Lock & Paddle 2024
Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site
Join Parks Canada at this free community paddling event on Parks Day (July 20), as together we celebrate the Peterborough Lift Lock National Historic Site and take a ride to the top. Enjoy a paddle on the waterway alongside hundreds of colourful canoes and kayaks, before we pack the World’s Tallest Hydraulic Lift Lock and send you 65ft into the air. At the top, take in the spectacular views before being lowered back down to the sounds of music and laughter, and in the company of new friends and family.
Saturday, July 20
Peterborough Lift Lock
(353 Hunter Street E, Peterborough, ON)
- 1 pm - Peterborough Lift Lock grounds open
- 2:15 pm - Paddlers gather at base of Peterborough Lift Lock
- 2:30 pm - First lockage begins
Join Parks Canada and hundreds of your fellow paddlers across Ontario and Quebec for this free mass paddling event on the historic canals and waterways. Paddlers of all skills levels and backgrounds will come together July 20 at three participating national historic sites in Peterborough, Ottawa and Montreal for a special event celebrating our colourful community of paddlers. Launch your canoe or kayak alongside new friends and family and come experience this one-of-a-kind event with Parks Canada.
Getting here
Plan ahead and decide where you will launch your canoe or kayak in order to reach the event. Access for this event is from the bottom of the Peterborough Lift Lock only, not the top. Experienced paddlers may choose one of the nearby options and enjoy a paddle from Little Lake, through Lock 20 - Ashburnham (30-60 minutes to lock through or move more quickly by carrying your paddlecraft across the land), and onwards to the Peterborough Lift Lock. The paddle from Lock 20 - Ashburnham to the Peterborough Lift Lock averages 20 minutes. Beginners, or those with accessibility needs, can enter the waterway at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre on-site at the event. Paddlecraft will need to be transported to the water from the parking lot.
- Beavermead Campground (free parking) - 2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
- 5-minute paddle to Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- 30-60 minutes to lock through Lock 20 - Ashburnham (or a quick portage around the lock to save time)
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Rogers Cove (free parking) - 131 Maria Street, Peterborough
- 5-minute paddle to Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- 30-60 minutes to lock through Lock 20 - Ashburnham (or a quick portage around the lock to save time)
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Millennium Park (nearby paid parking) - 130 King Street, Peterborough
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- 30-60 minutes to lock through Lock 20 - Ashburnham (or a quick portage around the lock to save time)
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Del Crary Park (nearby paid parking) - 100 George Street, Peterborough
- 35-minute paddle to Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- 30-60 minutes to lock through Lock 20 - Ashburnham (or a quick portage around the lock to save time)
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Eastgate Memorial Park (free parking) - 2150 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
- 250 m portage from parking to paddle-access dock north of Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters (free parking) - 2155 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
- 250 m portage from parking to paddle-access dock north of Lock 20 - Ashburnham
- 20-minute paddle to Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock
- Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre* - 353 Hunter Street East, Peterborough (Drop-off only)
*Reserved for accessibility needs and beginner paddlers
Lock & Paddle Portage Guide
Lock & Paddle Parking Guide
There will be no parking available at the Peterborough Lift Lock or Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre (except for vehicles with Accessible Parking Permits). A paddlecraft drop-off option is available at the Peterborough Lift Lock Visitor Centre for beginner paddlers only. Paddlecraft must be transported to the water from the parking lot.
Schedule
For this event, participants enter from the bottom of the Peterborough Lift Lock and ride up and back down. There is no thru-paddling at the top until the event is complete.
This event begins at the lower part of the Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock. Please do not plan to enter from the upper part.
We encourage participants to enter the canal from Little Lake. If entering from Little Lake, participants need to paddle through Lock 20 - Ashburnham (averages an additional 30-60 minutes) and then paddle to the Peterborough Lift Lock (averages an additional 20 minutes). To save time, participants can portage (carry boats) around Lock 20 before paddling to the Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock.
1:00 pm
Grounds open at the Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock. Bewdley & District Lions Club BBQ opens and food is available to purchase.
- Please note that parking at the Visitor Centre is reserved for accessible parking permit holders.
1:30 pm
Live music with Cale Crowe begins at the lower reach of the Peterborough Lift Lock.
2:15 pm
Participants should be in their boats and ready to load at the lower side of the Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock.
- All paddlecraft enter the Peterborough Lift Lock from the lower side.
2:30 pm
First lockage begins. Additional lockages will follow if required.
5:30 pm
Lock & Paddle concludes.
6:30 pm
Last lockage at all locations.
Rules and requirements
- All-ages and skill levels welcome;
- No inflatable vessels (stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, or otherwise);
- All paddlers/passengers must wear a PFD in order to participate;
- Smoke-free and cannabis-free event;
- Alcohol-free event;
- Pets on boats are not encouraged;
- Respect your fellow paddlers!
Visitors who do not follow the rules and requirements will not be permitted to enter the tubs.
What to bring
Note: This is a rain or shine event. Dress for the weather.
- Canoe or kayak
- Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) for each paddler
- Sound signalling device, buoyant heaving line, and bailer for each boat
- Watertight flashlight
- Sunscreen and a hat
- Water bottle
- A smile!
Gear and rental options
Don’t have your own boat or gear but still want to make a splash? Check out these local rental options:
-
Kawartha Outfitters
(Millennium Park near the Silver Bean, 1 King Street, Peterborough, Ontario) -
Wild Rock Outfitters
(169 Charlotte Street, Peterborough, Ontario) -
Liftlock Paddle Co
(Online registration only) -
Beavermead Campground
(2011 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough, Ontario) -
Adventure Outfitters
(1828 8th Line, Lakefield, Ontario) -
Cottage Toys
(37 Concession Street, Lakefield, Ontario)
Media
Lock & Paddle 2023
Lock & Paddle 2019
Lock & Paddle 2018
Lock & Paddle 2017
Lock & Paddle 2016
Looking to cover Lock & Paddle 2024 for your media outlet? Reach out to trentsevern@pc.gc.ca for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
For additional questions, please email us at: trentsevern@pc.gc.ca
Do I need to register for Lock & Paddle?
No! For Lock & Paddle 2024, participants are not required to register in advance of the event. However, we will have staff on site throughout the event should you have any questions during the event.
Once we go up the Lift Lock in our paddlecraft, can we get out at the top and keep paddling?
No. Unlike regular boat travel, this event loads from the bottom of the Peterborough Lift Lock, takes you on a ride up, and then lowers back down without any paddlecraft exiting the chambers. You will start and end at the bottom.
Can I participate with a Stand Up Paddleboard?
No. Stand up paddleboards (SUP) are not recommended on the waterway due to increased boat traffic, and are prohibited in all locks.
Can I participate in an inflatable kayak, canoe, raft, or other inflatable vessel?
No. Inflatable vessels are not permitted at this event.
Do we still have to pay lockage fees?
Lockage will be free at Lock 20 - Ashburnham and Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock for all paddling participants of Lock & Paddle on Saturday, July 20.
Where does the event start? Where do I put my vessel in?
The event begins at the Lock 21 - Peterborough Lift Lock. Vessels can be loaded into water at various locations. See: Getting here
Can I park at the Peterborough Lift Lock?
There will be no parking at the Peterborough Lift Lock for paddle participants. Only those with accessible parking permits will be accommodated. See: Getting Here
Can I bring my pet?
For safety reasons, and the comfort of fellow paddlers, we recommend that pets stay on land, rather than in your paddlecraft.
After we paddle up the locks, how do I get back to my car?
When Lock & Paddle concludes, you can paddle to the closest launch option to your vehicle. Portage options are available around Lock 20 - Ashburnham, but we do recommend planning to get picked up at Rogers Cove or the Trent-Severn Waterway Headquarters. See: Getting Here
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