Up North is a nature getaway and wellness retreat for gentle explorers and wellness-seekers. Experience the beauty of Algonquin Park and surrounding cottage country through guided land & water adventures, an intimate “summer camp for adults” vibe, and a dose of personal wellness and restoration.
Over four days and three nights, visit Algonquin Park this summer and experience guided nature connection & outdoor activities. You’ll be invited to explore different forms of water and land adventure and wellness practice to restore and center yourself. Try something new each day, exploring with all the senses.
Explore . . .
Hit the water with guided stand-up paddleboard and canoe excursions through Kawawaymog Lake. Rise early one morning & paddle the Amable du Fond River in the mist to seek out Algonquin’s most majestic mammal in our Morning Tea with Moose experience. Visit Blueberry Island for an afternoon of swimming, blueberry picking, and fun in the sun, or head out on a bike-and-hike adventure to Moose Mountain or the Tower Trail.
All outdoor equipment use is included.
Restore . . .
Relax in our wood-fired sauna and take a rejuvenating dip into Kawawaymog Lake. Sunbathe, read, journal, and swim in the sunshine at our Dragonfly dock. Experience an introduction to wellness practices, self and nature connection with the guidance of passionate retreat facilitators who will invite you to look a little closer, breathe a little deeper, and engage in nature with care. At night, experience a festival of stars and fall asleep to the soft echo of the loons calling across the lake.
Play More . . .
Imagine being back at summer camp – but with comfier accommodation, expert facilitation, and delicious food served up by Gregor from local ingredients. Meet new friends with group campfires, games, and other social experiences including a wood-fired pizza party. Adults young and old come together at Up North to enjoy this small group program with equal doses of fun, adventure and relaxation.
Step out of the city for the weekend; experience the best of Summer in Algonquin Park.
Lucy Emmott
Lucy is a child of the woods who joyfully invites others into her experience of peaceful acceptance and excited curiosity with the natural world nearby.
A local champion for living sustainably, Lucy has a passion for nature – and a gift for creating excitement in the little things that we don’t usually come to notice. In just 5 metres of exploring a forest with Lucy, our guests can see and experience a really deep level of connection with the world around them.
In short: Spaces are limited. When you book a retreat with us, a non-refundable deposit (50% of your overall balance) reserves your space and allows us to plan accordingly. Remaining balances are due 15 days before arrival.
Deposits protect our group-based experiences by acting as a commitment from our guests. If you need to cancel your visit, the timing of your cancellation will determine the level of flexibility we can offer in rescheduling your visit or holding your deposit as a credit to be used in the future. Please refer to our full deposit and cancellation policy for more information on our policies, timelines, and the commitments we make based on your registration.
Edge guests are well nourished and experience mealtime itself as a program element, with storytelling to introduce the seasonal flavours of the region and the relationships with the folk who grew and raised the ingredients close to home. Cooking at the Edge focuses on balancing globally far-flung tastes with provincially produced foods. Meals are served buffet style and are guests often enjoy lakeside dining outdoors when the weather allows it.
Over the years we have met many diverse dietary needs. Guests are invited to identify their dietary needs & preferences as a part of the registration process, and those with restrictions love the options we provide.
We offer unique, tailored experiences that flow as our facilitators respond to the interests of our guests, seasonal conditions, and special opportunities that may arise.
Each retreat at the Edge features healthy doses of dreamtime, adventure, community, creativity, time spent in nature, and a dash of surprise. Guests always have the choice to take solo or rest time in lieu of planned experiences.
While a detailed itinerary is not available, you can count on and prepare for the activities used to describe the flavour of this retreat. Meals are generally served at 8:30, 12:30, and 6pm. When appropriate, optional early-morning or late-night experiences may be offered.
Arrival time is between 2 – 3 pm with programming beginning at 3:30. We encourage our guests to arrive on time and stay to experience the full retreat, which generally ends after brunch on the final day. Please let us know if you expect to arrive after 3.
You can find us easily on Google or Apple maps, or view detailed directions here.
We’ll be spending time both indoors and out in nature, and we invite you to dress appropriately for the season to stay comfortable, warm, and dry. There’s no dress code and most guests wear their “retreat-casual”.
We encourage guests to bring a surprise to share with others – this might take the form of a game or activity, an instrument/song/poem, or a tasty treat.
Custom Dates Available for groups of 10+
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
Explore Accommodation Options
Canopy Cabin
Our simple, clear-roofed cabins bring participants closer to nature, just a short walk away from main programming spaces and amenities such as showers and flush toilets. Each canopy cabin features a double bed, ideal for solo travellers or couples.
Shared: $1084 / person
Private: $1184 / person
Habitat Cabin
Cozy, rustic habitat cabins are located just a short walk away from main programming spaces and amenities such as washrooms and showers. Each offers a loft double bed above 2 single beds, making them ideal for sharing with friends or other participants.
Shared: $1084 / person
Private: Unavailable
Studio Cabin
Comfortable & spacious eco-friendly studio rooms are located just a minute’s walk away from main programming spaces and showers. These feature a small en-suite bathroom with an incinerating toilet. Both a double bed and a single bed make them ideal for couples or friends.
Shared: $1184 / person
Private: $1384 / person
Log Cabin Bedroom
The luxurious and comfortable log cabin is located a bit further from main programming spaces for optimal rest, and features en-suite bathrooms with showers. Each room’s Queen bed can convert into two twin beds, providing flexibility for solo travellers, couples, or friends.
Shared: $1384 / person
Private: $1604 / person
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