Discover the Beauty of Floating The Grand

Thanks for visiting my website. Having lived in Fergus for over ten years, my family and I have floated just about every section of the Grand River from Belwood Lake to Wilson's Flats and beyond. It truly is a beautiful, serene, and sometimes exhilarating experience (depending on which float you do). Below I've decided to share a detailed explanation of my favourite spot to go river tubing and paddling along the Grand River in and around Fergus and Elora. I've done the planning so you don't have to and tried to be as detailed as possible.

Before I get started, I'd like to emphasize that everyone should be able to enjoy the beauty that is the Grand River. Please be respectful of others recreating along the river and those that live along its banks. Be smart, be safe, be respectful, and most of all, enjoy!

FLOATING ESSENTIALS

Wear old shoes or water shoes that you don't mind getting wet. DON'T GO BAREFOOT.
Wear a hat, sunscreen, swimsuit and sunglasses.
Bring a water bottle.
Plan ahead to make sure you'll be able to get back to your car parked at the start (ie second car, bike, designated driver, taxi, walk)

HERE ARE THE BASICS (WITH SPECIFIC DETAILS BELOW)

START - BLAIR PARK, FERGUS (at the intersection of Blair Street and Johnson St. S in Fergus, ON)
END (2 KM FLOAT) - ABOYNE TRAILS (at 968 Wellington Road 18 in Fergus next to the overpass with the rainbow sign)
END (4 KM FLOAT) - BISSELL PARK (at the intersection of Mary Street and Wellington Road 18 / Mill Street in Elora)

BLAIR PARK, FERGUS TO TRESTLE BRIDGE OR BISSELL PARK, ELORA

Distance: 2 - 4km (depending upon where you exit the river)

Time On River: 1 - 3 hours (depending upon where you exit the river)

Kayak or Tube: If floating to the Trestle Bridge (about a 2km float) you can use a tube or kayak. If floating to Bissell Park (about a 4km float) you should really use a kayak as the river slows tremendously the final 1 km of the journey.

Difficulty: Gentle flows / lazy with some small ripples.

Access: Easy to moderate because of the walking on some steep sections of trail

Dangers: The dam at Bissell Park. You will have ample time to get out of the river before the dam as the river is moving very very slowly in this section.

Fees: None.

Amenities: Blair Park and Gow Park in Fergus have no amenities other than the trail to get to the river. The trestle bridge (Aboyne Trails) parking has a small information kiosk but that is about it. Bissell Park has picnic tables, trails, a scenic bridge overlooking the river (that local kids sometimes jump from against the rules), restrooms, a pavilion, and hosts the Elora Farmers Market on Saturdays during the summer.

Start River Access: Blair Park (GREEN icon on the map below) in Fergus is located at the intersection of Blair Street and Johnston Street S in Fergus. On the other side of the Grand River is Gow Park (YELLOW icon on the map below). Its parking area is located on Union Street W just north of the Union Street W and Craighead Drive intersection.

Drive to either Blair Park or Gow Park and park your car within the small lots at either location. These parks are not well marked and are located within residential neighbourhoods. Please be respectful of the residents. Gow Park has a small parking lot. If going here, park your car in the small lot and look for the trail at the end of the parking lot leading into the woods away from the street. Follow it to the river as the map shows below. If going to Blair Park you'll need to take the trail at the south end of the clearing. Careful making your way down the hill for 20 seconds. Once at the bottom of the hill you will turn LEFT at the intersection (as shown on the map below). The river will be on your right. Follow this trail for 1-2 minutes then look for a sharp right. Careful going down this short steep hill to get to the river.

Description: This float is fantastic, and best of all, it's FREE. The scenery is quite pretty with rock walls and green valleys. Furthermore, you can decide if you want a quick float or a longer one as there are 2km and 4km options. VERY IMPORTANT, WHEN THE RIVER SPLITS, RIGHT IS RIGHT. STAY RIGHT! For a quick float, get out at the Trestle Bridge (the 1st bridge). You'll be done in 45 - 90 minutes. If you want a longer ride you can continue under the Trestle Bridge until you get to Bissell Park in Elora. But, beware. Once you reach the Elora Quarry the river slows down to a crawl. This is why you'll want a kayak for the 4km long trip. Do not attempt to get out of the river at the Elora Quarry. This is for paying customers only and you will get in trouble if you attempt to go onto their sandy beach.

End River Exit 1: Trestle Bridge at Aboyne Trails Parking at 968 Wellington Road 18 in Fergus (Park Your Shuttle Here For A 2km Float).

After 2km of floating you'll come to the first exit point known as the Trestle Bridge (YELLOW icon on the map below). If you've had enough, exit just before the bridge on the right side of the river. Look away from the river and you'll see a steel staircase leading out of the valley (RED icon on the map below). Climb to the top of this staircase and follow the trail leading AWAY from the river to the Aboyne Trails Parking lot (GREEN icon on the map below). Do not walk on the trail that runs alongside the river. After about 3 minutes you'll reach the parking lot. Before getting in your vehicle to leave you may wish to take the staircase in the corner of the parking lot (BLUE icon on the map below) leading to the Trestle Bridge Trail. Turn left onto this trail and walk for a couple of minutes to have fantastic views of the Grand River from atop the Trestle Bridge.

Because getting out at the Trestle Bridge (RED icon on the map below) makes for a short float it is quite possible to have one member of your group walk back to your vehicle at Blair Park, a 2km walk. This is a great option if you don't have a second vehicle. And, fortunately, about half of the walk can be done on trails. Once you reach the Aboyne Trails Parking Lot (GREEN icon on the map below) you will continue on the trail as it makes its way to the right rather than entering the parking lot. Follow this trail to Omar Street which then becomes Bon Accord Street through a residential neighbourhood. You'll then enter the Grand River Arboretum. Turn right onto a trail that will take you to the river. Go left on this riverside trail so that the river remains on your right. Follow this trail and before you know it you'll be back at the trails at Blair Park (YELLOW icon on the map below). See the map below for details. If you parked at Gow Park you'll need to cross the Trestle Bridge on the Trestle Bridge Trail and turn left on South River Road / Union Street W which will lead you to your car 2km down the road.

End River Exit 2: Bissell Park's east parking lot (BLUE icon on the map below) whose entrance road is at the intersection of Mary Street and Wellington Road 18 / Mill Street in Elora (Park You Shuttle Here For a 4km Float).

For those who wish to continue on the journey under and past the Trestle Bridge you'll float for another 2km to Bissell Park. Only attempt this with a kayak. The Trestle Bridge is the first bridge on your float. The second bridge is the pedestrian bridge in Bissell Park (GREEN icon on the map below and pictured below). Once you see this bridge look for the warning sign (pictured below) on the right side of the river (RED icon on the map below). Get out at this signage as there is a dam ahead also pictured below (YELLOW icon on the map below) that you'll want to avoid. The river here is flowing very very slowly so you'll have ample time to get out before the falls. Follow the short trail to get to your vehicle in the parking lot.