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Home » Explore the Trent-Severn Waterway from Peterborough

Explore the TSW from Peterborough

A luxurious houseboat is the perfect way to experience the iconic Trent-Severn Waterway

Between The Canadian Canoe Museum and the newly established base for premium houseboat company Le Boat, it’s clear Peterborough is a major draw for anyone looking to get on the water. Head north or south along the Trent-Severn Waterway from Peterborough, and either way you’ll be rewarded with pristine corridors of green and wide, shining lakes.

This particular itinerary will take you from Peterborough to Campbellford and back. We recommend spreading the journey over as many as seven nights, to give you the chance to savour each stop and be sure you don’t need more than 3-4 hours of cruising per day.

The itinerary below is broken down by location, and you can decide where to spend more or less time as your curiosity demands. Just be sure to check the schedule so you don’t miss the last lockage of the day.

Remember a permit is required for lockage and overnight moorage. Need to rent a boat for the occasion? The above-mentioned Le Boat location is ideal. You can also visit our Boating page for details.

PETERBOROUGH

Peterborough

As the largest city you’ll encounter on this trip, it makes sense to get your supplies here.

However, there’s much more to do than just hit the grocery store. You won’t have to actually cross the Peterborough Lift Lock since your journey begins further south, but you should still take a minute to visit this engineering marvel. This is the highest hydraulic lift lock in the world, a feat that’s all the more impressive when you realize it was built in 1904. Visit the nearby Museum and Archives to learn more.

Also nearby is the aforementioned The Canadian Canoe Museum, a must-visit for anyone with an interest in watercraft.

If you’re visiting in summer, treat yourself to a free Musicfest concert on the shores of Little Lake. The tempting dining options are too many to list, but you can visit here to find restaurants, or see who caters specifically to boaters on Peterborough’s Trent-Severn Trail Town page.

Hastings

Once you leave Peterborough, there’s only Lock 19 – Scott’s Mills between you and a lovely stretch of the Otonabee River. When you reach the open water of Rice Lake, it’s just a matter of cruising into Hastings.

If there are any fisherpeople in your group, chances are they’ll be looking forward to this stop. Hastings’ status as a fishing town is commemorated by Pisces Pete, a large stainless steel walleye sculpture found at 3 Dit Clapper Drive.

If you have a sweet tooth, Bridgewater Coffee and Pizza is a popular spot along Kawarthas Northumberland’s Butter Tart Tour. Across the street is McGillicafey’s Pub, where you can enjoy a pint or dine lockside.

Overnight mooring is available at Lock 18 and Hastings Village Marina.

Hastings

Healey Falls

Healey Falls

You might eventually be able to persuade the fishing enthusiasts to leave Hastings by tempting them with a visit to Healey Falls.

This is something to see, with a series of cascading falls rushing to the Trent River below. When the water is flowing it’s a major force, though the appearance can be less dramatic at drier times.

Locks 15-17 will take you through Healey Falls en route to Lock 14 and Campbellford.

Campbellford

Campbellford is also a Trent-Severn Trail Town, and it more than earns that designation with a number of boater-friendly attractions. For instance, at The Dockside Bistro you can tie off below the patio and quite literally dine dockside.
 
The giant toonie in Old Mill Park is a fun and quirky highlight, visible even from the water. Overnight docking is available here. Just past that is Ranney Gorge, where the signature suspension bridge offers another view of the Trent. Flight Locks 11 and 12 allow boaters to pass the gorge; overnight mooring is also available here.
 
Whatever your tastes, you’ll probably find something that appeals in Campbellford. The donuts from Dooher’s Bakery are legendary (just look for the lineup outside). D’s Modern Caribbean Cuisine offers more culinary variety than you’ll find in most small towns, and you can also visit Empire Cheese Co-operative and bring home some local cheese.
 
While you’re add it, why not add a pack of beer from Church Key Brewing Company? Once you’re good and full, take in a movie at the downtown Aron Theatre.

Campbellford

Return Trip

Return Trip

All good things must come to an end, but the upshoot of taking a return trip is that all your favourite parts get an encore. If you still have a few days left on your vacation, take it slow and revisit the highlights of the trip, or relax in those spots you noticed but didn’t quite have time for first time out.

TRIP PLANNER

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KEEP EXPLORING

There’s always more to see and do—browse the itineraries below for more daytrip and overnight suggestions around Kawarthas Northumberland.