(519) 442-2519

(519) 442-2519

Canoe Rentals

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Canoe Rentals

The Canadian Paddling Experience on the Grand River

Trip Description

We offer canoe rentals and trips on the Grand River. The canoe is the hardest boat to steer!

Max number is 3 adults per boat or 2 adults and two small children. Please call or email us to book 2 adults and 2 children.

If you are a first time or a beginner… we do not recommend choosing a canoe to paddle the Grand River, because a canoe is tippy and more difficult to steer, especially if you are inexperienced at paddling in moving water.

You can take a one hour lessons before your canoe trip for $30 per person, available only on the Paris to Brant Park trip. To book a lesson with our office please call 519-442-2519 or email.

For a beginner on a river, we suggest choosing the Five Oaks route… or renting a two person non-tip yak or a tandem kayak, instead. Or taking our one hour canoe-lesson before doing your trip.

Suggested Ages: 3 years and up, with an experienced canoeists steering (an experienced canoeist is someone that has the skill to paddle in moving current).

Suggested Maximum Weight: the canoe has an 800lb capacity. We do not suggest the canoes for people over 200lbs each. Call us if you have weight/size questions.

NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED… Please remember that no alcoholic beverages are allowed on the river… it is Federal Law and can result in OPP charges.

Grand River Rafting reserves the rights to inspect all bags and coolers being brought on trips. If alcoholic beverages are found, you will be asked to kindly return the beverages to your vehicle. If someone refuses inspection or refuses to leave alcoholic beverages behind, they will not be allowed to go on the river… and there will be no refund.

A Video of a Day at Grand River Rafting

Grand River Rafting Company Video

Trip Pricing

Price of Boat and Persons

  1. Glen Morris to Paris 11.5 km (link): $110 per 2 people plus HST.   
  2. Paris to Brant Park 13 km (link): $110 per 2 people plus HST.
  3. Five Oaks to Brant Park 5km (link): $80 per 2 people plus HST
  4. Steamboat Alley… York to Cayuga 10km (link): $110 per 2 people plus HST
  5. Sycamore to Paris 5km (link)  $80 per 2 people plus HST

Adding more then 2 people to a canoe… the price is $25 for one adult (only 1 additional adult allowed)… or $25 per child, (up to 2 additional children under 12 years allowed).

Exception is the Sycamore and Five Oaks Run when adding people to a canoe… the price is $10 for one adult (only 1 additional adult allowed)… or $10 per child, (up to 2 additional children under 12 years allowed).

 

Prices Include

  • boat, paddle, life-jacket, safety kit
  • river map & orientation talk
  • shuttle ride to start point
  • free entrance fee
  • free parking & picnic area
  • water refill for bring your own bottle

 

 

Available Upgrades

  • Campsites available at end point, if paddling the Paris, Five Oaks or Glen Morris trips.
  • For nearby Restaurants visit…  Paris Eateries
  • For “Other Things To Do” visit… Attractions
  • For Accommodations visit… Hotels & Campsites
  • Please note… HST is not included in prices.
  • We have different meet up places for each trip… so please read your confirmation for which location to drive to.

Trips

Paris to Brant Park Trip 13km ($110)

Paris to Brant Park Trip. With all our trips, you park where your trip ends… and we shuttle you upstream.

This trip shuttles you into the picturesque town of Paris. The Paris to Brant Park trip is considered our most gentle paddle.

There is a section of fast moving water at the start, followed by more placid waters. It has a picnic site with washrooms along the way, fresh water springs, an old 1830’s mine shaft and spots to swim. Great route for non-swimmers to try!

For more details of the route and to view a map, please visit this link.

Book Paris To Brant... Date and Rates

Glen Morris to Paris Trip 11km ($110)

Glen Morris to Paris Area Trip.  This Grand River route starts above Glen Morris at the ruins of an 1867 woolen mill and ends below the stone towers of the Three Sisters (about 3 km above Paris). It has about 1 km of easy splash to paddle, fresh water springs, an island to stop at and spots to swim,. The picnic area is at the end point where your vehicle is parked.

Because the Grand River averages less then a meter deep in most spots… enjoyable for non-swimmers.

For more details of the route and to view a map, please visit this link.

Book Glen Morris... Dates and Rates

Five Oaks to Brant Park Trip 5km ($80)

The Five Oaks to Brant Park is our shortest trip.

If you are a beginner and want to try a canoe for the first time on a river… then this 5km paddle is the best choice.

Five Oaks is for families with young children… or people wishing to see what paddling the Grand River is like.

At the end, the river becomes like a lake because of a dam further downstream. So the last last kilometer of paddling has very little current.

For more details of the route and to view a map, please visit this link.

Book Five Oaks... Dates and Rates

Steamboat Alley Cayuga Trip 10km ($110)

Steamboat Alley is about 90 minutes away from Toronto. This is a paddle down the old steamship route of the 1850’s. A safe beginner section with a slow current, so requires some paddling. The route braids through a series of islands even past an old stone river baron mansion that is now a historic site called Ruthven. About a 3.5-4 hour trip.

For more details of the route and to view a map, please visit this link.

Book Steamboat Alley Trip... Dates and Rates

Sycamore Trip to Paris 5km ($80)

The Sycamore to Paris has some faster moving water… but you still have slow spots to paddle. There are fresh water springs, an island to stop at and spots to swim. Because the Grand River averages less then a meter deep in most spots… enjoyable for non-swimmers. Averages about 1-1.5 hours to paddle when flowing at summer rates.

For more details of the route and to view a map, please visit this link.

Book Sycamore Trip... Dates and Rates

Important Info

What to Bring:

  1. Good sunscreen, hat, sun glasses, retainer string for eye glasses, water & snacks, gloves if hands blister easily, lip balm.
  2. Bring footwear you don’t mind getting wet… the river bottom is rocky.
  3. If you burn easy… long sleeves and pants… otherwise swim suits or clothes that dry quickly. Denim jeans are not a good idea… they stay wet forever!
  4. If cooler weather… dress in layers so you can strip down as you get hot.
  5. Due to health protocols we are not supplying dry bags… so please bring ziplock bags or bags capable of keeping car keys, cell phones and personals dry

 

How Your Trip Works:

  1. You can book online “Book Now” or please contact us directly by phone 519-442-2519 or email. We host over 50,000 people yearly… we have 3 people answering phones… so be patient if calling.
  2. Once booked… we will send you a confirmation with what to bring and where to meet
  3. Upon arrival, there are portable washrooms & change rooms, register at our desk, then get equipped, do an orientation talk about your trip and map.
  4. Once everyone is ready… we shuttle you upstream… you get your boat… then paddle down the river to the exit point where your vehicle is parked.

 

Cancellation Policies:

Final price is based on headcount given 48 hours out from date of event.

If cancellation is given 48 hours in advance, there is a full deposit refund minus a 5% processing fee.

If cancellation is given under 48 hours, there is a 75% refund.

If cancellation is after midnight on the day of the trip, there is no refund.

 

Inclement Weather Policy

We want you to enjoy your trip, not endure it!

Weather can vary within 30 miles, so please check our “Grand River Weather Update Page” before leaving home to see if your trip is a go.

If the webpage states poor weather on the Grand River, your group has 3 choices:

  1. You can come at your assigned time or email us to request moving your time around.
  2. Or you can email us and request another date.
  3. Or you can email us and request a full refund

Please ignore the weather app forecasts that are more than 12 hours out from your start time.

Weather forecasting more then12 hours out is total guesswork… extremely inaccurate… please do not base your trip planning on these long range forecast charts.