Westport.
Westport sits at the western end of Upper Rideau Lake — the summit pool of the Rideau Canal at 124.65 m elevation, the highest body of water in the canal system — with the granite ridge of Foley Mountain Conservation Area rising directly above the village. The 308-hectare conservation area, run by the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority, carries roughly 10 km of trails through Frontenac Arch granite, including the Spy Rock cliff-edge lookout over the lake and roughly 8 km of the Rideau Trail's 450-km Kingston-to-Ottawa route running east-west through the property.
Down at the water, the seasonal Westport Municipal Harbour (May through October) opens onto 61 km² of Upper Rideau Lake, with through-canal navigation south to Newboro Lock and downstream to Big Rideau Lake via Narrows Lock. Goat Island sits offshore for harbour visitors.
Incorporated in 1904 and Ontario's smallest incorporated municipality by land area at 1.68 sq km, Westport is an enclave village within the Township of Rideau Lakes, roughly an hour and a half from both Ottawa and Kingston by road. The village sits on traditional Algonquin Anishinaabe territory.
Today's read.
Real-time conditions updated; AI field notes unavailable.
On the record.
Every claim sourced. Click through to the original.
- 01Westport is Ontario's smallest incorporated municipality by land area (1.68 sq km), incorporated in 1904 as an enclave within the Township of Rideau Lakes.Source ↗
- 02Upper Rideau Lake holds the highest altitude of any body of water within the Rideau Canal system, with a surface elevation of 124.65 m (409 ft) — the canal's summit pool.Source ↗
- 03The Rideau Canal is a 202-km Parks Canada–managed waterway running from Kingston to Ottawa, completed in 1832 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.Source ↗
- 04Foley Mountain Conservation Area covers approximately 308 hectares on the granite ridge above Upper Rideau Lake and includes roughly 10 km of trails plus approximately 8 km of the Rideau Trail running east-west through the property.Source ↗
- 05The Rideau Trail Association maintains a 450-km hiking trail network between Kingston and Ottawa, established in 1971.Source ↗
5. activities
worth your time
Hiking
Foley Mountain Conservation Area runs roughly 10 km of trails across 308 hectares of granite, woods, and wetland on the ridge directly above the village. From the main lot, the Blue Circle Trail leads to Spy Rock — a granite cliff-edge platform looking south across the village and the open water of Upper Rideau Lake. Approximately 8 km of the Rideau Trail run east-west through the conservation area as part of the 450-km Kingston-to-Ottawa long-distance hiking corridor. A 400-metre accessible Mobility Trail with a story trail starts at the interpretive centre.
Read field guide arrow_outwardPaddling — Flatwater
Upper Rideau Lake offers 61 km² of flatwater on the Rideau Canal's summit pool, launched directly from the Westport Municipal Harbour at the western shore. Maximum depth runs to 23 m. Through-paddling routes connect downstream to Big Rideau Lake via Narrows Lock and south to Newboro Lake via Newboro Lock — both are Parks Canada lockstations on the canal system. The lake's western end at Westport is sheltered enough for canoes, kayaks, and SUPs in calm conditions; open water on the main lake calls for stronger paddling skills when wind picks up.
Read field guide arrow_outwardSailing & Boating
Westport Municipal Harbour, on the western shore of Upper Rideau Lake at the head of navigation on the Rideau Canal, runs May through October with shore power, water, washrooms, and showers. Daily night docking is $2 per foot plus hydro; seasonal slips are $88 per foot. From the harbour, sailors and motorboaters work 61 km² of Upper Rideau Lake — the canal's 124.65-m summit pool — with through-canal navigation south to Newboro Lock and downstream to Big Rideau Lake via Narrows Lock. Goat Island, offshore from the harbour, has picnic tables, swim areas, and camping for harbour visitors during the May-to-October season.
Read field guide arrow_outwardFreshwater Fishing
Upper Rideau Lake holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, lake trout, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and black crappie under Fisheries Management Zone 18. The Westport Municipal Harbour gives direct village launch access. Bass season opens the third Saturday in June through December 15 (S-6, C-2). Walleye runs January 1 to March 1 and second Saturday in May through December 31, with a 40–50 cm slot limit (S-4, C-2). Lake trout opens fourth Saturday in May through September 8 (S-2, C-1).
Read field guide arrow_outwardHeritage & Culture
The Rideau Canal — a 202-km Parks Canada-managed waterway from Kingston to Ottawa, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 — passes through Upper Rideau Lake at its summit pool, with Westport at the western end. The village core, surveyed in 1803 by Reuben Sherwood and incorporated in 1904, predates the canal's 1832 completion. Narrows Lock to the east connects downstream to Big Rideau Lake; Newboro Lock to the south connects to Newboro Lake. Both are staffed Parks Canada lockstations. The Westport Municipal Harbour anchors the canal's western "head of navigation" on the Upper Rideau corridor.
Read field guide arrow_outward18. more outings
surveyed.
Activities supported across Westport without a featured write-up.
- 01
Trail Running
Foley Mountain Conservation Area - 02
Walking & Strolling
Foley Mountain Mobility Trail - 03
Camping
Foley Mountain group campground - 04
Nature & Discovery
Foley Mountain Conservation Area - 05
Cycling
Rideau Lakes corridor regional roads - 06
Surf & Wind
Upper Rideau Lake - 07
Swimming & Beach
Foley Mountain Conservation Area sandy beach - 08
Cross-Country & Nordic
Foley Mountain Conservation Area - 09
Snow Adventure
snowshoeing - 10
Sky Watching
Spy Rock - 11
Seasonal Phenomena
fall-colours - 12
Wildlife Viewing
Foley Mountain Conservation Area - 13
Motorized Touring
scenic-drive - 14
Food & Drink
Westport village shops and cafes - 15
Wellness
Westport village shops - 16
Geology & Discovery
Foley Mountain Frontenac Arch granite outcrops - 17
Arts & Craft
Westport village artist studios and shops - 18
Outdoor Education
Foley Mountain Conservation Area
Local operators.
Trusted outfitters, guides, and experience providers in Westport.
1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises
1000 Islands boat tours, high-speed cruises, tiki boat, dinner cruises, private charters
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Cyclery
Bike rentals, repairs
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Fishing Charters (Spencer's/The Island Lure)
Guided fishing charters (trolling for pike, muskie), all equipment provided
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Helicopter Tours
Scenic helicopter tours (10-30 min), charters, heli-hops to breweries
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Kayaking
Kayak rentals, guided tours (half/full day, camping), skills courses, boat shuttles
Visit website arrow_outwardB Shad's Guide Service
Guided fishing trips (bass, multi-species)
Visit website arrow_outwardDan Spencer's Fishing Charters
Fishing charters (bass, walleye, pike)
Visit website arrow_outwardDeltawood Farm
horseback trail rides, riding lessons
Visit website arrow_outwardDive Brockville Adventure Centre
Scuba diving charters, kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals, snorkeling, boat cruises
Visit website arrow_outwardHeritage Stables
Horseback riding, summer camps, RCMP rides
Visit website arrow_outwardKouri's Kopters Inc.
Helicopter tours, fishing excursions (fall/ice fishing with heli transfer), custom charters
Visit website arrow_outwardMerrickville Lions Campground
Canoe and kayak rentals on Rideau Canal
Visit website arrow_outwardMisty Isles Lodge & Trekking
Kayak rentals and guided tours
Visit website arrow_outwardNorris Outdoors
Boat rentals (small motorboats, pontoons), canoe kayak paddleboat rentals
Visit website arrow_outwardRideau King Tours
Boat cruises/sightseeing tours on Rideau Canal (Merrickville-Westport, Ottawa-Merrickville)
Visit website arrow_outwardRidgedale Equestrian
Horseback riding lessons, boarding, breeding
Visit website arrow_outwardTootle Bikes
Bike rentals
Visit website arrow_outwardKey resources.
- rvca.caFoley Mountain Conservation Area — trails, Spy Rock, fees and hours — Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
- villageofwestport.caWestport Municipal Harbour — slip rates, season, Goat Island access — Village of Westport
- ontario.caOntario Fishing Regulations Summary — Fisheries Management Zone 18 (Rideau / Cataraqui)