There are many great things about the Rideau Canal from its hiking trails to its picnic areas. A fun activity the canal offers is canoeing. There are easy to paddle waters because of the locks that are built there and many places to explore in your journey down the river.
The canal is a chain of rivers and lakes with locks to connect them through eastern Ontario. It is operated by the Parks Canada Agency and was built in the 1800s to help defend Canada with an accessible water way. You can canoe and paddle the entire waterway with no restrictions. There are many camping areas and places to stop in for picnics and hiking all along the locks.
This is flat-water paddling so if you are into rough water then you won't find that many extreme areas. The water where there are large bodies can get rough if the wind is blowing hard so this is the only time you will need to be cautious.
Come Prepared When You Go Canoeing
You will need maps to travel the canal just to make sure you can set a good path to paddle. Make sure to bring safety gear you need and anything you might want to stay comfortable throughout the trip. You can easily rent a canoe if you don't have your own.
There are several places that you can do this including Ahoy Rentals, Canal Gallery, Jenda Watersports, and several more. There are different hours depending on the time of year. You can check out the various times online as well as find maps that will help you navigate the area.
Canoeing is a Great Activity
Canoeing can be a great way to spend quality time with family and friends and have a relaxing day. Whether you have been canoeing before or not, you will have a good time.
