Most Ontario paddlers know the big names. Algonquin Park, Killarney, the French River, Quetico. These are world-class destinations that deserve their reputations. But Ontario has thousands of kilometres of paddleable waterways beyond the marquee parks, and many of the best routes see a fraction of the traffic. If you are willing to look beyond the obvious, you will find rivers with no portages, lakes with no crowds, and coastal routes with some of the most dramatic scenery in the province.

Over two decades of paddling Ontario waterways, I have assembled a personal list of routes that offer exceptional experiences without the reservation hassles and crowded campsites that now define peak-season paddling at the popular parks. These are routes you can often do on short notice, that work for day trips or overnighters, and that will remind you why you started paddling in the first place.

The Madawaska River: Palmer Rapids to Griffith

The Madawaska River is one of Ontario's great paddling rivers, and the section from Palmer Rapids downstream to Griffith offers a full day of moving water, stunning scenery, and solitude that belies its relative proximity to Ottawa. The river here alternates between calm, wide stretches perfect for floating and class I-II rapids that add excitement without serious risk for intermediate paddlers. The shoreline is largely undeveloped, with stands of white pine and rocky outcrops that give the feel of being much deeper in the wilderness than you actually are.

Access is straightforward, with good launch points at both ends. The run can be done in a long day or broken into an overnight trip with camping on Crown land along the river. Spring and early summer offer the best water levels and flows, though the river is paddleable through most of the season in a normal year.

The Nottawasaga River

The Nottawasaga River flows through the heart of Simcoe County before emptying into Georgian Bay at Wasaga Beach, and its lower sections offer some of the most pleasant river paddling in southern Ontario. From Angus to the mouth, the river meanders through a broad floodplain with towering silver maples, abundant wildlife, and a pace of current that is gentle enough for beginners but fast enough to keep things moving.

Birding along the Nottawasaga is exceptional. Great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and wood ducks are common, and during spring and fall migration, the riparian corridor hosts an impressive variety of warblers, raptors, and waterfowl. The river is shallow enough in most sections that capsizing would be an inconvenience rather than a crisis, making it an excellent choice for families and less experienced paddlers.

Georgian Bay Coastal: Killarney to Collins Inlet

For experienced paddlers looking for a multi-day adventure, the coastal route from Killarney to Collins Inlet along the north shore of Georgian Bay is one of the finest sea kayaking routes in the province. The route follows the rugged quartzite coastline of the La Cloche Mountains, passing through channels between islands, sheltered bays with white sand beaches, and exposed headlands where the open water of the bay can generate significant waves.

This is not a route for beginners. Open-water crossings, exposure to wind and waves, and the remoteness of the route require solid sea kayaking skills, proper safety equipment, and the ability to read conditions and make good decisions. But for paddlers with the skills to handle it, the Georgian Bay coast between Killarney and Collins Inlet offers scenery, solitude, and a sense of wildness that rivals any paddling destination in North America.

The Saugeen River

The Saugeen River in Bruce County is a hidden gem for river paddling. The section from Walkerton to the mouth at Southampton passes through varied landscape, from agricultural countryside to forested valleys to the dramatic bluffs near the Lake Huron shore. The current is steady but manageable, with occasional easy rapids and riffles that keep the paddling interesting.

The Saugeen is also an outstanding fishing river, and combining a paddle trip with some shore fishing along the way is a perfect summer or fall outing. The river is well known among steelhead and salmon anglers in autumn, but during summer months, it is surprisingly uncrowded for a waterway of its quality. Local outfitters in the Hanover and Walkerton area can arrange shuttles for point-to-point trips.

The Rideau Waterway

The Rideau Canal and the chain of lakes it connects between Ottawa and Kingston offer a completely different paddling experience: a journey through history. The locks, the stone-built lock stations, the historic villages, and the settled agricultural landscape along the Rideau are a world away from the wilderness routes that dominate Ontario paddling culture, but they offer their own rewards.

Paddling the Rideau is best done as a multi-day trip, camping at lock stations and provincial parks along the route. The canal sections are flat water, while the lake sections, particularly Big Rideau Lake and Upper Rideau Lake, can produce significant waves in wind. The lock stations, many of which date from the 1830s, are fascinating to visit and provide convenient access to water, washrooms, and often small stores or restaurants in the adjacent villages.

Getting Started

The best paddling route is the one you actually do. Ontario has so many options that the biggest obstacle is often not finding a good route but choosing among them. Start close to home, explore your local rivers and lakes, and gradually expand your range as your skills and confidence grow. Join a local paddling club, take a course in canoe or kayak skills, and always paddle within your abilities. The waterways are waiting, and most of the best routes are still yours to discover.

By Dale Burrows, Recreation and Outdoors Writer