Elora Raft Rides.
RiverBug whitewater rafting, Classic Punt rides, and guided gorge tours on the Grand River through the Elora Gorge
The brief.
Elora Raft Rides is a commercial river outfitter on the Grand River in Elora, Ontario, operating between the Elora Mill Inn dam above the Tooth of Time waterfalls and Bissell Park. Founded by Ken Thompson and operating since 2000, the company runs three product lines from the Elora Gorge: self-piloted and captain-piloted Classic Punt rides on calm dam water, a self-captained RiverBug whitewater raft trip through class-three rapids that the operator bills as "Ontario's only RiverBug Raft Ride," and the Maid of the Falls guided tour to the base of the Tooth of Time. Punting season runs from mid-May through mid-September; whitewater operates weekends from May into October and weekdays in July and August. Bookings route through FareHarbor.
6. ways in.
- 01
White Water Rafting (RiverBug)
For: Minimum height 4 feet, minimum age 8–10 years (varies by location), must be able to swim, in good healthWhen: Weekends in May, June, September & October; weekdays in July & August vary by locationA self-captained inflatable cata-raft trip through class-three rapids on the Grand River. Each rafter pilots their own RiverBug with one safety guide per seven rafters; minimum height 4 feet, minimum age 8–10 years (varies by location), must be able to swim. Helmet, PFD, swim-fins, and webbed gloves included; e-bike, Go-Pro, and wet-suit upgrades available. Runs weekends in May, June, September and October, with weekday departures in July and August (varies by location). 2 to 4 hours depending on route.
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Bare Boat Escapades
For: Groups of up to 8 people total; no prior boating experience requiredWhen: May 15 to September 15, daylight hours, closed MondaysA one-hour self-piloted Classic Punt rental for up to 8 people on the calm dam water above the Tooth of Time. Instruction on poling, rowing, and paddling is included; the route runs upstream past islands and a cascading waterfall, then drifts back through the "Tunnel of Time" with 400-million-year-old fossils in the limestone cliffs. Daylight hours, May 15 to September 15, closed Mondays.
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Piloted Safaris
For: Shared raft passengers; groups of 8+ get a private boat, smaller groups mergeWhen: May 15 to September 15, closed MondaysA captain-piloted shared Classic Punt ride for up to 8 passengers, with the pilot narrating Elora's wildlife, fossils, and history along quiet pools, river islands, and the 12-foot waterfall at the Bissell Park dam. Groups of 8 or more get a private boat; smaller parties share.
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Maid of the Falls
For: General public — guided tour passengersA guided raft tour into the Elora Gorge to the base of the Tooth of Time waterfalls, with narration on 400-million-year-old gorge geology, the Attawanderon Maid legend, Iroquois history, and the 1832 Scottish founding of Elora. Tours depart every half hour; tickets pre-booked online, bought at the Boardwalk office, or walk-up at the boat station in the Cove.
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Custom Cruises
For: Couples, wedding parties, families, themed bookings (music, storytelling, history)A pre-booked Classic Punt cruise with an onboard guide or entertainer — storyteller, historian, or musician — for couples, wedding parties, families, or themed bookings. Night cruises available; a one-week advance booking may be required depending on type.
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Riverbug Games
For: Any age and skill level; no experience requiredWhen: SummerA summer event format using professional-grade one-person inflatable cata-rafts, with participants propelling themselves using swim-fins and webbed gloves. Three game formats are offered — RiverBug-Polo, RiverBug-Lacrosse, and RiverBug Ultimate Frisbee — open to any age and skill level with no experience required, and noted by the operator as non-competitive.
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Worth knowing.
- 01Operating since 2000, launched by founder Ken Thompson with inner-tube rentals after a predecessor canoe-rental business (Grand Boat Rides)Source ↗
- 02Self-described as "Ontario's only RiverBug Raft Ride"Source ↗
- 03Whitewater route descends or portages around class-three rapids on the Grand River, with one safety guide per seven raftersSource ↗
- 04Classic Punt fleet is custom-designed and locally fabricated; boats are 20-foot English Punts / Gondolas seating up to 8 passengersSource ↗
- 05Punt route runs from the Elora Mill Inn dam (above the Tooth of Time waterfalls) to Bissell Park's 12-foot dam, through the "Tunnel of Time" with 400-million-year-old fossils in the limestone cliffsSource ↗
- 06Maid of the Falls tours depart every half hour to the base of the Tooth of Time waterfalls, with narration on Attawanderon, Iroquois, and 1832 Scottish-settler historySource ↗
- 07Punting season runs May 15 to September 15, closed MondaysSource ↗
- 08River Club seasonal memberships available in Solo, Duo, Family (4 people), Group (6 people), and Corporate (8 people) tiers; tier pricing is not published on the operator site and is sold via eGift cardsSource ↗
- 09Founder credited with shaping the GRCA's wrist-band, helmet, and life-jacket protocols for Grand River tubing operationsSource ↗
Get in
touch.
- Website
- eloraraftrides.com
- Phone
- 226-971-9441
- Address
- Elora Gorge, Grand River (between the Elora Mill Inn dam and Bissell Park), Elora, Ontario