If you are coming by canoe or kayak, you might want to put in at Whitfield's Landing boat launch, (see the "Route of Champlain" geocache series for those details), pause at Squirrel's Creek Conservation Area for a picnic and a swim, then keep paddling to either Bensfort Bridge boat launch or all the way down to Campbelltown boat launch. It's a long trip and you might want to do the route over 2 days.
We STRONGLY suggest you paddle one direction and shuttle your vehicles for an easy paddle WITH the current. It is possible to paddle against the current for short sections before getting tired of it, so we're hoping you travel with the flow for an enjoyable time.
Please don't attempt the river before June. The Otonabee is nasty in spring. This year, 2017, it was horrible, rushing and violent. It took down trees and flooded people's cottages. By June, the river had settled down and was behaving itself. I've even paddled it in early November and it was quiet and polite.
Please keep in mind that the OPP do patrol the Otonabee route, so you need to have all your required safety gear. Be aware too, that the Otonabee is a high traffic route along the Trent Severn Waterway and big houseboats and motor boats use the waterway like a highway. If you don't enjoy the rolling of boat wakes, don't go during peak summer seasons in the middle of the day. We rather enjoy the excitement of the waves and the boaters usually slow down when they see a kayak or canoe. Plus, if you stick to the river's edge, it's not so bad.
Early morning can be a very quiet time along the river with tonnes of wildlife. Be smart, choose a good time with calm wind, and stay safe for a very happy and peaceful experience paddling the route.
Im adding co-ords for this other boat launch at GC1226K that I like to use because you can go there in late October or early November (when they close the gates to the Squirrel Creek Conservation Area) N 44° 11.077 W 078° 19.503