Routes and access points

This webpage provides information on river access points on properties owned by the GRCA or river access points owned and/or maintained by our municipal partners.

Canoeing or kayaking between the source of the Grand and Elora can be difficult because of low flows and the many portages.

Suitability of river flows for paddling and paddling times depend on the experience and equipment of the paddler and the conditions at the time. If you are unsure about suitability, you may wish to use a local canoe outfitter.

Elora Gorge Conservation Area to Victoria Street (Kitchener)

This section starts in Elora and passes through the County of Wellington, ending in the village of Bridgeport, part of the City of Kitchener.

Dams: There are no dams, however there is a low level bridge within Elora Gorge Conservation Area to portage around.

Access

Elora Gorge Conservation Area, 7400 Wellington County Road 21 (Grand River Conservation Areas membership or entry fee required.)
Wilson's Flats - Eighth Line Bridge, west of County Road 21 near Inverhaugh. This river access point is maintained by the Township of Centre-Wellington.

Golf Course Road, Conestogo (Priddle Park, Township of Woolwich)

Victoria Street (Kitchener) to Cambridge (Galt)

This section passes through the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge (Galt).

Dams: Maneheim Weir downstream of Freeport in Kitchener and Parkhill Dam in Cambridge (Galt).

Access

Moyer's Landing, Fountain Street, Blair, east of the Grand River in Cambridge. This river access point is maintained by the City of Cambridge.
River Bluffs Park, George Street, Cambridge (Galt). This river access point is maintained by the City of Cambridge. (Google map showing River Bluffs Park location.)
Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail parking lot, Water Street just south of Concession Street, Cambridge (Galt). (Google map showing rail trail parking lot location.)

Cambridge (Galt) to Paris

The section runs from Cambridge to Paris.

Dams: There is a portage at the end of the route in Paris at Penman's Dam.

Access

Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail parking lot, Water Street just south of Concession Street, Cambridge (Galt). (Google map showing rail trail parking lot location.)
Glen Morris - Eric Thomlinson Access Ramp, Forbes Street. (Also access to the Cambridge to Paris Rail Trail.) (Google map showing Eric Thomlinson Access Ramp location.)
Penman's Dam, Willow Street, Paris. A landing dock and walkway on the east bank to portage around the dam. This river access point is maintained by Brant County.

Please note that Brant County is implementing new on-road parking restriction measures at their river access points starting July 1st, 2021. For more information visit Brant County's river access webpage.

Paris to Brant Conservation Area (Brantford)

This section begins downstream of Penman's Dam or at the south end of Paris at Bean Park. The route ends at Brant Conservation Area.

Dams: Penman's Dam Paris and Wilkes Dam at Brant Conservation Area.

Access

Penman's Dam, Willow Street, Paris. A landing dock and walkway on the east bank to portage around the dam. This river access point is maintained by Brant County.
Bean Park, Spencer Street at the south end of Paris. This river access point is maintained by Brant County.
Brant Conservation Area, 119 Jennings Road, Brantford. Pull out above Wilkes Dam. (Grand River Conservation Areas membership or entry fee required.) (Google map showing location of Brant Conservation Area location.)

Brant Conservation Area to Cockshutt Bridge (Brant County and City of Brantford)

This section begins at the boat ramp just outside the Brant Conservation Area gate.

Dams: There are no dams in this section.

Access

Brant Conservation Area, 119 Jennings Road, boat ramp just outside the conservation area gate. (Grand River Conservation Areas membership or entry fee required.) (Google map showing location of Brant Conservation Area location.)
Gilkison's Flats, Gilkison Street, Brantford. A low-lying area just south of the Veteran's Memorial Bridge. This river access point is maintained by the City of Brantford.
Cockshutt Bridge, Erie Avenue, Brantford. Boat ramp and parking. This river access point is maintained by the City of Brantford.

Cockshutt Bridge (Brantford) to Caledonia

Dam: This section ends before a portage on the east bank just above Caledonia Dam.

Access

Cockshutt Bridge, Erie Avenue, Brantford. Boat ramp and parking. This river access point is maintained by the City of Brantford.
Kinsmen Park, Caithness Street East, Caledonia, just upstream of Caledonia Dam. Portage around the dam. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County.

Caledonia to Cayuga

This section begins downstream of Caledonia Dam.

Dams: There are no dams in this section.

Access

Kinsmen Park, Caithness Street East, Caledonia, just downstream of Caledonia Dam. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County.
York Park, on Highway 54 (Front Street), just downstream of the bridge.
Bob Baigent Park, Ouse Street, Cayuga, just downstream of the Highway 3 bridge. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County.

Cayuga to Byng Island (Dunnville)

The Grand becomes a much wider river in this stretch. The Dunnville Dam creates lake-like conditions for paddling in the lower Grand River.

Dam: The portage is located at Byng Island Conservation Area to go around the Dunnville Dam and its three weirs.

Access

Bob Baigent Park, Ouse Street, Cayuga, just downstream of the Highway 3 bridge. This river access point is maintaned by Haldimand County.
Byng Island Conservation Area, Dunnville, on the west bank. The boat ramp on Sulphur Creek provides access to the Grand River below the Dunnville Dam. (Grand River Conservation Areas membership or entry fee required.) (Google map showing Byng Island Conservation Area location.)

Byng Island (Dunnville) to Lake Erie (Port Maitland)

Dams: No dams and weirs if you put in below the Dunnville Dam and weirs.

Access

Byng Island Conservation Area, Dunnville, on the west bank. The boat ramp on Sulphur Creek provides access to the Grand River below the Dunnville Dam. (Grand River Conservation Areas membership or entry fee required.) (Google map showing Byng Island Conservation Area location.)