Paddlers in the Kingston area are spoiled for choice when it comes to canoe and kayak launch sites. From quiet, secluded coves to busy public docks, there’s a place for everyone to get their kayak or canoe in the water. Here is a roundup of some of the best launch sites around Kingston.
Read on for information on each site, including directions and other info. So grab your paddle and hit the water!
Western Outskirts
Parrott’s Bay.
This launch site is located close to the entrances to Parrott’s Bay Conservation Area. It’s a great place to enjoy nature and the many opportunities it has for wildlife viewing. There are 117 hectares (289 acres) of woods and wetlands with beautiful water views from the Loyalist Parkway entrance. Picnic tables are available, including a covered area.
Paddle under the road bridge and enjoy access to the large body of water located within the conservation area. Early in the year, you might get the spectacle of barn swallows swooping in and out from under the bridge where they nest.
Fishing in Parrot’s Bay is good (advice from a neighbor), and fishing is permitted in the conservation area according to current Ministry rules (permit required).
Location: Highway 33, West of Kingston, the launch site is located next to the bridge at the head of Parrott’s Bay
Co-ordinates: 44°12’56.9″N 76°41’09.3″W
Parking: Asphalt parking surface. Usually lots of room but it can get busy.
Launch Site: rocky shoreline, accessible to anyone with reasonable mobility. It’s a long paddle, but the nearby Lighthouse Park offers an easier launch.
Washrooms: Permanent, seasonal.
Amenities: Picnic area, garbage bins.
Notes: Once you paddle under the bridge, the water is very sheltered, but the waves can roll in off Lake Ontario on windy days.