Kawarthas, Ontario
A river village at the foot of Lake Katchewanooka, with a lock on the Trent-Severn, a trail around the marsh and the shore, a municipal beach, and a literary past.
Photo: Boats on the Otonabee River at Lakefield in evening light, Suzanne Schroeter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Lakefield sits on the Otonabee River at the south end of Lake Katchewanooka, about twenty minutes north of Peterborough, in Selwyn Township. The Trent-Severn Waterway comes through town at Lock 26, a short walk from the shops. The Lakefield Trail loops the village, the river and the lake, and passes a wetland tower at Imagine the Marsh.
Young's Point and Lock 27 are a short drive north, at the next step in the chain toward Stoney Lake. East of the village, Warsaw Caves Conservation Area and Petroglyphs Provincial Park are easy day trips.
Trails, lookouts, waterfalls, beaches and time on the water come first.
An 8.5-kilometre, fully accessible multi-use path through downtown, along the Otonabee River and beside the south shore of Lake Katchewanooka. It links to the Trans-Canada Trail by the Peterborough County Rotary Trail, and a loop ends at Lock 26. Free.
A provincially significant wetland on Katchewanooka Lake, with a short hiking trail, interpretive signs and a two-level observation tower, the Doug Sadler Viewing Tower on the Lakefield Trail. Overnight camping and fires are not permitted. Free.
Season Official hours of use were listed as 7 a.m.–9 p.m. from May to October, and 8 a.m.–6 p.m. from November to April. Overnight camping and fires are not permitted (check before you go).
A municipal beach at 64 Hague Boulevard, near the village, with a playground, a pavilion, the Lakefield Trail and a fully accessible canoe and kayak launch. Canoe and kayak rentals are offered next door at the campground in season. Free.
Season Lakelands Public Health runs a beach-water surveillance program from June through the end of August (check before you go).
A two-acre park at 20 Concession Street, beside the community centre, with a view of the Otonabee, a pavilion, a picnic area, a skatepark and a playground. Free.
A Trent-Severn lock at 14 Hill Street, about a ten-minute walk from downtown, with a picnic area and a paddle dock. It is free to visit and watch; lockage is seasonal when the waterway is operating.
Season Parks Canada posted the 2026 navigation season as 15 May–12 October, with hours that change through the season; the official lockstation list showed the season as ended on 13 October 2026. Access to lockstations is prohibited between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. (check before you go).
The next lock north of the village, a short drive up the lake, with a picnic area and a paddle dock. It is free to visit and watch; lockage is seasonal when the waterway is operating.
Season The same official 2026 navigation season, 15 May–12 October, applies along the waterway; the official lockstation list showed the season as ended on 13 October 2026 (check before you go).
A conservation area east of the village, with seven caves, about 15 kilometres of trails, a lookout over the Indian River valley, and paddling on the river. A conservation day-use permit is required in the operating season. In the official non-operating season (November to May), parking is outside the front gates, trails stay open but are not maintained, and caving is not permitted.
Season In the official non-operating season (November to May), parking is outside the front gates, trails stay open but are not maintained, and caving is not permitted. The official site said the campground was closed for the season, with reservations opening again in spring 2027 (check before you go).
A provincial park farther east, with the Teaching Rocks (a sacred site of Ojibway (Nishnaabe) carvings) the Learning Place Visitor Centre, walking trails and meromictic McGinnis Lake. A vehicle permit applies in the operating season. Follow the posted rules at the park.
Season Official 2026 operating season 8 May–12 October. Hours were posted as daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m., with no vehicle access after 4 p.m. and all vehicles out before the gates close at 5 p.m.; the park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in spring and fall except holiday Mondays (check before you go).
Museums, landmarks and the places people come here for.
A compact village of shops and old buildings along Queen Street, a short walk from the river and the lock. Free to wander.
A stone church built in 1853, in the heart of the village. It has housed a seasonal museum of area artifacts and items related to Susanna Moodie, Catharine Parr Traill and Margaret Laurence, who all lived in Lakefield. Check opening times before you go. Free to look at from the street.
Season Seasonal, check official site.
Main streets, markets and the dates worth planning around.
A seasonal market of farmers, artisans and food vendors at the Lakefield Arena parking lot, 20 Concession Street. The official township page listed it as Thursdays from mid-May to October, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., rain or shine, with special one-day markets as well.
Season The official township page listed the market as Thursdays from mid-May to October, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., rain or shine, at the Lakefield Arena parking lot, with special one-day markets as well. The market's own site, read on 12 November 2026, said the 2026 season had ended and hoped to see visitors in December (check before you go).
Independent shops, bakeries and places to eat along Queen Street, a short walk from the trail and the lock.
Cruises, tours and experiences people book here. Each one goes to the operator's official page, and you can still add it to your trip.
Canoes and kayaks can be rented at the municipal campground, next to the beach, when the campground is open.
A township bike share at the marina and the campground, for riding the trail and the village when those desks are open. Ages 16 and up.
A summer weekend of talks and readings in the village. The official site was posting the next festival for 23–24 July 2027.
Part of our The Kawarthas guides.
The lift lock, the Canadian Canoe Museum and a long riverside trail, about twenty minutes south.
Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Fallsabout 50 min · Guide ↗Lock towns on the upper lakes, about fifty minutes northwest.
Photo: Boats on the Otonabee River at Lakefield in evening light, Suzanne Schroeter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: The Otonabee River at Lakefield, Suzanne Schroeter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Lock 27 at Young's Point on the Trent-Severn Waterway, Suzanne Schroeter, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: A limestone cave at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area, XeresNelro, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: McGinnis Lake in Petroglyphs Provincial Park, a meromictic blue-green lake, Mhsheikholeslami, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Queen Street in downtown Lakefield, P199, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Christ Church in Lakefield, Suzanne Schroeter, CC BY-SA 2.0
