Paddling in Peterborough Nogojiwanong
Peterborough has become synonymous with canoe culture for a great many reasons. The lands and waters that our destination calls home has been known since time immemorial by Indigenous peoples as the place at the foot of the rapids, or Nogojiwanong in Nishnaabemowin. Peterborough is an epicentre for canoe manufacturing. We’re the largest urban centre along the Trent-Severn Waterway National Historic Site (386-kilometre boating playground spanning from Lake Ontario to Georgian Bay). Peterborough also happens to be home to The Canadian Canoe Museum - and their incredible collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft (the largest in the world!)
If you’re visiting Peterborough – getting out on the water is a MUST. And paddling on that water might just be the most fresh, fun, and accessible way to do just that.
Best Paddling Routes in Peterborough (Quick Picks!)
- Best for beginners: Little Lake Loop
- Best for those looking for a stunning and scenic route: Trent University to Little Lake (return route)
- Most iconically Peterborough: Paddle at the Peterborough Lift Lock
Where can you paddle in Peterborough, Ontario?
Wherever there is accessible public access to the water, you can put-in and start paddling. This includes in Little Lake, the Otonabee River, and the Trent Canal. All of these options make for relatively easy paddling with calm waters.
Recommended put-in locations include:
- Mark Street Boat Launch (Mark Street at Maria)
- Docks at Millennium Park (down the stairs from the Silver Bean Café)
- Boat Launch at Monaghan Road and Crawford Drive
- Beavermead Beach (note: Beavermead Boat Launch is currently closed for repairs)
- Nassau Mills Road (Peterborough Rowing Club)
- Dock at the Trent Canal beside the Peterborough Visitor Centre at the Lift Lock
What is the best paddling route in Peterborough for beginners?
The most straightforward paddling route is the Little Lake Loop. You can put in at Beavermead Park or Millennium Park and enjoy a leisurely paddle around the lake, spotting iconic locations including The Canadian Canoe Museum, Del Crary Park (home to Peterborough Musicfest), and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. This also puts you in a great spot to get up-close with the Centennial Fountain (And if you're wondering - Yes. The mist is super refreshing on hot days).
Can you kayak through the Peterborough Lift Lock?
You can absolutely paddle through the Peterborough Lift Lock in your canoe or kayak. In fact, Parks Canada hosts an annual summer event (Lock and Paddle) dedicated to celebrating paddling and paddlers at the Peterborough Lift Lock.
Lockage is free in 2026 with the Canada Strong Pass.
What are the recommended paddling routes in Peterborough?
Little Lake Loop
This route is best for beginner paddlers, families and folks interested in a different way to enjoy Peterborough’s urban landscape.
You can put in at Silver Bean Café, Beavermead Beach, or, from The Canadian Canoe Museum, if you’re renting your kayak or canoe from their docks.
Enjoy a paddle in a loop around the lake and check out some of the iconic stops in Peterborough’s waterfront attraction corridor. Cool off in the mist from the Centennial Fountain.
These are calm, protected waters with no lockage or portages required, and it is a pretty beautiful sunrise or sunset paddling experience.
Time: 45 minutes to an hour
Meade Creek Meander
Enjoy some wildlife watching as you take a leisurely detour along Meade Creek. From Beavermead Park flow through the waters heading east through Meade Creek. This is an ideal paddling route for spotting waterfowl, taking in scenery (including fall colours).
This route is great for beginners, families, and nature lovers.
Time: 45 minutes to an hour
Trent University to the Peterborough Lift Lock
This is a great paddling experience if you’re looking to spend about a half day on the water and cruise through a mix of natural areas with wildlife, and urban areas.
Want to make it iconic? Be sure to enjoy traversing the Peterborough Lift Lock – this is a must-paddle location in the City.
Choose to paddle beyond Lock 20 (Ashburnham) and you’re able to visit stops like The Canadian Canoe Museum, or enjoy lunch at the Silver Bean Café on the water.
This route is best for intermediate paddlers with some experience and is a great introduction to lockage on the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Time: 4-6 hours – depending on transfer and level of experience
Little Lake to Peterborough Lift Lock
Put in at any one of the boat launches on Little Lake, and head north through Lock 20 (Ashburnham) to the Peterborough Lift Lock – a National Historic Site of Canada and the largest hydraulic lift lock in the world. This gives a mix of river and canal paddling and is what we consider a bucket-list worthy paddling experience.
The Peterborough Lock was constructed in 1904 and lifts boats 20 metres through to connect with the upper portion of the canal. Each July, it is home to the annual Parks Canada Lock & Paddle event.
Time: 2-3 hours – depending on transfer time
Nearby Places to Paddle
Peterborough also makes a wonderful destination to head out for some paddling in more rural and cottage country areas. Some favourite paddling destinations that are an hour away (or less) from Peterborough include:
- Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Indian River
- Young’s Point to Lakefield
- Ston(e)y Lake
- Trent River in Northumberland County
- Burnt River and Fenelon Falls
Explore more paddling in our neighbouring Kawarthas Northumberland region.
Canoe and Kayak Rentals in Peterborough
Wild Rock Outfitters 169 Charlotte Street, Peterborough
Offers a great selection of outdoor gear and clothing as well as rentals for canoes, kayaks and other outdoor equipment. Advanced booking is recommended through the website.
Liftlock Paddle Co. Pickup at the Brownsea Base, 131 Maria Street Peterborough
Bookings in advance through the website for canoe and kayak rentals.
The Canadian Canoe Museum 2077 Ashburnham Drive, Peterborough
In addition to their must-visit museum that features the world’s largest collection of canoes, kayaks and paddled watercraft, The Canadian Canoe Museum offers rentals! You can walk into the front desk, or check out the website for information on canoe and kayak rentals and guided voyageur canoe tours.
Otonabee Conservation – Beavermead Park 2011 Ashburnham Drive in Peterborough
Seasonally from May to October, Beavermead Campground offers canoe and kayaks as rentals for the public.
Word Travels: Paddling Edition
Over the years, Peterborough-Nogojiwanong has become a favourite for paddling experts and enthusiasts in the travel media space. These folks have been able to dip their oar into our waterway experiences and pull together inspired ways to get acquainted with Peterborough by canoe.
Here’s a sampling of stories to share:
- In I’ve Been Bit’s Peterborough Kayaking Guide 9 Top Spots to Paddle in The Kawarthas, travel writer Lindsay Davies highlights some of the top locations, and also gives very practical tips about how to navigate the waterway by kayak.
- "Have you ever wanted to go paddling and make a few hundred new friends? Play bumper boats in the tallest hydraulic lift lock in the world?" Stephanie Wallcraft of RoadTripper.ca highlights her 2024 Lock & Paddle experience.
- Narcity points to the City’s reputation as a sought-after ‘canoe capital’ and goes beyond the water, sharing that “From outdoor adventures and cultural attractions to local galleries and museums, there's no shortage of ways to spend a day here.”
- As local outdoor champions, Wild Rock Outfitters also steps in with some recommendations of places to paddle, both in Peterborough and nearby
- About 95% of his kayak trips are solo missions, but Jay Kana from Modern Traveller also considered Lock & Paddle a check on his kayaking bucket list
- Megan Kopp of Time Travel Trek explored Peterborough’s canoe culture, and even dives into the facts of how the mechanics of the lift lock work.