Special Paddling Events
Listed below are the upcoming events that we will be supplying boats for:
Date: May 5, 2019
Description: Once a year, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) provides a unique opportunity for people to paddle the Don River. The registration fee helps TRCA conserve the natural system in the Toronto region and provide opportunities to educate and engage the public on the importance of the natural environment.
Location: Ernest Thompson Seton Park, Toronto, Ontario
Website: Paddle the Don
Fee: See website for details (Grand River Rafting rents canoes and kayaks for this event.
Date: May 25, 2019
Description: This is an outdoor concert venue with a skyline view of the city. Grand River Rafting offers the opportunity to rent a kayak, yak, stand up paddleboard and Turbo Tube while attending the concert.
Location: Echo Beach Toronto, Ontario
Website: CBC Music Festival
Fee: Tickets to the event are $39.50 per person. Boat rental fees $10 per person.
Date: June 15, 2019
Description: Join us for the 6th annual Paddle the Rouge in support of Wildlands League. Come out and enjoy a day on The Rouge, including our free Learn to Paddle. Grand River Rafting supplies the canoes and kayaks for this event.
Location: Rouge Beach Park, 195 Rouge Hills Drive, Toronto, ON, Canada
Website: Paddle the Rouge Wildlands League
Fee: Visit website for information.
Date: June 22, 2019
Description: Grand River Rafting supplies boats & tubes for teams to take to the water for a day filled with fun and excitement on the Grand River. Join us in this one-of-a-kind team-based fundraising adventure in support of The Sunshine Foundation of Canada.
Location: Brant Park, Brantford Ontario
Website: Float for Dreams
Fee: Contact Sunshine Foundation to setup your team or join a team
Date: July 24 to August 1, 2019
Description: We supply the canoes and kayak rentals for “Two Rows” – one Indigenous row, and one settler/immigrant row – to demonstrate the simple concept of the Two Row Wampum Treaty. Our teachings say to paddle down the “river” of life on parallel paths, as friends close enough to help each other, but not disrupting each other’s way of life.
Educational events, traditional teachings, interactive dancing, storytelling, and sharing circles will all be included as we camp along the river each night to rest.
Location: Grand River… Cambridge to Lake Erie
Website: Two Row on the Grand
Fee: $60 per day for adults, $45 for children for food and campsites.
Picnic Playgrounds
Picnic Areas and Children Playgrounds Near Paris Ontario
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.
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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
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
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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!
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
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).
Price: Visit Greg’s ORCKA Canoe & Instruction Website for pricing; discounts for groups
Contact: Greg Derbyshire at [email protected]
Camping
Grand River Campsites in Southern Ontario
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
Contact Info: Sharon Beal [email protected] 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
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
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
Contact Info: [email protected] 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
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.