| There are many great places to go canoeing or | | | | As you past the last home the creek turns to the |
| kayaking in South Western Ontario. Here are | | | | left, and opens up to a large marsh area.Past the |
| three excellent paddling spots that the locals don't | | | | marsh the creek narrows again, and carries on |
| want you to know about. First is Big Creek | | | | past Black Creek Conservation Area. This can also |
| finishing at Long Point on Lake Erie, the second is | | | | be used as your access point. |
| Black Creek out of Port Dover, and my personal | | | | If water levels are low you may only be able to |
| favorite The Nith River ending in Paris. | | | | go a little farther after the bridge, but when they |
| The best section of Big Creek to paddle is from | | | | are up you can still go for a while. In the fall of |
| county rd. 60 down to hwy. 59 at Long Point. | | | | 2008 I was able to go about an other half hour |
| There are however two portages between | | | | past the conservation area. |
| county rd.60 and the second concession, so I | | | | This is an excellent route to take for novice |
| prefer to start at the second con session if I'm | | | | paddlers, we even took our two year old |
| using two vehicles and park at the ramp on Front | | | | granddaughter on this trip. From the lift bridge in |
| rd. at Port Royal if I'm in one vehicle. | | | | Port Dover to the conservation area and back |
| Big Creek should not be run until after the spring | | | | takes about two hours. And last but not least my |
| run off. Because the creek is so narrow with | | | | favorite paddling spot is the Nith River. The Nith is |
| many twist and turns, plus log jams it can make | | | | tributary of the Grand River running from New |
| running this creek in fast water very dangerous. | | | | Hamburg to Paris. |
| If you access the creek at Front rd. you can | | | | If you are into white water paddling then this |
| paddle up stream or down stream, there is very | | | | river is excellent to run with the spring run-off. |
| little current after the spring run off, but is still | | | | Just after the run off there is still a good flow of |
| plenty deep enough that you may see the odd | | | | water with some grade lll rapids. |
| small fishing boat or sea-doo in the lower part of | | | | Once the river drops to its normal level it can be |
| the creek. | | | | run by novice paddlers. The river can be access |
| As you paddle upstream from the Front rd. | | | | at most bridges between New Hamberg and Paris. |
| access point or downstream from the second | | | | Most bridges are about two to three hours apart. |
| concession you will be surrounded by thick | | | | This river can not be run upstream, as the water |
| Carolinian Forest and small marshs off to the side | | | | flow is to fast. You will need to plan your put ins |
| for you to explore. | | | | and take outs. |
| Downstream from Front rd. the creek gets wider | | | | My usual trip is from the put in just upstream |
| as it heads into Big Creek Marsh. Cross straight | | | | from the bridge in Canning down into the Grand |
| across the marsh to hwy.59 at Long Point you | | | | finishing at Optimist Park in the south end of Paris. |
| can park a second vehicle here. From the second | | | | There are some very nice sections of this river |
| concession to hwy. 59 takes about 2-3 hours. | | | | up stream too.All you need to do is pick a put out |
| Black Creek can also be paddled upstream against | | | | spot, park a vehicle and go back up stream a |
| the slow current, after the spring run-off. | | | | few bridges and put in. |
| I like to access the creek just below the lift | | | | The reason this is my favorite river is because it |
| bridge in Port Dover. There is a public parking lot | | | | does not get a lot of traffic on it. Many times I |
| on the west side of the creek.If you go down | | | | have gone down the Nith and not see another |
| stream from here it will take you into the harbor | | | | person from put in to put out. Plus there is a lot |
| and out into lake Erie. Water in the harbor can be | | | | of wild-life along the river. It is not unusual to see |
| very choppy from the boats coming and going. | | | | deer, muskrat, and beaver |
| As you go upstream under the lift bridge you will | | | | You can get canoe and kayak rentals at Grand |
| go past the Port Dover Yacht Club where you will | | | | Experiences in Paris. So you have three great |
| see many beautiful yachts and sail boats. Also | | | | spots to go canoeing or kayaking if you are |
| there are some old fishing trawlers wrecks sitting | | | | planning to visit South Western Ontario, or you |
| along the side of the creek.After the Yacht Club | | | | live in S.W.O. and don't want to travel a long |
| you go past some beautiful homes backing onto | | | | distance to go for a paddle. I hope this is helpful |
| the creek. | | | | to you. |