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10 Incredible Canoe Trips in Canada Worthy of Your Bucket List

I can’t think of anything more classically Canadian than canoe tripping (perhaps maple syrup, but canoe tripping would be a close second). And since canoeing Canada is so quintessential, I thought I’d put together a bucket list of the most incredible and iconic canoe trips in Canada .

Meandering along winding rivers, the kind with spiny black pine trees lining the shoreline and bends so frequently you can hardly see more than a hundred strokes in front of you. Or wading over large lakes with near-black water, bordered by rocks of granite and quartz that glisten in the sunlight. Moving with an uncontrollable force through towering canyons and overbearing mountain ranges.

Tip! If you’re looking for trip reports on Canadian canoe routes, I suggest checking out Trip Reports . It’s a growing database of backcountry trip reports, most of which are canoe routes!

Whitewater Canoe Trips in Canada

I’ve started the list with whitewater paddling – in other words, river trips. I’ve selected four rivers that I think epitomize Canada canoeing: rivers that provide an unparalleled opportunity for connection with nature and disconnection from society.

Nahanni River

The Nahanni River is possibly the most quintessential paddling route in Canada. Located in the Northwest Territories, the Nahanni River takes you through imposing canyons and weather-worn mountain ranges, and lays witness to the powerful Virginia Falls (twice the height of Niagara Falls).

There are many outfitters with guided trips on the river – both by canoe and raft. The prevalence of rafting allows anyone of any skill to enjoy the river.  If you want to paddle a spectacular northern river, the Nahanni River will deliver in spades. Watch the video below from Black Feather – I’ve watched it so many times and I still get chills!

• Location: Northwest Territories
• Duration: 7-21 days
• Difficulty: Intermediate-Advanced

Recommended Reading : Dangerous River: Adventure on the Nahanni

Mountain River

The reason Mountain River is on this bucket list is because it’s the favourite of the guides at Canoe North Adventures , praised for its seclusion and amazing whitewater. These guides get to paddle a lot of different arctic rivers, so if it’s their favourite, it’s definitely on my list.

Mountain River takes you through six canyons with incredibly fast current and, according to the guides, unbelievable whitewater rapids. All while surrounded by rolling mountain ranges and wildlife. If adrenaline is what you’re after, this is some of the best canoeing in Canada.

• Duration: 25 days
• Difficulty: Advanced

Upper & Lower Horton River

The Horton River is the most northern river in mainland Canada and it is an excellent place to spot wildlife like caribou, muskoxen, wolves and grizzly bears. You can either do the upper or lower portion of the river, but frankly, I’d like to do both.

• Duration: 12-25 days (depending if you do one or both sections)

Recommended Reading : The Last Wilderness: 600 Miles by Canoe and Portage in the Northwest Territories

Missinaibi River

Designated as a Canadian Heritage River, the Missinaibi River is one of the most iconic and popular options for canoeing in Canada . It is an excellent river for intermediate paddlers to do unsupported. It’s remote, but not inaccessible. It has some difficult portages and Class III rapids, but also long stretches of smooth water and beautiful scenery.

Grab a copy of Hap Wilson’s Journey to the Northern Sky , which has detailed maps of the many rapids and interesting information on the river, and be on your way. I highly recommend doing the river from Lake Missinaibi all the way to Moosonee.

The first section of the river has amazing rapids and stunning Canadian Shield geography, whereas the second section is wide and winding with few rapids but a northern character.

• Location: Ontario
• Duration 9-20 days
• Difficulty: Intermediate

Bloodvein River

The Bloodvein River is another Canadian Heritage River, and it flows from Woodland Caribou Provincial Park in Ontario to Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba. The river is characterized by excellent whitewater, a classically beautiful Boreal Forest, and exposed granite rocks dotted with Indigenous pictographs.

• Location: Ontario / Manitoba
• Duration 12-15 days

Canada Canoeing: Other Whitewater Areas of Note

If I were to list every single river I’d like to paddle, this post would go on forever. Here are some other rivers on my never-ending to-do list: Hayes River (Manitoba), Keele River (Northwest Territories), Yukon River (Yukon) and Churchill River (Saskatchewan).

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Your support is much appreciated! You can learn more by reading my full disclosure .

Flatwater Canoe Trips in Canada

Despite my growing preference for whitewater canoeing, there will always be a place in my heart for flatwater paddling. There are far too many lake networks in this country to paddle them all, but a few iconic areas are worth a place on any canoeist’s bucket list. As seeing as most canoeists stick with flatwater, there are tons and tons of incredible destinations. This, my friends, is Canada canoeing at its finest.

Killarney Provincial Park

I think Killarney is the most beautiful place in Ontario and one of the most beautiful places in Canada. The scenery is striking; lakes the colour of Gatorade, hills that sparkle silver in the sunlight, windswept pine trees lining the shores.

In autumn the trees change into a kaleidoscope of colours. Killarney is so beautiful, that it is home to OSA (Ontario Society of Artists) Lake and Artist’s Lake due to its significance to Tom Thompson and the Group of Seven (Canada’s famous landscape painters).

When I first paddled Killarney, I did a 12-day trip and experienced over 3/4 of the park . It also has some amazing weekend trips.

• Duration: 3-12 days depending on route
• Difficulty: Novice

Additional Resource : A Paddler’s Guide to Killarney and the French River

Bowron Lakes Circuit

British Columbia may not have many canoe routes, but the routes it does have are spectacular; Bowron Lakes is no exception.

This canoe route takes you through six major lakes and two rivers, all of which is connected through a series of portages. The major difference between this canoe trip and those in eastern Canada is that you’re paddling at the foot of the Cariboo Mountains – expect to see pointy peaks and glacial lakes!

• Location: British Columbia
• Duration: 6 – 10 days

Temagami isn’t technically a park but has campgrounds and portages maintained by the Friends of Temagami. Hap Wilson, one of Canada’s most iconic canoeists, calls Temagami home – and for good reason.

I’ve done two different two-week trips and would still go back for more. Some of my favourite destinations in Temagami include Paradise Lagoon, Wolf Lake, and the hike up Ishpatina Ridge (the tallest peak in Ontario).

Definitely check out Hap Wilson’s comprehensive book on wilderness routes in Temagami .

• Duration: 7-12 days depending on route

Additional Resource : Temagami – A Wilderness Paradise

Algonquin Provincial Park

Algonquin Provincial Park is the Creme de la Creme of Canada canoeing. It covers 7,000 square kilometres and is home to more than 2,000 kilometres worth of canoe routes.

Need ideas for canoe routes in Algonquin? Check out our database of Algonquin Park trip reports .

• Duration: 3-7 days depending on route
• Difficulty: Novice – Intermediate

Additional Resource : A Guide to Algonquin Park

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park

Woodland Caribou Provincial Park is an excellent destination for intermediate paddlers and it’s the only flatwater destination still on my to do list.

The park is located on the border of Ontario and Manitoba, making it reasonably accessible while still providing opportunities for solitude and silence – the park contains 2,000 km of canoe routes and receives only 1,000 paddlers each season.

This is what makes Woodland Caribou spectacular, in my opinion. You’re nestled amidst the beauty of the Boreal Forest, which paddlers have long cited as having a certain magical feeling one can’t quite articulate. And you can experience it without interruption.

While Killarney and Algonquin may feel a tad commercialized and you’re likely to encounter other paddlers, Woodland Caribou remains a little known secret. However, this is also why I believe your skill level needs to be higher; if you run into trouble, help is further away.

Regardless of your level of experience, I recommend reaching out to Red Lake Outfitters if you are considering a trip here. They are the definitive experts on Woodland Caribou and offer guided trips, shuttle services, route planning, gear and more.

• Duration: 7 – 21 days depending on route

Canada Canoeing: O ther Flatwater Areas of Note

If the opportunity came, I’d also do a canoe trip in Quetico Provincial Park (Ontario) and I’d love to do another trip around Georgian Bay Islands National Park (Ontario). However, at this point I’ve grown a bit tired of flatwater paddling so I’d rather dedicate my time to whitewater. That said, if you haven’t done much Canada canoeing yet, there are tons of options to get you started.

Canoeing Canada – Final Thoughts

I hope this post has introduced you to some new places and wonderful places to go canoeing in Canada and perhaps even added a trip or two to your bucket list!

What are your thoughts? What are your favourite destinations for canoe trips in Canada? Let me know in the comments below!

Mikaela | Voyageur Tripper

Mikaela has been canoeing, hiking and camping for over ten years. She previously worked as a canoeing guide in Canada, and spent a season guiding hiking and kayaking tours in the high Arctic. Mikaela is a Wilderness First Responder and Whitewater Rescue Technician.

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I was very happy to see WCPP on your list, it’s an amazing place. I was fortunate to go in 2019 and again in 2020. My only other canoe tripping is in Algonquin but this year I am considering a trip down Rivière Noire. I would highly recommend a trip to WCPP . I see that you prefer white water and in that case you can start with the flat water of WCPP and finish on the Bloodvein River white water all the way to Lake Winnipeg. Happy tripping

Hi Ian – Thanks for the suggestion! I think I’d really enjoy the Bloodvein. And I’m sure you’ll love the Noire! I did that one in 2017 and it was a ton of fun!

I am not a WCPP expert but I have done a lot of research for my WCPP trips and know where or who to contact for expert advice. If you ever need info to get started, please don’t hesitate to ask. FYI, Artery Lake (the start of the Bloodvein whitewater) has an amazing pictograph mural.

Thank Ian! I will keep that in mind! I’d love to paddle the Bloodvein 🙂

I think you’re from Ontario? your list is somewhat geographically biased… The Missinaibi (I’ve paddled it) just doesn’t belong in the list with the Nahanni & Mountain… Also the Hayes is in Man, not Ont. How about the Clearwater, Fond du Lac etc in Sask? You briefly mention the Churchill and imho it deserves a far higher billing. And you don’t mention a single Quebec river…

just thoughts…

Hi Ian – I am from Ontario and I totally admit I am geographically biased!

Though I will stand by my comment on the Missinaibi River – I think it is an incredible (and incredibly accessible) river. The historical significance, the change in scenery, the short technical sets – I love the river.

I actually have a note on my laptop to add the Moisie and Broadback to the list – I know I definitely need some Quebec rivers on the list, but I was only familiar with the Three Sisters when I wrote the post a few years ago and I didn’t think those ones needed to be on the list. I’ll look into the Sask rivers too.

Thanks for the feedback 🙂 Happy paddling!

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Canoeing in Canada: The Canadian Canoe Route Road Trip

September 6, 2022 By Matthew G. Bailey Leave a Comment

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The Canadian Canoe has become one of Canada’s most recognized icons. Invented by the Indigenous Peoples of Canada, canoeing in Canada became a tool of diplomacy and cross-cultural collaboration that made the creation of this country possible. Without the canoe, there may not be a “Canada”. After all, how else would the Europeans have explored such a vast and wild country full of rivers and lakes? How else would the voyageurs have travelled across the country trading furs and other goods?

While no longer a major mode of transportation, canoeing still serves as a popular pastime for exploring the vastness of Canada’s rivers and lakes, connecting Canadians to wild places while rewarding determination and hard work.

Now, with the Canadian Canoe Route, you can combine canoeing in Canada and a fun Ontario road trip that connects you with Canada’s past and present on a network of waterways and roads between Toronto and Ottawa . You’ll gain insight into the true “wonder” of the canoe with a hands-on experience that takes place on land and on the water. You’ll learn about the history of Canada and the canoe while also being immersed in nature by paddling your own canoe in flat water and/or whitewater, whitewater rafting, and exploring the Canadian Shield of the Ontario Highlands while enjoying many Canadian Signature Experiences.

The Canadian Canoe Route Itinerary

While you can certainly bend and blend the Canadian Canoe Route itinerary to your travel wishes, or even break it up into multiple trips, the recommended itinerary comprises seven nights of travel, which looks like this:

Day 1 – 2: Drive northeast from Toronto to Elmhirst’s Resort and spend a night or two next to Rice Lake, a great place to go canoeing in Canada. During your time here, you can also drive to Peterborough to explore the Canadian Canoe Museum and learn all about Canadian canoe culture. Spend two nights at Elmhirst if you can.

Day 3 – 4: Travel to Madawaska Kanu Centre to take part in their one-day Zero-to-Hero paddling course, a course that will truly teach you how to go canoeing in Canada, even in whitewater! Spend the night in one of their rustic cabanas or new glamping tents and enjoy the sights and sounds of being in nature. You may want to spend two nights at Madawaska to maximize your time in the area, or if you really want to become a canoeing or kayaking pro, consider their week-long course.

Day 5: Get back in the car and drive to the Algonquin Way Cultural Centre on Golden Lake, which is home to the world’s largest birch bark canoe. Afterwards, head to OWL Rafting to spend a night or two next to the Ottawa River.

Day 6: Now it’s time for some whitewater adventure in a modern raft. You’ll experience some gnarly rapids, get the chance to body surf down the river, jump off a cliff, and much more, all before enjoying a freshly grilled meal aboard the OWL pontoon boat while watching the Canadian Shield pass by. If you want to do more canoeing in Canada, OWL Rafting provides free canoe “rentals”, allowing you to slip out in the evening for a gentle paddle at sunset.

Day 7: After enjoying breakfast at OWL Rafting, take a short 1.5-hour drive to the nation’s capital to enjoy both the Canadian Museum of History and the Indigenous Experiences offered just behind the museum. If you have even more time, you can either continue to explore Ottawa, take a boat ride on the historic Rideau Canal, or head down to the picturesque little city of Perth for more canoeing in Canada.

Also, if the thought of planning this entire trip yourself sounds daunting, you can reach out to Landsby and inquire about their 7-day Canadian Canoe Route package.

Let’s dive deeper into the itinerary below:

Visit Toronto

While Toronto is not officially part of the Canadian Canoe Route, it is the best starting point. Not only is it home to a major international airport, but it’s also Canada’s largest and most multicultural city. It offers a steep contrast to what Canada looked like when the canoe was the major mode of transportation. Home to hundreds of skyscrapers, the iconic CN Tower, and some of the largest highways in North America, it’s actually quite incredible to see how far we’ve come in such a short period of time. If you’re keen on exploring the city, take a look at our Things to Do in Toronto Travel Guide , which will help you pick and choose from the wide array of activities, attractions, and sights to see.

Elmhirst’s Resort

Located approximately 160 km east of Toronto, Elmhirst’s Resort seems worlds apart. A family business for five generations, Elmhirst’s Resort offers the chance to kick back and relax on the edge of Rice Lake, a perfect place to go canoeing. What better way to kick off the Canadian Canoe Route than to go for a paddle in the wee hours of the morning while catching a glimpse of the sun as it makes its way up over the horizon? Another popular option is to go out at night and paddle under the stars.

The Resort is a mix of family-style cottages and also a farm with ducks, chickens, horses, and cattle. In fact, another benefit of staying at Elmhirst’s Resort is enjoying their farm-to-table cuisine, including Tine Up Tuesdays, which feature live music and Texas-style BBQ. It’s also a wedding venue, spa, and Canadian Signature Experience.

Explore the Canadian Canoe Museum

For obvious reasons, the Canadian Canoe Route road trip just wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the amazing Canadian Canoe Museum . Located in Peterborough and soon being relocated to a stunning new building next to the water, the Canadian Canoe Museum offers the chance to really learn the history of Canada’s original mode of transportation. Home to the largest collection of paddled watercraft in the world, the museum pays homage to traditional boat-building techniques by Indigenous peoples across Canada and modern craft used by today’s Olympic athletes.

There are so many different canoes to check out, including beautiful birch-bark canoes, carefully carved dug-outs that were used by people on the West Coast, light-weight kayaks created from sealskin by the Inuit, the big canoes used by the voyageurs, and even the canoe that was used by former Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. In addition to history and canoes, another thing that makes this museum special is being able to partake in one of their hands-on workshops, such as making your own canoe paddle! They may even start offering classes on how to actually build a canoe. How cool would that be?

Visit Petroglyphs Provincial Park

While not an official stop on the Canadian Canoe Route, Petroglyphs Provincial Park is in-between the Canadian Canoe Museum and Madawaska Kanu Centre and is home to the largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings (petroglyphs) in Canada, depicting turtles, snakes, birds, humans and more.

This site, which is known as “The Teaching Rocks”, is considered sacred and that is why you won’t see any photos or videos of the actual rock carvings. However, you can visit them in person and even take a guided tour with one of the park interpreters to get insight into these ancient carvings and ask any questions you may have.

There’s also a Visitor Centre where you can learn more about the local Indigenous culture and you can also stop by McGinnis Lake, a bright blue/green lake that is one of only a handful of meromictic (layers of water that don’t intermix) lakes in Canada.

Learn to Paddle at Madawaska Kanu Centre

Created by two German immigrants-turned-Canadian Olympic paddlers back in 1972, the Madawaska Kanu Centre has become a Canadian Signature Experience, with some of the best athletes in the world on-hand to teach you how to really paddle a canoe or kayak. People come from all over to learn how to paddle here, oftentimes for an entire week or more, but one of their new offerings as part of this Canadian Canoe Route is their one-day Zero to Hero whitewater canoe course . We did this during our road trip and it was such a wonderful experience. Not only was our instructor amazing, but we were able to basically jam 3-4 days’ worth of instruction in one day, although this likely depends on your abilities. Either way, the goal of the program is to teach you how to operate the canoe efficiently, using techniques such as cross-bows and “eddy turns” during the morning class before taking you down the river in the afternoon to paddle through Class I-II rapids.

The resort itself is rustic, yet charming, with all sorts of accommodation options ranging from lodge-style rooms, dorm rooms, cabanas, camping options, and glamping tents. While taking any of the courses, meals are included and the Lower Madawaska River is walking distance away. You’ll really feel like a Canadian after spending some time here!

Visit the Algonquin Way Cultural Centre

Since the Indigenous Peoples of Canada have roamed the land, waterways, and riverbanks since time immemorial, not to mention being the founders of the canoe and kayak, it makes sense to learn about their culture along the way. Thankfully, not far from Madawaska Kanu Centre is Algonquin Way Cultural Centre (Omàmiwininì Pimàdjwowin). Here you can gain insight into the Algonquin People, including a look at the world’s largest birch bark canoe and admiring a variety of objects and artifacts such as dance regalia and ancient stone tools, all the while flowing through the building in a circular motion that follows the Anishinabe Seven Fires Prophecy. This cultural centre was created in 2000 as a way for Algonquians to revive, protect and share their cultural traditions.

Explore the Ottawa River with Owl Rafting

After learning about the history of the canoe as well as how to paddle one, it’s time to change things up and jump in a raft to head down the massive Ottawa River for some true Canadian fun. Whether you’re looking for low, medium, or high intensity, OWL Rafting has something for everyone. This full-day whitewater rafting excursion will take you through the Canadian Shield while featuring some massive rapids, body surfing, cliff jumping, and so much more. The guides are always such a blast and fun is practically guaranteed. In fact, that’s one of the things we’ve really noticed at OWL Rafting. After rafting with them in 2017 and again in 2022, we recognized almost all of the staff. Everyone just loves being here and is truly excited to take people out on the river. As an added bonus, when the trip ends in a calm lake, you’ll get transported back to the lodge on their signature pontoon boats, traversing the historical route of the First Nations, Voyageurs, and Log Drive, while enjoying a delicious grilled buffet.

The lodge itself is also such a great place to hang out and spend the night (or two or three). Not only do they offer cabins, camping, and glamping, but they also have a lovely waterfront setting with beach volleyball, frisbee golf, a fire pit, and complimentary use of canoes, kayaks, and paddle-boards. There’s a reason this has become a Canadian Signature Experience!

Indigenous Experiences at the Canadian Museum of History

Located just located behind the Canadian Museum of History, near a site once used by Indigenous Peoples as a trading post, and as a place of friendship and celebration, Indigenous Experiences is an immersive encounter that brings Indigenous history and culture to life through engaging, authentic and interactive programming for visitors of all ages.

During our visit, a couple of local Indigenous cultural ambassadors toured us around the site while teaching us about their culture and history and showing us objects and artifacts such as animal furs, their traditional housing techniques, how a birch-bark canoe is made, and much more. It was incredibly hot outside that day but they still gave us a light demonstration of some of their dancing as well.

They offer other types of tours as well, including an experience within the Canadian Museum of History, which featured a guided Indigenous tour of the Grand Hall, the First Peoples Hall, the Canadian History Hall, and more. Visit the Indigenous Experiences website to learn more.

Visit the Canadian Museum of History

As Canada’s most popular museum, the Canadian Museum of History is truly a work of art. There’s no better place to learn about the history of Canada, with a number of spectacular ongoing exhibitions, such as the Grand Hall, which is home to a stunning collection of totem poles, and the First Peoples Hall, which celebrates the history, diversity, creativity, resourcefulness and endurance of Canada’s First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and the Canadian History Hall, which unveils the events, personalities and historical currents that have shaped Canada — from time immemorial to the present day.

Of course, there are many more incredible exhibits, as well as the Canadian Children’s Museum, a 500-seat theatre and the CINÉ+, a 295-seat movie theatre equipped with a giant 3D screen and a giant dome. During our visit, we were able to watch the Great Bear Rainforest, which offers a fascinating glimpse into the spirit bear, a subspecies of the North American black bear that has white fur due to a rare genetic trait.

In addition to the 25,000 square metres of display space, the architecture of the building is also something to admire and the views of the Parliament Building, which is right across the river, are hard to beat.

Explore the Rideau Canal

One of the top attractions in Ottawa is the Rideau Canal , the oldest continuously operating canal in North America. A National Historic Site, a Canadian Heritage River and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 202-kilometre-long waterway is made up mostly of rivers and lakes, with 19 kilometres of man-made canals, divided into sections by 45 locks. If you’re short on time, you can a great glimpse into the Rideau Canal right next to the Fairmont Château Laurier, or if you have some time to spare, it’s a wonderful experience to paddle portions of it by renting a canoe at Jones Falls or Chaffey’s Lock. This would really add to your “canoeing in Canada” experience. However, another option is to take a boat tour with Le Boat.

Go Canoeing in Perth

Another side-trip option is travelling an hour south and staying in the charming little town of Perth, which is home to a picturesque heritage downtown core filled with century-old stone buildings and the Tay River, which is connected to the Rideau Canal. For an added experience, you could actually travel here by boat from Ottawa, using the locks that have made the Rideau Canal such a famous attraction. While in Perth, we highly recommend renting a canoe from Perth Major Outfitters and paddling the Tay Canal. This narrow waterway is such a pleasant place to go canoeing in Canada, especially in the morning when a thin layer of mist hovers above the water. You can paddle in through the downtown area while admiring some of the beautiful riverside homes, or you can also head in the opposite direction towards the Perth Wildlife Reserve and Tay Marsh, both of which are a great way to end your time on the Canadian Canoe Route.

During our time in Perth, we stayed at The White House Inn , a heritage home that is part of the Best Western Plus Perth Parkside Inn & Spa. This is a great place to stay as you can either enjoy the heritage home or the modern hotel, while also enjoying amenities such as free hot breakfast, fitness centre, pool, and spa.

The Canadian Canoe Route Passport

Before you embark on this fabulous Canadian road trip , don’t forget to download and print out your Canadian Canoe Route Passport . You can fold it up or cut it up and make it into a passport to bring along with you, scoring stamps along the way that will turn it into a memorable souvenir of an experience you’ll never forget. The passport also features some insight into the trip itself, as well as the main stops along the way while providing a fun way of checking off the “bucket list” during your road trip. You can also extend your trip with many other amazing adventures by visiting the website of Destination Ontario.

Want More Things to Do?

As one of the largest provinces in Canada, there’s so much more to Ontario. Whether you’re looking to go canoeing in Canada, fly over one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, or explore Canada’s largest city, we’ve got you covered with our many Ontario travel guides.

• Things to Do in Ontario
• Things to Do in Niagara Falls
• Things to Do in Hamilton
• Things to Do in Kingston
• Fun Ontario Facts
• Camping in Ontario

About Matthew G. Bailey

Matthew G. Bailey is the founder and editor-in-chief of Must Do Canada. Growing up in Alberta to a mother from Quebec and a father from Newfoundland, Matt spent his childhood playing hockey under the Northern Lights and hanging out in the forest before moving to Calgary and travelling to more than 250 cities spanning 42 countries and 6 continents. He loves travel, learning new things, playing sports, writing, making videos, photography, and scuba diving. You can also find him at LiveLimitless.net .

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fragment, sentence fragment

A sentence must express a complete thought. The length of the sentence is not important; it may be very long or very short, but it must make sense by itself.

Sometimes writers mistakenly believe that a long sentence is too long and divide it in two, creating an error called a sentence fragment .

In grammar, the term “sentence fragment” refers to an incomplete group of words punctuated as a sentence. Often, the fragment has been broken off from the sentence before or after it, and you can fix it simply by re-attaching it. At other times, you may need to add or remove words to turn a fragment into a complete sentence.

Most fragments are phrases , dependent clauses or mixed constructions . The sections below show examples of each type of fragment and the way to fix it.

A phrase or a series of phrases may contain several words. But the word group cannot express a complete thought because it lacks something essential to a sentence: a subject or a verb, or both. In the examples below, the fragments are in bold:

Verb phrase (lacks a subject)

• Fragmented: A sudden wind pounced on the piles of leaves. And scattered them across the neatly raked lawn .
• Revised: A sudden wind pounced on the piles of leaves and scattered them across the neatly raked lawn.

Noun phrase (lacks a verb)

• Fragmented: We saw a performance by Natasha Ivanovna. A ballerina related to my husband’s family .
• Revised: We saw a performance by Natasha Ivanovna, a ballerina related to my husband’s family.

Absolute phrase (may contain a verbal but lacks a verb)

• Fragmented: His work finally done . Ali relaxed with a movie.
• Revised: His work finally done, Ali relaxed with a movie.

Series of verbal phrases (lacks a subject and a verb)

• Fragmented: Looking like landscapes made out of modelling clay . Cloud banks drifted lazily across the sky.
• Revised: Looking like landscapes made out of modelling clay, cloud banks drifted lazily across the sky.

Series of prepositional phrases (lacks a subject and a verb)

• Fragmented: The stream flowed swiftly along. Over the rocks and boulders in its path and through the thirsty fields .
• Revised: The stream flowed swiftly along over the rocks and boulders in its path and through the thirsty fields.

Dependent clauses

Unlike a phrase, a dependent clause contains a subject and a verb. But it does not express a complete thought. To make sense, it must be connected to an independent clause (a simple sentence):

Adjective clause

• Fragmented: I need to write a thank-you note to Aunt Maude. Who sent me the turtle-shaped soup tureen .
• Revised: I need to write a thank-you note to Aunt Maude, who sent me the turtle-shaped soup tureen.

Adverb clause

• Fragmented: Because we didn’t have enough paper for the new printer . We had to make a quick trip to the store.
• Revised: Because we didn’t have enough paper for the new printer, we had to make a quick trip to the store.

Series of dependent clauses

• Fragmented: After we left the campsite where we had stayed for a week . We drove on to Toronto for the Exhibition.
• Revised: After we left the campsite where we had stayed for a week, we drove on to Toronto for the Exhibition.
• Fragmented: Motorists taking this route are at risk. If they don’t know that there is a hairpin turn down the road .
• Revised: Motorists taking this route are at risk if they don’t know that there is a hairpin turn down the road.

Mixed constructions

A mixed construction is a “sentence” made up of mismatched parts. One very common example is a prepositional phrase followed by a verb. The writer is trying to use the object of the preposition as the subject of the verb. But the object can’t do double duty, so the word group ends up as a fragment, without a subject.

Here’s an example:

• Fragmented: By working out regularly will keep you in shape .

In the fragment above, there’s no subject for the verb “will keep.” (“Working out regularly” is the object of the preposition “By”; therefore, it can’t serve as subject of the sentence.)

Solution 1: Drop the preposition “By.”

• Working out regularly will keep you in shape.

Solution 2: Add the subject “you” and reword.

• By working out regularly, you can keep in shape.

Tip for detecting a fragment

Sentence fragments can be hard to detect, since they usually sound all right when you read them together with the surrounding sentences.

Here’s a trick: starting from the end of the paragraph, read each “sentence” aloud on its own. Usually the fragments won’t sound complete, and you’ll be able to pick them out more easily.

Acceptable uses

Although fragments are usually avoided in formal writing, there are occasionally situations in which they are acceptable.

For instance, in a vertical list, the bulleted items are often fragments.

And in a resumé, fragments are usually used to list points related to education or employment: for example, “2019-2022. Completed a Bachelor of Arts degree.”

Finally, skilled writers sometimes intentionally use fragments for effect, as this excerpt from the opening chapter of Dickens’ novel Bleak House illustrates:

Fog everywhere. Fog up the river, where it flows among green aits and meadows; fog down the river, where it rolls deified among the tiers of shipping and the waterside pollutions of a great (and dirty) city. Fog on the Essex marshes, fog on the Kentish heights. […] Chance people on the bridges peeping over the parapets into a nether sky of fog, with fog all round them, as if they were up in a balloon and hanging in the misty clouds.

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Complete and Fragment sentences

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Taking a canoe trip in Canada

Complete Sentence

Fragment Sentence

Ashes indicated the place.

Sufficient food for a week’s journey.

The group spent the morning together

We steered and balanced carefully.

The excitement of shooting the rapids.

Deciding whether to go through the rapids or portage the canoe around them.

After we had taken a swim in the calm water beyond the rapids.

From the beginning of the rapids to the end.

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