Saugeen River Canoe Route
Bruce County Road 3 to Denny's Dam then to Lake Huron
(paddle time 2hrs)
At the canoe launch at Bruce Road 3, one can see the past and present come together. The old one-lane iron bridge, which used to carry the road over the river, sits at rest while its modern cousin now supports the large traffic volume that passes over this section of the Saugeen. The old bridge is still safe for pedestrian traffic and affords some scenic views of the river ahead. This section of the river, one of the most scenic, takes about two hours to paddle. Rapids start to appear as the banks progressively rise to heights of 150 ft. The rapids located on this stretch of the Saugeen are numerous, but small and safe. Although there is one set of very exciting rapids that will give even the most experienced paddlers a fulfilling adrenalin rush. After which, the river slows and bends more and more. It almost becomes an oxbow in style before it finally reaches Denny's dam. The take-out point is on the left bank just above the dam. There are washroom facilities and ample parking space located here, as the area just below the dam is very popular with anglers.
River Access
Denny's Dam
Location: 2km east on High Street (away from the Lake) from the traffic lights in Southampton, then 3km north (left) to the large parking lot at the very end of Carlisle Street.
Directions: Traveling north on Hwy# 9, take the County Road #3 (Elora Road) turnoff just past the town of Mildmay. Follow County Road #3 through Paisley and past the flashing light of Burgoyne. County road #3 ends at Hwy #21; 200m before Hwy #21 turn right (north) on Carlisle Street and follow it to the end. Stay on the pavement down the hill to the parking lot. Meet the Thorncrest Shuttle in the large square parking lot.
Facilities: Parking, river access, garbage cans, picnic tables.
Description: Access is 60m from the canoe pickup turnaround, to a low clay shore east of the dam. 150m portage is left (south) of the dam. Overnight parking permitted, be sure to lock your vehicles.