Below are some basic details about the waterway, trip planning tips, and a cruising guide (quick links below). Our links have related information on this site plus some interesting external sites. Enjoy the trip!
The Rideau Canal & Waterway was designated a National Historic Site (1926) and Canadian Heritage River (2000). In 2007, it was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations as it celebrated it's 175th year. It was recognized for it's place in Canada'a history, its amazing engineering feats, as well its beauty and importance to the area's development, both commercial and recreational.
A celtic cross near the mouth of the Canal reads:
In memory of 1,000 workers and their families who died building this Canal 1826-1832.
World-class cruising:
From Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's capital city on the Ottawa River to Kingston, Ontario on Lake Ontario, the historic Rideau Waterway may be explored by boat, automobile, bicycle, and on foot. The Rideau Waterway and the towns along its banks constitute one of the most popular tourist and recreation areas in Ontario. Every year, 90,000 boats pass through its locks, and millions of people visit its parks, beaches, and historical sites. The waterway, an engineering marvel and amazing achievement in 1826, is a series of rivers, lakes and wetlands connected by man-made canals and locks, which passes through the rock and forest of the Canadian Shield, farms, and small towns - truly a cruiser's dream.
The canal and locks:
The Rideau Waterway features is the oldest continuously operating canal in North America. The 198-kilometre (123 mi) waterway has 45 locks at 22 lock stations (only 10% of the total length) connecting pastoral lakes and rivers. Most of the lock stations are operated manually using the same mechanisms that
were used in 1832. The massive timber gates and cutstone canal walls that most locks have maintained are engineering marvels. The season is mid-May to mid-October.
Boat Clearances:
The water depth is normally 1.5 metres (5') or more in the channel and overhead clearance is restricted to 6.7 metres (22') but call the office for current conditions. (Canal Facts) Water levels are controlled by dams and locks, so water levels do not normally affect the canal. Check Notices to Mariners or ask any lockmaster about water levels if your draft is over 1.2 m (4 ft.) or boat height is over 6 m (20 ft.).
Travel planning:
"How long does it take?", everyone asks. Wrong question. Plan more time and enjoy the trip. It takes 3 days to travel the 202 km. waterway (one-way) if you travel steadily during lockstation hours and get lucky with weather, boats and lock schedules - but most boats take a week. A canoe takes 12 days or more (see links). The Ottawa locks down to the Ottawa River take another day if you are continuing to Montreal. I recommend at least 2 to 3 weeks for a round-trip "holiday". Overnight docking, washrooms, picnic tables and garbage disposal are available at most lock stations. Fees are charged for canal passage and dockage separately (multiple-day passes are good value). Canal staff can answer your questions, but there is lots of tourist information available (see contacts). See our boat packing list for a holiday on the canal.
Watch your wake - swimmers, fishermen and paddlers will appreciate it. The loons will thank you. Take sunscreen, bug repellant, fishing gear, and a camera. Read the diary contributed by boaters who made the trip. Check out locking procedures, regulations, and canal data tables while planning.
Costs:
You can buy a pass for locking and overnight docking from the Lockmaster or Canal offices. Only a few decades ago locking and docking were free - only day-docking is free now at lockstations. Cars must pay to park at lockstations close to cities. Camping may be arranged for boaters only. Boat repairs, fuel and docks with power are available at resorts and near towns - we do not provide information for commercial services unless they advertise with us.
Not to miss:
Boat-watch under a shady tree at the Narrows Lock, visit Livingston (Colonel By) Island, the Tay Canal to Perth, anchor at Morton Bay, walk around Westport, chat with the lock staff, visit the blacksmith at Jones Falls, shop in the Kingston market, dine out in Merrickville, walk the Burritts Rapids Trail, dock in the shadow of Parliament Hill. The Rideau Canal Festival is first weekend in August. On with the cruise...
Buoys:
From Ottawa, you rise with each lock going "upstream" so the red pointed spar buoys are on your right and the green flat spar buoys on your left. At Newboro Locks the locks take you back "downstream" and buoys are now reversed with the red pointed spars on your left (port) side and the green flat spars on your right (starboard).
* Compass icons lead to Google Maps *
Ottawa has an impressive flight of 8 locks lifting boats 24 metres (79 feet) from the Ottawa River to the man-made canal. This scene is duplicated in numerous paintings and photos of Canada's beautiful capital city.
Above the locks is 150 metres (500') of dockage along the canal wall ($2.30/m in 2003). In the Ottawa River side of the locks, there is 45 metres (150') of docks. The Rockcliffe Boathouse is 2 kilometres east of the locks, Hull Marina is on the Quebec shore.
You can tie up along the canal in the heart of downtown within a few minute walk of the Parliament Buildings, National Arts Centre, National Gallery, the Byward Market with its outdoor market and cafes, the Rideau Centre, and the Bytown Museum, which shows the history of the canal. The popular Tulip Fesival in May offers Canal Flotillas, one at night with decorated, lighted boats. There are festivals all summer by the canal, with the Rideau Festival on the first weekend in August. Winter brings the famous 7.8-kilometre-long skating rink and "Winterlude" in February.
There is a tourist kiosk by the Arts Centre; the main tourist centre is across from Parliament Hill (613-239-5000). Colonel By Drive, along the west side of the Canal is closed to traffic Sunday morning (9 to 1pm) for walkers and cyclists. If you don't have your bike with you, rent one near the Ottawa locks at RentABike.
Ottawa is a relatively safe city, but you would be wise to dock with other boats and lock everything inside if you leave the boat unattended. City of Ottawa, RCMP and the National Capital Commission have announced new security patrols and cameras at the Ottawa Locks for 2008 - the most popular stop along the waterway.
Mute Swans can seen in the Rideau River (separate from the canal) from the Rideau Falls to Hogs Back in the summer. They are descendants of swans that were originally donated to the city by Queen Elizabeth II as part of its 1967 Canadian Centennial.
Farther along, Dow's Lake Pavillion has dockage with power beside a pavilion with facilities and restaurants. To the north is the main site of the May Tulip Festival; to the south is Canada's "Experimental Farm", an urban agricultural station with acres of trees, flowers, fields, greenhouses, barns, and trails! Walk south along the water to the "Arboretum" and rock gardens. See it all with a bike. [Ottawa boating links | Canada's Capital | City of Ottawa]
The lock walls from Ottawa to Long Island are thick with zebra mussels so be careful grabbing lock ropes with your hands!
Canadians warm to winter by turning their waters into skating rinks and "canoing" across icy rivers! In Ottawa, Ontario, the Rideau Canal turns into the world's longest skating rink (8 km) which hosts the famous Winterlude carnival in early February where the famour "beavertails" are sold [yum]! From January to March, in Quebec City, Quebec: "Cruising on ice" is possible from Croisieres AML!. The St. Charles River is turned into a 2 kilometre skating rink.
Manotick is south of Ottawa, as the waterway becomes a river south from Long Island Lock. [map] This village is your last stop for supplies before Ottawa, but also the only town that waterway boaters cannot easily access.
Best access for shopping is anchoring in Mahogany Harbour, named for the boats moored there. At Long Island (N138), leave the Waterway and procede north-west of the island for about 1 km (half mile), admiring the mahogany boats. As the river widens you will see a road on your left. Anchor in this bay, and dinghy to the small bridge over a stream. Walk north into town about 2 minutes until you see a sign to the shopping center with supermarket, beer, liquor, drugstore (post office), hardware, restaurant, bank, etc. [map] The Manotick Directory has events and maps .
There is an old dock beside the boat launch on Parks Canada land just south-west of the Manotick bridge. I don't think you are allowed to stay overnight, and it's noisy and dusty but YMMV. Across the street is a Chinese take-out, Lebanese food, convenience store. Across the highway is Tim Hortons, bank, and gas/diesel. Walk down Bridge St. to Main St. to a plaza with butcher, bakery, hair, and restaurant.
Just south of Manotick is Manotick Marina, a pretty place with full service where we kept our first boat. A little farther, you can stop for gas and lunch on the east side of the river. As you proceed through this area, note there are many docked boats, canoes, ski boats and swimmers, as well as large boats going 50 mph! Just before the Kars bridge is Hurst Marina, a full service marina. A labelled "guest dock" is for boaters eating at the pub in the Tudor house next door. South of the bridge is a small marina (photo) and a low concrete public dock in the village of Kars. [map] A convenience store is a short walk from this dock (free, day use only). [map] Another marina is before (east) of the bridge near Kemptville.
Becketts Landing (Chart 1512) fixed bridge clearance is 6.7 m. Check Notices to Mariners for updates or ask any lockmaster about water levels.
At Beckett's Landing, on the north shore, you may see Ludlow Boat Works where a dedicated group is restoring Canada's oldest registered sailing ship, "Canada". A century old, it is being reborn rib by rib, and was once one of the fastest ships of its kind. It sailed until 1965. Have a look, or lend a hand!
Burritts Rapids is one of my favorite lockstations -- quiet, good swimming, with a restaurant across the road with a washer and drier for the boaters in addition to meals! There is a wonderful walking path along the water to the village a short distance west, where there are a few small shops. The first bridge across the Rideau was built here in 1824.
This town is known as the "Jewel of the Rideau". It is a picturesque village where we first discovered the beauty of the Rideau 20 years ago by renting a small cruiser
from a local boatyard. Peter Ayling said we had "missed" the best years on the waterway - of course, we now say the very same thing! The town has many shops by the canal where you can buy old books, art, sculpture, crafts, hand-made clothing and antiques. Right at the bridge, are restaurants and pubs. The historical Sam Jakes Inn overlooks the locks. There is a small canal museum worth a visit. Walk across the bridge to see the ruins and the dam. People drive here from Ottawa on weekends to eat, shop and look at the boats.
The Rideau Migratory Bird Sanctuary is 800 hectares (2800 acres) on the western edge of Merrickville beside the river, some of the best wetlands along the Rideau Waterway. This haven is possible due to the willing participation of the landowners. THIS IS NOT A PARK! Scientists from the Canadian Wildlife Service estimates that the traffic of geese and ducks is comparable to that found in staging areas in Ontario's Prince Edward County and around Wolfe Island in Lake Ontario.
Smiths Falls is a good place to buy supplies as it is the largest town along the central part of the canal. Before you reach the lock, tie up along the wall beside the Mariners Inn. A short walk brings you to a supermarket and beer store. Lock through the "big" lock to reach Victoria Park in the Smiths Falls basin, which holds many boats in a lovely holding pond between locks. Check out the Rideau Canal Museum. There are stores and eateries on the main street by the bridge. The water tastes of sulphur. Order beer instead!
You can easily spend a week or two here. On my first boat trip here, we spent a week anchoring in several different places, fishing and reading and watching the boats go by. The boat was tiny, but the weather was great and we were 'hooked'. Alas, the beautiful loon we listened to in the evenings is on the "Threatened" list. Learn about your boat's wake so you don't disturb too much of the shoreline where these wonderful birds nest. Baby loons cannot dive to safety like their parents! Many landowners on the waterway are building nesting sites for these shy birds, with some success.
From Lower Rideau Lake there is a nice side trip starting at Beveridge Locks that looks amazingly like the Everglades! The Tay branch is a 11 km (7 mile) section of waterway through a set of locks and the Tay River to Perth, where the Last Duel Campground provides docking. Small boats may be able to pass under the low bridge to reach the Tay Basin in the heart of the town. This is where the last fatal duel was fought in Ontario. Perth has restaurants, arts and crafts and summer festivals.
Fuelling is convenient at Safari Marina at Rideau Ferry, west of the bridge.
Murphy's Point Provincial Park provides a few small docks and a nice bay for anchoring.
If you are near shore, watch for wildlife. Burn off or scrub your grill after a barbeque and put away anything that might attract bears or racoons. Mosquitoes can be nasty along the waterway at certain times of the year, so pack long sleeves, repellant and something with "caine" at the end of the name! [more]
Portland is at the south end of the Big Rideau. There is a bank, grocery store, hardware store, liquor and beer (the cottage crowd shops here). Louis' Pizza is good for those hunger pangs. Sadly, Gallagher House burned down in 1999. Len's Cove Marina, is a reputable boat broker. It has a swimming pool and washer and drier, as well as the usual marina facilities. There are several other marinas and a town dock.
Not to be missed is a park island called Colonel By Island in the Big Rideau (aka Livingston Island) which has washrooms, barbecues (bring charcoal briquettes), picnic tables, horseshoe pit. 48-hour camping is for boaters only. Your Canal overnight mooring pass is good here. This is a taste of the genteel cottage life of these lakes. Don't fish in the fish sanctuary!
The Narrows Locks is one of my favorite spots for boat-watching. Dock at the "top" for a great view of the sunset as long as it isn't windy! There is a pair of Trumpeter swams near the lock so keep a pair of binoculars handy.
Westport is a little off the "track" but a very picturesque town with a public wharf and gas, hardware, groceries, bank, and fishing gear nearby. A liquor store is close to the docks but the beer store is a long walk. The town, which owns it's own telephone and hydro companies, was the first community in Canada (1996) to use a technology that turns sewage into snow! It's called Freeze crystallization.
The canal begins to "decend" at the Newboro Locks, where you have to remember that buoys are now reversed with the red pointed spars on your left (port) side and the green flat spars on your right (starboard)!
South of Newboro you pass though a man-made channel to Newboro Lake, then through a series of lakes controlled by dams. This whole chain of lakes is full of cottages, bays for anchoring, and great fishing. At Chaffey's Locks, the Opinicon Lodge is a favorite stop for people travelling by car and bike as well as boat. The name is an Algonquin word meaning "the gap between two waters." It's a friendly place that attracts a broad mix of tourists and fishermen. It has docks with power, rental boats, a good restaurant (not licenced) and laundromat. Prices are reported to be reasonable. Dorothy's Fishing Lodge is a smaller resort with a restaurant. There is a fish and chips place near the lock. Brown's Marina is a full-service marina.
The stone dam at Jones Falls was the highest in the world in 1832 when it was completed! (map) There are displays, walking trail, swimming ponds, hotels, and restaurants. It also has a lock keeper who plays a great accordian.
It's particularly beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn color. Hotel Kenney is at the bottom of the three locks and has power, restaurant, and a pool. Shangri-La to the south has power, wading pool, fresh baking (if you're quick!). One boater wrote to say "We stayed at Shangra-La and liked it so much we stayed a second night...Very accommodating. Great food..."
After Jones Falls, is Morton Bay, a bay surrounded by tree-filled hills where you you can tie up at the "rock" dock to the left if you are clever. Anchor carefully as it's one of the few places we've dragged our anchor. And don't swim after you feed crumbs to the fish! This is a beautiful spot. Stop at Davis Locks if you're looking for even more peace and quiet.
This village is off the waterway but has a public wharf and marinas and basic shopping. On to the Cataraqui River to Kingston Mills (Canada entry port) where you will meet plenty of boaters while you wait! There's plenty to do, however with a good museum and interpreters.
Kingston is in a class of it's own for boaters. It is at the junction of the Rideau River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. East leads you on to the Thousand Islands [sigh] and the Seaway. West leads you to the protected waters of the Quinte area. Check cruising hints before entering Kingston harbor.
First choice is Confederation Basin on the downtown waterfront behind the Martello Tower (the entrance is to the north of the light on the breakwater. Anchoring is no longer allowed here. Phone for reservations, then call them on VHF channel 68 at the harbour entrance for docking instructions. It's within easy walking distance to a wide assortment of restaurants, shops, theatres and bars. Laundry, telephones and showers are located in the hotel on shore and ice are available. Security is better than most -- you must show your "card" later in the evening to enter the docks.
There is a grocery store a few blocks from the Basin (north of Princess St.), near the Ontario liquor store, which also sells some beer. The beer store and another supermarket are a long, long way up Princess Street - best to walk there and get a taxi back. Last time I did this the driver loaded and unloaded all my purchases into a dock cart! No, I won't recommend a restaurant -- there are too many to choose from. Go to city hall, turn west about 2 blocks to find the BEST ice cream -- just follow the people with the dripping cones!
In summer, there is daily entertainment in the park in front of City Hall (the big building with the clock tower and wind vane on top) and a market behind City Hall several times a week where you can buy vegetables, baking, flowers and crafts. There is a small marine supply store near the washrooms. You are close to the Kingston Theatre, the Marine Museum, Queen's University, and the Fort. If you get bored with Kingston, hop the free ferry (or take your own boat) for a short ride to Wolfe Island where you can dine at the Wolfe Island Inn if you reserve weeks ahead!
The "Frontenac", the first steamship to navigate Lake Ontario, was built and launched near Kingston, then a shipbuilding centre, on September 7, 1816.
West of Kingston harbour - has a good marine store and restaurant. Nearly Kingston Yacht Club hosts small boats from reciprocating yacht clubs. Kingston Marina and Rideau Marina are smaller marinas on the Rideau canal side of the harbour. Now you really must go visit the Thousand Islands [sigh]. Have a great trip - take your time!
If you boat draws over 1.2 metres (4'), contact the Rideau Canal Office before entering the waterway.
Small boats less than 4.3 m (14') high may pass through La Salle Causeway by
using boat channels under the eastern end; higher boats must wait for the lift
bridge to open.
Rideau Canal Headquarters Phone: 613-283-5170
34a Beckwith St. South Toll-free: 1-800-230-0016 (Can/U.S.)
Smiths Falls, Ont. K7A 2A8 FAX: 613-283-0677
E-mail: rideaucanal_info@pch.gc.ca
Kingston Mills is an official Canadian border telephone report site. If
this is the first landfall for U.S. boaters, they may legally enter Canada
and receive their Customs Report number here. Canadian Customs and Immigration:
for U.S. boaters entering the Rideau Canal
from the United States or Canadian boaters returning from the U.S. Phone toll-free:
1-800-267-0976
