St. Lawrence River

Canadian Side Trip Recap

Canada, Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, St. Lawrence River, The Great Loop

Leaving Clayton, NY we were 18 nautical miles from the next suggested destination on America’s Great Loop, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. However, we chose to do a 350 NM ‘side trip’ which involved many, many, locks but absolutely, beyond beautiful cruising grounds. Our route was basically a triangle taking us northeast into Montreal then west to Ottawa and finally southwest arriving in Kingston. We traveled the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal. Each waterway had different characteristics and interesting surrounding towns. The side was well worth the extra time and locks!

Montreal, Canada

Canada, St. Lawrence River, The Great Loop

We stayed an extra day on the wall of Sainte Anne de Bellevue to play tourist and explore Montreal! We took in Old Port during our first night and then Ubered back the next morning to explore for the day.

St. Lawrence River

Canada, St. Lawrence River, The Great Loop

Three Sons entered Canadian waters!

We once again took the road less traveled. The route most loopers take once they leave Clayton, NY, is to travel a bit in the St. Lawrence River to explore The Thousand Islands and then turn around and head to Kingston, Ontario. In our never ending sense of adventure, after exploring The Thousand Islands, we did not turn around but continued down the St. Lawrence River heading to Montreal. Yes, we cruised down the river even though we were heading north. Once we hit Montreal, we will cruise the Ottawa River and down the Rideau Canal to Kingston. Instead of the taking the 19 Nautical Mile/2 hour and 45 minute trip from Clayton, NY to Kingston, ON, we are venturing on an ‘about’ three week ‘side trip’ of 563 miles and too many locks to count to get to Kingston, ON

Clayton, NY

New York, St. Lawrence River, The Great Loop

Clayton, NY and The Thousands Islands