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‘River Canard Outpost General Store ‘

We sell LOCAL GOODS! Log Home Soaps. Mennonite jams, pickled good and preserves.

Walkerville soy candles.Convenience, grocery, coffee shop, snacks, drinks, ice, camping supplies, firewood, local honey, maple syrup, birdhouses and more.

Monday – Friday: 8am – 10pm

Saturday & Sunday: 8am-10pm

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River Canard is the southernmost river in all of Canada.

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CANOE and KAYAK INSTRUCTION COURSES

• Safety
• Navigation and steering
• Paddling techniques
• Various parts of the canoe,kayak or SUP and what they are used for
• knowledge of the river
• entry and exit
• and much more

BASIC WATERCRAFT TRAINING    (CANOE,KAYAK, SUP)

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BASIC CANOE / KAYAK RENTAL INFORMATION (Self Guided)

(All rentals for up to four hours)

Watercraft Rentals (Guided)

We have River Guides for hire who will teach you the basics of canoeing, canoeing safety and go out on the river with you. Guides cost $30.00 per hour in addition to your canoe rental costs, but well worth it. Let us help you design a trip with our guide.

Birthday parties, events, call to enquire pricing!

WINDY DAY LAUNCHES – We can safely launch you at Long Marsh Creek on windy days! $10.00 fee
Long Marsh creek is a smaller tributary of River Canard that winds through the forest and is naturally sheltered from the wind.

Things to Bring

• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Shoes (not flip-flops)
• Sunscreen Snacks
• Change of clothes

OPTIONAL – camera, cell phone, bug repellant

Many beautiful picnic areas and rest spots along the river and right at our launch

Walks ins welcome but reservations are guaranteed

Did you know the canoe has been voted a wonder of Canada!

The River Canard has over 15 bridges to paddle under, two islands, Long Marsh Creek, Cahill Creek and Merrick’s Creek. Wildlife abounds with egrets, ducks, geese, swan, eagle, muskrat, blue heron, numerous fish, and more.

As you paddle on the quiet river, you may see a muskrat swimming nearby, a turtle on a log, and fish jumping from the water. The river is vastly diverse with open waterways with scenic homes, extensive marsh fields teeming with wildlife, quiet winding river through Carolinian forests.

See the Long Marsh Train bridge built in 1917, the Hancock and Dean Bridge to Nationhood, Ranta Marina, Boy Scout Bush, Canard Valley, St. Josephs Historical Church (est. 1862), the pretty Bow String Arch Bridge at the River Canard village.

River Canard was pivotal in the War of 1812. When the Americans invaded at Sandwich Town from Detroit, they marched towards Fort Malden to gain its capture, however, River Canard was in the way. Two British privates, James Hancock and John Dean were left to defend a little wooden bridge against 280 invading Americans. Hancock was killed (the first British casualty of 1812) Dean was wounded and taken prisoner. Both were publicly commended by Sir Issack Brock for their bravery and heroism. The bridge that is located at that spot today has been named after Hancock and Dean.

The first Native American to die in the War of 1812 was scalped by the Americans while defending the same bridge.

River Canard’s history is extensive, with Indian burial sites and artifacts, muskrat farms, French settlers, fur trade, grist mills, and more.

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“TA-RON-TE”

The local First Nations people that called themselves “Wendats” (mispronounced “Wyandotte”) called River Canard ” TA-RON-TE”, which literally means “trees rising or standing in the water”

Farther upstream after heavy rains, the river will flood, spilling into the fields and wooded valleys, thus flooding entire forests, hence the term is most accurate- “trees rising from the water”

River Canard has a unique biodiversity of vegetation and wildlife like nowhere else in Canada.

Pack a lunch. Bring the family, friends or a date. Bring your camera.

Leave nothing but ripples in the water.

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