Explore the Trent Severn Waterway with Le Boat: Your Complete Guide

Explore the Trent Severn Waterway with Le Boat in Ontario, Canada. The Trent Severn is the world’s largest inland waterway. While many individuals cruising the Trent Severn Waterway possess their own boats or have luxurious waterfront properties, there exists an enjoyable and economical alternative. Le Boat provides self-drive luxury houseboats available for rental for durations ranging from a few days to several weeks. This allows you to navigate the Trent Severn Waterway at your own pace and uncover the hidden treasures and beauty along the route. This was our fifth Le Boat vacation with my brother Jim and his wife, Janice. We journeyed through the historic locks on a 7-night expedition from Peterborough to Bobcaygeon, and here’s what to anticipate.

About the Trent Severn Waterway

The Trent-Severn Waterway is a National Historic Site that extends 386 kilometers from Lake Ontario’s Bay of Quinte in Trenton to Georgian Bay in Port Severn. Completed in 1920, the waterway encompasses 44 locks, including the world’s highest hydraulic lift lock located in Peterborough, which elevates boats by 19.8 meters using bucket-like containers. When maneuvering a Le Boat through the Trent Severn waterway, one gets to experience this extraordinary lock.

Summer Savings with Le Boat

• 2025 Early Booking Offer – Save up to 25%: Take advantage of Le Boat’s Early Booking offer and save up to 25% on budget, comfort, and Comfort Plus boat rentals across Europe. Get 15% off Le Boat’s Horizon Fleet, which is accessible for travel in Canada, France, Holland, Belgium, and Germany. Secure your vacation with just a 25% deposit at the time of booking before September 1, 2024.
• Le Boat’s 2025 Lowest Price Guarantee: Rent your 2025 boat vacation in Europe or Canada with assurance. If the price decreases after your reservation, Le Boat will refund the difference. They guarantee the lowest price up to 90 days before departure. For early booking offers for the 2025 season, visit https://www.leboat.ca/en/new-season or call 1-800-734-5491.

Hire A Captain with Le Boat

To enhance the boating experience for first-time cruisers, Le Boat has introduced its Skipper for Hire program. Available exclusively along the scenic Canal du Midi in France starting in the 2025 season and priced at just US$199 per day, travelers can hire a skilled Le Boat skipper to accompany them on their inaugural voyage. On the first full day of the journey, the designated skipper provides guests with practical instruction on boat operation, navigation techniques, and maneuvering through locks. For additional information about the Skipper for Hire program, visit https://www.leboat.ca/en/new-season or call 1-800-734-5491.

Trent Severn Waterway With Le Boat

We undertook a seven-day cruise from the Le Boat marina just south of Peterborough to Bobcaygeon. During our journey, we traversed 13 locks and experienced an exceptional adventure on one of the world’s most stunning waterways.

The boats are well-equipped with sheets, duvets, and pillows. Bath and hand towels are provided, alongside all cooking utensils. There is a substantial water tank onboard, and we infrequently needed to refill it during a Le Boat trip. Moreover, you can replenish it at the marinas. When taking showers, keep them brief to avoid frequent refilling.

We recommend bringing beach towels, extra dish towels, and cleaning towels for a week-long trip. Additionally, we packed shampoo, soap, and extra toilet paper. However, you can use the restrooms at the locks nightly, and they are kept clean. It is advisable to utilize public toilets whenever possible, so you don’t have to concern yourself with emptying tanks or replenishing water during your week-long journey. If a pump-out is necessary, it incurs an additional fee but is available at marinas along the waterway.

One item we highly recommend packing is some additional hangers for your clothing. Having more hangers makes organizing in the closet significantly easier.

Day 1 – Arrival

We requested an early check-in for 1 pm and spent an hour preparing our boat with all our supplies. We filled two coolers with food for the week and packed clothing suitable for both warm, dry weather and cool, wet conditions. Canadian summers can encompass a wide range of weather.

Le Boat Marina at Horseshoe Bay

After organizing our boat, we met the staff, who provided guidance on all necessary aspects of operating the boat and subsequently took us on the water for an instructional session on how to steer the vessel, utilize the thrusters, navigate through locks, and dock the boat. By 3 pm, we were navigating towards our first destination.

Peterborough

Locks remain open until 6 pm (or 6:30, depending on the time of year), and we had a three-hour window to reach our initial destination. As the first day is relatively short, we recommend securing your first night at the Peterborough Marina. The mooring fees here are not included in your Le Boat rental, but staying at the marina enables you to explore Peterborough and dine at our favorite restaurant, The Lighthouse Bar and Grill.

Canadian Canoe Museum

Located at Lock 20, the Canadian Canoe Museum is a recent attraction on the Trent Severn Waterway. This intriguing museum features the world’s most extensive collection of canoes, kayaks, and various watercraft. We spent approximately an hour exploring its exhibits that highlight the Indigenous origins of the canoe, the significance of the fur trade in these waters, and the progression of recreational paddling. The museum includes interactive displays and hands-on activities appropriate for all age groups.

The Canadian Canoe Museum operates daily from 10 am to 5 pm. We recommend staying overnight at the Peterborough marina and returning to the lock station in the morning to visit the museum before continuing up the Trent Severn Waterway.

If you prefer to avoid the costs associated with the Peterborough Marina, all Le Boats include complimentary docking at any of the locks on the Trent Waterway. You can stay at Lock 20 for free and walk the brief distance to the Canadian Canoe Museum in the morning or drive directly to the Peterborough lift lock and stay there. The area is easily accessible by taxi or Uber into town, or you can remain aboard the boat and enjoy the vistas.

Day 2 – Peterborough to Young’s Point

Peterborough Lift Lock

The second day presents an excellent opportunity to spend four or five hours on the waterway. There is an abundance of sights to appreciate, commencing with your passage through the highest lift lock in the world. The Peterborough Lift Lock is an exhilarating experience. Boats enter a substantial bucket, and instead of waiting for the lock to fill with water to elevate them to the next level, boats are raised by a pulley system in a massive bucket, achieving an elevation of 150 feet in just 58 seconds.

After reaching the summit, the scenery along the canal consists of farmland, forests, golf courses, and idyllic cottage regions.

Stopping at Youngs Point for the night provides a picturesque evening. This location features a restaurant, shop, and ice cream parlor. It is an attractive site with waterfalls, abundant bird life, and stunning sunset views. We opted to cook on the boat utilizing the barbecue while enjoying the top deck with cocktails.

Day 3 – Young’s Point to Buckhorn

Today promises a lengthy and scenic journey through breathtaking lakes and the Canadian Shield. The islands of Stony Lake are magnificent, boasting multimillion-dollar cottages lining the shores.

One can pause for lunch on Love Sick Island, a distinctive lock situated on an island within the lake. This historic site offers rugged hiking trails, picnic tables, and fire pits. Some visitors opt to stay overnight on this island for a tranquil evening.

Upon arrival at Buckhorn, a large dock with several parking spots is available at the lock. Electrical power can be purchased for around $10 should you wish to utilize air conditioning, kitchen equipment, or any other electronics. A liquor store, waterfront restaurant, and local market for purchasing supplies, ice, and water are also located here, making it a great choice for an overnight stay.

Day 4 – Buckhorn to Bobcaygeon

Today, it is advisable to commence your journey as early as possible due to limited parking availability in Bobcaygeon. Nevertheless, you will not want to miss out on a night in this iconic Canadian town. The Tragically Hip famously wrote about Bobcaygeon, profiting from their popularity by selling T-shirts featuring the lyrics. Indeed, we acquired the T-shirt.

This town is renowned for its shopping, with numerous stores offering clothing, shoes, and souvenirs. An array of dining establishments is also available, as well as bars, patios, and microbreweries.

We dined at Gaz, which provided a fantastic atmosphere and scrumptious cuisine, a short stroll from the dock overlooking the canal.

Day 5 – Bobcaygeon to Burleigh Falls

If time permits, consider visiting Fenlan Falls. However, with only two days remaining in our itinerary, we began our return journey. After enjoying breakfast and ice cream in Bobcaygeon, we made our way slowly south to Burleigh Falls, a stunning waterfall where locals swim amidst the rushing waves.

This evening lent itself to a more rustic camping experience with limited amenities, yet that is the charm of a Le Boat vacation. The boat is thoroughly equipped for all your needs. Tonight is an ideal occasion for a barbecue on deck, playing cards, or relaxing around the picnic table. Should you wish to dine out, the Burleigh Inn is a five-minute walk away and offers a dining option, along with a country store nearby.

Day 6 – Burleigh Falls to Lakefield

Navigating this route back proved quicker due to the flow of rivers. With only two stops along the return journey, we made great time from Bobcaygeon to Lakefield near Burleigh Falls.

This picturesque town is an excellent place to spend the night, featuring a delightful downtown area filled with restaurants, pubs, and shops. Do not miss the chance to visit the Chocolate Rabbit for artisanal chocolates. If you have bicycles or paddle boards (which can be rented from Le Boat), this is an ideal location to utilize them. The waters are calm, and nearby cycling trails are available.

Day 7 – Lakefield to Le Boat

The final day on the Trent Severn Waterway should be enjoyed leisurely, allowing you to stop at all the locks and locations you may have overlooked between here and Horseshoe Bay at Le Boat. Consider having a picnic lunch, visiting Peterborough, relaxing on the beach at lock 20, or simply unwinding on the water.

It is essential to pass through the last lock by 6 pm to reach the Le Boat marina for an overnight stay, as the 9 am check out time arrives swiftly. However, the evening is available for packing up, loading your vehicle, preparing your final meal on the barbecue, and conversing with fellow Le Boaters about their experiences. It genuinely is an incredible week on the water.

How Difficult Are Le Boats to Drive?

The Horizon boats offered by Le Boat are remarkably user-friendly houseboats to operate.

Boating operations can be conducted from either the top flybridge or below within the cabin. Transitioning the steering from below to above is straightforward, and the Le Boat staff will instruct you on this process.

Steering from the upper deck provides optimal visibility and control. If possible, operate the boat from there, except during inclement weather.

The boat control mechanics are exceptionally simple. Each vessel is equipped with both bow and stern hydraulic thrusters, enabling side-to-side maneuverability, significantly aiding in docking and navigating through locks.

Significantly, when renting from Le Boat, no boat license is required to operate these vessels. Prior to departure from the dock, you will undergo a comprehensive training session regarding boat handling. Instruction covers turning, steering, and docking, as well as an overview of safety features.

Speed is regulated on the boats, limited to approximately 10 kilometers per hour (though possibly reaching 11 or 12 if favorable weather conditions apply). Following the designated buoys and markers makes maintaining control quite manageable.

Planning your Trent Severn Waterway Itinerary

From the Le Boat docks, you have the choice to navigate south to Trenton or north to Peterborough and beyond. During your planning phase, keep in mind that the maximum speed is only 10 kilometers per hour. Therefore, when determining routes for each day, it is important to consider travel time.

During peak season, anticipate waiting for approximately an hour at the locks as boats pass through. Thus, our recommendation is to inquire with the lock masters regarding anticipated wait times and the proximity of other vessels. They are knowledgeable about these waters.

Lock Etiquette

Boating along the Trent Severn Waterway presents a distinctive experience. All locks are managed by Parks Canada, ensuring assistance is readily available at the lock stations. Lock staff possess extensive knowledge about the locks’ history, the surrounding area, and local waterways.

In terms of using the locks, the process is quite straightforward. Should you have any uncertainties, be sure to seek guidance from the staff prior to departure from the marina. Here’s a basic outline of the steps to follow when approaching a lock:

1. Approach the blue line and wait for the red light to turn green.

2. The lock staff will signal your entry if the red light is not illuminated or the lock is already open. Maintain control by utilizing your thrusters upon entering.

3. Maneuvering the boat into the lock is a simple process. Maintain slow speed, utilize your thrusters, and engage reverse to come to a stop.

4. With four individuals onboard, designate one person to manage the ropes at the back and another at the front. Once in position, they simply loop the ropes around the long cables attached to the lock to stabilize the boat as water cascades in.

5. Expect to be in the lock alongside other boats; it’s important to respect their space and enter and exit in an orderly manner. Typically, the boat at the front departs first, followed by that side before the opposite side exits.

Should any questions arise, feel free to consult the lock master for direction.

Cruising the Trent Severn Waterway ranks as one of the premier boating experiences globally. It constitutes a significant portion of the Great Loop Tour that boating enthusiasts often list as a must-do journey during their year-long adventure starting from Florida. We advocate for anyone (whether seasoned boaters or novices) to dedicate seven days to cruising this picturesque region of Canada. As Dave articulated, few words or images can adequately convey the beauty of the Trent. It is through firsthand experience that one genuinely appreciates the uniqueness of the Trent Severn and Kawarthas. Therefore, consider initiating your trip planning today!