Onondaga to Lake Erie

As the Grand River flows from Brantford to Lake Erie it passes through Haldimand County and the present territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River.  Here the river widens and slows and paddlers share the river with motorboats, water skiers and even the occasional float plane. There are a series of small towns along the the river that offer places to eat and relax. Go fishing for trout on the Grand River and Lake Erie with Fishmasters Ultimate Charters and Grand Sportfishing out of Dunnville.

Six Nations Powwow (courtesy of Six Nations of the Grand River)

Six Nations of the Grand River

The territory of the Six Nations of the Grand River is mostly to the west of the Grand River, south of Brantford. Here the Six Nations of the Haudenosonee live on part of the Haldimand Tract that was deeded to them in 1784: the Seneca; Cayuga; Onondaga; Oneida; Mohawk and Tuscarora peoples. Between Onondaga and Middleport, Six Nations territory straddles the river. Camp or rent a cabin at Chiefswood Park in Ohsweken, the historic home of poet, Pauline Johnson, and learn about the history and culture of the Haudenosonee. To learn more about Six Nations Tourism go to: www.sixnationstourism.ca.

Chiefswood Park (Courtesy of Six Nations of the Grand River)

Two Row on the Grand

Two Row on the Grand is a healing and reconciliation paddle for ten days every summer from Cambridge to Lake Erie. Participants paddle in two rows, where possible, as an embodiment of the Two Row Wampum, a 400+ year old teaching and treaty about living in harmony, traveling down the river of life close enough to help each other at need, but not so close as to disrupt the other's path. Each remains distinct, but they are encouraged to interact with each other through the use of the good mind, good words and good actions. Indigenous and non-Indigenous paddlers can register for 2,3,5,8 or all 10 days for the full experience: sharing the river, campgrounds, meals and teachings; both cultural and environmental. The Two Row Wampum underpins the Canadian constitution.

Two Row on the Grand (courtesy of Six Nations of the Grand River)

Click here to view a short video of Two Row on the Grand.

Caledonia and Cayuga

Caledonia and Cayuga are right on the Grand River. Pull our your canoe or kayak find overnight accommodation and meals. The 1927 Caledonia Bridge was the first reinforced concrete bridge of its type built in Canada. With 9 arches it is the largest of several bowstring bridges along the Grand River, designed by Charles Mattaini.

From Cayuga ride your bike along River Road on the west side of the Grand River. This quiet road offers great views across the floodplain to the Grand River.

On the east side of the river, between Mt Healy and Cayuga is Ruthven Park, the estate of David Thompson of the Grand River Navigation Company, which built numerous locks, dams and canals along the Grand River, prior to the advent of railways for transportation. The estate includes a Greek Revival villa; a cemetery; remnants of a canal lock; and the remains of the village of Indiana.

The Caledonia Bowstring Bridge

Dunnville

Dunnville is a busy town that serves the surrounding rural communities, where you will find food and lodging. Visit the world’s largest mudcat statue in downtown Dunnville and enjoy the annual Mudcat Festival in June, with live music celebrating the lowly fish. Aviation history buffs will enjoy the No. 6 RCAF Museum at the former Dunnville airport. Rock Point Provincial Park, south of Dunnville, is a nature lover’s paradise, especially in the fall when thousands of Monarch butterflies rest there before crossing the Great Lakes on their way to Mexico. Nearby you can visit the Feeder Canal and the remains of a lock, that was used to take water from the Grand River to the Welland Canal, prior to 1920.

Canada Goose, Dunnville

Port Maitland

Port Maitland sits on both sides of the mouth of the Grand River with the nearest bridge in Dunnville, 10 km away. Camp at Byng Island Conservation Area and put your canoe in the water below the Dunnville dam. Paddle all the way to the the lighthouse and beach on the west side of the Grand, where the Grand River enters Lake Erie.

Journey’s End: Lake Erie