Before the school bells ring and fall schedules take over, there is still time to give your family an experience that cannot be found behind a screen. The late summer days offer some of the best paddling conditions of the season across our watershed. Calm waters, warm afternoons, and lush green corridors along the Grand […]
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The Grand River Photo Guide
Some of the best moments on the Grand River can’t be planned—they simply happen. A Great Blue Heron glides low across the water just ahead of your bow, a painted turtle basks on a sunlit log, or morning light cuts through the trees lining the shoreline. Before you know it, you are drifting through some […]
Celebrate Canada Day on the Grand River
Happy Canada Day! As we celebrate this beautiful country today, there is no better place to reflect on our natural heritage than right here on the water. The Grand River is an iconic piece of Ontario’s landscape. Getting outdoors and experiencing the river firsthand is the perfect way to spend the holiday with family and […]
Grand River Natural Springs
The Grand River is shaped by what flows into it, and some of its most vital contributors are hidden right in plain sight along the valley walls. Throughout the watershed, natural coldwater springs constantly feed the main river. These aren’t just scenic trickles; they are the lifeblood of the river’s ecosystem. Because this water filters […]
Paddle like the Voyageurs
Step back in time and move forward together. Our iconic 11-person voyageur canoes are officially back in service, beautifully restored, and ready for your next group adventure on the water. These massive, stable vessels offer an incredible, shared experience that you simply can’t get in a standard canoe or kayak. Because everyone paddles together in […]
The Indigenous Legacy of the Grand River
Long before kayaks, campgrounds, and riverside towns existed along the Grand River, Indigenous peoples lived, travelled, hunted, farmed, and built thriving communities throughout the watershed. The Grand River was more than just a source of water — it was a highway, a provider, a gathering place, and a deeply spiritual part of daily life. Every […]
Giant Hogweed on the Grand River
Giant Hogweed is an invasive plant found throughout Ontario, including along the banks of the Grand River. When in bloom, it can grow to an impressive height of up to 14 feet. Key identifying features include large umbrella-shaped white flower clusters, thick green stems with distinctive purple blotches, coarse white hairs along the stems, and […]
Echoes of the Grand: Ice Age Origins
Echoes of the Grand: A River Through Time Part 1: The Ice Age Origins The Grand River is one of Canada’s most historically and ecologically significant waterways. Stretching across Southern Ontario, it has shaped the landscape, wildlife, and human history of the region for thousands of years. Its story begins long before modern settlement—during the […]
Brant Hits Major Conservation Milestone
Brant Hits Major Conservation Milestone The waters we paddle and the landscapes we explore just received a significant layer of protection. The County of Brant, in partnership with Ontario Nature, recently announced that nearly 200 hectares of local natural heritage areas have been officially recognized as contributors to Canada’s “30×30” target—a national goal to protect […]
Cold Water, High Stakes
Cold Water, High Stakes: Navigating the Grand Before the Warm-Up It’s the classic spring trap in Ontario: The sun is out, the air is a balmy 20°C, and the urge to get the boat off the rack is overpowering. But beneath the surface, the Grand River is still holding onto winter. With water temperatures hovering […]