Algonquin Park Guides

Experience Algonquin Park from late summer through the spectacular fall season.

Positions: Wilderness Guide – Algonquin Park
Employer: Voyageur Quest

Location: Based at Algonquin Park Access Pt #1, near South River, Ontario
Housing: Lakeside shared staff cabin accommodation (see below)

Voyageur Quest is a wilderness tour company specializing in Algonquin Park. Our facilities — the Algonquin Log Cabin, Algonquin Cottages and Islands, and Voyageur Quest Outfitting — are located at Algonquin Park’s northwest corner at Access Point #1. Our head office, reservations and logistics are centred in our Toronto office.

Voyageur Quest is hiring Algonquin Wilderness Guides and Support Guides to join our team for the late summer and fall 2026 season.

Are you a skilled and passionate outdoor enthusiast with a love of being active, the wilderness and people?

Fall is one of the most spectacular times to guide in Algonquin Park, with brilliant fall colours, quieter lakes, changing landscapes and exceptional opportunities for wildlife and nature interpretation.

In addition to having an exceptional canoe-tripping background, applicants should have strong leadership and interpretive skills and be comfortable speaking about Algonquin flora, fauna, night sky and local culture with adult commercial and family clientele. Our guides love teaching guests about the wonders of Algonquin Park. They understand the importance of creating natural connections — to nature, to people and to the rhythms of Algonquin Park.

Warmth and hospitality skills are essential. If you are an experienced wilderness guide who enjoys sharing your knowledge, engaging with guests and leading outdoor adventures, we want to hear from you!

Your Role

As a Guide, you’ll work as part of a guiding team to help deliver safe, engaging and memorable wilderness experiences for our guests.

Wilderness Guides take a lead role in trip leadership, guest engagement, interpretation, safety and day-to-day programming.

Support Guides work alongside the lead guide to support guests, trip logistics, equipment, food preparation, camp activities and programming. This is an opportunity to build commercial guiding experience while gaining exposure to a range of Voyageur Quest programs and operations.

PREPARE

• Pack in/out: gear up with food, equipment and logistics for each trip.

LEAD

• Canoe Adventures: Deliver high-quality commercial guiding, educational content and hospitality — welcoming guests, providing skill instruction, maintaining safety standards, canoe tripping, camping, navigation, food preparation and presentation on trail, nature and wildlife interpretation, shelter building, stargazing and sharing knowledge about Algonquin Park.

• Lead or support 3–5 day cabin-based interpretive, adventurous and fun programs for a wide range of clientele, involving canoeing, hiking and other outdoor activities.

INSPIRE GUESTS

• Share your love and knowledge of Algonquin Park, canoeing, hiking and the natural environment.

ENSURE SAFETY

• Maintain high safety standards and ensure all risk management protocols are followed.

COMMUNICATE

• Ensure guest details, programming and timing are optimized.
• Complete trip reporting and capture group feedback and memories.
• Communicate effectively with lead guides and the wider Voyageur Quest team.

What You’ll Need to Apply

CERTIFICATIONS & EDUCATION

• Minimum: WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid, 40 hours), Bronze Cross OR Whitewater/Swiftwater Rescue Technician (WRT/SRT).
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in all elements of canoe tripping, including navigation, paddling (solo and tandem/style), portaging, safety and rescue.
• Assets: Wilderness First Responder (80 hours), National Lifeguard, ORCKA CT3 or Paddle Canada equivalent.
• Preferred: Bachelor’s/College degree or in progress.

EXPERIENCE

• Strong canoe-tripping background, preferably in a commercial setting.
• Strong leadership experience in a wilderness environment.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience in an outdoor leadership, camping and/or educational role.
• Experience working with adult commercial, family, youth and/or teenage clientele.

COMPETENCIES & SKILLS

• Capable of being ‘on’ for long days while on trip.
• Able to carry objects, including canoes and gear, weighing up to 35 kg.
• Able to canoe and/or hike for 4–7 hours per day while maintaining positive group dynamics.
• Energy to wake early and stay up with guests, including cooking meals and delivering and supervising at-camp activities.
• Able to complete portages of 500 m–2 km.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with participants and coworkers.
• Passionate about sharing and inspiring diverse groups of people in the outdoors.
• Reliable and proactive work habits, with a growth mindset and willingness to accept feedback and continue developing.
• Strong work ethic, resilience and ability to adapt to change.
• Well-developed organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate both independently and as part of a team.
• Capacity to maintain self-motivation, direction and self-care.

LICENCES & OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Legally able to work in Canada.
• Clear vulnerable sector police check.
• Valid Ontario G-class driver’s licence or equivalent is an asset for days off.
• Ability to drive a vehicle with a trailer attached is an asset.
• Outdoors Card, fishing permit, Pleasure Craft Operator Card and Food Handler certification are assets.

All Wilderness Guides Must Have

• Personal paddle.
• PFD.
• Personal tent suitable for wilderness tripping.
• Comprehensive wilderness first aid kit.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Our guides receive hands-on training, shadowing and mentorship while gaining familiarity with Voyageur Quest’s programs, systems, equipment, guest service, safety and day-to-day operations across the different trip types.

Pets

Though we love them, we are unable to accommodate pets. Staff accommodation is shared, and both guests and staff may experience allergies.

Late Summer & Fall 2026 Contracts

Contracts are available from mid-August through mid-October 2026.

We are hiring for:

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Occasional / as-needed

Compensation & Benefits

• $190–$250/day, commensurate with certifications and experience, in accordance with applicable employment standards, plus tips.
• Accommodation: Lakeside shared staff cabin accommodation is available between trips or for staff who commute.
• Discounts: Staff and family discounts on accommodations, trips and merchandise.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a résumé AND cover letter to Eva to info@voyageurquest.com

Please tell us about your wilderness guiding experience, canoe-tripping background and why you would enjoy guiding guests in Algonquin Park.

Please mention you saw this at rcen.ca or goodwork.ca.

We thank you in advance for your interest and applications. Unfortunately, we are only able to personally respond to candidates selected for interviews.