Boating:

Boating the Rideau is really the best way to see it in all its glory. Although the Rideau can be traversed one way in as little three days. You can use your own boat or rent a boat from one the many marinas.

If you have your own boat, you can put it in at a marina in Seeleys Bay. The Rideau is accessible from many regions. Residents of Québec, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and other regions of Ontario are within trailer boat driving distance of the Rideau. Boats from all over North America come by water to travel the Rideau. Boats from Florida travel up the Inland Waterway, boats from the central region travel up the Mississippi, there are even boats that come up along the Missouri. As long as you can hit the Great Lakes or the St. Lawrence River, it's easy to get to the Rideau.

Those traveling up from Kingston, can travel down the Ottawa River to Montreal, and from there head down to the Great Lakes, or head into the U.S. through Lake Champlain. Those who have come down the Rideau from Ottawa, can head into the Great Lakes from Kingston, perhaps traveling another loop through the Trent-Severn Waterway to visit Georgian Bay, or head up the St. Lawrence to Montreal.

Golfing Golfing Golfing:

Lyndway Hills  9 hole golf course is located less than  6 minutes down the road! This little 2,905yard par 35 is both gorgeous and challenging.  2004 green fee's are only $14 weekday and $16 week-ends. No tee off reservations are necessary.  Another 9 hole course is just minutes up hwy 15 in Elgin. As I become more familiar with the area I will report on other area courses.

Driving Tours:

You don't actually have to use a boat to enjoy the Rideau. All the locks are accessible by road and have good visitor facilities.

The drive from Kingston to Ottawa (or vice versa) is scenic and pleasurable. From Kingston, head up Highway 15. This highway parallels the Rideau all the way to Smiths Falls. In most spots, the locks are only a few kilometres off the highway.

From Smiths Falls follow County Road 43 to Merrickville, then take County Road 2 which follows along the north shore of the Rideau River. At Becketts Landing, you can continue for a mile or so to visit Rideau River Provincial Park, or turn south on County Road 44 to Kemptville.

From Kemptville, take County Road 19, which winds its way along the south shore of the Rideau, and goes right into Ottawa.

For some driving tours of the Rideau visit the Driving Tours of the Rideau Region section.

When to visit:

Each part of the year offers different opportunities along the Rideau.

May-June: The canal opens up in late May. This time of year can be interesting with the land and forests in full bloom of spring. Advantages at this time of year include less crowding, you can easily find a berth at any lock station or marina along the way. The weather will vary at this time of year, with a daytime temperature range of 5^o to 20^o C (40^o to 70^o F).

July-August: This is most popular time of year for the traveler. The water in the lakes has warmed up to perfect swimming temperature and there are lots of activities (festivals, fairs, etc.) going on in the towns along the route. The weather is usually very good, with daytime temperatures in the 20^o to 30^o C (70^o to 85^o F) range. In addition, the lock stations switch to longer hours at this time of year.

With a primary skidoo trail less than 1 km from the cottage, which runs from Kingston to Ottawa, this location offers access to some very good trails. We do ask that you only use roads within our cottage community to access these trails & that local speed limits be strictly adhered to.

September - October: The canal closes in mid-October. A cruise in late September/early October will reward the traveler with a magnificent display of fall colour. Weather can be quite good, the region often enjoys a nice "Indian Summer" at this time of year. Daytime temperatures will normally range from 10^o to 25^o C (50^o to 75^o F).

Winter: The Rideau area is a winter wonderland. We have a primary skidoo trail within one km from the cottage and there's always the lake immediately in front of the cottage.

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