Boating Ontario’s Historic Canals

Ontario is spoiled rotten when it comes to lakes and rivers, but not to be overlooked are the canals. These engineering achievements date back to before Canada was Canada. The Rideau Canal opened in 1832 and took six years to complete. Construction on the Trent-Severn Waterway began almost immediately after in 1833 but took 90 years to complete!

The Rideau stretches 202 kilometres from Kingston to Ottawa and was designed to provide a secure supply route between Montreal and Kingston in the event of war with the United States. But after 1812 it seems our two nations got that out of the way and it was never utilized for military purposes the way it was intended.

There are spots to rent boats, launch your own for fishing or day boating, and transient marinas for those transiting the entire system. The most unique, and one of the most popular, features of the waterway is that the vast majority of the lockstations remain hand operated, just as they were built two centuries ago. In the 1960s there was a plan to electrify the system but only three locks were upgraded to hydraulics before it was halted to preserve history.

Undoubtedly this should be on every Canadian’s boating bucket list simply for the location in Ottawa. You can moor your boat, or a rental like Le Boat, in the heart of downtown, with the Parliament Buildings in view and everything you’d want within walking distance. If you can be there for Canada day: bonus!

The Trent-Severn Waterway, commonly referred to simply as “the Trent”, also had different intentions than recreation when conceived, though it was more commercial than militaristic. Today it’s one of Canada’s busiest stretches of water and is one of the highlights of the Great Loop, a 6,000 nautical mile circumnavigation of North America that includes the Great Lakes, the Mississippi River and the Intra-Coastal Waterway.

It includes large and popular lakes like Lake Simcoe, Rice Lake and the chain of Kawartha Lakes. That means you have stretches packed with cottagers and their boats, but you’ll also have stretches of seclusion. You also have some interesting communities to go through. At Lock 1 on the Lake Ontario/Bay of Quinte end of things you have the city of Quinte West which was the result of an amalgamation in 1998 which included the former city of Trenton. Campbellford has an 8.2-metre (27-foot) “Toonie” monument as the artist created the design in the town. Peterborough was once Canada’s canoe-building capital and is now the largest city on the waterway.

No matter how – or where – you choose to explore, you should really check out these waterway gems. Here are a few ways you can get out on these historic waters perfectly fit for modern adventures.

The Rideau Canal

Major Communities: Kingston, Smiths Falls, Ottawa

Total Length: 202-kilometre (109-nautical mile)

Total Locks: 47 (at 24 Lock stations)

Notable Locks:

– Locks 1-8: Ottawa Flight Locks – A series of eight historic locks, mark the entrance to the Rideau Canal from the Ottawa River, offering a dramatic elevation change and a stunning view of Parliament Hill. This engineering marvel, completed in 1832, remains a vital and picturesque passage for boats, connecting the capital city to a network of waterways.

Locks 11-12: Hog’s Back – A nightmare to construct suffering multiple collapses, but a stunning natural beauty with hiking trails. This also is where the canal switches from excavated channel to the Rideau River.

– Lock 32: Poonamalie – A secluded and serene spot popular for overnighting. The name comes from Poovirundavalli, a town near Chennai (Madras) in India, which became Poonthamalli, that name anglized to Poonamallee. It was a garrison town for the British Army and tradition has it that the cedars at Poonamalie reminded one of the British military men of similar scenery at Poonthamalli, India.

– Lock 36: Newboro – One of three locks electrified in 1966 before it became a heritage site and ensuring the remaining lock stations were hand operated. It also marks the height of the system and where red and green buoys switch sides for your journey.

Waterfront Restaurants

The Galley (Near Lock 35)
Overlooking Big Rideau Lake with a wooden boat bar.

Dow’s Lake Pavillion (Near Locks 9-10)
Mexicali Rosa’s and the Umbrella Bar surrounded, literally, by boats.

CC’s on the Rideau
Perfect location for boaters or land-based visitors who want to boat watch as  all vessels have to come through this narrow passage between Lower Rideau Lake and Big Rideau Lake.

Marinas

Hurst Marina
Located in Manotick, this marina offers comprehensive services including boat sales, service, and slips, with direct access to the Rideau Canal.

Westport Marina
The Harbour is also fully equipped with shore power and water for boaters.  Washrooms, showers, laundry, liquor, beer and grocery stores are located on the mainland a short walk away.

Portsmouth Olympic Harbour
Built for the 1976 Olympics, it has 250 slips for boats up to 100-feet long. Features pump out, fuel dock and ice.

Len’s Cove Marina
Situated in Portland, this full-service marina provides docking, fuel, boat rentals, and a variety of amenities for a comfortable stay.

Houseboat Rentals

Le Boat Vacations – Smiths Falls & Dows Lake (Lock 29 & Near Lock 9-10)
The Rideau Canal was the first destination outside of Europe for Le Boat, the world’s leader in canal boat rentals. In 2023 they added the Dows Lake base opening up the option for one way cruises between there and the headquarters in Smiths Falls.

Big Rideau Lake Houseboats
Since 1996 with 32- to 42-footers featuring 24/7 service available while you’re on charter.

Waterfronot Resorts

The Opinicon (Chaffey’s Lock)
This historic resort has been delighting visitors since the late 1800s. It offers a range of accommodations, including cottages, along with a restaurant, pub, and ice cream shop.

Cove Country Inn (Westport)
This charming inn provides a beautiful setting on Upper Rideau Lake. It offers comfortable rooms, great dining, and live music, making it a popular destination.

River Mill Restaurant (Kingston)
Located on the waterside length of the Woolen Mill Building, this highly rated restaurant is a mix of contemporary and historic.

Boat Rentals

Len’s Cove Rentals (Portland)
Fishing boats, pontoons and bowriders with daily or weekly rental options.

Ahoy Rentals (Kingston)
Sailboats, canoes and SUPS. Also offering bike tours and sailing charters.

The Trent-Severn Waterway

Major Communities: Orillia, Peterborough, Bobcaygeon, Lindsay, and Quinte West (includes the former city of Trenton)

Total Length: 386-kilometres (206-nautical miles)

Total Locks: 45 (at 42 Lock stations)

Notable Locks:

– Lock 21: Peterborough Lift Lock – Opened in 1904, the world’s highest lift lock tackles the 20-metre (65-foot) lift in just 90-seconds using zero electricity

– Lock 36: Kirkfiled Lift Lock. The second highest hydraulic lift lock in the world with a lift of 15 metres (49 ft). The lock is situated at the highest point along the Waterway at 256.20 meters (840.5 ft) above sea level

– Lock 43: Swift Rapids – One of the most remote locks on the system and virtually inaccessible by car, it has the highest lift on the system at 14.3-metres (47-feet)

– Lock 44: Big Chute Marine Railway – The first marine raileway was built in 1917 in lieu of a traditional lock due to shortages of material due to World War II. The current iteration opened in 1978.

Waterfront Restaurants

The Waubic (Between Locks 43 and 44)
The boat-access-only restaurant has been serving good times on the waters since 1913!

Royal Moose Grill & Waterfront Patio (Lock 32)
The restaurant at the Bobcaygeon Inn has a great vibe and waterfront patio, easily walkable to local marinas, the lock and town.

Dockside Bistro (Near Lock 13)
A former Baptist Church turned waterfront bistro serving gourmet food made from scratch in Campbellford.

Marinas

Trent Port Marina
Opened in 2016, this world-class marina with 375 slips is right in the heart of Trenton, a short walk to grocery stores.

Peterborough Marina
Right in the heart of town, offering daily, weekly or seasonal mooring with 100 slips.

Port of Orillia
A transient only marina at the foot of Main

Gordon Yacht Harbour Marina
Serving Bobcaygeon Boaters since 1909, a short walk to town and an on-site store.

Starport Marina
Found in Severn, this marina offers premium facilities, including a clubhouse, pool, and direct access to the Trent-Severn Waterway.

Houseboat Rentals

H20 Getaways – Quinte West (Near Lock 1)
A boutique houseboat rental company that has freshly refurbished houseboats with bow and stern thrusters, and new Yamaha outboards to make navigating the locks a breeze.

Le Boat Vacations – Peterborough (Near Lock 19)
The world’s largest fleet of rental canal boats began on the Canal du Midi in Southern France in 1969 opened their newest base in 2024 just south of Peterborough.

Egan Houseboat Rentals – Omemee (Near Bobcaygeon)
At the southern end of Pigeon Lake, part of the Kawartha Lakes, you’ll find the small town of Omemee which is a great base to explore the Kawartha Lakes.

Waterfront Resorts

Viamede Resort (Near Lock 28)
A pet-friendly hotel and resort on Stoney Lake.

Severn Lodge (Near Lock 44)
From lumber company headquarters in the 1800s, becoming Mordolphton Camp in 1870 and, in the 1920s, renamed Severn Lodge.

Christie’s Mill Inn and Spa (Lock 45)
Bills itself as Gateway to Muskoka for good reason. It sits right beside the final (or first) lock on the system at Port Severn.

Golden Beach Resort (Rice Lake, between Locks 18 & 19)
A popular resort and waterfront wedding venue just south of Peterborough.

Rentals

Kawartha Adventure Rentals
Has SUPs, Sea-Doos, Pontoons, Canoes, Kayaks and fishing boats. However you want to get on the water, they can help!

Buckeye Rentals (Bobcaygeon)
Rent pontoons, fishing boats, SUPs or Personal Watercraft

Shop

Bigley’s Shoes and Clothing
Located right beside the Bobcaygeon Locks, Bigley Shoes & Clothing in Bobcaygeon has been a family-run staple of the community since 1911.

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with Destination Ontario