Accommodations in Paris Ontario. Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts, Retreat Centres and Riverside Camping all close to our outdoor adventures on the Grand River.
Picnic Playgrounds
Picnic Areas and Children Playgrounds Near Paris Ontario
PARIS LIONS PARK IN PARIS
Description: This park has a wide selection of playground equipment , a splash pad and a swimming pool. There are picnic tables and washrooms here. There is also a picnic pavilion area. The area is shaded and is right along the Nith River. There is a bridge with access into the town of Paris and walking trails along the river.
Location: 36-96 Laurel St, Paris, ON N3L 3L8
Website: County of Brant
Fees: Free… contact County of Brant for picnic pavilion rental.
BEAN PARK IN PARIS
Description: Bean Park is located in the town of Paris, south of the business area. It is right on the Grand River. It has a parking area, boat launch, porta-potti, benches and picnic tables. Great spot to sit and watch the canoeists drift by.
Location: 4 Spencer St, Brant, ON N3L 4A4
Website: N/A
Fees: Free
FIVE OAKS CENTER OUTSIDE OF PARIS
Description: This is a retreat center where the facilities can be rented for family picnics. There is a very large parkland area along the river with volleyball and basket ball court, fire pits, dining hall and full kitchen, Has lots of parking, can easily handle large groups of up to 300 people. There is also a cater on site and a 70 person dining room. Has flush toilets and porta potties. There is also a boat launch/exit where people can end their trip. There is also a huge swimming pool that can be rented with life guards.
Location: 1 Bethel Rd, Brantford, On N3L 3E3
Website: Five Oaks Education & Retreat Center
Fees: Please contact Five Oaks…. 519-442-3212
PINEHURST CONSERVATION AREA OUTSIDE OF PARIS
Description: Located about 3 miles north of Paris. This is a forested park around a 23 acre lake. There is swimming, fishing, boat rentals and picnic areas. There is a pavilion here
Location: 468 Pinehurst Rd, Ayr, ON N0B 1E0
Website: Pinehurst Website
Fees: Yes there is an entrance fee… view on website or call 519-442-4721
BRANT PARK CONSERVATION AREA OUTSIDE OF PARIS
Description:Brant Park is located south of Paris about 7 miles. It has a huge swimming pool, a playground, a picnic pavilion and numerous picnic areas. There are also boat rentals and fishing at this park. It is located on the Grand River, but the picnic and playground areas are about 1 km from the river.
Location: 119 Jennings Rd, Brantford, On N3T 5L7
Website: Brant Park Website
Fees: Yes…please visit website or contact 519-752-2040
Paddling Adventures
Other Locations for Paddling Adventures on the Grand River
Grand River Rafting offers paddling trips between Cambridge and Brantford.
But there are two other recommended outfitting services to choose from as well.
Canoeing the Grand operates on the Northern part of the Grand River from Elora Gorge to Cambridge.
Six Nations Tourism operates on the Grand River South of Brantford with canoe rentals and guided paddling experiences near Ohsweken, Ontario.
Between Grand River Rafting, Canoeing the Grand and Six Nations… there is the opportunity to paddle over 100kms of the Grand River!
CANOEING THE GRAND
Type of Boats: Canoe rentals, kayak rentals and tube rentals
How It Works: Our shuttles will drive you and our boats up north along the river. From there you will begin your journey back down south to our location.
Location: 3734 King Street East. Kitchener, Ontario N2P 2G5
Website: Canoeing the Grand Website has trip information, boat rental prices and routes
SIX NATIONS TOURIM CANOE TRIPS
Type of Boats: Offering hourly rentals of canoes and kayaks.
Guided Trips: While on this 3 hour tour listen to the Creation Story and the rich history of the Six Nations people. Learn about the importance of all living things within the Haudenosaunee culture.
Location: 2498 Chiefswood Road, P.O.Box 569, Ohsweken ON N0A 1M0
Website: “On the Water“ Cultural Experience Packages
Paddle The Canadian Amazon
Type of Boats: Offering guided single and tandem kayaks.
Guided Trips: This is a 3 hour tour down Big Creek in kayaks with an interpretive guide. This is the Big Creek that flows out into Long Point Bay. It is like paddling through an Amazon Jungle.
Location: Big Creek in Norfolk County
Website: Big Creek Kayak Trips
Hiking
Hiking and Walking Trails Along the Grand River Near Paris Ontario
Along the Grand River there are two trail systems for exploring the Grand Valley.
The Rail Trail and the Grand Valley Hiking Trail.
Both of these trails run on the east side of the Grand River.
The Rail Trail is a shared trail with cyclists and cross country skiers… it is flat with a tight gravel base on top of an old railway bed… great for walking.
Grand Valley Hiking Trail
The Grand Valley Hiking Trail in the Paris to Brantford Area probably has some of the best scenery on the Grand River.
It is marked like the Bruce Hiking Trail and physically demanding.
Here is the link to the GVTA website for more information on the trails.
The Rail Trail
- Cambridge Access Point at the Canadian General-Tower Trailhead is at 210 Water Street South (Highway 24) just south of Concession Street (Map).
- Glen Morris Access Point at the parking area at the end of Forbes Street also serves a nearby river canoe launch (Map).
- Paris Access Point at the Jean Rich Foundation Trailhead is on Willow Street near Green Lane at the north end of Paris (Map).
Other Walking Trail Links
- In Paris, the trail links with the SC Johnson Trail from Paris to Brantford.
- In Cambridge, the trail connects to City of Cambridge trails, which in turn link to the Grand River Walter Bean Trail, which continues through Kitchener and Waterloo.
Fishing
Grand River Fishing Trips
Grand River fishing trips in Ontario offer the opportunity to catch smallmouth bass, pike, brown trout, steelhead and pickerel… over 90 species of fish.
There are two types of lessons available on the Grand River… fly fishing lessons or a basic learn to fish lesson.
Fishing Outfitters on the Grand River offer guided fly fishing trips in drift boats or shore wade… or guided spin cast trips in kayaks or drift boats.
Grand River Rafting works with three reliable outfitters… all offering excellent customer service and instruction.
Basic Learn to Fish Lessons… 1 Hour West of Toronto
Our lessons are a practical hands-on 3 to 4 hour fishing lesson, covering everything. These guide-instructed lessons are for those who want to learn how to fish in Ontario or wish to improve their present fishing skills.
With this fishing lesson you not only learn how to fish, but have the opportunity to fish under the guidance of a knowledgeable guide.
For more information on “Learn to Fish” visit BAER Fishing Adventures
Barna Robinson has been fishing his entire life. Fishing has been his favourite activity. So much so, that he decided to turn his passion into a business and start BAER Fishing Adventures.
Grand River Guided Fishing Trips… Spin-Cast in Kayaks or Drift Boat
BAER guides focus their efforts on stretches from Cambridge, ON to Dunville Ontario. These stretches of the river are dominated by Smallmouth Bass, but “Grand Slam” days where catching preferred species such as Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, Catfish and more are always possible. Major pools on the Grand River can hold all species of fish. During Spring and Fall we target Steelhead (Rainbow trout) and in Summer we target Smallmouth Bass. Every cast has the potential to hook into one of the many Grand Rivers species.
For guided fishing adventures on the Grand River visit the BAER Fishing Adventure website
Introduction to Fly Fishing and Casting 5 Hour on River Course
A Complete Introduction to Fly Fishing Have you ever dreamed of standing on the edge of a river, silently casting a hand tied fly to an unsuspecting fish? This course gives youth and adults a complete introduction to the fly fishing experience. Our goal is to simplify fly fishing techniques and demystify the sport as well as create a fun learning environment where all questions have merit.
Tyler Dunsmore, owner of Fly Water Guiding is versed with single and double hand rods. He can work with you on the basic cast through to advanced level casting. After the day, you will have the basic fundamentals to get out fishing.
Fly Water Guiding website link for lessons Or email flywater.guiding@primus.ca
Fly Fishing Wade & Drift Boat Trips on the Grand River
Our season starts in late April and lasts through to Mid December. The Spring season’s opener starts with Spring steelhead, fishing over some fresh run and post spawn drop back fish. As spring progresses the steelhead are replaced with a blue ribbon resident rainbow and brown trout fishery thru to the end of June. As summer begins in late June and early July, Smallmouth Bass become the spices of choice lasting through September. By Mid September the water has begun cooling with the shorter days of fall , and the early fall run Steelhead begin showing, and are plentiful through October, November and into December.
Fly Water Guiding website link for fly fishing trips Or email flywater.guiding@primus.ca
Fly Fishing Trips & Lessons on the Grand River
For fly fishing instruction or guided drift boat trips on the Grand River… Larry Mellors is one of the two fly fishing guides we work with in the Paris and Brantford area.
Larry does not have a website but can be contacted at 519-758-7052 (text or call) OR email at lmello1647@rogers.com
Larry is Owner/Guide/Instructor of Friends on the Fly.
He has been involved in outdoor school education for 40 years.
Chair of 20 plus committees dealing with water and fish in the province of Ontario.
Recipient of many provincial and national conservation awards.
Director of Trout Unlimited Canada, Middle Grand Chapter. Freelance writer (member of Outdoor Writers of Canada). Currently teach in 3 universities, 5 high schools and 5 elementary schools.
Cycling
Bike and Cycling Trails Along the Grand River... And Beyond!
Enjoy cycling or biking along the Grand River near Paris, Ontario.
Along the Grand River from Cambridge to Hamilton runs the Rail Trail.
The Rail Trail is 18 kilometres (11 mile) long, level, finished with fine gravel and runs through a forested landscape.
The trail follows the old roadbed of the Lake Erie and Northern Railway LE&N.
The brochure, Explore the Hamilton-Brantford-Cambridge Trails, includes a map and descriptions of scenic highlights and services along the trail.
Trail Access
- Cambridge: The Canadian General-Tower Trailhead is at 210 Water Street South (Highway 24) just south of Concession Street (Map).
- Glen Morris: A parking area at the end of Forbes Street also serves a nearby river canoe launch (Map).
- Paris: The Jean Rich Foundation Trailhead is on Willow Street near Green Lane at the north end of Paris (Map).
Uses
- Hiking and biking all year
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter
- No motorized vehicles of any kind
Trail links
- In Paris, the trail links with the SC Johnson Trail from Paris to Brantford.
- In Cambridge, the trail connects to City of Cambridge trails, which in turn link to the Grand River Walter Bean Trail, which continues through Kitchener and Waterloo.
- Portions of the trail are part of the Grand Valley Trail, which runs from Alton (near Orangeville) to Lake Erie at Rock Point Provincial Park, east of Dunnville.
Canoe Courses
ORCKA CANOE CERIFICATION & LESSONS IN ONTARIO
Looking for ORCKA certification in Ontario… then visit “It All Comes Naturally”… an organizational member of ORCKA – the Ontario Recreational Canoeing and Kayaking Association.
Located near London, Waterloo, Niagara and Toronto in Southern Ontario on the Grand River.
It All Comes Naturally has offered certification courses to a wide variety of clients over the years including students in SHSM programs, camp and conservation authority staff, outfitter’s guides, participants in the Guides and Scouting programs and LIT/CIT/NIT candidates at both day and residential camps, (as well as the general public).
Courses are typically taught at Pinehurst Lake Conservation Area, (where camping is available), but have also been taught at other Conservation areas, summer camps, and even on canoe trips! You name the time and place – we’ll come to you, (additional travel expenses may apply).
Greg Derbyshire has been involved in outdoor experiential education for over 40 years both for the school system and outdoor education centres. He has been certifying paddlers for schools, camps, government departments, conservation areas, Scouts/Guides and the general public for almost a decade with a focus on safe and knowledgeable recreational paddling.
Price: Visit Greg’s ORCKA Canoe & Instruction Website for pricing; discounts for groups
Contact: Greg Derbyshire at info@iacn.ca
Camping
Grand River Campsites in Southern Ontario
There are four campsite areas on the Grand River near Paris Ontario… and another nearby, on a 23 acre lake.
Birley Gates, Grand River Rafting and Brant Park have campsites right on the river near boat launches.
Campsite reservations are advised at all 5 campsites.
Birley Gates Camping
Website: www.birleygatescamping.com
Contact Info: Sharon Beal slbeal@rogers.com or call (519) 755-6530
Location: 142 West River Road South, Brant, Ontario N3L 3E2 (Paris, Ontario)
Capacity: 10 campsites
Amenities: Running water, picnic table, fire pit, firewood for sale and porta-potty washrooms.
Features: Located on the Grand River at the Cambridge-Glen Morris-Paris exit. This is a deep section of the river with calm water and bass fishing. Canoe-friendly access.
Nearest Stores: The town of Paris is less then 4kms away with grocery stores, shops, hardware & gas.
Brant Park Conservation Area Camping
Website: www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Brant.aspx
Contact Info: Call 519-752-2040
Location: 119 Jennings Rd, Brantford, ON N3T 5L7
Capacity: 400 campsites
Amenities: Running water, picnic table, fire pit, firewood for sale, hydro, porta-potty washrooms, showers and flush toilets.
Features: Located on the Grand River at the Paris-Brant Park exit. This is a deep section of the river with calm water and bass fishing. Canoe-friendly and boat rentals available.
Nearest Stores: The city of Brantford is less then 4kms away with grocery stores, shops, hardware & gas.
Five Oaks Center
Website: www.fiveoaks.on.ca/Rent-our-Space.htm
Contact Info: (519) 442-3212
Location: 1 Bethel Rd, Paris, ON N3L 3E3
Capacity: Can host very large or small groups…. don’t advertise camping… but it is available.
Amenities: Running water, picnic table, fire pit, firewood, showers, porta-potty and flush toilet washrooms.
Features: Located on the Grand River along the Paris to Brant Park route. Located where Whitemans Creek flows into the Grand River.
Nearest Stores: The town of Paris is less then 4kms away with grocery stores, shops, hardware & gas.
Grand River Rafting Campsites
Website: www.grandriverrafting.com
Contact Info: info@grandriverrafting.ca or call (519) 442-2519
Location: 81 Pottruff Rd, Brantford, On N3T 5L7
Capacity: 4 campsites
Amenities: Picnic table, fire pit, saw your own firewood and porta-potty washrooms.
Features: Located right on the Grand River along the Paris to brant park Route. Canoe-friendly access.
Nearest Stores: The town of Paris or the city of Brantford is less then 5 kms away with grocery stores, shops, hardware & gas.
Pinehurst Conservation Area Campsites
Website: www.grandriver.ca/en/outdoor-recreation/Pinehurst-Lake.aspx
Contact Info: (519) 442-4721
Location: 468 Pinehurst Rd, Ayr, ON N0B 1E0
Capacity: 169 campsites
Amenities: Running water, picnic table, fire pit, firewood for sale, showers, flush toilets and porta-potty washrooms.
Features: Located on the Grand River not far from the Cambridge-Glen Morris-Paris route. The park has swimming, fishing and boat rentals on a 23 acre kettle lake.
Nearest Stores: The town of Paris is less then 5kms away with grocery stores, shops, hardware & gas. Plus there is a store and gas station just outside the park.
Grand River Fishing
Learn to Fish Lessons & Fishing Trips on Ontario's Grand River.
Small Mouth Bass & Steelhead Trout fishing on the Middle Grand River… in 1990 the Grand River won the award in Australia for the best managed river in the world. This restored river hosts 90 different species of fish, with a growing population of bald eagles and osprey. An amazing wilderness setting of pools and swifts offering excellent spincast and fly fishing opportunities in Southern Ontario’s back yard.
Grand River Rafting fishing partners offer fly fishing lessons, fly fishing walk & wade trips and fly fishing drift boat excursions.
If you don’t fly fish, but do regular fishing (spin cast), we have partners that offer a basic “learn to fish” course… as well as guided walk & wade trips, kayak fishing and drift boats.
Fly Water Guiding Services & Lessons
Offering fly fishing instruction lessons and guided trips between Cambridge and Brantford.
For fly fishing lessons, it is a ratio of 1:1-4 people, with a maximum of 12. Lessons include all equipment, setup & knots, casting instruction, fly patterns & insects, reading the water, safety, conservation and etiquette. Can customize 2 hour programs… but normally lessons are 4-5 hours.
If wishing a guided fly fishing trip on the Middle Grand. There are two options: “Walk & Wade” or a Drift Boat excursions. trips are 5-6 hours, but again can be customized.
Tyler Dunsmore is the owner of this fly fishing company and can be contacted best by email.
Friends on the Fly
Larry Mellor offers indoor & outdoor fly fishing sessions along the Middle Grand section near Paris, Ontario.
Larry will do fly fishing lessons for 1-4 people, and can join up with other instructors to do larger groups. Lessons include all equipment, setup & knots, casting instruction, fly patterns & insects, reading the water, safety, conservation and etiquette.
Larry also champions many aquatic renewal and stream habitat improvement for trout on many of the local brooks and creeks in the Grand River Valley.
If wishing a guided drift boat fly fishing experience or a walk & wade on the Middle Grand. Contact Larry at this email.
BAER Fishing Adventures
Learn how to fish for beginners is a 3-4 hour lesson that BAER Fishing adventures excels at. This program cover choosing your equipment, tying knots, techniques for rigging, how to cast and retrieve, choice of baits & lures, setting the hook, safely handling fish and removing the hook.
If wishing to do a kayak fishing adventure in the valley, Baer offers a 5-6 hour excursion with all gear supplied. They have the capacity for up to 4 people with a guide and all equipment supplied.
Another option is to do a guided fishing trip in a drift boat down the Grand River. This is a great trip down the river with capacity for 2 people plus the guide.
For more information about spin cast fishing trips on the Grand River … please contact Baer Fishing Adventures.
Accommodations
The Arlington Hotel
Located in beautiful Paris, Ontario, the Arlington Hotel overlooks the Grand River and bustling downtown. With wonderful views and a unique collection of rooms and suites, this historic landmark is the perfect choice for your next getaway. Only moments away from major attractions and events, the Arlington is the perfect escape from the ordinary.
Address: 106 Grand River Street North, Paris, Ont N3L 2M5
Phone: 226 227 1767
Website: www.arlingtonhotel.ca
Hampton Inn Brantford
Located 1 km off the 403 Highway with easy access. Has meeting rooms with capacity for 400 people. Located just outside of the beautiful town of Paris. About 10 minutes away from all Grand River Rafting launch sites. Located right on the edge of the cycling and hiking Rail Trail system.
Address: 20 Fen Ridge Court, Brantford, Ont N3V 1G2
Phone: 519 720 0084
Website: Hampton Inn