"Star Gazers Drift" A Grand River Night Paddle West of Toronto

One hour west of Toronto, enjoy a night of stars while rafting beneath the Master’s dome on the Grand River. This is a trip that friends and families can do without turning into extreme night owls. It is like a "two for one" experience, with the opportunity to experience night paddling, while learning the stars above.

The Star-Gazer drift is along the wilderness landscape of the Grand River, the largest river in Southern Ontario. The Grand is located just off the 403 Highway one hour west of Toronto, and one hour east of London. The trips start in the quaint village of Paris and drift for 10 kilometers to the outskirts of Brantford. This is a 2.5 to 3 hour rafting trip, starting at dusk (8:30-9pm depending on the month).

Drifting into the night is an experience in itself. There is the quiet period when the birds stop singing and the sounds of darkness move in. The night brings the dinosaur croaking of the Blue Heron, choirs of crickets and amphibians and the "ka-boom" of beaver tails. The biggest surprise, is the lack of mosquitoes while out on the water.

In June and July there is an added feature... "the Stars of the Woods". Thousands of fireflies move among the trees, making the forest look like twinkling Christmas lights.

Flashlights are not used on this trip. People’s eyes adjust naturally with the lighting. Everyone is amazed at how well they can see from the reflection of the water.

Above, as the summer night sky appears, comes the Big Dipper. But also there is Draco, Cephus, Hercules, Lyra, Sagittarius… 15 constellations in total. Learn about the planets that can be seen, experience star charts and discover simple techniques for locating constellations. With "know-how", the sky becomes a city map of lights, each with its own location… spread across the domed universe.

The trips finish around 11pm. For those wishing overnight accommodations, there is the country setting of the River Ridge Bed & Breakfast, the Bodega Inn or the Best Western. There are also secluded campsites available right along the river… and trailer camping at the nearby Conservation Park.

The Star Gazer's Paddle is presently offered June until October. Customers can choose a weekend or weekday night paddle. More information can be gained by calling the local tourism River Reservation Line in the Grand River Valley 1-866-286-7722.

Child or adult… full moon or starlight… a night paddle on the Grand River is an experience not to be missed.

Information on the Star Gazer's Drift
Full moon and starnight paddles on the Grand River from Paris to Brantford.