You can literally be anywhere in the province, and a paddling outfitter is sure to be relatively close, ready to help you out with everything from equipment to route maps. And, with 500,000 lakes and thousands of kilometres of rivers spread over an area equal to the size of western Europe, it’s no wonder kayaking is such a tourist attraction and popular pastime in Ontario. Self-guided day-long excursions are a particular specialty here, and according to the Ontario Trails Council, “no other region in the world offers canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts such a choice of experiences.”

So abundant are the kayaking routes here that the Ontario Trails Council classifies its routes by regions (central Ontario, eastern Ontario, the Greater Toronto Area, Niagara, north-central Ontario, northeastern Ontario, northwestern Ontario, the Ottawa region, and southwestern Ontario); and then further describes each kayak/canoe trail by name, sub-region, closest town, length, difficulty, the primary activities enjoyed in the area (hiking, camping, and more), and character (scenic, natural, historic, etc.).

From there, many outfitters in specific regions of Northern Ontario have created unique paddling trips that involve everything from bathing in waterfall rapids in Algonquin Park, to a yoga, pilates, painting, and cooking retreat around Lake Temagami, to an all-inclusive trip that takes you along the shores of Lake Superior, and then on a train through the Algoma Highlands.

Such experiences, of course, range in difficulty, and one example of the many “easy” kayak routes in Ontario is the Arrowhead Lake Trail in the Muskoka region, near Huntsville. Beginners will love this three-kilometre route that is a peaceful paddle through Arrowhead Provincial Park, whose points of scenic interest include Arrowhead Lake, Mayflower Lake, the Little River, and the Big East River.

More challenging for intermediate kayakers is something similar to the Big Hawk-Red Pine-Nunikani Loop that guides paddlers on a two- to four-day journey around a portion of the Haliburton Highlands. Experienced kayakers, however, will prefer a more difficult route such as the Lake St. Peter Lookout Trail, which is in Lake St. Peter Provincial Park in the Algonquin Park region.  The effort will all seem worthwhile after paddling and traversing over rugged terrain as you will be rewarded with a fantastic lookout over the lake.

The routes described above are concentrated in central-southern Ontario however, there are plenty of kayaking opportunities in the east, west, north, and south of Ontario, in both rural and urban areas. For instance, in the west, kayakers can conquer the Georgian Bay shoreline between Killarney Provincial Park and the French River. Islands of shield granite and the thick growth of white pines are just part of the natural scenery, and with plenty of places to set up camp, paddlers can easily spend a day to a week meandering along this route.

Further down the shore is Georgian Bay Islands National Park trail, which is an ideal location for vacationers in the Muskoka area. This 26-kilometre loop is suitable for all skill levels of kayakers, and even though its season technically lasts from spring until fall, local enthusiasts will tell you that autumn is the best time to tackle the waters of this national park.

Indeed, the Bruce Peninsula is a veritable haven for kayakers of all stripes, and besides Georgian Bay in the east, there is also the entire shore of Lake Huron in the west, where kayak-friendly waters such as the Saugeen River exist. This 105-kilometre route that ideally takes about three days to explore stretches from Hanover to Denny’s Dam, near Southampton, and is a calm trail that’s perfect for beginners. There are also plenty of places to camp out for the night.

Heading southeast into the Greater Toronto Area is the Humber River, which flows into Lake Ontario. The Humber River trail starts smack-dab in the middle of Toronto’s downtown waterfront, and is a fantastic option for those who love the thrill of the open water, but can’t get away for the weekend. Toronto’s skyline, urban parks, and green spaces combine for 13 kilometres of paddling that’s fun for both beginner and intermediate kayakers.

To some, it might be surprising to find out that water trails (such as the Humber River’s) exist in southern Ontario’s metropolitan areas however the proof of this is to be found at the Pinery Provincial Park water trail. Located on the Lambton beaches of Lake Huron, the shoreline of Pinery Provincial Park provides a fascinating look at the area’s geological history, with coastal dunes that began forming about 6,000 years ago, oak savanna and Carolinian forests, marshland, and wildlife. And, after paddling along the 14 kilometres of this trail, it’s hard to believe that cities such as London and Sarnia are less than two hours away.

However, finding the rural in the urban isn’t always easy, and for some kayakers, heading north—way north—is the only way to get the experience they’re looking for. It’s an entirely different world up in Ontario’s northern communities, and along routes such as the Turtle River-White Otter Provincial Waterway Park (northwest of Thunder Bay) and Historic Boundary Waterway (that stretches from Atikokan to Minaki), local outfitters can help kayakers discover everything from native pictographs, to the feeding spots of migratory birds, to crashing waterfalls, to wildlife sightings that can include beavers, deer, moose, otters, or timber wolves.

Hardcore kayakers will find Ontario’s “near north” even more thrilling, and this area is special because it’s known as Canada’s largest inter-connecting kayak/canoe-route system. Here, historians will love the Champlain Trail that follows the Mattawa and French rivers, and whitewater paddlers will find their fix when the region’s water are at their best from late May to early June.

However, no matter where paddlers choose to go in Ontario, everyone should practice water and travel safety including having a map of your route and destination, being prepared for bad weather and emergencies, having an alternate plan if things go awry, paying attention to signage, and informing someone at home as to your schedule and planned whereabouts.

Carla MacKay, My Destination Ontario
June 2011