Where to Canoe, Kayak or SUP in The County
The beauty of The County can be explored in so many ways. We have hiking trails that take you through mountains or marshes. The linear Millennium Trail for biking, walking, horseback riding and more. Arts adventurers can explore the Arts Trail for galleries and studios, or al fresco art on the Barn Quilt Trail.
To see our landscape from a different angle, we invite you to bring your canoe, kayak or paddle board (or rent one from an outfitter like PEC Kayaks, Cabin Fever Kayaks, Camp Wake or Sandbanks Provincial Park), and take to the water. From sparkling turquoise lakes to lazy, meandering rivers, there is so much to explore.
Here are some of our favourite spots around The County. We’ve also created a map that indicates where there are launch sites, rentals, and beaches. (Hot tip! Download the MacKay Pay app – all municipal boat launches use this platform for payment.)
RELATED: Insider’s Guide to Summer in Prince Edward County
Please note that public health travel advisories and orders are changing frequently during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consult our COVID-19 Essential Info page for the latest updates.
AMELIASBURGH REGION
Rossmore
Rossmore Municipal Boat Launch – Ridley Street N.
- Access to: Bay of Quinte
- Amenities: Boat Launch, Dock, Parking, Washrooms, Park with Picnic Tables.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: Norris Whitney Bridge, Rossmore shoreline.
- Paddler Beware: Be careful heading out on the Bay of Quinte where conditions can change rapidly with the weather. This area is shared with motor boats.
Massassauga Point Conservation Area – 1280 Massassauga Road.
- Access to: Bay of Quinte, Sand Cove.
- Amenities: Boat Launch, Parking, Washrooms, Park with Picnic Tables, Hiking Trails, Beach, Fishing.
- Fees: $5 Parking Fee with Quinte Conservation, Pay-By-Phone App
- Explore: Various islands and 1,200 meters of conservation shoreline.
- For History Nerds: A large hotel once stood on the point and its foundation and walkway can still be found near the water’s edge.
- Paddler Beware: Be careful heading out on the Bay of Quinte where conditions can change rapidly with the weather. This area is shared with motor boats.
Consecon
Weller’s Bay Municipal Boat Launch – 158 Edward Drive, Consecon.
- Access to: Weller’s Bay.
- Amenities: Parking, Washroom, Boat Launch, Dock.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: Head west around the point for some sweeping views. East will take you towards Consecon shoreline.
SOPHIASBURGH REGION
Northport
Northport Municipal Boat Launch – Centennial Park, 1417B County Road 15.
- Access to: Bay of Quinte.
- Amenities: Boat Launch, Parking, Washrooms.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: Big Island and Bay of Quinte. This area boasts some gorgeous sunsets.
- Paddler Beware: Be careful setting out on the Bay of Quinte where conditions can change quickly with the weather. This area is shared with motor boats.
PICTON REGION
Picton & Surrounding Areas
HJ McFarland Municipal Boat Launch – McFarland Park Lane.
- Access to: Picton Bay.
- Amenities: Dock, Boat Launch, Parking, Washrooms, Small Park, Picnic Area and Shoreline.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: Keep an eye out for wildlife. Bald Eagles and River Otters have been spotted in the area.
- Paddler Beware: There are also large barges using the water to access the local quarry.
RELATED: Reserve Now, Relax Later
WAUPOOS REGION
Glenora
Glenora Marina – 11438C Loyalist Parkway.
- Access to: Bay of Quinte, Adolphus Reach, Various bays around Adolphustown.
- Amenities: Parking, Small Shop.
- Fees: $10 Launch Fee.
- Explore: The area is great for fishing and the marina shop stocks up on worms.
Lake on the Mountain
Lake on the Mountain Provincial Park – 297 County Road 7
- Access to: Lake on The Mountain
- Amenities: Parking, washrooms, nearby restaurants, lookout and interpretive plaques.
- Fees: Parking fee $3/2 hours, $6.50 for the day
- Explore: Learn about the natural mystery of Lake on the Mountain, enjoy the view of the Glenora Ferry crisscrossing Bay of Quinte from the parking lot.
- Tip: Parking is across the road from the lake and requires a short portage to get to the small put-in spot. As you explore the lake in this Provincial Park, remember that most of the shoreline is private property – stay in your boat!
Cressy
Prinyer’s Cove Municipal Boat Launch – Off County Road 7.
- Access to: Bay of Quinte, Prinyer’s Cove.
- Amenities: Parking, Dock, Boat Launch, Washrooms, Park with Playground.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: Take a trip around Prinyers Point and head into the cove or explore the Cressy shoreline.
Waupoos
Waupoos Marina – 65 County Road 38.
- Access to: Smith Bay.
- Amenities: Parking, Washrooms, Store, Rental Cottages, Boat Launch, Dock.
- Fees: $15 fee for launch.
- Explore: The Waupoos shoreline with rolling hills, orchards and wineries, views of Waupoos Island and the South Shore.
SOUTH SHORE REGION
Black River
Cabin Fever Kayak – 906 County Road 13
- Access to: Black River & South Bay.
- Amenities: Rentals (Reservations Required), Retail Shop with locally made water crafts from Clear Water Design. Limited Parking.
- Fees: $10 Park & Launch for personal water crafts.
- Explore: Paddle out towards South Bay and view McMahon Bluff, or meander along Black Creek (pronounce it like a local: “Crick”).
Long Point
Long Point – Traverse Lane in Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.
- Access to: Long Point Harbour & Lake Ontario.
- Amenities: Parking, Washrooms, Dock, Boat Launch, Hiking Trails, Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory.
- Fees: No fees for SUP/Kayak/Canoe launch.
- Explore: The Leanic sits tethered to the dock in the harbour, which has a wonderful shoreline to explore. Around the point is the Traverse Lighthouse with views of False Duck and Timber Island. This is a major migratory stop for birds, so make sure to bring binoculars or a good camera. Bald Eagles, Saw-whet Owls, thrushes and hawks are just some of the regular sightings in the area.
SANDBANKS REGION
Mabel Kleinsteuber Municipal Boat Launch – County Rd 12 & Kleinsteuber Road.
- Access to: West Lake.
- Amenities: Limited Parking, Washroom, Boat Launch.
- Explore: Views of Sheba’s Island and the dunes.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Tip: During peak tourist season, it can be difficult to get to Sandbanks and the dunes due to a high volume of traffic. Consider this location as an alternative if you are looking to see the dunes.
Sandbanks Provincial Park (Dunes Beach)
- Access to: West Lake.
- Amenities: Parking (Paid or Seasonal Pass), Beach, Hiking Trails, Playground, Canteen (Seasonal), One of the Best Views in The County.
- Explore: Paddle along the edge of tall dunes of the softest, whitest sand. The area is home to a family of swans.
- Fees: Park pass (seasonal, day pass or camping pass) required to access launches.
- Tip: During the peak summer season, consider an evening paddle. Use the day use permit reservation system to guarantee your spot.
Sandbanks Provincial Park (Outlet Beach)
- Access to: Outlet River to East Lake, Lake Ontario.
- Amenities: Parking (Entrance Fee), Park Store, Restaurant (Seasonal), Kids Activities (Seasonal), Rentals (Seasonal, located at the Woodlot along the Outlet River), Camp Sites, the famous beach, Hiking Trails, the dog beach.
- Explore: Take the Outlet River inland to East Lake, or paddle the shoreline of Athol Bay & Lake Ontario.
- Paddler Beware: Sandbanks is known for having sandbars, so it can be shallow quite far into the lake. The mouth of the Outlet River can dry up, so you might not be able to paddle out into the lake from it.
- Fees: Park pass (seasonal, day pass or camping pass) required to access launches.
- Tip: Take an evening paddle and watch the sunset. Use the day use permit reservation system to guarantee your spot.
Glendon Green Municipal Boat Launch, County Road 18.
- Access to: East Lake, Outlet River.
- Amenities: Parking, Boat Launch, Dock, Washroom.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: Paddle quiet marshes with waterlilies or head down the river. Keep an eye out for beaver dams and wildlife.
Wellington
Wellington Rotary Beach Launch – end of Beach Street.
- Access to: Wellington Harbour, West Lake, Lake Ontario
- Amenities: Parking, Washrooms, Beach.
- Hours: Launch is closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 9am – 5pm. You can launch before or after these hours and bring your boat out at any time during these hours, but no new boats can enter the water at this time.
- Fees: Parking is $10 for a vehicle without a trailer, $20 for a vehicle with a trailer
- Explore: With a lighthouse and the edge of the largest baymouth barrier dune formation.
by Gaby Cole
