Discover South River: Paddling, Trails and Nature

South River is located on Highway 11 and is considered one of the main gateways for paddling trips to Algonquin Provincial Park. If you’re looking for a hotel in South River, you can plan your trip around your preferred focus: paddling, trails, nature watching and local traditions offer different points of interest.

Paddling and Tom Thomson Park

At the eastern end of the walkway network on Ottawa Avenue, a 600-metre accessible path leads to Tom Thomson Park. The park’s waterfront area is suitable for kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Visitors also gather there to observe the night sky. This gives the park a connection to two different travel interests: activities on the water and stargazing. If you’re choosing South River for paddling, you can include Tom Thomson Park as a named destination in your plans; stargazing offers a different focus at the same park.

Scenery along Mill Road

South River Cascade is a natural and engineered landscape feature along Mill Road in the Village of South River. Near the cascade, a railway line crosses the water, forming a narrow corridor between the surrounding bodies of water. The cascade offers opportunities for photography and occasional sightseeing. This brings together a designed landscape feature and its surroundings, including the railway line and bodies of water. If you’re interested in landscape photography, you can plan to visit the cascade as a distinct point of interest in South River.

Hiking and outdoor recreation

South River offers year-round hiking opportunities. The South River area also has backcountry trails for non-motorized recreation that can be used year-round and are maintained by volunteers. Hiking in South River and trails in the surrounding area offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors. The Village of South River Skate Park is also open to all age groups. Check current operating conditions before visiting.

The South River Water Trail

The 14.5-kilometre South River Water Trail is located near South River. The route includes two short portages at hydroelectric facilities. Its length and portages are specific factors to consider when assessing this paddling route. The route and conditions at the portages may change, so check current conditions before setting out.

Agriculture and rural heritage

The South River Machar Fall Fair offers a weekend opportunity to experience agriculture, rural heritage, family traditions and community. This gives your trip a cultural dimension alongside outdoor activities. If you’d like to plan your stay around the fair, check the event dates when making your plans. This will help you decide whether that weekend suits your reason for travelling, or whether you’d rather visit South River mainly for its paddling and recreational opportunities.

Discover more destinations: Emsdale, Sundridge, Nipissing, Mcdougall, Callander, Magnetawan, Parry Sound District, Port Loring

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