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Routes and access points

This webpage provides information on river access points on properties owned by the GRCA or river access points owned and/or maintained by our municipal partners.

Canoeing or kayaking between the source of the Grand and Elora can be difficult because of low flows and the many portages.

Suitability of river flows for paddling and paddling times depend on the experience and equipment of the paddler and the conditions at the time. If you are unsure about suitability, you may wish to use a local canoe outfitter.

This section starts in Elora and passes through the County of Wellington, ending in the village of Bridgeport, part of the City of Kitchener.

Dams: There are no dams, however there is a low level bridge within Elora Gorge Conservation Area to portage around.

Access

This section passes through the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge (Galt).

Dams:  Maneheim Weir downstream of Freeport in Kitchener and Parkhill Dam in Cambridge (Galt).

Access

The section runs from Cambridge to Paris.

Dams: There is a portage at the end of the route in Paris at Penman's Dam.

Access

Please note that Brant County is implementing new on-road parking restriction measures at their river access points starting July 1st, 2021.  For more information visit Brant County's river access webpage.

This section begins downstream of Penman's Dam or at the south end of Paris at Bean Park. The route ends at Brant Conservation Area.

Dams: Penman's Dam Paris and Wilkes Dam at Brant Conservation Area.

Access

Please note that Brant County is implementing new on-road parking restriction measures at their river access points starting July 1st, 2021.  For more information visit Brant County's river access webpage.

This section begins at the boat ramp just outside the Brant Conservation Area gate. 

Dams:  There are no dams in this section.

Access

Dam: This section ends before a portage on the east bank just above Caledonia Dam.

Access 

  • Cockshutt Bridge, Erie Avenue, Brantford. Boat ramp and parking. This river access point is maintained by the City of Brantford.
  • Kinsmen Park, Caithness Street East, Caledonia, just upstream of Caledonia Dam. Portage around the dam. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County

This section begins downstream of Caledonia Dam.

Dams:  There are no dams in this section.

Access

  • Kinsmen Park, Caithness Street East, Caledonia, just downstream of Caledonia Dam. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County.

  • York Park, on Highway 54 (Front Street), just downstream of the bridge.

  • Bob Baigent Park, Ouse Street, Cayuga, just downstream of the Highway 3 bridge. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County.

The Grand becomes a much wider river in this stretch. The Dunnville Dam creates lake-like conditions for paddling in the lower Grand River.

Dam: The portage is located at Byng Island Conservation Area to go around the Dunnville Dam and its three weirs.

Access

Dams: No dams and weirs if you put in below the Dunnville Dam and weirs.

Access

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