Boating the Rideau Canal: Ottawa to Toronto by Water

Yes, you can travel by boat from Ottawa to Toronto via the historic Rideau Canal—a UNESCO World Heritage Site and North America's oldest continuously operated canal system.

The Route

• Distance: ~202 km (125 miles) via canal waterways
• Locks: 45 locks at 24 lockstations
• Time: 3–6 days typical (leisurely); 2 days minimum (aggressive)
• Season: Mid-May to mid-October (Parks Canada operating season)

Journey Overview

1. Ottawa: Start at Ottawa Locks (8-flight staircase beside Parliament Hill)
2. Rideau River/Lakes: Through Manotick, Kars, Long Island, Burritts Rapids
3. Rideau Lakes: Merrickville (jewel of the canal), Smiths Falls (canal HQ), Upper/Lower Rideau Lakes
4. Cataraqui River: Through Kingston Mills to Kingston (Lake Ontario)
5. Lake Ontario: Open water crossing ~170 km to Toronto (requires lake-worthy vessel)

Practical Considerations

• Vessel: Max dimensions: 27.4m (90') length, 7.9m (26') beam, 1.5m (5') draft, 6.7m (22') height
• Permits: Season pass ($100–$600 by vessel size) or daily locks passes
• Services: 20+ marinas, fuel, pump-outs, groceries at key lockstations
• Accommodation: Dock at lockstations (first-come), marinas, or anchor in designated areas

Highlights

Merrickville's artisan shops, Smiths Falls' Railway Museum, Upper Rideau Lake's scenery, Kingston's Fort Henry and 1000 Islands gateway, Toronto's harbourfront arrival.

Alternative: Trent-Severn Waterway

Longer (386 km, 44 locks) from Trenton to Georgian Bay, then Lake Huron/Erie to Toronto—more remote, less commercial traffic.

The Rideau isn't just transportation—it's a living history museum you navigate at 10 km/h.