Wilderness Tours

Thanks to the guides at Wilderness Tours, I stared Death in the face and gave him the Middle Finger Salute. They drilled us on everything we needed to know so when we inevitably got launched from our raft, we got back on board unscathed. The guides were the best part of the trip — personable, entertaining, great for first time rafters like my group.
That said, I would probably use a different guide company next time. My big problems were the wait times. For both days of rafting, we went in huge groups. And as we hit the big rapids, we were lined up in an orderly fashion and sent through the rapids one boat at a time. Unfortunately this meant we had incredibly long wait times, doing absolutely nothing, before /​after each rapid. There were many other guide companies on the river that went in much smaller groups. Our «5 hours on the water!!» could probably have been cut in half with a smaller group — it was not the «5 hours of action packed adventure» they pumped us up for.
The rapids were awesome though!
Aside from the rapids, the campground was good. They had a big lodge with a bar, restaurant, volleyball, basketball and ball hockey courts. They provided gear. They had a pool and hot tub or you could swim right off the dock. There was also bungee jumping and mountain biking at additional cost. There was a convenience store on site. You could buy photos and videos of trip through the rapids. They had live music on Saturday night — a couple good solo acoustic acts, an 80s cover band and a DJ. Washrooms were kept clean!
Meals were included (except Friday night) and the food was not bad, about what I expected. They don’t allow you to bring your own grills and food though, which is half the fun of camping, but their restaurant also sold food if you’re hungry outside of your scheduled meals. And you’re only allowed to have your own alcohol at your campsite — you’re not allowed to walk around the common areas with it.
To sum it up, it was a good weekend but next time I’ll research some other guide companies.

This is definitely a fun adrenaline adventure. I did the day trip with a group. It was a really awesome experience. I prayed that our raft wouldn’t turn over or that I wouldn’t get tossed out of the raft in the rough water and need to swim to safety somehow. Loved it! 100% must do sport!

A great time to be had by all from the Region of York. I went for 2 days in the summer of 1991 and loved every minute of it. I would recommend it to anyone.

This place is phenomenal. I will be heading back this summer for my third time.
Normally do the two day rafting tour. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for those not faint of heart.
The weekend outing costs less than 300 dollars… includes camping, ALL FOOD, two days of white water rafting on the mighty Ottawa river.
The place has a great restaurant… dock and waterfront for swimming, BUNGEE jumping! Dance club for partying, basketball, mountain bike rentals, volleyball, kayaking.
Check out the website. I have gone just me and a buddy, and I have also brought a crew of 16 people. Fantastic time!

I’m often up to try most anything, but I must admit a part of me was a little bit terrified when my old boss announced we were heading to Wilderness Tours to do some white water rafting as a team building exercise.
First of all, it was the end of September, and I thought I’d freeze (in addition to being thrown out of my raft). I also expected a fairly low-​key establishment. I was super surprised. When we got there we were treated to an amazing lunch before we got into our wet suits. This place is used as a training centre for Algonquin College students in the Outdoor Adventure program, so there’s a ton of room in the changerooms and they’re really well maintained. We got our wetsuits on (GROSS), and we ended up being super warm (even floating in the river I was nice and toasty!) and processed to divide into two groups — one who wanted hardcore rafting, and the other who wanted a little less intimidating experience. I decided for my first time I would take it on the easy side.
Our guides were AMAZING — sweet hilarious and kind of ridiculously good looking. While our guide knew we didn’t want to flip over or do anything too hardcore he still challenged us to work as a team, and we stopped at a few places to jump off cliffs and check out the natural beauty of the river.
We stopped to check out the outdoor classrooms that Algonquin uses as well, and they’re gorgeous. We did some hiking near the river and it was all just so beautiful. We floated around in the river for awhile as well. I would seriously recommend this as a great tea building exercise, but it would be even more fun with a group of friends or family. If you’re nervous about rafting don’t be. I felt totally safe (and entertained!) the entire time, and had a few adrenaline rushes as well!

How about a real review?
I went with a group of 8 and we had a great time at WT. I totally expected a shack by the side of the road, but it was quite an operation. Check-​in was a bit frustrating and hectic, even though there were only 2 groups of us. I felt like at no point were we given enough info.
Our cabins were the basic ones, comfortable, dry and clean. We got settled in and went to eat, and were happy with the food, but really disappointed with the service. One of our orders wasn’t placed, one person has food allergies, and the food they requested not to have was on the plate, way too long to refill beverages etc. I think the server was maybe new to the job. No big deal, we’re on vacation.
Friday night’s party was pretty great — I definitely didn’t expect a nightclub (full of people in hoodies and sandals haha!)
Rafting Saturday was a great time, our group was scheduled at 730am, which ended up being not so bad since we were back with enough time to enjoy the afternoon. The guide Quinney was super fun and made sure we had a great time! We were back at around 145pm and by the time they showed our video and we walked over, lunch was being shut down, so we just had burgers and sausages, no salads etc. It would have been useful to know this as we were pretty hungry and probably would have skipped the lameass video.
Saturday’s party was kinda weak, not because there was no one there, but the DJ just… was not that great. But it was a video dance and pirate night so we had a decent time.
Sunday we bungee jumped, swam, biked and lounged around. It was a nice relaxing day, and we did get enough to eat for lunch!
Overall, I’d say that we had an awesome time, we just would have liked to have known what was going on a little more. We’ll be back for sure!

Wilderness Tours is a white water rafting /​kayaking /​adventure tour company based in the outskirts of Ottawa and area. Their resort is *awesome*, with a night club, 3 volleyball nets, bungee jumping, rock climbing, hot tub, camping grounds and cabins.
It’s family friendly, however, it seems more to target a young adult age group (perhaps more so during the weekends I’ve went).
My first time here was back in 2009 and I’ve returned again in 2011.
FIRST TIME (2009) Aug — we were a group of 4 and were added to a group seniors (which truly — sucked). Other rafts of young groups were having way more of a good time than we were, I was truly jealous (haha, and so were my friends). Still, we had a good time. None of us in our raft fell into the rapids. The tour guide was an expert and she absolutely knew what she was doing. We felt very safe — which is important when you’re doing it for the first time!
It was raining that weekend, so I was *so* glad we rented a cabin. We were comfy all weekend!
SECOND TIME (2011) Aug — I brought a team of 12, mix of girls and guys from 24 – 29 so that we could have our own raft. It was so much fun! Can’t complain — our tour guide was so energetic and funny. He kept the conversations and punch lines goin. Food was decent — typical caf /​BBQ food (pastas/​burgers/​pizza/​salad bar/​etc). The weather was fab (sunny, warm, no rain). Cabins were all gone, so we camped instead. We drank. We partied. We danced. We jumped into the lake, cliff jumped, played volleyball for hours with other strangers, played basketball etc. Water was warm too. Ah, such a great weekend.
Def recommend! I’d come in August, only cuz I know the water is warm by then. Next time around I’m going to rent a 6 person raft for more daaangerouss ;) haha. A few of my friends are coming back in May this year to kayak the rapids instead.

Wow this place is amazing! I recently went on a weekend rafting trip with some friends who have been coming to Wilderness Tours for years but this was my first shot at white water rafting.
We arrived at 5pm on Friday and were quickly registered and given our choice camp site right near the main building, bathrooms/​showers, campfire, etc…
The trip included 3 meals on Saturday and two on Sunday as well as the rafting on Saturday, all the equipment, the camping and the use of the facilities. Since dinner wasn’t included on Friday we ordered from the patio while listening to some great jazz music from a local group. My friend and I both ordered the club sandwich, which was served on a delicious focaccia bread. The food for the rest of the weekend was really good as well. Burgers for lunch on Saturday and chicken breast for dinner.
Friday night concluded with a great time around the campfire where all the campers came to socialize.
On Saturday we were booked on the 2pm «sunset» trip, which meant we were on the water from 3pm till 7:45. This was perfect since it gave us all morning to recover from the night before.
The rafting itself was amazing. Nothing like the rush of facing a 12 ft wall of white water coming right at your face to get your blood pumping. Our guide Katie was really great. Very social and great on the river. We did everything from paddling our hearts out in the rapids to cliff jumping to surfing a wave (a.k.a. controlled drowning lol). They had guys in kayaks taking pictures and filming us throughout the day. When we came back, we had the chance to view some of the highlights from the day on the big screen back at camp.
One of the coolest part of the weekend was that Bud Camp was hosting their event at WT. We had no idea until we showed up. Everyone was invited to come see the bands performing on Saturday night, which had USS playing the main show. Even though it was pouring rain and we were soaked, USS’ crazy antics on stage and a bunch of scantily clad rain soaked Bud girls made up for it. :)
Finally, we decided to end the weekend with an early morning bungee jump. If you book ahead of time you save about $ 13. This was my first jump and I survived to write this review. It was definitely one of the best rush I’ve ever experienced. I strongly recommend this to EVERYONE who comes to Wilderness Tours. Ask to be dunked in the water at the bottom. You won’t regret it.
I’m already looking forward to coming back next year!

I just got back from my 10^th trip to Wilderness Tours.
I sure love this place! I’ve wagered with the white water in May when its colder, cheaper and the wetsuits are free but I’ve often gone in July. I do recommend you go when its a little warmer; the resort is bustling with party people in late summer also.
This year we were so lucky to have Katie Kowalski, the founder of the resort’s daughter, as our guide for the sunset cruise trip this year! And for the most dangerous rapid, her brother Joel jumped in our raft… so we were guided by the offspring of Joe Kowalski, the man who independently invented white water rafting on the Ottawa River… and he did that in a canoe!
And even better… we happened to arrive on the weekend in which Budweiser was hosting their Bud Camp contest winners! We were invited to join Bud Camp on Saturday night for their fireworks, concert (the crazy and unique USS) and free poutine! Oh, and of course… the bud girls. Yes, we will never forget those bud girls.
In just one weekend at this brilliant resort, you can get a guided 5-​hour tour down the huge rapids of the Ottawa River, during which you can go cliff jumping and swimming… or start a splashing war with other boats! Usually included is a bbq lunch at an island along the river if you’re rafting over lunch hour.
Back at the resort, you can go bungee jumping or cycling for a fee, or included with your package are any of the following: rock climbing, kayak and pedal boats, a ferry to a beach, pool, hot tub, slide and dock at the lake front, patio bar, live acoustic blues music on the patio, camp fires, giant chess, dj or bands at night, beach volleyball, hockey and basketball, darts or billiards. There is something for everyone!
The food provided is pretty decent… not gourmet but good food and good portions. There is always fruit and cereal for breakfast for those who want to be healthy… though the eggs, bacon and potatoes fill the hole after a night of stumbling around the camp grounds quite well. The weekend lunch meals feature a salad bar and are accompanied by beef or chicken burgers with all the fixings. For Saturday night dinner you get tender chicken breast with bbq sauce and baked potato. There is also always a dessert… and their home-​made cookies are fresh and delicious!
I highly recommend this place!