Westport on Upper Rideau Lake

Westport lies at the western end of Upper Rideau Lake, within the UNESCO-recognized Rideau Canal World Heritage Site and the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve. Water, nature and the history of the Rideau Canal shape the different sides of the town. Visitors planning a vacation here can choose from experiences on the lake and in the harbour, hikes nearby and opportunities to learn about local history.

Water activities on the lake and in the harbour

On the shore of Sand Lake, Westport offers a beach for picnicking and swimming. Westport Harbour also has seasonal swimming and picnic facilities: during boating season, from May to October, harbour visitors can find picnic tables and swimming opportunities on Goat Island. The harbour is fully equipped with shore power and water hookups for boaters. Public washrooms and showers are located in the Visitors Welcome Centre. You can reach the harbour from the mainland via Fetch Murphy Way, at the intersection of Main Street and Spring Street.

Westport is part of the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. The 202 km waterway connects Canada’s capital, Ottawa, with Kingston and Lake Ontario to the south. From Westport, you can travel along it by boat, canoe or kayak and experience the historic lock system operated by Parks Canada. This offers several different ways to enjoy the water: a beach day at Sand Lake, a stay in the harbour during boating season or a trip along the historic waterway.

Hiking and nature in the area

Nearby, Foley Mountain rises above the town and Upper Rideau Lake. Its 10 km of trails wind through an extensive, rugged wilderness. The area also includes the well-known Spy Rock lookout, a natural swimming area, picnic spots and educational facilities. If you enjoy spending time outdoors on vacation, you can consider these options when planning your outings and combine them with Westport’s waterfront destinations.

Cyclists can also access the Rideau Trail, the Cataraqui Trail and quiet country roads from Westport. The options include both named trails and rural roads. When planning your vacation, you can decide whether to focus your stay more on cycling and hiking, water activities or a mix of different interests.

Discover local history and culture

The Westport Museum shares local and regional history through unique objects. Among the items on display is an original wooden wheelbarrow used during construction of the Rideau Canal between 1826 and 1832. The museum’s most valuable artefact is “Sally Grant”: an eleven-foot-tall statue of Justice, carved from a single white cedar trunk in 1844. The exhibits also reflect the lives and contributions of First Nations through tools, equipment, toys, clothing, documents, letters and modes of transportation.

If you’re also interested in the history of older homes and the town’s community spirit, you can take a self-guided walking tour of Westport. Along with a visit to the museum, it offers another way to explore the town’s history. Westport also has two golf courses where you can play golf.

Choose Westport as a vacation destination

The downtown area is easy to explore on foot and has local shops and services. If these amenities matter to you when choosing a vacation rental, downtown can help guide your decision about where to stay. For a stay focused on nature and outdoor activities, you can instead give greater weight to destinations around Foley Mountain and cycling options nearby. If you’d like to include culture and water activities, Westport offers both the museum and access to the Rideau Canal National Historic Site. This lets you tailor your vacation plans to your travel group’s interests without letting any one focus define the entire stay.

Discover more places

More places: Johnstown, Prescott, Leeds And The Thousand Islands, Brockville, Kemptville, Merrickville, Mallorytown and Gananoque.

Back to the regional travel overview: Leeds And Grenville United Counties.