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The Rideau Canal is a 202km water route that connects Ottawa with Kingston and Lake Ontario. It was built for conflict, but flourished through hospitality and is a treasured part of Canada's national heritage and a world-class destination for travelers.
The Rideau Canal National Historic Site is 202km in length. Boaters should plan for 5-7 days to complete the journey, including lockage through 47 locks. Visitors who drive to the locks should take into consideration the various towns, villages and cities along its length.
Learn about the Rideau Canal, a 202 km waterway that connects Ottawa and Kingston, and its role in Canadian history and culture. Discover the engineering marvels, the lock stations, the blockhouses and the museums that showcase the canal's heritage.
The Rideau Canal is, by nature, a marvel through and through. But it’s also what is popping up all around it that makes for an unforgettable day trip or full-on vacation. Discover incredible beauty at every turn, coupled with unique community experiences all rooted in history along the waterway!
Enjoy the world's largest naturally frozen skating rink on the Rideau Canal, or explore the trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledding. Winterlude is a winter festival in February with ice sculptures, live music and culture along the canal.
Looking for a great place to stay during your visit to the Rideau Canal? Many wonderful overnight options exist for you to choose from between Kingston and Ottawa. Campgrounds, cottages and hotels can be found in urban areas along the Rideau, while Parks Canada offers tenting at most locksations and short-term vacation rentals at select sites.
If your passion is peddling, go the distance and peddle the Rideau Canal with its abundance of opportunities. Cyclists can travel through quaint towns, peddle past forests, wetlands, and parklands or on paved recreational pathways.
Enjoy a scenic cruise on the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with various options and departures. Choose from electric-powered boats, pontoon boats, or luxury vessels with meals and activities.
Trendy boutiques in places like Westport mix effortlessly with historic artsy downtowns like Merrickville to make the Rideau host authentic shops all with a trademark welcoming vibe. Explore shops and restaurants in Newboro, then walk down to the locks and see them in action.
The Rideau Canal is a paddler’s paradise and worthy of any Great Canadian bucket list. With mostly flat-water paddling, no sizable currents, and over 1,000 kilometres of shoreline to explore, the Canal makes for an inviting getaway for paddlers of all skill levels.
