About Wilderness Escape Adventures
Wilderness Escape Adventures began with a simple realization. Alberta’s most iconic places were stunning, but the experience in busy parks like Banff often felt crowded, regulated, and commercial, far from the genuine wilderness connection people were looking for. When Jelmer arrived in Alberta five years ago, he was immediately struck by the Rocky Mountain landscape, yet Banff’s busy hiking trails and overbooked campgrounds made it hard to find the solitude he wanted.​
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That changed when he connected with the right locals. They introduced him to remote Crown land areas and hidden spots in Alberta’s backcountry, far beyond the usual tourist routes, and opened the door to the true Alberta wilderness. The sense of freedom and belonging he found there became the foundation for Wilderness Escape Adventures and the guided wilderness camping and hiking trips he runs today.​
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Jelmer noticed that many people wanted this deeper experience but did not know where to start. They were not sure which areas were safe, what gear they needed, or how to explore off the beaten path in Kananaskis and Alberta’s Rocky Mountains without stress. Wilderness Escape Adventures was created to bridge that gap with comfortable, small group and private wilderness trips that remove the guesswork while preserving the feeling of being deep in nature.​
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The business exists to give guests access to the real Alberta wilderness. Not the crowded version, but the quiet forests, open landscapes, and star filled nights on Crown land and in lesser known valleys that remind people why the wilderness matters in the first place and why guided wilderness camping tours in Alberta are worth the effort.
About Jelmer
I grew up in the north of the Netherlands and have lived in seven countries, including South Africa, Aruba, Curaçao, Australia, and New Zealand. I finally settled in Alberta, Canada. Every move pushed me into new terrain, new people, and new ways of seeing the world, but the outdoors was the one constant: hiking, camping, hunting, and disappearing into remote places became the baseline of my life.
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For sixteen years I worked in high-end restaurants and hotels as a sommelier, chef, and hospitality manager. That world taught me discipline, standards, and how to look after people properly, paying attention to details and making sure guests feel seen, not processed. I also guided hunters and guests in New Zealand, blending hospitality with backcountry work long before I ever thought about starting my own company.
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When I moved to Alberta, the wilderness took over fast. For the last four years I have spent most of my free time on foot in the Alberta Rockies, on crown land close to Kananaskis in the Livingstone and Ghost areas and in the mountains, forests, and river valleys most people only ever drive past. I know what it feels like to stare at a map not sure where to start, and I know the feeling of hitting the right valley on the right day and realizing you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
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To do this professionally, I ensured that the paperwork aligned with the reality on the ground.
I am Wilderness First Aid certified, trained in fire safety and bear safety, an IGA-certified hiking guide, and food handler safety certified. Alongside that, I have years of real hiking and camping experience in the same zones I guide in, so decisions around weather, route choice, and group ability come from experience, not guesswork.
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Wilderness Escape Adventures is the result of all of this coming together: international background, serious hospitality experience, and a genuine passion for wild places. I keep groups small, plans realistic, and the atmosphere relaxed and personal so people can experience real wilderness camping and guided hikes around Kananaskis and Alberta's crown land without feeling like they signed up for a bus tour in disguise.
What We Offer
Explore the Rockies in a way few tourist have ever been able to do
Our Wilderness Camping Setup
At Wilderness Escape Adventures, comfort doesn't get left behind on our guided camping trips. Guests stay in a spacious 16-foot bell tent, a warm and inviting shelter that feels surprisingly cozy in the middle of the Alberta wilderness. Inside, each guest sleeps on a thick 10-centimeter insulated sleeping pad that's 80 centimeters wide and two meters long. It's the kind of pad that makes several nights of wilderness camping feel effortless, even during the cooler edges of the season. Soft to the touch, cushioned, and warm from top to bottom, it sets the tone for real rest after a full day of hiking tours outside.
Sleeping bags are equally premium. Every guest is outfitted with a wide down sleeping bag rated to around minus nine degrees, so nights stay warm and comfortable even when the temperature drops. For taller guests, long bags are available that fit people up to two meters tall.
This is a comfortable wilderness camping
experience near Kananaskis on remote crown land, not a crowded campground. There are no showers or built toilets. We do things the traditional way, digging a proper hole for bathroom needs and bathing in the river when the weather allows. It's simple, refreshing, and part of the adventure. Around camp, guests can relax in comfortable chairs, enjoy the fire, and unwind under the stars.
The setup is designed to give people the best of both worlds on our camping tours Alberta: the peace and simplicity of the wild, paired with the comfort that makes the wilderness experience enjoyable from the moment you arrive.
Outdoor Activities
Immerse yourself in a variety of outdoor activities, including guided hikes to stunning viewpoints, wildlife spotting, survival skills workshops, and storytelling sessions around the campfire. Our carefully curated experiences ensure that every moment in the wilderness is filled with wonder and excitement.
​Arrival & Departure
Your wilderness escape begins in Calgary. We meet in the morning, usually between 9 and 11, and head out together toward the open prairies. The first stop is a small, authentic local coffee shop where we enjoy a good cup of coffee and go through a short briefing before heading deeper into the wilderness of the Rocky Mountains.
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Most guests drive their own car or RV, but if you’re coming from downtown Calgary and need a ride, you’re welcome to join me in the truck. There are up to five seats available. The drive to our destination takes roughly two and a half hours, including the final 30 to 40 minutes on a generally well-maintained gravel road. As with any remote travel in Canada, guests driving their own vehicle should leave Calgary with a full tank of fuel to ensure a smooth and stress-free trip.
Once we arrive in the region, we pick a beautiful spot, settle in, and set up camp together. It takes about 45 minutes and sets the tone for the adventure ahead.
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On departure day we start with breakfast and enjoy a relaxed morning. Depending on the group’s preference, we can fit in a short hike or simply unwind by the river before packing up the tent. After camp is broken down, we make the drive back toward Calgary, arriving in the city no later than 6 p.m.
Organized, comfortable, and straightforward from start to finish the way a wilderness trip should feel.
Food & Drink
At Wilderness Escape Adventures, good food isn't an afterthought on our guided wilderness camping tours. It's part of the camping experience. Quality meals keep you energized, satisfied, and ready to enjoy every hike, viewpoint, and moment in the Alberta wilderness. We focus on hearty, flavourful dishes cooked fresh over the campfire and enjoyed under the stars.​
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Breakfast sets the tone for the day on our camping trips. You can expect a warm omelet made with organic free-range eggs, bacon, peppers, onion, and potato, all served in a warm soft pita bread. It's filling, comforting, and exactly what you need before heading out on guided hikes. Freshly brewed coffee or tea is always ready to go.​
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On the first evening we keep things simple and relaxed. Depending on our timing and the group's preference, we roast our own hot dogs over the fire or make campfire pizzas. It's casual, fun, and a great way to ease into the wilderness camping experience.​
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The second night is where the feast happens. We cook over the fire and serve grilled vegetables, potatoes, and plenty of Alberta beef steaks. Alberta is known for producing some of the best beef in the world, and enjoying it outdoors under the open sky on our wilderness camping tours is something you don't want to miss.​
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Private camping trips can be customized, and reasonable requests are welcome. We also accommodate allergies as long as they are communicated at the time of booking.​
Because our days are spent out exploring on hiking tours, there is no prepared lunch at camp. Guests should bring their own daytime snacks such as jerky, nuts, or nutrition bars. If you like sports drinks like Gatorade, you're welcome to bring those as well. We provide plenty of clean drinking water, along with coffee and tea at camp.
FAQ
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Why did you start Wilderness Escape Adventures?
I kept meeting people who loved the idea of real wilderness camping but were held back by three things: not knowing where to go, being unsure of themselves and not wanting to invest in all the serious gear. Wilderness Escape Adventures exists so you can borrow my years of scouting and kit-building and just show up to a comfortable, remote camp that’s already set up the way it should be. -
What makes your trips different from regular tours in Banff or Kananaskis?
Instead of big groups on well‑known trails, I use the routes, camps and systems I’ve refined over years of exploring: secluded Crown land spots, thought‑through camp layouts, reliable gear and food, and flexible plans based on conditions and the group, so the trip feels polished rather than improvised. -
Why should I trust you to guide me in remote areas?
I’ve invested years into hiking, hunting and camping in these exact areas, testing gear and setups until they’re dialled, and I back that with Wilderness First Aid, bear and fire safety training, IGA hiking guide training and a professional hospitality background so guests feel genuinely safe and looked after.