| Guided Grand River canoe and kayak trips have been | | | | the guide. Most trips are 3 to 5 hours of leisure |
| attracting many families new to the experience of river | | | | paddling depending on which section of the watershed |
| paddling. Over 30,000 paddlers visit the Grand River in | | | | is chosen. |
| Southern Ontario yearly. Many paddlers brush through | | | | The prettiest wilderness section to paddle on the |
| the valley totally unaware of what is there. | | | | Grand River is a 3 hour trip between Glen Morris and |
| This river is rich in native history steeped in the wars | | | | Paris. For a unique 6-7 hour paddle which can be |
| of the Mohawks, Huron and other Iroquoian nations. It | | | | broken into a relaxing weekend trip, there is the Glen |
| contains the largest selection of plants, wildlife and | | | | Morris to Brant Park... offering the best of the Grand |
| trees in Canada. There are fresh springs to taste and | | | | River. If new to the Grand River ask the outfitter to |
| many historical points of interest. The fishing is | | | | recommend a suitable trip to match paddling skills. |
| excellent with over 80 species of recorded fish. And | | | | Guiding services can vary and it is always wise to |
| the return of rare species such as ospreys, eagles and | | | | inquire. Some guides basically deliver customers from |
| beaver have given the valley bragging rights. | | | | point A to B on the river with a set time schedule. |
| For the novice new to the Grand River... a guided trip is | | | | Other guides are certified instructors which can teach |
| a unique way of opening the door. Guided trips not | | | | proper strokes and steering techniques. The best |
| only insure safety between point A and B, but offer | | | | guides not only instruct paddling techniques but teach |
| instructional teaching on river paddling techniques. But | | | | and explore the river valley. |
| the highlight of every trip is the rich enhancement of | | | | Many customers upon arrival expect their own |
| experiencing the plants, wildlife and native history of | | | | exclusive guide only to discover that they have been |
| the valley. | | | | batched with other groups. These "one-guide-batch" |
| Most of the Grand River outfitting companies are | | | | trips are often a unpleasant experience. The slowest |
| located along the picturesque section of the Grand | | | | paddler holds up the entire group and diverts most of |
| River between Kitchener and Brantford. There are | | | | the guide's attention. When booking a guided trip inquire |
| presently six companies offering guiding services. They | | | | whether it is a batch or exclusive service being |
| are open from April until November, seven days a | | | | provided. Exclusive guided services costs more but the |
| week with variable hours of operation. All the | | | | learning experience is worth it. |
| companies have websites and can be easily located | | | | After a guided trip, many have gained the "river |
| by googling "Grand River guided canoe trips". | | | | smarts" and confidence to explore on their own... and |
| The cost of guiding services between outfitters is | | | | are encouraged to do so. The Grand River offers lots |
| basically the same. Small exclusive groups vary from | | | | of opportunity. It is the largest watershed in Southern |
| $60 to $100 per person excluding tax. Large groups | | | | Ontario with over 300 kilometers of nearby wilderness |
| cost around $25 to $40 per person excluding tax. | | | | paddling from the Bruce Highlands to the shores of |
| These prices include all equipment, guide, upstream | | | | Lake Erie. |
| shuttle service and sometimes lunch. | | | | But the best thing about the Grand River is that it is |
| The guided "trip" works as follows... the customer | | | | one of the few pristine rivers where a family can drive |
| parks their vehicle at the trip exit point and then | | | | one hour from Toronto... experience a day's wilderness |
| shuttled upstream to paddle back to their vehicle with | | | | paddle... and still be in their own bed at night. |