The Kawarthas mix lakes, locks and rock. This guide lists things to do that the parks and the waterway operator publish themselves. It covers the Trent-Severn Waterway, the Peterborough Lift Lock, Balsam Lake and Petroglyphs provincial parks, Warsaw Caves and Kawartha Highlands, with seasons so you plan around the right months.
Facts box
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Trent-Severn, 386 km, run by Parks Canada |
| 2026 lockstation season | May 15 to October 12 |
| Balsam Lake Provincial Park | May 8 to October 26, 2026 |
| Petroglyphs Provincial Park | Day use May 8 to October 12, 2026 |
| Warsaw Caves gatehouse | May 8 to October 12, 2026 |
| Kawartha Highlands day use | May 1 to October 31, 2026 |
| Hospital | Ross Memorial Hospital, Lindsay, 24/7/365 emergency department |
Quick answer: five things to do
- Boat the Trent-Severn Waterway and go through a lock.
- See the Peterborough Lift Lock, Lock 21.
- Swim and walk at Balsam Lake Provincial Park.
- Visit the Petroglyphs, "The Teaching Rocks".
- Explore the caves and trails at Warsaw Caves Conservation Area.
Outdoors
The waterway. Parks Canada runs the 386 km Trent-Severn Waterway. The navigation season runs from Victoria Day to Thanksgiving, mid-May to mid-October. In 2026 the locks ran from May 15 to October 12. See Boating the Trent-Severn Waterway through the Kawarthas for hours and fees.
Peterborough Lift Lock. Lock 21 lifts boats an average of 19.8 m (65 ft). Parks Canada calls it one of only two hydraulic lift locks on the waterway. It opened on July 9, 1904, after construction from 1896 to 1904.
Balsam Lake Provincial Park. A sandy buoyed beach, four trails from 1.7 km to 4.2 km, and rentals of canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. See Balsam Lake and Balsam Lake Provincial Park.
Petroglyphs Provincial Park. The largest known concentration of Indigenous rock carvings in Canada. Trails run from a 600 m accessible path to the 7 km Marsh Trail. Respect the site: Ontario Parks calls it sacred.
Warsaw Caves Conservation Area. 15 km of trails, caves from the end of the last ice age, potholes and kettles. Otonabee Conservation listed a vehicle day-use permit at $20 on November 3 2026.
Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park. 37,587 ha of backcountry with six recommended canoe routes. Camping is at 121 backcountry campsites. See Petroglyphs, Warsaw Caves and Kawartha Highlands.
Family days
Balsam Lake’s beach and rentals suit a family afternoon. Petroglyphs’ accessible 600 m trail reaches a picnic area overlooking McGinnis Lake. Petroglyphs’ Marsh, Nanabush and West Day Use trails are 5 to 7 km, so the 600 m accessible path is the short option. At Warsaw Caves, a vehicle permit covers the car, and walk-ins pay per person: $11 for adults 16 to 64 and $6.50 for children under 16.
By season
- Summer: locks, beaches and paddling. From June 19 to September 7, 2026, lock hours were longest, with 9:00 am to 6:30 pm on weekends.
- Fall: the locks ran until October 12 in 2026. Parks Canada gave shorter hours from September 8.
- Winter and shoulder season: Kawartha Highlands lists winter backcountry camping. At Warsaw Caves, trails are not groomed or maintained from November to May, and caving is not permitted.
Rainy days
Petroglyphs’ visitor centre, The Learning Place, runs a film called "The Teaching Rocks" in its theatre as part of evening programs in July and August. Ask the park about indoor options on other days.
Getting around
Most of these places are a drive from a lake cottage. Petroglyphs closes to vehicles after 4:00 p.m., and the park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in spring and fall, except holiday Mondays. For hospitals, landfills and burn rules, see Hospitals, groceries and essentials in the Kawarthas.
Planning a week
Match the activity to the day. Lock hours are shorter Monday to Thursday from May 15 to June 18, and Monday to Friday from September 8, so a boat day to the lift lock fits a weekend. Petroglyphs closes Mondays and Tuesdays in spring and fall. Warsaw Caves runs its gatehouse on a fixed season, so check the dates before you drive. Put the park days on the days the cottage is quiet, and keep a lake day in the middle of the week.
FAQ
What is the Peterborough Lift Lock?
Lock 21 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, with an average lift of 19.8 m. Checked November 3 2026.
Can I camp at Petroglyphs Provincial Park?
No. Ontario Parks lists camping as not available. Checked November 3 2026.
Is Warsaw Caves open in winter?
The gatehouse ran May 8 to October 12 in 2026. From November to May, parking is outside the gates, trails are not groomed and caving is not permitted. Checked November 3 2026.
Do I need a permit at Balsam Lake?
Each vehicle in a provincial park needs a valid permit. Checked November 3 2026.
Cottages in this area
Browse cottages in Bobcaygeon or the Kawarthas region.
Township Rules Check
Thinking of renting out a cottage here? Run the Township Rules Check for the City of Kawartha Lakes. The City of Kawartha Lakes requires a licence for short-term rentals of fewer than 28 consecutive calendar days (By-law 2023-111). Read the City’s owner and operator page before you list. Rules change; confirm with the municipality.
Claims table
| # | Claim | Source URL | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trent-Severn 386 km; navigation season Victoria Day to Thanksgiving | https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern | 2026-11-03 |
| 2 | 2026 lockstation season May 15 to October 12; summer weekend hours 9:00 am to 6:30 pm; shorter hours from September 8 | https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/visit/heures-hours | 2026-11-03 |
| 3 | Peterborough Lift Lock Lock 21; 19.8 m (65 ft); one of two hydraulic lift locks; opened July 9 1904; built 1896-1904 | https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/on/trentsevern/visit/posteeclusage-lockstation/ecluse-lock-21-ascenseur-liftlock-peterborough | 2026-11-03 |
| 4 | Balsam Lake 2026 dates May 8-October 26 | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake | 2026-11-03 |
| 4a | Balsam trails 1.7-4.2 km; buoyed sandy beach; rentals | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 4b | Each vehicle in a provincial park needs a valid permit | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/balsamlake/rules | 2026-11-03 |
| 5 | Petroglyphs: day use May 8-October 12 2026; no camping; no vehicle entry after 4 p.m.; closed Mon/Tue spring and fall except holiday Mondays; largest known concentration of rock carvings in Canada; Learning Place | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/petroglyphs | 2026-11-03 |
| 6 | Petroglyphs trails 600 m accessible, Marsh 7 km, Nanabush 5.5 km, West Day Use 5 km; evening programs July-August open with film; sacred site (main park page) | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/petroglyphs/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 7 | Warsaw Caves: gatehouse May 8-Oct 12 2026; 15 km trails; vehicle $20; adult walk-in $11; child $6.50; Nov-May trails not groomed, no caving | https://otonabeeconservation.com/camping-outdoor-recreation/warsaw-caves | 2026-11-03 |
| 8 | Kawartha Highlands: 37,587 ha; day use May 1-Oct 31 2026; 121 backcountry sites; winter camping | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/kawarthahighlands | 2026-11-03 |
| 9 | Six recommended canoe routes | https://www.ontarioparks.ca/park/kawarthahighlands/activities | 2026-11-03 |
| 10 | Ross Memorial Hospital 24/7/365 emergency department | https://www.rmh.org/ | 2026-11-03 |
| 11 | City of Kawartha Lakes requires an STR licence for stays of fewer than 28 consecutive calendar days under By-law 2023-111 | https://www.kawarthalakes.ca/business-development/business-and-economic-development/business-programs/short-term-rentals/owners-and-operators/ | 2026-11-03 |
Photo: Ariana Kaminski, on Unsplash (Unsplash License).