, or Hole-in-the-wall
Tuesday/Wednesday possible destinations are McCoy Islands, Minks Islands, or Herzberg Island
Important Trip Info:
- We will be spending Saturday and Sunday nights at Killbear Provincial Park. Participants are responsible for booking their own campsite.
Check in: Sept 5th, Check out: Sept 7th(https://reservations.ontarioparks.ca/)
Registration for these dates opens April 5th.
- Participants will need to obtain a Crown land camping permit for 5 nights (Sept 8-Sept 12) You can obtain a permit online here: https://nrip.mnr.gov.on.ca/s/?language=en_US
- This is a kayaking camping trip. Once we depart Killbear Provincial Park, there will be no access to facilities. Participants will need appropriate gear and should have experience with primitive camping. If you are unsure about primitive camping please contact the trip sponsors with any questions.
- This trip offers many sheltered routes, however, there will be open crossings greater than 2 miles also, wind and weather conditions can cause non-sheltered areas to have L3+ conditions. Participants should be comfortable paddling in L3 conditions and maintaining a 2.5-3 mph pace. Daily paddles will range from 10-16 miles.
- Weather conditions on Georgian Bay can change rapidly. It is advisable that you keep extra food, water and an emergency shelter/blanket/cag in your boat during day paddles in case we become windbound.
Required Equipment:
- Sea kayaks 15’ or longer with full perimeter deck lines, sealed fore and aft bulkheads and/or floatation.
- Personal Flotation Device (PFD) & whistle, spray skirt, pump, and paddle float, tow belt/rope.
- VHF radio*(recommended), InReach or PLB (if you own one)
- Back County/Primitive camping gear. Food, water emergency medications, etc.
- Extra food and water, emergency shelter/blanket (Recommended)
Participants must be able to:
- Safely exit their kayak while wearing a spray skirt and participate in an assisted rescue.
- Maintain a pace of 2.5-3.0 mph in L3 conditions in any wind or wave direction (or accept a tow).
- Paddle for up to 3 hours without landing. (Expect 4-7 hours of paddling each day)
*Canada requires a permit for the use of VHF radios, however non-residents traveling in Canada for less than 21 days are exempted from permit
