Backcountry Gear Exchange
the adventure starts here....
Welcome to our site! At the Backcountry Gear Exchange we are all about the outdoors, outdoor people, and of course outdoor gear. Our shop, located on the west side of Algonquin Park ( Kearney, ON) offers a complete used/ new gear selection, including a complete wilderness outfitting shop.
Our goal is to connect those looking to experience the outdoors with the gear they require! Our previous experience has been working with troubled youth in various settings. We were passionate about the connection of these youth to the outdoors and the natural connection developed from this. The roadblock, was always finding gear that was suitable and safe on the budget we required. More time was spent hunting down percieved good deals then was spent on the outdoors- and that was where our shop idea was born.
In our shop we have assisted many, with the gear and equipment they required. Our free shelf in our store provides a space for you to leave your gear for the next ambitious explorer into the park for free! The idea is if you need something on the shelf you are welcome to it, but the next time travelling our area, please attempt to leave something for the next tripper.
Our consignment rates are as low as only 10% (see consignment rates page). If you are on our rental list then you are able to consign your gear for free with us! ie. if you only rent a canoe from us once and choose to consign some gear-no problem.
Last year was spent getting our feet wet and organizing our new shop for the Algonquin trippers that came through. This year we are hoping to spend some time on our web sites keeping gear and info updated - ya we know! These ads are just a random sample of our listings. If you are looking for gear, feel free to email or call for up to date inventory. Quite often larger items will be sold before they hit our store with people leaving their contact info looking for specific gear- so contact us!
Thanks for taking time to look at our site! If you are ever in our area feel free to drop in to say hello, have a coffee and browse our shop.
WINTER CAMPING! Finally enough snow to get things started. We have already had some groups out winter camping and will be getting our Outposts up very soon. Check out our winter rental page for all winter camping rentals pricing and packages. It is time to start booking now! All of our Outposts are already booked for Family day weekend (Feb 17) and during the Kearney dog sled races (Feb 11 weekend) we will not be renting our Outposts.
Store Hours
Winter camping rentals and packages are avail by reservation only!
| April | Open by appointment only |
| May | Open weekends (Fri-Mon) Open May 14 regular hours |
| June | Regular hours |
| July | Regular |
| Aug | Regular |
| Sept | Open weekends (Fri-Mon) |
| Oct | Open weekends until Thanksgiving |
Open 7am -5pm (Closed Tue/Wed other than by appointment)
Not open when you need us-no problem! Feel free to call us for early/late departures or days that we are open by appointment only. We will gladly meet you at the shop at the time that suits you!
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We also operate Trailside Adventure Co. For the past 15 years we have designed and lead "Youth at Risk" wilderness adventures for various groups and programs. We are now offering this experience to you. Trailside provides complete or partial outfitting and a hearty menu selection with fresh and freeze dried food systems. Let our depot on the west side of Algonquin Park serve as your" Adventure starts here Headquarters!"With our location just down the street from the permit office - the entrance to Tim Lake (access #2 ),Magnetawan(access #3), and Rain lake (access #4), we can outfit your next canoe, backpacking, kayak, or winter camping trip. Our waterfront shop is now open and fully stocked with the supplies and gear you need. New this year is our new adventure lodge- Algonquin Basecamp. Located in the town of Kearney- across from park office. Great location to start your next Algonquin trip. Year-round accomodation from hostel type- private accomodations. Check out our new blog www.algonquinbasecamp.com for info, pics and pricing.
We rent Souris River ultralight canoes made right here in Northern Ontario.
Check out our 2011 rates brochure |
