Lock 08 — Lock 08 – Percy Reach

Lock 08 Percy Reach sits on the northwest shore of Percy Reach, a broad and shallow widening of the Trent River roughly 40.7 km25.2 miles upstream from the Veterans Skyway Bridge at Trenton. Positioned between Lock 07 Glen Ross to the south and Lock 09 Meyers to the north, this lockstation marks the transition from the narrow, winding river channel into the open expanse of Percy Reach itself. The setting is among the most secluded on the entire waterway — reached only via a dead-end road, surrounded by fertile farmland and the distinctive St. Lawrence Lowland geography that defines this stretch of Northumberland County.

The Percy Reach section was considered the most complex portion of the Trent River to canalize, owing to the challenging terrain and the engineering required to tame the natural rapids and shallows. Lock 08 was built under the same contract that included Locks 09 (Meyers), 10 (Hagues Reach), and the flight locks at Ranney Falls (Locks 11–12), as part of the broader Trent Canal improvement works in the early twentieth century. The waterway through this section became fully navigable when the entire Trent-Severn system opened in 1920. A paddling dock has been installed at the upper reach of Lock 08 by Parks Canada.

Boaters arriving at Lock 08 find one of the most peaceful overnight stops on the lower waterway. The grounds below the lock offer a large, grassy area at water level with mature shade trees — ideal for stretching your legs or setting up camp. Washrooms and vending machines are available on-site. The Centennial Trail, a scenic 1.6 km1 mile walking path, connects Percy Reach lock directly to Meyers lock and is popular with both boaters and hikers. Percy Reach is renowned for its muskellunge fishing, and the waters below the lock are particularly productive at certain times of year. Because this is one of the more popular overnight stops, arriving early is strongly recommended — especially on summer weekends and holidays.

▼ Below Lock

📍 GPS: 44.2362137°N, 77.7864701°W · [VERIFY — Parks Canada], Trent Hills, Ontario, ON · Get Directions ↗ · Street View ↗

For navigation, use CHS Chart #2021 — this map is for reference only and should not be used for marine navigation.

Boater Orientation Notes:

• Lock 8 is at the end of a dead-end rural road, ~12 km south of Campbellford — no walkable amenities from the dock.
• Only walkable features: Centennial Trail (1.6 km to Lock 9) and Percy Reach / Murray Marsh paddling directly from the dock.
• All town amenities require a taxi — advance booking strongly recommended, especially evenings and weekends.
• Boaters may prefer to lock through to Campbellford’s Old Mill Park docking for direct waterfront access to shops and restaurants.
• No confirmed laundromat found in Campbellford — verify with the lock attendant or taxi driver for current options.

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Last Updated: March 18, 2026

I always think of the old man at Percy Reach when I come through — nicest guy in the world, could play piano. Every transit, he comes to mind. On the approach: you come across an open body of water and then make a slight starboard turn into the lock. It’s almost always blowing right on the nose, and the wind wants to push you across the channel and out into shallows on the starboard side. WATCH YOUR SET CAREFULLY on that turn. Shallows on both sides of the channel here, so staying in the marked water matters. There’s no room on the inside to hold if you need to wait — you’ve got to manage your timing on the approach itself rather than counting on a hold position. Once you’re into the mouth of the lock and out of the wind below, it’s pretty easy. No drama in the chamber itself. Leaving Percy Reach northbound: the run from Percy Reach up to Meyers is along a small, narrow channel. No wave action to worry about — it’s protected — but you do need to watch your edges and stay off the rocks on both sides. Tight water, keep your eyes on it.

Weather data for navigation planning purposes only. Always check Environment and Climate Change Canada’s official marine forecast before making operational decisions. weather.gc.ca ↗