Nestled in the northwest corner of Peterborough County, the Municipality of Trent Lakes is known for its vast forests and pristine lakes, enjoyed by thousands of year-round and seasonal residents, as well as visitors eager to escape the big city and reconnect with nature.
Accessible both by road and by water via the Trent-Severn Waterway, the bustling village of Buckhorn is the heart of the area, with its abundance of locally owned shops and restaurants. Within Buckhorn and beyond, Trent Lakes offers a wealth of natural attractions to explore as well as a thriving arts scene with galleries, events, and experiences that showcase local artists and artisans.
Trent Lakes is a destination where you and your family can unwind, discover something new, and enjoy the serene beauty of The Kawarthas.
“People can come here and just disconnect, relax, and take it easy while getting out in the middle of nowhere,” says Trent Lakes Mayor Terry Lambshead. “You hear no boats, no trucks, no cars — nothing but birds chirping and animals walking, and for me, that’s one of the most beautiful things. You can be as peaceful as you want.”
Morning: Begin in Buckhorn, the heart of The Kawarthas
What better way to begin your road trip through Trent Lakes than in the village of Buckhorn, known as the heart of The Kawarthas? Located in the southwest corner of Trent Lakes and easily accessible by county roads from every direction, Buckhorn is a fun-filled place to start your day.
Buckhorn is located along the Trent-Severn Waterway, a historic 386-kilometre waterway of lakes, rivers, canals, and locks that connects Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario. The Trent-Severn Waterway is the only Canadian destination to be featured in The New York Times’ “52 Places to Go in 2025.”
Boaters can moor at Lock 31 and easily walk to Buckhorn, which is a designated Trent-Severn Trail Town — one of 10 communities in Kawarthas-Northumberland where businesses are ready to serve boaters, paddlers, road trippers, cyclists, and any other visitors travelling along the waterway. Look for the Trail Towns logo in the window of local businesses!
On Lakehurst Road, indulge in a home-style breakfast at The Ice House Restaurant. Don’t fret: though it’s named for its unique history as a traditional ice house built to preserve goods before modern refrigeration, you can find plenty of hot dishes on the menu.
Get your caffeine fix and a baked goodie right next door at Bikini Beans Café, a cozy coffee shop nestled within Boathouse Boutique, where you can pick up road trip souvenirs and lake-inspired home décor.
Continue your shopping spree by walking south to Georgeygirl Art, where you can browse the artwork of Georgine Ciulla, a local artist who specializes in bold and bright landscape and floral paintings. Then stop in at Style Your Nest, a home décor shop stocked with high-quality products for your home, cottage, and garden as well as bath and body products, pottery, jewellery, and more.
Take a leisurely stroll or a short drive east of the downtown where you’ll find the Adam & Eve Rocks, large glacial “erratics” left behind by the last ice age and named by early Trent Lakes settlers.
According to local folklore, if you and a loved one each touch one of the boulders while holding hands and kissing, your lives will be blessed.
For lunch, grab a bite at Mainstreet Bar & Grill. With a lakeside patio, an ice cream parlour, live entertainment, and an extensive menu of bites and bevvies, this spot is made for the whole family (including your furry friends).
In the mood for some delicious homemade pizza? See why locals travel far and wide for Pizza Alloro.
Take your pie to go and explore the gardens of the new Ode’naag Park, which leads up to Lock 31. Connecting Upper and Lower Buckhorn Lakes, Lock 31 is one of the busiest locks along the Trent-Severn Waterway — grab a seat to watch the action while you enjoy a slice.
On the way to your next adventure, drop in to the Buckhorn Welcome Centre to chat with the friendly staff of the Buckhorn District Tourist Association and discover all there is to see, do, eat, and experience across Trent Lakes.
Afternoon: Unwind and explore
From Buckhorn, take a scenic drive north on County Road 36 to kick off the afternoon at Kawartha Country Wines, a charming family-owned winery specializing in fruit wines and ciders, all made with Ontario-grown fruit and berries, along with wine coolers, vinegars, and gourmet preserves. Open seven days per week year-round, this is a pet-friendly spot to unwind, taste the flavours of The Kawarthas, and find some new wines to bring home with you.
Continue on County Road 36 until you arrive at Miskwaa Art Studio and Outdoor Gallery. In his studio, artist Daniel Marlatt works with a variety of carefully selected natural elements, including stone from the nearby Miskwaa Ziibi River. Explore the year-round outdoor art gallery featuring work by Marlatt and other local artists under the shaded canopy of mature maple trees, or spend some time relaxing by the shore of the idyllic river.
Located in a rustic log cabin just minutes away from the gallery is The Subtle Shift, where you can book a holistic wellness retreat. Owner Denise Benning will guide you in an experience designed to nurture, balance, and heal the mind, body, and spirit. Between sessions, you can explore the forest trail or spend some time in a yurt nestled among the trees for meditation, quiet contemplation, and yoga.
Once you have reconnected with yourself, spend some time reconnecting with nature by heading back to County Road 36 and north to the Catchacoma Forest Walking Trails. The forest is home to the largest-known stand of old-growth eastern hemlock in Canada, with some trees over 375 years old. The family-friendly trails (where on-leash dogs are also welcome) are perfect for hiking or just some forest bathing — the Japanese practice of immersing all your senses in the natural world as a proven way to reduce stress.
A road trip in Trent Lakes wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Kawartha Highlands Signature Site — a place that has special lifelong memories for Mayor Lambshead.
“It’s just an absolute treasure,” he says. “I call that my backyard. I’ve played and walked and hiked and fished there my entire life.”
For an afternoon on-the-water experience, dip your paddle into one of the park’s lakes, accessible from many backcountry access points in Trent Lakes. To extend your stay, book one of more than 100 backcountry camping sites, where you’ll fall asleep beneath the stars to the sounds of the many bird species that thrive within the park’s rock barrens.
Another picturesque way to spend the afternoon on the water is to take a self-guided tour along the winding Nogies Creek Paddling Route, located in western Trent Lakes. Heading south from Nogies Creek Canoe and Kayak access point, you’ll encounter calm waters, wetlands, and a lake with islands great for swimming and picnicking. Don’t forget a fishing rod, because Upper Nogies Creek is one of several hotspots to cast a line in Trent Lakes.
“If you’re here, you have to go fishing,” says Mayor Lambshead. “Trent Lakes has some of the most spectacular fishing in the world. There are speckled trout lakes, lake trout lakes, bass lakes, muskie lakes. With the variety of fish, it’s just something you should do at least once in your life.”
Evening: Settle in for a Peaceful Night in Trent Lakes
End your day by returning south towards Buckhorn but, along the way, be sure to stop at Belly’s Restaurant, located just off County Road 36. Dine al fresco on smash burgers and refreshing cocktails while enjoying live music right on the lake. Your four-legged furry friends are more than welcome too!
Not ready for the adventure to end? Stay overnight at Shambhala Bed & Breakfast, located on the edge of Buckhorn, which has been hosting guests from around the world since 2006. A nature getaway, the log cabin sits on more than 40 acres of ponds, trails, and tranquil spots ideal for reflection while you listen to the sounds of nature.
Another pet- and child-friendly accommodation open year-round is Westwind Inn on the Lake, a rustic country inn with cozy rooms, lakeside dining, and a range of outdoor activities.
For a detailed itinerary of your road trip in Trent Lakes, visit The Kawarthas Tourism website at thekawarthas.ca/trent-lakes-road-trip/.
Want to see more of Trent Lakes?
As a four-season destination, there is always another reason to plan another trip in Trent Lakes.
Explore the creative talents of the municipality by returning during the annual Buckhorn Festival of the Arts, organized by the Buckhorn Community Centre. Held every August for more than 45 years, this two-day summer arts celebration features more than 70 professional and emerging artists from across Canada. The work is accompanied by live music, food vendors, youth art exhibits, art activities, and awards.
Over Labour Day weekend, travel to the northernmost part of Trent Lakes for the Kinmount Fair, held annually at the Kinmount Fairgrounds. The celebration of the region’s agricultural heritage offers something for everyone with tractor pulls, demolition derbies, equestrian shows, live entertainment, a marketplace of crafts and baked goods, line dancing, a midway, and so much more.
“I’ve been going there for 40-plus years myself,” says Mayor Lambshead. “It’s a magnificent asset for Trent Lakes and it draws people from all over the world.”
When the snow flies, explore the scenic winter landscapes of Trent Lakes with the help of The Buckhorn District Snowmobile Club. Stewarding 165 kilometres of trail from Chemong Lake to Gooderham and providing free public parking at two lots, the club ensures the details are taken care of so you can focus on exploring Trent Lakes in all its glory.
Roadtripping in The Kawarthas is a partnership between kawarthaNOW and the Peterborough County Tourism and Communications Division, created to showcase the unique and distinct townships of The Kawarthas.
This series supports the regional Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) campaign by inviting locals and nearby neighbours to rediscover the places, people, and businesses that make this region unforgettable. Every visit to The Kawarthas supports our local economy — and adds another chapter to your Kawarthas story.
Visit The Kawarthas Tourism at thekawarthas.ca.
