South Ontario's largest river, the Grand is located in the heart of Southern Ontario & is easily accessible for canoeing & kayaking, just an hour west of Toronto & only 90 minutes northwest of Niagara Falls. The Grand River flows 300 kilometres from it's source in the Caledon Hills, to its mouth at Port Maitland on Lake Erie. It flows past the historic communities of Elora, Kitchener, Cambridge, Paris, Brantford, the Six Nations Native Reserve, Caledonia & Dunnville.
The Grand was designated a Canadian Heritage River for its early effect on Canada's cultural mosaic. Earlier Native settlements were along the Grand River for thousands of years. in the late 1700's & & 1800's, Six Nations Iroquois Natives, Germans, Mennonites, English, irish, Scots & others all began to settle in the Grand River Valley. The Grand has lots of history to share, from Native to early European Settlements.
Winner of the Winner of the Thiess International Riverprize for being the Best Managed River in the world in the year 200o, the Grand is renowned for its recreational opportunities, water quality, cultural heritage & wildlife. The Grand River offers paddling trips for novice & experienced paddlers ranging from 2 hour day-trips to 6 day expeditions. With our guided Grand River Experiences our experienced, Paddle Canad certified RiverGuides lead you in discovering the Grand's great paddling plus its Cultural & Natural History.
We also provide self-guided trips where you explorer the river onits own. The newly updated guidebook Paddling the Grand River is a great resource for anyone wanting to plan a self-guided trip on the Grand. It has everything you need including full colour maps,displaying access points, portages with aerial photos, points of interest & photography. Plus details on local sights, fishing, accommodations, parking & GPS coordinates for navigation.
This guide is perfect for an afternoon's excursion or a multi-day adventure on this beautiful Hertiage River1. Written by staff at the Grand River Conservation Authority with Grand Experiences head guide Jamie Kent, Paddling the Grand River is now better than ever.
Founded in 1934 the Grand River Conservation Authority manages water & other natural resources on behalf of 38 municipalities in the Grand's Watershed. Largest in Southern Ontario.
Jamie Kent is owner operator of Grand Experiences, outdoor adventure company on the Grand since 1997, a Paddle Canada Instructor-Trainer & expert on the area's history, lora & fauna
