The Rideau experience
Canoe Tours
Guided Tours Along the Rideau Waterway—Explore and learn about a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gas-free!
Keep reading to find out more, or…
Our Canoes
The Rideau Roundtable owns three large Voyageur-replica canoes. We have two 34-foot-long, Montreal-style canoes that seat up to 18 people each, and a Rabaska Canoe that is 26 feet long and seats 10.
Every tour we do, we provide a “Gouvernail” (which translates to “rudder” in English). The Gouvernail is like the captain of the voyage. They navigate, steer, and explain the ropes to those on board. You, the members of the crew, help paddle and enjoy the time on the water with all 5 senses. As you glide along, the Gouvernail will point out flora, fauna, and geological, ecological, and historical features.
pre-tour instructions
Before setting off, each participant receives a Personal Floatation Device (PFD or lifejacket) and a paddle. There is also a brief lesson on some basic paddling strokes: forward, reverse, pry, and draw, so you will know what to do on the water.
An eco-interpreter, an expert on the ecosystem and local lore, is usually along on bigger tours to animate the excursion with facts about the canoes, natural features, and history.
Canoes were the vehicles of choice and necessity for thousands of years, since the rivers were the highways of what we now call Canada. The First Nations lent the settlers this technology, and together they used canoes like ours to navigate and explore Canada’s vast river systems in the early years of the fur trade. Our Gouvernails or Eco-Interpreters often explain how these canoes were built to hold 3-4 tons of cargo and carry Les Voyageurs from Montreal to the western end of Lake Superior over the course of a year.
sharing indigenous voices
The Rideau Roundtable acknowledges that we borrow from Indigenous Nations of Canada the lore and power of the canoe. Furthermore, we travel upon land and water that has been inhabited and taken care of by Indigenous peoples from the beginning. On the Lower Rideau Lake, there is evidence of human habitation and activity going back 11,000 years. As settlers, we are grateful to those generations of peoples who have been the stewards of this place since that time. (read more of our Acknowledgement of the Indigenous Peoples and Land…)
Out on the water
The Rideau EXperience (REX Program) generally offers 3 types of experiences:
1) Pre-planned Excursions are available on specific dates from various municipalities along the Rideau Waterway.
These packages might be themed:
- Birdwatching
- Historical Exploration (See Below for Examples for the town of Smiths Falls)
- Wetland Awareness
- Fall Colours
- Eco- and Adventure Paddling
2) We often attend various festivals and fairs that take place up and down the Rideau Waterway, and we organize the Rideau PaddleFest in Smiths Falls every year in June. We hope to introduce these wonderful recreational and educational vessels to those unfamiliar with the Voyageur Experience.
Stay tuned for January 2026, when we will launch our calendar with dates for all of the above.
Create Your Own Adventure
3) The Rideau Roundtable offers multi-day voyageur canoe tours on the Rideau Waterway.
Explore many of the bays and wetlands on this majestic Heritage River and visit some of the historical towns and villages. When the paddling is done for the day, you will find yourself at one of the many bed & breakfasts or inns the Rideau has to offer. Whether we stop in Newboro or Merrickville, there will be plenty for you to do once we come ashore. Shop, eat, or even listen to live music; the choice is yours.
Or it could be a wilderness adventure, with camping at a remote site only accessible by water. If this trip sounds great, but you either don’t have a large enough group for a voyageur canoe, or you prefer small canoes, the options are endless.
Smiths Falls based Tours
Each of these tours is half-day or 4 hours. They can be combined with other themes. These are examples of tours that can be done in your municipality or region along the Rideau Waterway.
Wetland Tour
Swale Tour: Bascule Bridge to Poonamalie Lockstation and Back
Our route will take us from the historic Bascule Bridge through The Swale, a Class 1 Wetland, then upstream to the picturesque Poonamalie Lockstation. Exploration and interpretation throughout the tour will include natural, technological, and cultural history, including the life of the Voyageurs and Canada’s First Peoples. This route usually brings with it an abundance of beautiful (and some rare) wildlife to see! This promises to be a memorable and energizing experience for all.
Urban Wilderness Tour
Lower Reach Park to Edmonds Lock
Get the best of both worlds—natural and urban environments—as we explore a mix of developed and undeveloped shoreline on the Rideau River. We paddle through the twin locks of Old Slys Lockstation, duck under the active railway bridge, and head downstream for Otter Creek, into the large wetland. We are bound to see some wildlife and will understand the engineering marvel that is the Rideau Canal when we disembark to explore the weir and waterfall at Edmonds’ Lock.
Town Tour
Bascule Bridge to Lower Reach Park & beyond through locks
Departing from the unique, picturesque Bascule Bridge, join us for a paddle through 2 lock systems, including the tallest lock on the Rideau River, then down-river into the Lower Reach. Your costumed guide will interpret the heritage and natural history of Smiths Falls and the Rideau Canal and regale you with tales of the Voyageurs of old.
As we head into the off-season...
We are busy behind the scenes creating a robust calendar of canoeing events and tours. Stay tuned for more information about Paddlefest and our Rideau Experience Adventure. If you have an early request or would just like some information, drop us a message and we will get back to you as soon as we can.