Paddling Route: Campbellford to Glen Ross

Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site

Southern region 2-day route

Paddle along the Trent-River staring with your first lockage at the Ranney Falls flight lock. Take this trip to the next level by booking a night’s stay in the one-of-a-kind Parks Canada Ôasis.

Route information

Difficulty: Intermediate
Total distance: 30 km (19 miles) total; one way
- Day 1 - Campbellford to Lock 8 - 11.5 km (7 miles)
- Day 2 - Lock 8 to Lock 7 - 18.5 km (12 miles)
Time to paddle: 2 days; 7 to 9.5 hours total
- Day 1 - 2.5 to 3.5 hours
- Day 2 - 4.5 to 5 hours
Number of locks encountered: 6
Environment: Urban paddling for a short section to start; then gentle river

Facilities and services available along this route:

Lockage (recommended)
Accessible washrooms
Potable water
Information
Picnic area
Camping

COVID-19

Some lockstation facilities and services have changed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and could affect your visit. Please visit our COVID-19 information page for more details when planning your trip.

Plan your trip

This is a one-way route that requires a personal shuttle to or from the put-in and take-out locations. Plan accordingly.

Put-in locations

Suggested:

Floating dock at lower reach of Lock 13
Location: 6199 County Rd 50, Campbellford, ON

Other locations to put-in nearby:

Boat launch (64 Trent Drive, Campbellford)
Campbellford Paddle
Boat launch at Ferris Provincial Park
Trent Dr. (Upper reach of Lock 11/12)

Take-out locations

Suggested:

Glen Ross Public Boat Ramp
Location: 123-33 Blacksmith Ln, Frankford, ON

Other locations to take-out nearby:

Floating dock at the upper and lower reach of Lock 8
Floating dock at the lower reach of Lock 7 Glen Ross

Camping & Accommodations

Three lockstation options:

Lock 9 - Meyers or Lock 10 - Hagues Reach
- Tent camping
- Ôasis
Lock 8 - Percy Reach
- Tent camping
- Reservable campsites

Tent camping is available at most lockstations on a first-come, first-served basis, at the discretion of the lockmaster. Only campsites at Lock 8 can be reserved in advance.

Learn more about camping at lockstations

Paddling directions

Depart Lock 13 and paddle south to Lock 8
From Lock 8, continue following the channel of the Trent River passing by Hickory Island until you reach the Glen Ross Public Boat Launch located near the dam before Lock 7 - Glen Ross

Lockage

Lockage is recommended for several locks along this route. Portaging may be difficult.

Lockage is the process of raising or lowering boats and paddlecraft into connecting sections of the Trent-Severn Waterway. Lockage takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. During seasonal Hours of Operation, paddlers can lock through any Parks Canada lock with the purchase of a valid lockage permit. Permits may be purchased upon arrival, or in advance online or by phone.

Purchase your lockage permits online

More information about lockage and paddling

Locks along this route

The status of facilities and services at lockstations listed below are subject to change throughout the navigation season. Please visit our 2021 Facilities and Services page for up-to-date status by lockstation.

Lock 13 - Campbellford

Washrooms: Yes (see Hours of Operation)
Potable water: Yes
Camping: Yes
Picnic area: Yes
Portaging: Not required on this route

Lock 11/12 - Ranney Falls

Washrooms: Yes (see Hours of Operation)
Potable water: No
Camping: Yes
Picnic area: Yes
Portaging: Intermediate; High elevation and lengthy distance; Boat launch at upper reach; Natural shoreline at lower reach

Lock 10 - Hagues Reach

Washrooms: Yes (see Hours of Operation)
Potable water: Yes
Camping: Yes; Ôasis
Picnic area: Yes
Portaging: Intermediate; Floating dock at upper reach; Natural shoreline at lower reach

Lock 9 - Meyers

Washrooms: Yes (see Hours of Operation)
Potable water: Yes
Camping: Yes; Ôasis
Picnic area: Yes
Portaging: Difficult; natural shoreline at lower side

Lock 8 - Percy Reach

Washrooms: Yes (see Hours of Operation)
Potable water: Yes
Camping: Yes
Picnic area: Yes
Portaging: Easy; Floating dock at upper reach; Natural shore at lower reach

Lock 7 - Glen Ross

Washrooms: Closed (see Hours of Operation)
Potable water: Yes
Camping: Yes
Picnic area: Limited (construction)
Portaging: not required on this route


Lock	Washrooms	Potable water	Camping	Picnic area	Portaging
Lock 13 - Campbellford	Closed	Yes	Yes	Limited (construction)	Not required on this route
Lock 11/12 - Ranney Falls	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Intermediate; High elevation and lengthy distance; Boat launch at upper reach Natural shoreline at lower reach
Lock 10 - Hagues Reach	Yes	Yes	Yes; Ôasis	Yes	Intermediate; Floating dock at upper reach Natural shoreline at lower reach
Lock 9 - Meyers	Yes	Yes	Yes; Ôasis	Yes	Difficult; natural shoreline at lower side
Lock 8 - Percy Reach	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Easy; Floating dock at upper reach; Natural shore at lower reach
Lock 7 - Glen Ross	Closed	Yes	Yes	Limited (construction)	Not required on this route

Wind conditions

The water flows from Campbellford to Glen Ross
Preferable wind conditions from Campbellford to Percy Reach are from the north (tail wind)
Preferable wind conditions from Percy Reach to Glen Ross are from the west (tail wind)
Avoid winds from the south (head wind) between Campbellford to Percy Reach
Avoid east winds (head wind) and strong north/south winds (cross winds) in wider sections of the river from Percy Reach to Glen Ross

Hazards

Watch for powerboats and their wake
Be aware of ongoing construction at Lock 13

Avoid dams

Watch for dams at the following locations and be sure to navigate away from them:

0.5 km after bridge of left side (east shore)
1.45 km after Lock 11/12 on right side (west shore) with power house 0.2 km after dam
2.4 km after Lock 10
At the Glen Ross public boat launch

Tourism information

Nearby communities and services

Campbellford
- Dining and shopping within walking distance of river
Glen Ross
- Convenience store near Lock 7

Points of interest

Campbellford cenotaph - Community War memorial
Giant Toonie in Old Mill Park
Ranney Falls
Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge
Ferris Provincial Park
Locks 11/12 Ranney Falls
NEW: Oasis overnight accommodations at lower reach of Lock 9
Sunken gates at lower reach of Lock 9 of left side (east shore) in the little cove
Centennial Trail between Lock 8 - Percy Reach and Lock 9 - Meyers
Bradley Bay on the Trent River marks the Southern edge of The Land Between - the ecotone that is a transition zone between the Canadian Shield to the North and the Saint Lawrence Lowlands to the South
Hickory Island is about 2km long. Once you reach the north eastern tip you can explore the island’s wetlands
There is a lot of shoreline to explore in the Blue Hole and around smaller islands as you make your way around Hickory Island

Regional tourism information

The following regional tourism experts can help guide you towards great local experiences and businesses in the areas along this route. Visit their websites when planning your trip.