Major city · Canada
MerrickvilleMerrickville-Wolford
Go as a half-day stop or one night between Ottawa and Smiths Falls: walk St Lawrence St, see the 1832 blockhouse and the canal locks, then leave.
Merrickville is a village of about 1,200 people on the Rideau Canal in eastern Ontario, roughly 75 km south of downtown Ottawa and 22 km from Smiths Falls. It is a compact strip of 19th-century stone buildings along St Lawrence Street, a working lockstation and a national historic blockhouse. Most visitors come for a summer day trip; one night is enough to see it without rushing.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (locks and shops in full operation); early Oct for colour
- avoid Nov–Apr (many shops and the blockhouse close; canal is drained or frozen)
- Airport
- YOW
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Merrickville911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Merrickville-Wolford municipal office613-269-4791
- Rideau Canal lockstation (Parks Canada, in season)613-283-5170
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Merrickville, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are the two-lane highway through the village, unlit country roads at night…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 613-269-4791 Merrickville-Wolford municipal office · 613-283-5170 Rideau Canal lockstation (Parks Canada, in season)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International (About 1 h by car from the village; the nearest airport with scheduled service.).
- Getting aroundThe village core is walkable in 15–20 min end to end; a bicycle or canoe covers the canal shore.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a bakery itemC$5–12 (≈ US$4–9)
- Sit-down mealPub main courseC$10–20 (≈ US$8–15)
- Street or quick mealCafé lunch (sandwich, soup, scone)Menu range at the Yellow Canoe Café.C$6–30 (≈ US$5–25)
- Budget bedLockstation campsite or Lions Club Park, a night, per personC$20 (≈ US$15)
- Mid-range bedB&B double room, a night, per roomC$175 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedB&B double room, a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YOW Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International (About 1 h by car from the village; the nearest airport with scheduled service.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best*
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Merrickville: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
12 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
10 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
11 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
11 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
12 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village core is walkable in 15–20 min end to end; a bicycle or canoe covers the canal shore. No local bus. A car is needed for day trips and for reaching the village at all.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30 min
Car west on Highway 43, about 20 min
Railway museum and the nearest VIA Rail station; pair it with the drive in or out.
Door to door: About 1 h
Car north on Highway 43 to Kemptville, then Highway 416
Do it as a day trip from the city, not the other way round.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car south to Highway 401 via Maitland (exit 705)
Riverfront town with a VIA Rail stop if you are continuing by train.
Door to door: About 45 min
Car west on Highway 43 through Smiths Falls
Stone town with a canal connection; easy to combine with Smiths Falls.
Westport, Ontario
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
Car southwest via Highway 10 and country roads
Rideau Lakes village; better as an overnight than a return trip.
Almonte, Ontario
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Car northwest via Carleton Place
Falls and textile history; combine with Carleton Place on one loop.
Carleton Place
goDoor to door: About 50 min
Car northwest on Highway 43 and Highway 7
Canal-side town with more food and shopping than Merrickville.
Kanata
skipDoor to door: About 1 h
Car north via Highway 417
Suburban Ottawa; nothing here you cannot get in the city.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
St Lawrence Street (main street)
Inn and B&B rooms above or beside the shops; walk to the locks in under 5 min.
Mill Street and the lockstation
Quieter, closest to the canal; camping and mooring at the lockstation May–Oct.
Surrounding farms and Burritts Rapids Road
Country B&Bs and a garden centre; you need a car for everything.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B double room1 × 1 night × C$175 | C$175 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Car from Ottawa, return, fuel1 × C$40 · check | C$40 |
| Museum donation at the blockhouse2 × C$5 | C$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$60 |
| Trip total≈ C$328 per person per day, bed included | C$655≈ US$500 |
Seasonal; many close November–April.
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a bakery item | C$5–12 (≈ US$4–9) |
| Café lunch (sandwich, soup, scone)Menu range at the Yellow Canoe Café. | C$6–30 (≈ US$5–25) |
| Pub main course | C$10–20 (≈ US$8–15) |
| Ice cream cone | C$4–8 (≈ US$3–6) |
| B&B double room, per nightSeasonal; check | C$135–260 (≈ US$100–190) |
| Inn room, per night | C$120–230 (≈ US$90–170) |
| Pet fee at the inn, per night | C$10 (≈ US$8) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No passenger rail in the village: nearest stations are Smiths Falls (about 20 km (12 mi)) and Brockville (about 46 km (29 mi)).No passenger rail in the village: nearest stations are Smiths Falls (about 12 mi (20 km)) and Brockville (about 29 mi (46 km)).
- Many shops and the blockhouse run seasonal hours and close in winter; check before a winter drive.
- Lockstation mooring and camping are first-come and May–October only.
- Highway 43 through the village is the main road: watch for parked cars and pedestrians at the crosswalks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Merrickville-Wolford municipal office
- 613-269-4791
- Rideau Canal lockstation (Parks Canada, in season)
- 613-283-5170
Pocket card
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MerrickvilleMerrickville-Wolford
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Municipal office613-269-4791
- Rideau Canal lockstation (in season)613-283-5170
Embassy
No embassies in the village. The US embassy and most others are in Ottawa, about 1 h north by car.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ottawa → Merrickville by car: about 75 km (47 mi), 1 h via Highway 416 and Highway 43about 47 mi (75 km), 1 h via Highway 416 and Highway 43
- Smiths Falls → Merrickville by car: about 22 km (14 mi), 20 minabout 14 mi (22 km), 20 min
- Brockville → Merrickville by car: about 46 km (29 mi), 45 min via Highway 401 exit 705about 29 mi (46 km), 45 min via Highway 401 exit 705
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the canal lock? — Where is the canal lock?
- Is this open today? — Is this open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
English is the everyday language here; no phrasebook needed.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Merrickville. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (locks and shops in full operation); early Oct for colour · avoid Nov–Apr (many shops and the blockhouse close; canal is drained or frozen) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 8 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YOW: drive time to the village, last sensible arrival, taxi and rideshare fallback.
- Three walking clusters with rescue anchors: St Lawrence Street shops, the lockstation and blockhouse, Mill Street industrial heritage.
- Place pages with verified seasonal cutoffs (blockhouse, lockstation camping, shops) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and shoulder-season fixtures so the page can say plainly what is shut.
Sources
- officialMerrickville-Wolford — visitors
- officialParks Canada — Rideau Canal National Historic Site
- officialParks Canada — Rideau Canal camping
- officialMerrickville and District Historical Society — Blockhouse Museum
- officialRideau Trail Association
- secondaryWikivoyage: Merrickville, revision 4997398 (CC BY-SA 4.0)