The Trent-Severn Waterway is full of beautiful places to stop, explore, and enjoy during your houseboat vacation. From swimming spots to local attractions to quiet forest paths, you can choose a new adventure each day! Some of the most memorable stops are lesser-known “hidden gems” that offer peaceful views, great swimming, and unique local charm. Here are three of our favorites you’ll want to check out on your next trip along the TSW:
The Aron Theatre is a historic, member-owned, not-for-profit cinema and community arts hub in Campbellford. It first opened as a cinema on November 15, 1947! The Aron offers a variety of special events, including…
There are different events happening throughout the year, so visit their website to stay in the loop! The Aron is a great place to go to enjoy a movie if there’s a rainy day on your houseboat vacation. It’s located at 54 Bridge St E, and is about a 30 minute walk from both Lock 11/12 and Lock 13. If you would prefer to be closer, you can dock at the Old Mill Park Government Dock in Downtown Campbellford.
Overnighting at Old Mill Park is not covered with your mooring pass, but you can stay overnight along the wall for a nominal fee. The helpful folks at the Chamber of Commerce take care of the overnight mooring bookings. If you’d like a spot at Old Mill Park, you should pre-register online. www.visittrenthills.ca/bookings/ or give them a call.
On hot days, one of the best things to do on a houseboat vacation is go for a swim! You can’t anchor in the channel, but there are some lovely spots along your travels to drop your anchor and swim off the boat. And we’ve added some very handy swimming ladders if you’re not someone who likes to jump in!
There is a perfect swimming spot you can find between Lock 10 and Lock 11. It’s not very deep, and the water is clear and inviting. Anchoring the boat takes some time and muscles, and it may require a couple tries to get the boat securely hooked on the bottom and safely away from both the navigation channel and the shoreline. But it’s worth it for a cool dip in the water and the views you’ll find at this lovely spot. If you want to see what it looks like, tap here to watch a video.
If you’re looking for a great place to dock, have a bonfire, and make some s’mores, look no further than Lock 8 – Percy Reach! There are fire pits at both the top and bottom of this lock, and you can bring your own fire wood, or buy some from the Lockmaster, Jeremy! Lock 8 isn’t the only place to have a fire along the TSW – there are also fire pits at Lock 4, 5, 9, and 10 – but, Lock 8 is one of our favourite docking spots! There’s lots of green space, stunning sunrises & sunsets, and it feels like you’re at the cottage.
Discovering hidden gems is one of the best parts of travelling the Trent-Severn Waterway by houseboat. Each lock has its own charm, and you can map your route based on what appeals most to you – and we’re always happy to help you plan and share our favourite stops and recommendations!
If you want to learn more about booking a boutique houseboat rental on the Trent-Severn Waterway…
See you on the water!
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