Paddle Route: The Countrysider

Take the Countryside paddle route for a beautiful 3 hour ride through rural Bruce County. This short tour is perfect for beginners, as it features calm waters with a few small sections of rapids. 

Start your Saugeen River Journey at the Saugeen Bluffs Conservation Area, a popular rural campground just outside of Paisley. Here you will find campsites along the river, access to washrooms and a camp store to discover before setting off on your voyage. From here, paddle to the Burgoyne Access Point for a fun 3-hour ride. There are sections of small rapids throughout this portion of the river, created by the many small sandy islands that you will see in the middle of the water.

This section of the Saugeen is mostly lined by Family Farms that have been a part of Bruce County for generations. You may see cattle or other farm animals watching you from a nearby pasture. Be sure to also be on the lookout for wildlife, as the Saugeen River offers a peaceful and calm retreat where you can catch various wildlife along the river banks. With rabbits, turtles, birds, and plenty of fish, this is the perfect calm paddle to immerse the family in natural discovery and do some wildlife sighting! After your gentle 3-hour ride, dock your canoe at Access Point #13 to end your journey. After you finish this countryside paddle route, take a drive into the community of Port Elgin to end the day off with one of the many delicious dining options and take a visit to Port Elgin’s main beach to catch a spectacular Lake Huron sunset.