The Minden Whitewater Preserve On The Gull River World Class Kayaking In Ontario
Whitewater Ontario manages and maintains the Minden Whitewater Preserve, located alongside the Gull River. River maps can be found near the Training Centre on river left and in the parking lot on river right off Horseshoe Lake Road.
The Gull River and Preserve are situated in Minden, Ontario, approximately 2.5 hours north of Toronto and 4 hours southwest of Ottawa. This site hosted the Canadian stop of the World Cup Slalom tour in 1991 and 1993 and sees around 12,000 user days annually on the whitewater section and adjacent land.
Parking is available at a small put-in midway along the upper half of the river on the south side of County Road #20. Additional parking is provided in a large lot on the north side of County Road #20 and at the Training Centre. Parking on the shoulder of County Road #20 or Horseshoe Lake Road is prohibited.
History of the Gull River / Minden Whitewater Preserve
On September 13, 1980, the Minden Wild Water Preserve, now known as the Minden Whitewater Preserve, officially opened at the majestic Gull River. The ceremony, led by visionary Roger Parsons, marked the culmination of a project initiated in May 1977 by the Ontario Wild Water Affiliation, the predecessor of Whitewater Ontario. Three decades later, the efforts of these dedicated volunteers are remembered with admiration, respect, and gratitude for transforming the Gull River into one of North America’s premier whitewater destinations. Since its opening, the Gull has hosted numerous National Championships, World Cups, and other events, attracting paddlers from across Canada and around the globe who leave with a sense of having experienced something truly special.
Difficulty And Features Of The Gull River
When it comes to whitewater, the Gull River near the Minden Wild Water Preserve stands out as a prominent destination. While it’s not the Grand Canyon and may seem modest compared to Ontario’s other gem, the Mighty Ottawa, it compensates for its smaller size with an abundance of character. Specifically, this short but technical stretch of water features Class 4 and near-Class 5 challenges. However, it remains navigable for advanced intermediate paddlers with solid Class 3 skills. Additionally, there are beginner-friendly put-in options and a dynamic yet approachable wave at the outflow.
Furthermore, the Gull River has served as a training ground for some of Ontario’s finest paddlers, and it regularly hosts events that attract boaters from around the world. For instance, one renowned C-boater affectionately dubbed the challenging play hole “Earl’s” as “The Lab.” Although it may not rival Bussy or Phil’s Hole on the Ottawa in intensity, mastering this technical feature can prepare paddlers for more significant challenges. Nevertheless, even experienced Ottawa paddlers occasionally find themselves surprised by the Gull’s swift and deceptively powerful currents. Therefore, first-timers are encouraged to approach cautiously, moving slowly and carefully from eddy to eddy. Otherwise, they may end up unexpectedly surfing the washout wave, unsure whether their boat is upstream or down.
In addition, local experts—of whom there are many—agree that mastering the Gull’s challenging moves is a strong indicator that a paddler is ready for almost any whitewater adventure. Notably, the river offers clean, warm water and maintains runnable levels throughout much of the year. Unlike many hydro-regulated rivers, its controlled system ensures consistent water levels without dramatic fluctuations. Moreover, the Gull often improves as the summer progresses, offering excellent conditions when many other rivers are running low.
The whitewater section of the Gull River spans 800 meters and ranges from Class II to III rapids. Significantly, the most difficult part is at the top, which gradually eases into Class II rapids at the washout. This difficulty is primarily due to the river’s fast, pushy currents—especially at high water levels—and the potentially serious consequences of a swim in most sections.
Importantly, this dam-controlled river begins at a large eddy pool below the dam and flows through a small drop into a channel that leads to Earl’s Hole, a favorite play spot among paddlers. Beyond the eddies of Earl’s, the river follows a wide C-shaped curve and finishes at Whitehorse Falls. The upper section, however, is suitable only for skilled paddlers, as the risks of swimming here are exceptionally high.
Whitehorse Falls transitions into a large eddy pool, which serves as a popular starting point for open boaters and intermediate paddlers. From there, the middle section of the river winds through several bends, offering plenty of opportunities to practice river-running skills. However, caution is necessary, as numerous rocks in this area can easily pin a boat in a broach position. The water in this section is both fast-moving and relatively shallow.
Finally, the middle stretch concludes at a large eddy pool on river right, near a footbridge that provides walking access to County Road #20. Meanwhile, on river left, a sizable rock can be boofed into a small eddy during higher water levels, adding to the river’s unique technical features.
Facilities And Recreation At The Minden Whitewater Preserve
The Minden Whitewater Preserve is a 100 acre park with trails adjacent to a some of Canada’s best whitewater rapids for park n’ play kayaking and canoeing. The MWP is privately owned and operated by Whitewater Ontario for the use of its members and their guests.
The Preserve’s 100 acres include:
- 30 campsites with picnic tables and fire pits
- Wifi
- Area dedicated to pull-in trailers (no electrical or septic service)
- Large and small picnic shelters
- Playground for young children
- Indoor and outdoor washroom facilities
- 3km trails for hiking and biking
Due to new insurance policies, all Day-Use and Overnight-Use requires a membership
Please be respectful of other campers in the Preserve. Dogs must be under control and poop n’ scoop policy in effect due to the presence of hikers, campers, and kids. There is a quiet time (no loud music, noise) between the hours of 11 pm. and 8am. Failure to comply with this may result in camper eviction
Whitewater Ontario maintains a small fleet of boats at the Preserve which may be loaned out on the off season to members. See the boat loan policy for more information.