In "Canoeing in the Wilderness," Thoreau recounts a journey he took with a friend, William L. Channing, through the Maine woods in the summer of 1857. The book was compiled posthumously by Thoreau's friend and literary executor, Sophia Thoreau, and his close friend, Horace Mann Jr. It was published in 1864.

The narrative chronicles their adventures as they navigate the lakes, rivers, and forests of Maine by canoe. Thoreau describes the natural beauty of the wilderness, including the flora and fauna encountered along the way. He also reflects on the simplicity and solitude of life in the wilderness, as well as the spiritual and philosophical insights that arise from immersion in nature.

"Canoeing in the Wilderness" is notable for its vivid descriptions of the Maine wilderness and Thoreau's keen observations of the natural world. It offers readers a glimpse into Thoreau's love of nature and his deep appreciation for the wilderness. The book is often considered a companion piece to his more well-known works like "Walden" and "A Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers," further illuminating Thoreau's philosophy of nature and his reverence for the wild.