Rideau Expedition Series: Kingston to Ottawa

The Rideau Expedition Series

Style: 18-Day Comprehensive Series
Capacity: 4-12 participants per day
When: Wednesday & Saturday starting Mid June till Mid September

A Legacy Journey Across the Rideau Watershed Experience the full majesty of Ontario’s only UNESCO World Heritage site with Nanook Expeditions. The Rideau Expedition Series is a 18-part series that invites you to paddle every kilometer of the historic waterway connecting Kingston to Ottawa.

This is more than a tour; it is a seasonal pilgrimage through the heart of the Canadian Shield and the historic settlements that built a nation. By breaking the epic journey into eighteen highly manageable day trips, we offer an immersive, relaxed experience that prioritizes heritage appreciation, wildlife viewing, and comfortable pacing. You will navigate massive stone dams, hand-operated locks, and the biologically rich “Swale” wetlands, completely supported by the guidance of Nanook’s guides and instructors.

A central highlight of this expanded expedition is our exploration of the historic Tay Canal, paddling from the beautiful heritage town of Perth down to the Rideau Canal. With daily distances averaging a comfortable 10 to 14 kilometers, all food, safety gear, and route navigation are handled by our team. You are free to focus on the rhythm of your blade and the stories of the river.

Fully Guided Experience: Travel with an experienced guide(s)
Small Group Size: 4 – 12 participants
All Canoes/Kayak/Big Canoe & Equipment Included: No gear required
Lunch & Snacks Included
Opportunities to see loons, deer, turtles, beavers, and more
Single day sign up or packages available
Paddle Canada Basic / Level 1 skills certification can be worked towards (short paddling days will also be skill / rescue learning, review days)

Single day registration
- $149 / adult (16+ yrs old)
- $129 / youth (12-16 yrs old)
- $99 / child (under 12 yrs old – call office to book)
6 day pass savings up to $95
- $799 / adult (16+ yrs old)
- $559 / youth (12-16 yrs old)
- $439 / child (under 12 yrs old – call office to book)
Full Expedition pass (All 19 Days)
- $1999 / adult (16+ yrs old)
- $1599 / youth (12-16 yrs old)
- $1079 / child (under 12 yrs old – call office to book)

Experienced Guide(s)
Lunch & Snacks Provided (Dietary restrictions can be accommodated)
Paddle Craft (Canoe, Kayak, Big Canoe)
PFD (lifejacket), paddles, and safety gear
Dry bags for small personal items

Shuttle service from Ottawa to Put In (Information coming soon)
Water Bottle

Quick-dry long-sleeve and/or athletic wear (polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc)
Fleece jacket or pullover (For at lunch, or the take out)
Quick-dry shorts or pants, bathing suits and/or athletic wear (polyester, nylon, acrylic, etc)
Closed-toed water shoes (old sneakers) or sandals (must have back straps no flip flops)
Rain gear (jacket and pants)
Head gear – sun hat (summer)
Sunglasses with strap
Lip balm (with UV protection)
Good quality water bottle (e.g., nalgene)
Sunscreen
Bug spray
Camera (waterproof casing and strap)

Saturdays (The Southern Shield & Lakes):

This series focuses on the rugged Canadian Shield, the major lakes, and the historic Tay Canal detour.
Section: Kingston – Beveridges Lock (Including Tay Canal)

Day 1: Where the River Meets the Lake (Kingston to Colonel By Lake)
Distance: ~10 km
The Vibe: The journey begins! We launch at Emma Martin Park in Kingston, leaving Lake Ontario behind as we paddle up the sheltered Cataraqui River. The highlight of the day is our first encounter with Parks Canada history as we navigate the impressive 4-lock flight at Kingston Mills, transitioning from the river into the tranquil waters of Colonel By Lake to end our first day.

Day 2: Sunken Forests and Wetlands (Colonel By Lake to Upper Brewers)
Distance: ~13 km
The Vibe: Today we explore Colonel By Lake and the fascinating River Styx. Keep your cameras ready—these shallow, man-made lakes are renowned for their hauntingly beautiful sunken tree stumps and abundant waterfowl. This stretch is a masterclass in tranquil, flat-water paddling as we navigate the quiet pastoral setting and pull out at Lower Brewers Lock.

Day 3: The Cranberry Navigate (Lower Brewers to Seeley’s Bay)
Distance: ~14 km
The Vibe: Continuing our journey north, we enter the beautiful expanses of Cranberry Lake. The route weaves through islands and rugged shorelines, offering a true sense of wilderness before we utilize the excellent public launch to conclude our day in the welcoming village of Seeley’s Bay.

Day 4: The Shield Emerge (Seeley’s Bay to Davis Lock)
Distance: ~14 km
The Vibe: Today we transition deeper into the Canadian Shield. We will paddle the clear waters of Whitefish Lake, surrounded by towering pines and granite outcrops, before arriving at the remote and picturesque Davis Lock—often considered one of the most beautiful stations on the system.

Day 5: The Watershed Summit (Davis Lock to Newboro)
Distance: ~13 km
The Vibe: We cross the final stretch of the southern watershed. Navigating the island-dotted Opinicon Lake and passing the historic Chaffeys Lock, we conclude at Newboro. This is a crucial geographic milestone: we have reached the highest point of the Rideau, where the water begins its long descent toward Ottawa.

Day 6: The Upper Rideau Short Hop (Newboro to Narrows Lock)
Distance: ~8 km
The Vibe: A purposely shorter day to break up the exposed open-water crossings of the major lakes. We enjoy a relaxed paddle across Upper Rideau Lake, arriving at Narrows Lock, an impressive station built to bridge the shallowest point of the lake system.

Day 7: Provincial Park Horizons (Narrows Lock to Murphys Point PP)
Distance: ~12 km
The Vibe: We enter the expansive Big Rideau Lake. Paddling along the rugged, pine-lined shores, we are treated to classic Canadian Shield scenery. Our day concludes at the beautifully maintained docks of Murphys Point Provincial Park.

Day 8: Crossing the Big Water (Murphys Point to Beveridges Lock)
Distance: ~13 km
The Vibe: We cross the remainder of the magnificent Big Rideau Lake. Navigating past historic cottage communities, we aim for the entrance of the Tay Canal, wrapping up our day at the peaceful Beveridges Lockstation.

Day 9: The Tay Descent (Perth to Beveridges Lock)
Distance: ~10 km
The Vibe: We launch from the Perth Basin and follow the gentle current back down the Tay Canal. This return trip offers a fresh perspective on the winding wetlands before we “re-enter the Rideau” to finish back at the Beveridges locks.

Wednesdays (The Northern River & Heritage):

This series focuses on the river descent, the lush wetlands of “The Swale,” historic lock towns like Merrickville and Smiths Falls, and the final arrival in the Capital.
Section: Beveridge Lock – Downtown Ottawa

Day 1: The Swale Wetlands (Beveridges Lock to Smiths Falls)
Distance: ~10 km
The Vibe: We enjoy an incredibly biologically rich approach into Smiths Falls. We will paddle through “The Swale,” a tranquil wetland protected for its incredible biodiversity, providing a peaceful contrast before the town.

Day 2: Hand-Operated Heritage (Smiths Falls to Kilmarnock Lock)
Distance: ~14 km
The Vibe: The river speed gently picks up as we navigate a series of fascinating hand-operated stone lockstations, including Old Slys and Edmunds. We paddle through lush riverways before arriving at the quiet island station of Kilmarnock.

Day 3: Approaching the Jewel (Kilmarnock Lock to Merrickville)
Distance: ~9 km
The Vibe: A scenic and relaxed day on the water brings us to the vibrant, historic village of Merrickville. Widely known as the “Jewel of the Rideau,” our short paddle leaves you with ample time to explore the massive 19th-century blockhouse and artisan shops along the shore.

Day 4: The Tip-to-Tip Float (Merrickville to Burritts Rapids)
Distance: ~10 km
The Vibe: A gentle mid-expedition “recovery” leg. We enjoy an easy float past the Clowes and Nicholsons locks, concluding our day near the scenic Tip-to-Tip Trail at the historic island community of Burritts Rapids.

Day 5: The Long Reach (Burritts Rapids to Rideau River PP)
Distance: ~19.0 km
Note: The this is the longest distance covered in this series, if unsure please call the office or speak with your guide/instructor about it.
The Vibe: Our longest, most rhythmic paddling day. We enter “The Long Reach”—a famous 40km stretch of the river uninterrupted by locks. This is pure, continuous paddling through peaceful farmland, specifically planned as an extended day to do limit public take-outs along this section.

Day 6: The Suburban Transition (Rideau River PP to W.A. Taylor Cons. Area)
Distance: ~12 km
The Vibe: Continuing down The Long Reach, the landscape begins a fascinating shift. The rural farmlands gradually give way to larger waterfront properties and the suburban outskirts of the capital, pulling out at the scenic W.A. Taylor Conservation Area.

Day 7: The Manotick Flight (W.A. Taylor to Long Island Locks)
Distance: ~11 km
The Vibe: We paddle into the elegant riverfront community of Manotick. The highlight of the day is arriving at the impressive Long Island lock flight, a magnificent three-lock station that stands as a testament to the canal’s enduring engineering.

Day 8: Entering the City Limits (Long Island Locks to Black Rapids Lock)
Distance: ~11 km
The Vibe: We cross fully into the urban envelope of Ottawa, though the river maintains a surprisingly lush, tree-lined perimeter. We navigate past riverside parks and communities, concluding the day at the beautiful oasis of the Black Rapids lockstation.

Day 9: The Grand Finale (Black Rapids Lock to Downtown Ottawa)
Distance: ~11 km
The Vibe: The ultimate arrival. We paddle through Mooneys Bay and the dramatic Hogs Back Falls, entering the man-made canal cuts of the city. We cross Dows Lake and navigate the final urban stretches, bringing our 18-day epic to a triumphant close right in the shadow of Parliament Hill.

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