UNESCO World Heritage Site (2007)
The Rideau Canal is one of the greatest civil engineering works of the 19th century, and is the oldest, continuously operated canal in North America. The Rideau Canal and Waterway was designated a National Historic Site in 1926 and a Canadian River in 2000. In 2007, it was declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations as it celebrated it's 175th year of operation. It was recognized by UNESCO 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. Seeing the lockmasters and crew manually cranking boats through the locks is the perfect vacation for a history buff or nature lover!
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, and bicycle. Most watercraft can navigate the Rideau Canal (Size limits).
The Rideau Waterway and its water-side towns constitute one of the most popular tourist and recreation areas in Ontario. Every year, tens of thousands of boats pass through its locks, and millions more 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.
Watch "Tripping the Rideau Canal" for an amazing experience - a 4-hours cruise in REAL TIME from Manotick to Ottawa.
The canal and locks:
The 198-kilometre (123 mi) waterway has 45 locks at 22 lock stations (only 10% of the total length) which connects a chain of pastoral lakes and rivers. The Rideau River drains 4,234 km2 of land, a large portion of eastern Ontario. 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. Only 3 locks are not operated by hand.
Water Depths & Bridge Heights:
The maximum size of boat that can normally use the Waterway channel and locks is 27.4m (90 ft) long, 7.9m (26 ft) wide, 6.7m (22 ft) high, and 1.5m (5 ft) deep -- or 1.2m (4 ft) for flat bottom boats with a width of 8m (26 ft). If your boat is close to these limits, or there are drought conditions, contact the Canal office before planning a cruise throught the Waterway. (Canal Facts) Water levels are controlled by dams and locks, but flooding or drought can affect water levels of lock sills and overhead clearances (Becketts Landing fixed bridge clearance is 6.7 m). Ask any lockmaster about water levels or check Notices to Mariners.
Hours of Operation:
Rideau locks operates from the Victoria Day weekend (mid-May) until Canadian Thanksgiving (mid-October). Summer hours from mid-June to the beginning of September are generally 9 am - 6 pm Monday to Thursday and 9 am - 7 pm Friday to Sunday. Hours are shorter in spring and fall. In spring and fall, contact the Beveridges Lockstation (613-359-5377) to arrange lockage into the Tay Canal. (Parks Canada: Rideau Canal hours of operation | Rideau Boat Info (Twitter))
Cruise Planning:
"How long does it take?", everyone asks. It depends on the time of year, weather, and your boat habits. Spring/fall lock hours are shorter. In summer, it takes at least 4 days to travel the 202 km. waterway to the top of the Ottawa locks - if you don't stop and get lucky with weather and lock schedules. The Ottawa locks take another day to reach the Ottawa River. The end of July and long weekend in August is the busiest period and may take longer. A canoe takes 6 to 12 days. Planning stops to visit ashore and "rain days" will allow you to enjoy the trip more.
Remember, that to enter the Rideau Waterway from Kingston through the La Salle Causeway, cruisers must wait on a schedule for the lift bridge to open. Small boats less than 4.3 m (14 ft.) high may pass under the Causeway using the eastern boat channel instead.
Overnight docking, washrooms, picnic tables, garbage disposal and ice are available at most lock stations. Some have power outlets and showers. Washrooms are sometimes locked after hours. Canal fees are charged for locking and dockage separately - multiple-day and annual passes are available. Canal staff can answer your questions, or Parks Canada or their contacts).
Boats can dock during the day at some town docks such as Portland and Seeley's Bay to shop. Some restaurants also offer docks to customers. Towns docks often have washrooms and parks nearby, and even free Wi-Fi. Some towns (Westport, Kingston) charge a day dock fee.
There are great walking trails at many lockstations, such as Ottawa, Burritts Rapids, Merrickville, Jones Falls and Kingston Mills. Enjoy the trip!
Our boat packing list for cruising the canal might save you from forgetting something important - like binoculars, sunscreen, and bug repellant! Read the diary contributed by boaters who made the trip. Links to more information.
Distances between Towns/Cities:
- Ottawa (0 km) - Canada's capital, Ottawa River
- Merrickville (74) - small town
- Smiths Falls (97) - large town, supplies
- Westport (134) - small town, supplies
- Newboro (141) - small town
- Kingston (202 km) - city, Lake Ontario
Beaches:
Public beaches along the waterway are often man-made and located at campgrounds, conservation areas, and town parks. Here are a few:
- Upper Rideau Lake: Foley Mountain Conservation Area
- Lower Rideau Lake: Rideau Ferry Yacht Club Conservation Area
- Smiths Falls: Centennial Park
- Merrickville Locks, upper end
- Rideau River Provincial Park, downstream of Burritts Rapids Lock
- Manotick: Baxter Conservation Area
- Ottawa: Mooney's Bay Beach above Hogs Back Lock
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, but today only day-docking is free. Visiting cars pay to park at lockstations near cities. Camping can often be arranged for boaters travelling the waterway. Docks with power are available for a fee at resorts, marinas, towns and some lockstations.
A celtic cross near the mouth of the Canal says: In memory of 1,000 workers and their families who died building this Canal 1826-1832.
Buoys:
Rocks and tree stumps lurk outside the red and green spar buoys. From Kingston or Ottawa, you rise with each lock going "upstream" so the red pointed buoys are on your right and the green flat buoys on your left. A simple rule is red to the right when returning upstream - "red, right, returning". (Place a piece of tape by the wheel marked in red and green to remind you, and reverse it at Newboro.) At Newboro Locks the locks take you back "downstream" and the buoys reverse - red buoys to your left (port) side and green buoys to your right (starboard).
Wakes:
Speed limits and "no wake" zones are clearly marked with floating markers. Watch your wake - swimmers, fishermen and paddlers can be easily injured. Boat wakes are a major problem on the Rideau Waterway. Local and provincial Police and Parks Canada are working together to solve the problem. Slow down and enjoy the waterways - the loons will thank you.
Not to be Missed:
Chat with the lock staff. Shop in farmers markets. Anchor at Morton Bay. Catch a fish. Stop in Westport to shop, eat, or go to The Cove on Thursday night! Boat-watch under a shady tree at the Narrows Lock. Visit Livingston (Colonel By) Island. Follow the Tay Canal to Perth. Dine out in Merrickville. Walk the Burritts Rapids Trail and buy ice cream to reward yourself. Stop at the Manotick village dock in Mahogany Harbour to tour the heritage Mill and buy supplies on the way back. Stay in Ottawa, Canada's capital, to visit the Parliament buildings and national museums close to the locks. And if your timing is right, you can watch Canada Day fireworks from your boat docked on the canal wall. A once-in-a-lifetime experience!
This guide takes you from Kingston north to Ottawa. So, on with the cruise...
* Compass icons lead to Google Maps
Kingston
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 north of the light on the breakwater). Anchoring is not allowed inside the harbour. Phone the marina for reservations, then call on VHF channel 68 just before you arrive for docking instructions. It's within easy walking distance to a wide assortment of restaurants, stores, theatres and bars. Laundry, telephones, showers, and ice are on shore. Security is better than most -- you'll get a "card" to enter the docks.
There is a grocery store a few blocks from the Basin (north of Princess St.), near the liquor store (which sells some beer). The beer store and another supermarket are a long walk up Princess Street. Last time I took a taxi back, the driver moved my purchases to a dock cart without even asking! I won't recommend restaurants -- too many good ones within a short walk.
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). There's a farmers market behind it several times a week where you can buy vegetables, baking, flowers and crafts. 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. You can dine at the Wolfe Island Inn if you reserve weeks ahead.
Portsmouth Harbor (Olympic Basin)
This large marina west of Kingston harbour has a marine store and restaurant. Between the two large marinas, Kingston Yacht Club also hosts small boats from reciprocating yacht clubs. Smaller marinas are located inside the causeway bridge leading to the Rideau Waterway. As you head under the bridge that leads to the Rideau Waterway, remember the old phrase "red right returning" to remind you that red buoys are on the right when returning from "sea" - yes, the sea is really behind you.
The "Frontenac", the first steamship to navigate Lake Ontario, was built and launched near Kingston, then a shipbuilding centre, on September 7, 1816.
Kingston Mills
Larger cruisers heading to Kingston Mills who can't clear the bridge fixed span should check the lift bridge schedule in advance, as it doesn't open during rush hour (3 - 6 pm). Kingston Mills is a Canadian port of entry for boats who arrive directly from the U.S.A. (Entering Canada by boat). From Kingston Mills to Newboro, boats enter locks at the "bottom" and the lock lifts them "up".At Kingston Mills, you will meet boaters and paddlers from all over! There's a good museum and historical information to keep you busy while you wait. Trains may keep you awake here so continue on for a quieter overnight stay.
Upper and Lower Brewers locks
Here you can visit Doner Gallery in a historical Washburn gristmill west of the bridge. It has local art, metal sculptures and garden art. A small studio has stunning silver jewellery. You can also go apple-picking at Waddell’s Apple Orchards. It appears to be in the wilderness, but you can get a gourmet picnic delivered to your boat from Wendy’s Mobile Market which includes colour-coordinated linens, napkins and flatware. Life is good!
Seeley's Bay
On the way to Jones' Falls Lockstation you pass through a mix of small lakes and channels that wind through the granite bedrock. The village of Seeley's Bay is off the waterway but has a public wharf also used by rental boats, plus marinas and basic shopping.
Morton Bay
Proceeding north, Morton Bay is a beautiful bay surrounded by tree-covered hills. The turn into the bay is marked with a red-green junction buoy. You can anchor or even tie up to "Rock Dundar" in a smaller boat. The rock rises 84m (275') - for those with hiking boots, trails lead to a lookout with spectacular views of the surrounding lakes. This is a lovely spot to relax or swim in nice weather. But don't go in the water after you feed the fish - I won't elaborate!
Jones' Falls
This lockstation with three locks and a turning basin has a lift of 17.8m (58.4'), the highest lift on the Waterway. There's a walking trail, swimming, and places to stay at the bottom of the lockstation. This area is particularly beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn color. The Great Stone Arch Dam above Jones' Falls was the highest dam in the world in 1832 when it was completed! (map) Constructed of interlocking tapered vertical stones, it was called the “Seventh Wonder of the World” at that time, and still is the most spectacular engineering structure on the canal. To get there take the Redpath Trail (1 km) over a long bridge, past the locks, visitor centre, and Sweeney House to the dam.
Shangri-La, south of the locks, offers dockage, power, fuel and a restroom. The Hotel Kenney resort, at the bottom of the locks, has been revamped and once again offers a restaurant and ice cream.
From here to the Rideau Lakes is one of the most beautiful small-boat cruises in the world, passing though lakes controlled by dams: Sand Lake, Davis Lock, Opinicon Lake, Chaffeys Lock, Indian Lake, Clear Lake, and beautiful Newboro Lake. This whole area is full of cottages, quiet bays, and first-rate fishing. Slow down for the loons who nest in this area!
Moor at Davis Locks if you're looking for peace and quiet. A restored Lockmaster's house is available for vacation rentals from Parks Canada, offering historic construction with modern amenities.
Newboro
From beautiful Newboro Lake, you pass through a man-made channel to Newboro Lock. The town has restaurants and a small store. One of four blockhouses on the Rideau is located here. This is the "top" of the waterway, and it "decends" after Newboro Locks, so buoys reverse direction. The red pointed buoys switch from being on your right side to your left (port side) and the green flat buoys now on your right (to starboard).
You can rent another Parks Canada historic home here, "The Canalman's Cottage".
The waterfront Poplars Resort in Newboro has provided families and fishermen with rooms, home-made meals and boats for over 90 years.
Stirling Lodge is a large lakefront inn surrounded by landscaped grounds, a pool and cabins- yet another heritage landmark in the area.
At Chaffey's Locks, the fabled Opinicon Lodge has attracted tourists, fishermen, paddlers and boaters since the late 1800s. The completely renovated resort has a pool, hot tub, showers, laundry, power, water and a restaurant. (Opinicon is an Algonquin word meaning "gap between two waters.") 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 with a small grocery and liquor store. Simmons Lodge began taking in tourists at the Simmons family home in 1886! This area is still known for its bass and pike fishing. Dothothy's Lodge offers a restaurant, a small beach and lawns, as well as being close to trails and an ice cream shop!
Rideau Lakes
You can easily spend a week here if you enjoy fishing, swimming, reading and boat-watching. You can buy supplies at small towns Westport, Portland and Perth. We took our first trips in a small rental boat to these lakes and were "hooked" on boating. Sadly, the iconic loons we listened to in the evenings are now on the "Threatened" species list (nests and chicks are lost in boat wakes), but everything else is much the same.
Westport
Westport is a very picturesque town in the Upper Rideau with a public wharf where you can buy gas. Nearby you'll find groceries, liquor, hardware, fishing gear, banks, gifts and clothing. The beer store is a long walk. Eating out has great choices, such as "The Cove" for lunch, dinner, live music and dancing, "Tangle Gardens" for all-day meals, and "Steves" for pizza. The town owns it's own telephone and hydro companies, and it was the first community in Canada (1996) to use Freeze crystallization to turns sewage into snow!
The Narrows Locks is a great place for boat-watching. Dock at the "top" for a great sunset view - if it's not windy! It's one of the few lockstations that can have waves blowing in from the lake. Keep a pair of binoculars handy.
Colonel By Island (former Livingston Island) is a highy-recommended stop in the Big Rideau Lake. This is a taste of the genteel cottage life of these lakes. Your Canal mooring pass is valid here as it's operated by Parks Canada. It has good docks, washrooms, barbecues (bring briquettes), picnic tables, horseshoe pit and a huge firepit (bring wood, check for fire bans). Good swimming and trails. 48-hour camping for boaters only. Just remember, don't go fishing in the fish sanctuary!
Portland
Portland: Located at the south end of the Big Rideau Lake, the cottage crowd shops here - grocery store, hardware store, bank, liquor (LCBO) and beer store. There is also an art gallery-store within walking distance. Word on the dock is that Louis' Pizza is good. The Galley Restaurant, on the west side of town, has a great lake view from their deck and provides a dock in front while you eat. Len's Cove Marina, a full-service marina with pool, is also a reputable boat broker. There are other marinas and a town dock.
Returning to the Rideau Waterway, you can get dockage, gas, diesel, and boat service at Rideau Ferry Harbour just west of the bridge between the Big Rideau Lake and the Lower Rideau Lake. There is also a restaurant and a small store with basic supplies.
Perth - Tay Canal
From Lower Rideau Lake there is an amazing side trip starting at Beveridge Locks (Lower and Upper) to the historic town of Perth, with many stone buildings built in the 1800s. The 11-km cruise (7 miles) passes by the Perth Wildlife Preserve about half way along - watch for the Tay Marsh Lookout Tower on the left. It has a walking trail with deer, porcupines, birds, snakes, and turtles. Winding along the Tay River surrounded by tall grasses reminded me of the Florida Everglades.
The Last Duel Campground in Perth provides docking - this is where the last fatal duel was fought in Ontario. Small boats and dinghies can pass under a low bridge to reach the Tay Basin in the heart of the town, where you will find restaurants, arts and crafts, and summer festivals.
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]
Smiths Falls
Smiths Falls is a good place to buy supplies as it's the largest town in the central part of the canal. Restaurants, LCBO, beer, laundromat, Canadian Tire and Walmart! The Independent Grocer is a long walk from the lock, but you can get a taxi back. Victoria Park can moor many boats in a holding basin between locks. There are stores and eateries on the main street by the bridge. If the water tastes of sulphur, drink beer instead! After you pass through the big lock, you may be permitted to tie up to the the wall at the Mariners Inn, which is a short walk to a supermarket and beer store. You can also moor at the park between Smiths Falls Detached Lock and Combined Lock.
Get answers to all your canal questions at the Rideau Canal Visitor Information Centre at 34 Beckwith Street near the bridge over the canal.
Merrickville
This town is known as the "Jewel of the Rideau". It is a picturesque village where we first discovered the beauty of the Rideau by renting a small cruiser from the boatyard. Peter Ayling said we had "missed" the best years on the waterway - of course, we later said the same thing to new visitors!
On the western edge of Merrickville is the Rideau River Migratory Bird Sanctuary, 800 hectares (2800 acres) that extends 5.6 km along the river - some of the best wetlands along the Rideau Waterway. Although it is accessible from Hwy. 43, this haven is possible due to the willing participation of 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.
Merrickville has many shops by the canal where you can buy old books, art, sculpture, crafts, hand-made clothing and antiques. Right near the canal is a canal museum as well as pubs and good restaurants. The historical village is full of stone buildings built of the same limestone as the locks - including one of the four blockhouses on the waterway. Walk across the bridge to see the stone ruins - you'll see artists set up easels on a nice day. It's easy to see why people drive here on weekends to eat, shop, and look at the boats.
Burritts Rapids
This is one of my favorite lockstations -- quiet, good swimming, lots of space to dock, slow pace. It has power available. There's a restaurant across the road with a washer and drier for the boaters! There is a wonderful walk on the Tip-to-Tip Trail to the picturesque village. The first bridge across the Rideau River was built here in 1824. It's interesting to note that the lockstation is in the Municipality of North Grenville, but the villages of Burritts Rapids, Kars, and Manotick are part of the City of Ottawa (amalgamated 2006).
Becketts Landing (Chart 1512) fixed bridge clearance is 6.7 m. Check with a lockmaster if you need information about water levels that affect clearances and depths on the charts.
You will pass by Rideau River Provincial Park on the north shore, but it does not have any boat docking. After passing under the bridges at Kemptville, you'll come to Pirate Cove Marina on the right (gas/diesel, pumpout, dockage, service, repairs). The Baxter Conservation Area is on the west shore - you may be lucky to see Bob Harlowe's "Ice Cream Float" boat anchored there on summer afternoons selling cones to people on the beach. If it's not busy, he sells to passing boats.
Kars
There's a low concrete day dock in the village of Kars for small boats. [map] Just north is a small marina (photo).
A full service marina, Long Island Marina, is just past the village. Just beyond the bridge is "The Swan on the Rideau" pub in a Tudor-stye house with a "guest dock" for restaurant patrons. Beside it is another full-service marina, Hurst Marine, with a pool.
As you continue north, you will encounter fishing boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and swimmers - as well as ski boats and large cruisers going fast! As the river narrows, Kelly's Landing on the right (east shore) offers gas, a small store, and a dock for lunch on a lovely water-side patio. Manotick Marina (no fuel, pumpout, dockage) on the west shore at a speed zone - this is where we kept our first boat!
Manotick
The lovely and historic Manotick village is your best stop for supplies before you enter the canal. You can use the day dock in Mahogany Harbour (or anchor), named for the mahogany boats that belong to members of the Manotick Classic Boat Club (MCBC). You can find the 15-metre (50 ft) day dock and dinghy docks down a side channel of the Rideau Waterway.
If you need supplies within walking distance, dock at the Manotick Town Dock is on a side channel west of Manotick island. Turn west at the junction buoy N138 and proceed slowly for 700 metres. As the river widens into a bay called Mahogany Harbour, you will see a day dock on your left. It has small kayak docks on the back side and is very popular. Boats can also anchor in the bay, but notice it's only 300 m upstream from Watson's Mill Dam. Here's a map of the channel to the dock.
Climb the stairs and turn right on Manotick Main Street, then left at Currier St. into The Mews shopping center. It has Robinson's Independent Grocer, Rexall drugstore, Home Hardware, Beer Store, LCBO liquor, pet store, CIBC bank, clothing, shoes, dollar store, and several restaurants. Stay on Manotick Main Street for more stores and restaurants. 5-minutes farther takes you to the historic site Watson's Mill and Dickinson House. You can take free tours and buy books about the Rideau Canal, stone-ground flour and bread, and feed for the nearby ducks (kids love this). There's a used bookstore in the Carriage House. A gazebo in A.Y. Jackson Park across the river is perfect for photos.
At the east end of the bridge over the main Waterway channel (Bridge St @ River Rd.) is a Chinese take-out, pizza cafe with great breakfast, Tim Horton, TD Bank, Shoppers Drug. (A gas station is being constructed in 2019).
JManotick boat launch is beside the bridge in the main channel. The waterway continues through Long Islands Lockstation and Blacks Rapids Lockstation, where the shoreline turns more urban. It's a wonderful place to stop, fish, and picnic for visitors by water or land.
Ottawa
As you approach Hog's Back Lockstation, you'll see a popular beach on the right. This is where the canal and river part ways. The spectacular Hogs Back Falls on the Rideau River to the east and a canal with concrete walls to the west. The lockstation has a lift bridge that runs on a schedule (Parks Canada link below). Small boats may be able to pass under the bridge.
Hartwells Lockstation might see dozens of boats pass through their two locks on a busy day, while hundreds of bikes and pedestrians cross over the lock doors between Carleton University and the Experimental Farm. The lockmaster orchestrates this 4-way traffic.
Heading north into Dow's Lake, you'll see Canada's Experimental Farm on the left, an urban agricultural research station including acres of trees, flowers, greenhouses, barns, and pathways by Dow's Lake. Almost every tree is labelled. The rock gardens are a favorite for wedding photos and the Fletcher Wild Flower Garden is a natural paradise. The Dow's Lake Pavillion has a marina with docks, gas/diesel, and restaurants. Boats may also tie up along the board-walk (not recommended unless someone stays on board at all times, as this is a public park).
The canal proceeds east from the lake into downtown Ottawa, past Ottawa University, to the Ottawa lockstation, nestled between Parliament Hill, the
Across from the Arts Centre is 150 metres (500') of dockage along the east canal wall with a few power outlets. The Westin Hotel charges a day fee to use their pool, showers, etc.
City of Ottawa, RCMP and National Capital Commission have coordinated security patrols and cameras at the Ottawa Locks, the most popular stop along the waterway. You would be wise to adopt "city rules": dock with other boats who would recognize strangers, give everyone the police number (non-emergency 613-236-1222 ext. 7300), and always lock the boat with movable gear stowed when you leave the boat even for a few minutes.
Beside the Canal, Colonel By Drive is closed to traffic Sunday morning in summer from 9 am to 1 pm for cyclists, in-line skaters, runners and walkers. Rent a bike near the Ottawa locks.
Ottawa has an impressive flight of 8 locks lifting boats 24 metres (79 feet) down to the Ottawa River, taking 2 or more hours. This scene is duplicated in numerous paintings and photos of Canada's capital city. At the bottom of the locks, there is 45 metres (150') of government docks in the Ottawa River. The Rockcliffe Boathouse is 2 kilometres east on the Ontario shore, and Hull Marina is on the Quebec shore. The Ottawa River runs south-east to Montreal and the St. Lawrence River – west to Lake Ontario or east to the world.
There are festivals all summer close to the canal. The Tulip Fesival in May offers boat flotillas right after the canal opens for the season. Beautiful flower beds surround Dows Lake and all along the canal to Parliament Hill. Winter turns the canal into the world's longest skating rink highlighted by Winterlude festival in February.
Mute Swans can seen in the Rideau River from Hogs Back Falls to Rideau Falls on the Ottawa River. They are descendants of swans that were donated to the city by Queen Elizabeth II as part of Canada's 1967 Centennial.
[Ottawa boating links | Canada's Capital | City of Ottawa]
Canadians warm to winter by turning their frozen rivers and lakes into skating rinks! In Ottawa, the Rideau Canal turns into the world's longest skating rink (7.8 kilometres) which hosts the Winterlude carnival in early February where the unique "beavertails" are sold [yum]!
?The River,? corrected the Rat.
"And you really live by the river? What a jolly life! By it and with it and on it and in it," said the Rat. "It?s brother and sister to me and aunts and company and food and drink, and (naturally) washing. It?s my world and I don?t want any other. What it hasn?t got is not worth having and what it doesn?t know is not work knowing. Lord! The times we?ve had together! Whether in winter or summer, spring or autumn, it?s always got its fun and it?s excitements.?
"The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame [read it]
Rideau Canal Traffic Statistics
2019 61,145 canal passages
2020 44,141 canal passages (7,767 moorings)
2021 61,534 canal passages (12,262 moorings)
2022 56,981 canal passages
2021 Rideau Canal Traffic Statistics
Canal traffic in 2021 returned to pre-pandemic 2019 levels with more people taking to boating as a safe outdoor activity. Traffic was up 39.4% with a total of 61,534 vessel passages recorded through the locks, compared to 44,141 in 2020. This is almost identical to the 2019 number of 61,145 vessel passages.
Moorings increased by 57.9% in 2021, back to 2019 levels, with 12,262 moorings compared to 7,767 in 2020. In total, during 2021, 69.3% of the boats were from Ontario, 29.2% from Québec, 0.8% from the United States and 0.7% "Other". In 2019, boats from the U.S. represented 9% of the vessel passages.
2022 Rideau Canal Traffic Statistics
Boat traffic was down from 61,534 vessel passages in 2021 to 56,981 in 2022.
Most of the vessels were from Ontario (69.7%), a fair number from Québec (21.6%), and few from the
U.S. (7.8%).
Contacts & Information
- Government Directory - for links to Parks Canada, Rideau Waterway, regulations, tourist information, and charts. Request an information package
about the Rideau from:
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 Lockstaton 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
- More Information
- Canal facts, phone numbers
- Regulations
- Fees & Bridges
- Locking "how-to"
- "Rules of the Road"
- Speed and wakes
- Government Directory: Rideau Canal
- U.S. boaters entering Canada
- Pat's Rideau Waterway Videos
- Cruising hints
- Ontario Fishing regulations
- Zebra Mussels & Invasive Species
- Ontario Boating Clubs/Associations
- Archive 1997: Rideau Cruise Diary
- Archive 2000: Rideau-Trent Cruise
- Maps & Charts:
- Nearby Boating:
- Links to other sites
- Parks Canada: Rideau Canal visitor information
- Ken Watson's Rideau Canal | Maps
- Cruising the Rideau Canal (Canadian Yachting)
- Rideau Canal Lockstations Map (google.com)
- "Tripping the Rideau Canal" (TV Ontario) - 4-hour boat cruise from Manotick to Ottawa Ontario in real time down this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- See the Rideau Canal (CBC video)
- Friends of the Rideau - newsletter, history, videos, books
- UNESCO World Heritage site: Rideau Canal
- UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
- Rideau Waterway, a heritage route (Parks Canada)
- Rideau Heritage Route
- Google Cultural Institute: World Wonders: The Rideau Canal
- Nature of the Rideau River (Canadian Museum of Nature)
- Cruising the Rideau and Richelieu Canals (Skipper Bob guide)
- Cruising Guide to the Rideau Canal and Lower Ottawa River (Ports Cruising Guides)
- Canoeing the Rideau Waterway (The Agenda with Steve Paikin TVO.org)
- Kayaking the Rideau Canal Waterway & Frontenac Biosphere
- Rideau Canal - Solo Canoeing 2021 (12 videos by CJ Hoyle)
