Join explore » Sign in »

Ottawa River Paddling

The "Rocher Fendu" section of the Ottawa River, located downriver (southeast) of Pembroke, Ontario, is one of the world's best, most consistent whitewater runs, with excellent play spots, forgiving depth, and warm water.

This prime paddling destination is about 12 km long, and is popular with private whitewater canoers and kayakers, as well as paddling schools and commercial rafting operations.

The run is about 8 km, and will take the better part of the day. Committed, fast and well conditioned paddlers could do two runs in a day, but without much time at the play spots.

There are a few long-ish stretches of flatwater, but not too bad.

Drops are class III to V, and everything can be portaged.

Some of the named features/drops/runs/waves on the river include:

Butcher Knife
Dog's Leg
Little Trickle
Hell's Half Mile
McCoy's Chute
Lorne's Rapid
Lemming's Leap
Angel's Kiss
Roller Coaster
Pushbutton
Garburator Wave
Bus Eater
Coliseum
...and others

This entry needs details on these locations/features of the Ottawa River, including their ideal water levels, difficulty levels and what to expect there. Can you help?

Two channels (the "middle channel" and the "main channel") allow for paddling at both high and low levels. The Main Channel is a straight-on big water rafting run, with towering waves and vertical drops. The middle is tighter and more twisted, making it a better spot for kayakers and technical runs.

Both channels begin at McCoy Chute, branching off to Lorne's Rapids and Lemming's Leap on the Main, and Angel's Kiss and Roller Coaster Rock 'n' Roll in the Middle.

Getting There

The paddling section of the Ottawa River is about an hour and a half from the city of Ottawa, or a good four hours from Toronto.

driving, from Ottawa
- go west on highway 417
- before you hit Cobden, turn right onto County Road 7
- turn left onto County Road 7
- head through the (itty bitty) town of Foresters Falls, following the signs to the rafting companies like Owl and Wilderness Tours.

driving, from Toronto
- highway 401 east to Napanee
- highway 41 north to Eganville
- when you get to Eganville, you'll go over the dam/bridge and turn right at the lights (highway 60)
- follow highway 60 to County Road 8
- take County Road 8 to Cobden
- turn right onto highway 17
- follow highway 17 to County Road 7
- turn left onto County Road 7
- head through the (itty bitty) town of Foresters Falls, following the signs to the rafting companies like Owl and Wilderness Tours.

This entry needs details on the put-in location. Can you help?

Camping

Several whitewater rafting companies operate on this stretch, and will allow you to camp for a fee: River Run (http://www.riverrunners.com/) Wilderness Tours (www.wildernesstours.com)