Blue Heron Rafting/Grand River Rafting… Paddle into Ontario!

It is hard to imagine that one can either drive from Toronto or fly into Toronto’s Pearson Airport… and within one hour be rafting a Canadian wilderness river. The Grand River is located in Southern Ontario half ways between Toronto and London at Paris. This Paris section offers the best and only rafting between Windsor and Ottawa.

When people step into the rafts…the vastness of the valley dissolves the rush of getting there. With each stroke of the paddle… stress seems to melt and headaches disappear. The rafts create an atmosphere of "experiencing everything together"… something canoeing and kayaking does not achieve.

When rafting, people start playing together… some a bit awkward, because it has been a long time. And on a hot summer day, forget bringing water pistols and water cannons… because paddle-splash rules supreme!

Rafts are preferred by those new to the river. Also rafts are a favorite of corporate groups and families wishing to travel together.

The rafts are multi-chambered, tough skin, air-filled boats which provide safe stability. There is no fear of tipping on this river! With rafting, everyone can experience a trip regardless of age, size or skill. It is like sitting around a big kitchen table in comfort. The rafts allow people to can stand up and change positions as needed. But it is the paddling together that everyone likes.

On a river not only is the scenery changing, but so is the river current. The Grand River averages 1-2 meters in depth, with pools and easy moving splash. The thrill of paddling through waves in total safety even puts the non-swimmer at ease.

Rafting trips work basically with the customer arriving, and suiting up with supplied paddles, lifejackets and dry bags. As they paddle down the river there is the option to catered shore lunch/barbeques along the way. At the end of the trip customers are shuttled back upstream to their vehicles… and then head home.

It is the customer-desired "grand experience" that determines the rafting company to choose. Blue Heron and Grand River Rafting offer different services, but prices are basically the same. Combined, the two rafting companies can handle over 200 customers at once.

Blue Heron Rafting offers a float-style trip, where people experience the beauty of the Grand while drifting through. There are stops at points of interest. Of course water pistol fights and water cannons in hot weather. They cater to families, schools and corporate groups. Naturalist and historians can be supplied upon request to teach on the valley. They also offer rafting bike trips, family fishing, weekend packages and romantic moon light floats.

Grand River Rafting does guided trips with an experience of adventures. As people paddle the river they drink from fresh springs, body surf and swim, try edible plants, hike to lookouts, learn aboriginal history, paddle some splash and learn about the fish & wildlife of the valley. For school and corporate there is teambuilding with fun… like the bizarre Pirate Quest Adventure called the "Legend of Whiteman’s Creek."

Rafting the Grand is something everyone can do… from swimmers to non-swimmers. With all the options available a rafting trip down Southern Ontario’s largest river, the Grand… is not to be missed.

Rafting Trips on the Grand River
Guided rafting trips and what is available