Canadian Canoe Museum

Located on the shore of Little Lake, the Canadian Canoe Museum boasts the largest collection of paddled watercrafts in the world. The museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the culture and history of the canoe.

Canoes were originally created by Indigenous people to navigate lakes and rivers across the continent. The Canadian Canoe Museum was recognized for its cultural importance by the Canadian Senate in 2013. Its state-of-the-art facilities surrounded by nature and an impressive collection and interactive exhibits, help connect visitors to Canada’s rich canoe heritage.

Visit the Canadian Canoe Museum website

Bird’s eye view of the canoe museum in front of a lake. — Canadian Canoe Museum | Justen Soule

How to get to Canadian Canoe Museum

Location: 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough

By car: The Canadian Canoe Museum is located 90 minutes east of Toronto in Peterborough. It can be reached via the ON-115 North, the ON-69 South or the Trans-Canada Highway. Free parking is available on-site and at nearby lots.

By transit: GO Transit offers service between Toronto and Oshawa. GO Transit Bus 88 travels between Durham Collage Oshawa GO and Trent University in Peterborough.

During the summer and fall, the Canoe Bus is a round-trip coach service from Toronto to the museum.

Know before you go

Canadian Canoe Museum is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Thursdays, the museum closes at 8:00 p.m.

Admission tickets can be purchased in person or online.

If you’re renting a canoe or kayak or participating in a Voyage Canoe group tour, you must always wear a personal flotation device on the water.

See accessibility features

Things to do at Canadian Canoe Museum

Discover more activities and experiences.

View historical canoes

Tour the museum’s expansive collection, which includes skin-on-frame kayaks from Baffin Island, bark canoes from Newfoundland and watercraft from Paraguay and the Amazon.

Join canoe workshops

Learn about canoe construction, build your own birch bark canoe, or plan a prospective canoeing expedition in an immersive workshop.

Paddle on Little Lake

Join a guided group tour with Voyageur Canoe Tours, rent a canoe or kayak or bring your own boat for a paddle.

Paddling for kids and youth

Certified canoe guides help youth connect with tranquil nature at day camps spent paddling or canoe trip expeditions in provincial parks.

Take a canoeing course

Refine your paddling skills and earn a canoe certification from skilled instructors.

Buy canoe-themed gifts

Shop for canoe-inspired items at the Canadian Canoe Museum Store. This curated collection features clothing, books and unique creations by local, Canadian and Indigenous artists.

Articles and itineraries

Get ideas and inspiration for your next trip.

Beginner’s guide to canoeing in Ontario

Find some of the best places and seasons for beginners to canoe and get an overview of what you’ll need to get started.

Read moreBeginner’s guide to canoeing in Ontario

10 iconic rivers to canoe in Ontario

Here’s a list of iconic Ontario rivers that every passionate paddler should canoe at least once in their lifetime.

Read more10 iconic rivers to canoe in Ontario

11-day Canadian canoe trip

Canoe some of Ontario’s iconic waterways, from the Trent-Severn Waterway to the mighty Ottawa River. Suggested Days: 11

Beginner’s guide to kayaking in Ontario

Here is an overview of where and when to go kayaking and a list of great guides, outfitters and instructor.

Read moreBeginner’s guide to kayaking in Ontario

A group of people paddling in a heritage canoe. — Voyageur Canoe Tour | Canadian Canoe Museum

Interesting facts about the Canadian Canoe Museum

With over 600 canoes, kayaks and other paddled watercraft, and over 1,000 related artifacts, this museum’s collection is one of a kind. Items in the collection hail from around the country, coast to coast.

It grew out of Professor Kirk Wipper’s personal collection and was originally founded as the Kanawa Museum in 1957. The museum took on its new name in 1997 and has been presenting this unique take on Canada’s cultural heritage ever since.

Accessibility Features

Accessible drop-off location

Passenger drop-off is available by an accessible entrance.

Accessible entrances/exits

A sufficiently wide, hard surfaced, unobstructed path, no steps or equipped with ramp connecting to a public entrance or exit and identified by signage. Automatic door openers, adequate manoeuvring room in front of door.

Accessible parking

At least one identified, reserved parking space with a safe, clearly marked accessible route from the designated parking area to an accessible building entrance.

Accessible transportation

Accessible public transportation and/or accessible shuttle buses serve the site.

Accessible washroom

An accessible washroom stall has adequate manoeuvring room for mobility devices. Includes grab bars, transfer space, accessible door latch, sink with knee clearance, and lever handles or automatic sensor faucets.

Elevator access

Elevator access to all public floors with adequate manoeuvring room to enter and exit the elevator.

Service animals welcome

Service animal can be identified by visual indicators (guide dog or other animal wearing a vest/harness); or documentation available from a regulated health professional to confirm the animal is required due to a disability.

Support persons welcome

Support persons are welcome to provide services or assistance with communication, mobility, personal care, medical needs or access to facilities. Please check with the organization about entry fees, if applicable.

Wheelchair accessible

Unobstructed path through public hallways that are wide enough to allow people using wheelchairs and other mobility devices to move easily through the building.

Wheelchair and/or mobility devices available

Wheelchairs and/or mobility devices are available, free of charge, or for rent.

Last updated: August 29, 2024