About the Trail Towns - Trent-Severn Trail Towns

About the Trent-Severn Trail Towns

Learn more about the Trail Town program here

The Trent-Severn Trail Town program

A trail can be a rail trail, towpath, or hiking trail. In Kawarthas Northumberland, our “trail” is a waterway trail, the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site of Canada. With the support of Parks Canada, the Trent-Severn Trail Towns program is Canada’s first waterway trail town initiative.

A Trail Town is a community through which a trail passes, offering services to support trail users and actively promoting the trail to both residents and visitors.

The Trent-Severn Trail Towns are vibrant communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway, each offering unique experiences and welcoming visitors to explore everything this scenic waterway has to offer. This program connects communities that are dedicated to enhancing the visitor experience, making it easier for you to enjoy everything from outdoor activities to local culture and history.

10 Trent-Severn Trail Towns

Although there are other communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway, these communities in the Kawarthas Northumberland region have come together to create the Trent-Severn Trail Town program enhance the way you experience the waterway. There may be more towns and other regions joining the program in the future!

Why Visit the Trent-Severn Trail Towns?

The Trent-Severn Waterway is not just a place to pass through—it’s a destination to experience. The 10 Trail Towns along the waterway offer more than just a stop; they offer a chance to immerse yourself in local culture, history, and natural beauty. You can enjoy scenic views, outdoor recreation, delicious food, and local attractions, all while discovering what makes each town unique. From waterfront restaurants and outdoor patios to hiking trails, ice cream shops, unique shopping boutiques, canoe routes, amazing fishing spots, and photo-worthy nature, each Trail Town offers an inviting atmosphere perfect for those looking to experience the best of what this region has to offer. So come and explore the Trent-Severn Waterway, and discover where nature and small-town charm meet!

Who Can Enjoy the Trent-Severn Trail Towns?

You may think you need a boat to enjoy the Trent-Severn Waterway, but there are plenty of other ways to explore! Take a scenic day trip to a Trail Town, rent a lakefront cottage, enjoy a weekend getaway at a cozy hotel or BnB, embark on a road trip to visit multiple Trail Towns, cycle through the area, or paddle along the waterway. However you choose to explore, the communities along the Trent-Severn Waterway have something special to offer every visitor.

And for things to do, the Trail Towns have something for everyone! You’ll find family-friendly festivals and events, gourmet restaurants for food lovers, Insta-worthy landscapes and attractions, art galleries and museums for culture buffs, local breweries and wineries to taste and tour, great shopping, and live open-air concerts. Rent a houseboat, jet ski, or fishing guide, or join a kayak tour. Whatever your interests, the Trail Towns have it—set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the most beautiful lake regions. Adventure flows through here!