Slip Sliding Away

By Cara Williams | Photography by Clay Dolan

From headwaters to Huron, the Saugeen River offers paddling adventures tailored to every style—whether you’re craving a quick escape or a multi-day journey.

If summer has a soundtrack, it’s the hush of a paddle slicing through still water, the call of a red-winged blackbird from the reeds, the plunk of a frog leaping into the shallows. On the Saugeen River, that soundtrack plays on repeat for over 100 kilometres, winding from farmland near Hanover all the way to the sandy shores of Lake Huron. 

For paddlers, the Saugeen is as good as it gets: accessible, scenic, and just wild enough. Whether you’re launching for a lazy afternoon float or a multi-day backcountry-style adventure, the Saugeen delivers—with gentle current, riverside campsites, small-town stopovers, and plenty of space to drift, dream, and disconnect from the noise. 

Choose Your Adventure 

The Saugeen is divided into well-marked access points, making it easy to customize your trip. Thorncrest Outfitters, based in Southampton, offers canoe and kayak rentals, safety gear, and shuttle services to and from many sections of the river. 

Full river trips typically begin near Hanover and take three to four days to complete. Overnight paddlers can plan their route around conservation areas like McBeath Conservation area and Saugeen Bluffs which offer riverside tenting, picnic shelters, and basic amenities. For day-trippers, there are plenty of shorter routes that still deliver a generous dose of summer magic. 

Mornings on the Saugeen begin with mist, birdsong, and the gentle rhythm of a paddle dipping through still water. 

Half-Day with a Pit Stop: Access Point #7 to #9A 

This scenic paddle begins upstream of Paisley and ends right in town— perfect for a relaxed morning on the water followed by lunch on a patio. The river meanders through farmland and low forested banks, with enough current to keep things moving without requiring much effort. Paisley itself is a charming stopover with riverside parks, historic buildings, and great food. It’s a favourite section among locals for good reason. 

A Gentle Float: Bartley Sideroad to Denny’s Dam 

This relaxed 7-km paddle is ideal for families or first-timers. Here, the Saugeen stretches wide and inviting. Kids will cheer at the sight of gentle rapids, while turtles drift lazily in clear waters, and sandy banks offer excellent picnic spots. 

Approaching Denny’s Dam, the shoreline stays remarkably green and natural, despite being close to Southampton. The dam itself was rebuilt after a huge flood in 1912 took out the original bridge. Though it no longer generates electricity, the dam plays a crucial role in water management and is popular with anglers during salmon and trout seasons. 

Conveniently, Thorncrest Outfitters awaits just steps from your pull-out point, ready to handle gear and wrap up your carefree day. 

McBeath Conservation Area offers riverside campsites, picnic shelters, and a peaceful launch or stopover point for paddlers exploring the Saugeen.

You won’t find luxury docks or roaring crowds here. Just stories in the current and a thousand ways to return to yourself.

The Full Journey: Hanover to Lake Huron 

For paddlers looking to truly disconnect, a full descent of the Saugeen is both manageable and rewarding. Over 100 km of water stretches from the headwaters near Hanover to the river’s mouth at Lake Huron. Campsites like McBeath Conservation Area and Saugeen Bluffs are spaced out at comfortable intervals. Expect changing terrain—open stretches, shaded corridors, light rapids, and even a few long-forgotten pilings from the river’s logging days. 

Along the way, you’ll pass through communities with rich histories: Walkerton, Paisley, and finally Southampton, where the Saugeen spills into the great lake. The river’s name likely comes from the Ojibwe word Zaagiing, meaning “at the outlet.” Long before canoe rentals and packed lunches, this was an essential travel route for the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, and later, settlers who floated massive log booms downstream to feed local mills. 

Paddling the full length of the Saugeen reveals its varied beauty—from quiet backwaters to sites rich in Ojibway and logging history.

Plan Your Paddle 

You don’t need much to get started—just a paddle, a drybag, and maybe a waterproof speaker. But a bit of planning goes a long way. 

• Gear & Shuttle: thorncrestoutfitters.com/saugeenriver
• Camping Info: ontarioconservationareas.ca
• River and Wildlife Details: saugeenconservation.ca 

More Than a River 

The Saugeen doesn’t shout for attention. It invites you in gently— quiet bends, sun-warmed water, and a sense that you’ve slipped into a slower rhythm. You won’t find luxury docks or roaring crowds here. Just stories in the current and a thousand ways to return to yourself. 

Some paddlers go the distance. Some float for an hour or two. Either way, the Saugeen meets you where you are—and carries you just a little further than you thought you’d go. E