A perfect paddle on the Tay Canal from Perth, Ontario!

Actually, I've had more than one perfect paddle on the Tay Canal and through the beautiful Tay marsh. Why? It makes me relax. It makes me stop and look at stuff, like nature! Especially birds. And it makes me want to paddle! There are too many photo ops along the way. Beware. Bring extra batteries for your camera.
My favourite time of year to kayak the Tay Canal and marsh is late spring when the air is cool, birds are nesting, and the stronger early spring current from the winter melt has usually settled down. But the water is still cold, so it's a good idea to dress for submersion, just in case you go overboard.

Can you see the bird in the nest just left of the yellow kayak? She blends in well with the fallen tree branches.
You'll see people canoeing and kayaking the Tay in spring, summer, and fall, along with a few motor boats that go slow in the boat channel between Beveridges locks, which is part of the Rideau Canal system, and Perth, Ontario.

Paddling the Tay is a favourite of groups, families, and couples.
This paddler stopped to take a few pictures, and is trying to catch up to a large group in the distance.
If you plan a paddle on the Tay Canal, I hope you also plan to spend some extra time or a few days in the quaint town of Perth, founded in 1816. I love seeing the preserved 1800s buildings in the historic downtown, which makes for a really cool visit on foot to poke around shops, eat in bistros, visit a museum, and more.

When in Perth, please don't miss a visit to beautiful Stewart Park. It's in the heart of the city, where you'll find picnic tables, sunny wide open spaces, and shade from trees. There are foot paths in Stewart Park along the Tay River and foot bridges that cross the river as it meanders through the park. I especially love the flower gardens, and the awesome bronze statue of Olympic rider Ian Miller on his famed horse Big Ben near the park's entrance. Photo ops abound here. It is a favourite spot for wedding photos.

This post will help you plan a paddle on the Tay Canal and I'll show you a few of my favourite “photo ops” along the way.

Launch sites: I like to launch from Last Duel Park, just outside of Perth's downtown and paddle to Upper Beveridges locks, enjoy a leisurely break at the lock station, and paddle back to Last Duel Park.
Last Duel Park boat launch
Last Duel Park has great amenities for the paddler and the boater. The boat launch is kayak friendly. There is lots of free parking, a restroom with flush toilets, a great play area for kids, wide open spaces, picnic tables, and mature trees for shade.
Last Duel Park is historic. The “last duel” in Canada apparently took place in this park. Hence the name.

You can also launch from the Upper Beveridges Locks in Port Elmsley, Ontario, and paddle to Last Duel Park. If you continue paddling past Last Duel Park, for about one kilometre, you'll soon find yourself looking at downtown Perth and the large Farmer's Market, open Saturdays from May to October, overlooking the spray of three beautiful water fountains.
Larger motor boats can't make it past Last Duel Park into Perth as there are a series of low bridges to pass under.

At Upper Beveridges Locks, there is free parking and restrooms, but this is not a kayak friendly launch site. There is not as much space or picnic area as Last Duel Park. And, you'll have to get into your kayak or canoe from an elevated blue cement wall or boat dock.
Distance: It's about 10 kilometres (6 miles) from Last Duel Park to Beveridges Locks, 20 kilometres (12 miles) round trip.

Current: The current runs from Perth to Beveridges locks, and empties into Lower Rideau Lake. If you launch from Last Duel Park and go right, you're heading towards Beveridges locks and you're going with the current.
The kayak has reached Upper Beveridges Locks 34. On the left, you'll find an elevated - not very kayak-friendly blue cement wall and boat dock for landing, picnic area, and parking. Public restrooms are in the white lockmaster house. Get out here to picnic. If you lock through this lock, you're heading to Lower Beveridges Lock 33 which empties into Lower Rideau Lake
If you launch from Last Duel Park and go left, you're heading towards downtown Perth against the current.

You can only go about one kilometer, passing under some low bridges, and into Perth. Just past downtown Perth, the water trail soon ends at a small dam.

If you launch from Beveridges locks and head towards Perth, you're going against the current. 

Ease or difficulty of paddle route: I have found this 20 kilometre round trip paddle fairly easy for me in a well-designed sea kayak, but you may find it tiring in a smaller recreational kayak or canoe. You will also want to factor in wind, and the current, which can vary depending on the season and water levels.

Wind: Check weather reports for wind speeds. You may encounter a head wind, cross wind, or tail wind on the trip, especially in the open areas of the Tay marsh. I avoid really windy days.

Shoreline friendliness: There are limited places to get out of the kayak or canoe along the route. The shoreline along the way is mostly wild with a mixture of marsh, fallen trees, farmland, or private property. So plan accordingly. Have water, snacks, and whatever you might need along the route in a handy place. Plan to get in and out of the canoe or kayak at the launch sites, not along the route.
Boat channel markers: There are red and green boat channel markers. If you follow them, it will help you find your way and keep you out of the shallows and rocks. Motor boats pass through the boat channel in the Tay Canal too, so be on the lookout to give way. They go slowly.
Enjoy your paddle on the Tay Canal and Tay Marsh!

For more information about the Rideau Canal:
BaffinPaddler kayaking the Tay Marsh with the Boreal Baffin sea kayak, and awesome Made-in Maine Greenland paddle
It's a lot of fun to paddle with paddle buddies. They always seem to know where the best paddle trails are, and how to get to the boat launch! Thanks to our dynamic local paddle clubs, awesome instructor communities, and great waterways, we have lots of opportunities in Canada to get together for a paddle and to improve our skills.

Paddle safe. Always wear a PFD. Happy paddle trails!
The BaffinPaddler

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Poison Ivy and Your Pet!

Image
So, you've taken the doggie ashore on the mainland or an island for a little exercise. "Hey, you look so cute in the bush." The final flowers of fall are still standing. You've got to get a shot of the beautiful field of six-foot tall yellow wildflowers before they're gone. Suddenly, your early warning system clicks on and you remember to look down instead of up to see what you're tromping through on that barely there trail to the flowers. Poison ivy starting to turn red in the fall along the Ottawa River, Quebec, Canada.  Ah, ha! Of course. There are a few strands of poison ivy creeping out under the tall stuff! And you manage to avoid it. But where's the doggie? She's romping right through all that poison ivy you've just avoided and now her fur, paws and collar may be full of the oil, called urushiol , from the poison ivy plants - the oil that can cause a nasty rash if it gets on your skin, especially if you're one
Read more

One cigarette butt contaminates up to 50 liters of water

Image
Oddly enough, the first time I saw this type of sign was on a super busy beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico this winter. I wonder why I haven't seen more signs like this when I travel to waterways:  One cigarette butt contaminates up to 50 liters of water. In Spanish, una colilla de de cigarro contamina hasta 50 litros de agua . The sign was posted by a local restaurant.  I wonder why cigarettes are still allowed anywhere anymore. They are banned from more and more public places world wide. Bravo! I wonder why cigarettes are even produced when you can wear a toxic patch or chew toxic gum and not bother anyone or anything with this disgusting, toxic habit. But I do know one thing, now when I make travel plans, the first thing I will look for are completely smoke-free resorts. The resort we stayed at in Mexico did not allow smoking in rooms nor in the dining areas, lobbies, gym, etc. Even though there were open areas where people could smoke, this type of all-inclusive re
Read more

The magic of camping and kayaking at Bon Echo Provincial Park, Mazinaw Rock, Ontario, Canada! Get your bug suit on!

Image
This is one of my favourite "easy to paddle" little magic spots! Bon Echo Provincial Park is in the south central part of Ontario, Canada. It's a pretty nice place to camp! You have amenites here. Even on the back country sites - where you'll have more bugs - but more privacy. Take your pick. More people or more bugs? It's hard to choose sometimes! Mazinaw Rock is on picturesque and easy to paddle Mazinaw Lake . Mazinaw Rock is 100 metres high. If you call out, it echos three times - hence the name, "Bon Echo". In French it means, "good echo". I'll agree! I tried it - three times. It's true! Mazinaw Lake is the second deepest lake in Ontario, Canada. It averages 135 feet deep, and its deepest parts are 476 feet deep. Wow! Suddenly, I feel so small. You might want to think about a float for your camera here! If it goes overboard, you'll never find it again. I'll admit - I love rocks. Doesn't everyone?
Read more

Cycling one of America's most beautiful beaches: Fort De Soto Park, Florida

Image
Yes. I felt it. I felt like I was on one of the most beautiful beaches at Fort De Soto. Wow! The big beach cruisers float and roll over the hard sand at low tide so easily. It's a funky feeling. Perched on a wide, overly soft, bouncy seat, holding on to high handlebars with all your stuff packed into a big wicker basket, you feel goofy as you pedal in bare feet or sandals. You know you look goofy, and don't care. It sets you free. Great. It was the first week of January 2014 and we picked the coldest week of the year to visit southern Florida from Canada's deep freeze. It was 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 Celsius) when we woke up and looked out the patio door of a beach front rental on St. Pete's beach on the Gulf of Mexico, Florida. By noon the temperature climbed to 58F (14 C) according to the thermostat in the rental car. The stiff blowing nor’easter made us think differently. Let's go to Fort De Soto beach . . . in our ski jackets!  Why not. We're
Read more

Does my Ironman Tremblant T-shirt make me look fat?

Image
Yes it does. Let's blame it on a bulky belt on the jean shorts. What the hell. This is no time for vanity. I couldn't help striking a yoga pose in from of the big red M in the Tremblant Ironman village today. I call it the Ironman village, because the massive white tents and stages for the event are already set up at the base of the Tremblant resort village. You can already feel the Ironman mania and high energy building in town. Parking further and further away, and taking longer and longer to find a parking lot with space is your first clue! August is a busy month up here! The full Ironman Triathlon in Tremblant, Quebec, Canada on August 17  is fast approaching. It's what I call the totally insane Ironman. The full Ironman - not the half. How this is humanly possible in one day is beyond comprehension. Yet some 2600 athletes from over 50 countries, including Quebec's elite racers, will give it a go. Preparing for a full Ironman takes several years of hard traini
Read more