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Hints and tips for a great paddling experience
The view of Davies Lake [Sand Lake] is very pleasing. The many islands, as if floating on a transparent mirror which mellowed and reflected by the tint of the morning, strikes the contemplative mind with a sensation of pleasure not easily forgotten.
- Surveyor John Burrows’ impression of Sand Lake while paddling the Rideau in May 1827.
The Rideau Canal is a wonderful place for young and old alike to canoe or kayak, offering some of the best paddling in Canada. The locks have created an easy to paddle slackwater system and the central lakes have hundreds of interesting nooks and crannies for the paddler to explore. There are lots of camping locations, many with washroom facilities. Multiple points of access along the Rideau provide the paddler with easy ways to get out on the water. 
The Rideau is one of the best places to paddle in Canada, in fact one of the best places to paddle in North America. See my:
- Paddler's Trip Planner - All the basic information you need to plan your canoe/kayak trip on the Rideau.
- Rideau Paddling FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions (with answers) about paddling the Rideau.
- Boater's Trip Planner - A list of general information that is useful for boating of any type on the Rideau.
- Rideau Boating Page - Basic boating information for the Rideau.
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| A group of canoeists and kayakers at Kilmarnock Lock |
- Travel Guides - specific travel guides with route descriptions can be found in the section below.
- Travel Ideas - a compilation of ideas for Day Tripping, Shoreling and Lily Paddling.
- Paddling the Rideau Canal - A guide to canoeing/kayaking the Rideau, written by Don MacKay, a canalman with Parks Canada. Includes lots of great hints about paddling the Rideau as well as two travel guides.
- Canoe Route 1A-76 - Circle route - Newboro - Upper Rideau Lake. Distance = 26 km. Travel time = 1 day. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 1-71 - Circle route incl. Newboro, Clear, Indian, Benson and Mosquito Lakes. Distance = 32 km. Travel time = 1.5 - 2 days. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 2-72 - Tour of Opinicon and Sand Lakes. Distance = 97 km. Travel time = 2 - 3 days. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 5-76 - Seeleys Bay to Jones Falls. Distance = 19 km. Travel time = 1 day. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 3-73 - Jones Falls to Delta. Distance = 20 km. Travel time = 1 day. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 4-72 - Delta to Gananoque. Distance = 96 km. Travel time = 2 - 3 days. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 4A-74 - Delta to Charleston Lake. Distance = 27 km. Travel time = 1 - 1.5 days. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Canoe Route 7-77 - Loughborough Loop. Distance = 40 km. Travel time = 1 - 1.5 days. A route guide produced by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
- Edmunds to Kars - Travel time = 2 days. A route guide produced by Don MacKay
- Newboro to Poonamalie - Travel time = 2 days. A route guide produced by Don MacKay
- Chaffeys to Davis - Travel time = 0.5 to 1 day. A route guide produced by Don MacKay
- Jones Falls to Morton Bay - Travel time = 1 day. A route guide produced by Don MacKay
- Kingston to Smiths Falls - Travel time = 5 - 6 days. A route guide produced by Don MacKay
- Rideau Canal Waterway Website - I know you're here already but have you checked out all the other information on this site, the boating page, boater's trip planner, accomodation listing, attractions, etc. etc.? A page of interest if you don't own a canoe/kayak is the canoe/kayak rental section on the Boat Rentals Page
- Paddling the Tay River - info about paddling the Tay River, including the Tay Canal portion of the river.
- Paddle Canada - headquartered in Kingston, they offer lots of information for the paddler.
- Cataraqui Canoe Club - this is the canoe association that covers the southern portion of the Rideau Waterway.
- Rideau Canoe Club - this is the canoe association based in Ottawa (at Hogs Back).
- Paddling the Tay River - info about paddling the Tay River, including the Tay Canal portion of the river.
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© 1999-2008 Ken W. Watson