Horseshoe Island on Lake Chemong offers one of the better-protected anchorages available on a side trip off the main Trent-Severn Waterway route. The island provides all-around protection from wind and wake with good holding in at least 6 feet of water — a solid combination for boats willing to make the detour from the main channel.
Lake Chemong is accessible via a narrow channel from Buckhorn Lake, branching west off the main TSW route. Most through-traffic skips it entirely, which means boats that do make the turn find quieter water and less congestion than the main Kawartha Lakes corridor. The lake is relatively shallow with weedy areas throughout, but Horseshoe Island creates a natural breakwater that concentrates the best anchoring conditions in its lee.
The island's shape provides the protection — it wraps enough to block wind and wave from all directions, giving you shelter regardless of what the weather does. For a boat looking for a peaceful layover day off the beaten path, this is one of the better options in the Chemong-Buckhorn lake system.
| GPS Coordinates | 44.3611°N, 78.408°W ⚠ Unverified |
| Water Body | Lake Chemong — Horseshoe Island |
| Region | Kawartha Lakes |
| Depth Range | 1.8+ m 6+ ft — Waterway Guide |
| Holding Quality | Good |
| Nearest Lock | Lock 30 — Lovesick (~3 km south) |
| Overnight | ⚠ Conditional |
Horseshoe Island provides all-around protection from wind and wake. The island acts as a natural breakwater, blocking fetch from every direction and creating a sheltered basin in its lee. This is one of the few anchorages in the Chemong-Buckhorn system where you can ride out a weather change without concern for exposure.
| Dinghy Access | ✗ No |
| Shore Access | No formal public shore access documented at the island. The surrounding lake shoreline is predominantly private cottage properties. |
| Pet Friendly | No votes yet |
Nearest provisioning: Buckhorn village is located approximately 8 km east near Lock 31 and offers basic provisioning including a general store, restaurants, and fuel. The village of Bridgenorth on the southern end of Lake Chemong has additional services including grocery stores.
Scenic notes: A pleasant cottage-lake setting with the island providing visual interest and a sense of enclosure. Lake Chemong's shoreline is well developed with seasonal residences, so this is comfortable cottage country rather than wilderness. The quieter character compared to the main TSW route is part of the appeal — you are off the beaten path without being remote.
Horseshoe Island is located on Lake Chemong, which branches west off the main Trent-Severn Waterway route at Buckhorn Lake. The nearest lock is Lock 31 (Buckhorn), approximately 8 km east, which has a lift of 2.3 metres (7.5 feet).
Lake Chemong is a popular recreational lake but sees minimal through-traffic from TSW cruisers, as it requires a deliberate detour from the main route. The channel connecting Chemong to Buckhorn Lake is narrow and should be navigated with attention to depth. The lake is well developed with cottages and seasonal residences along most of its shoreline.
| Lock | Name | Direction | Distance | Lift |
| #30 | Lovesick | Upstream | ~3 km | 1.07 m4 ft |
| #28 | Burleigh Falls | Downstream | ~5 km | 7.32 m24 ft |
Horseshoe Island is the reason to make the side trip into Lake Chemong. All-around protection with good holding is not common on the TSW, and finding it in a quiet setting away from the main traffic corridor makes this anchorage worth the detour from Buckhorn Lake.
The 6-foot minimum depth is the constraint to be aware of. Boats drawing 4 feet or more should approach with attention to the sounder and be prepared to reposition if the bottom comes up. Lake Chemong is generally shallow with weedy areas, and the approach to the island may require some sounding to find the best water. Once you are in position behind the island, the 6-foot depth should be reliable in the established anchoring area.
The all-around protection means you can set the hook and forget about the forecast for a change. No watching for wind shifts, no middle-of-the-night relocations. The trade-off is the shallow depth and the distance from the main route — this is roughly 8 km off the direct line through Buckhorn, so it is a deliberate side trip rather than a convenient waypoint. Best suited for boats with a flexible schedule and moderate draft.
Lake Chemong is generally shallow with weedy areas. Sound carefully on the approach to the island as depths may vary. The 6-foot minimum depth means boats with significant draft have limited margin — monitor the sounder and be prepared to reposition. The narrow channel connecting Chemong to Buckhorn Lake requires careful navigation. Weed accumulation on anchor and rode is likely given the lake's character.
Have photos of Horseshoe Island — Lake Chemong?
💌 Email captain@trentsevernguide.comHorseshoe Island — Lake Chemong — Video Guide Coming Soon
Subscribe to @trentsevernguide for anchorage walkthroughs.
Anchored here recently? Help fellow cruisers with a quick report — depth readings, holding quality, wake conditions, and any hazards you noticed.
Boater reports are currently closed for this anchorage.
Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité. Report a navigational hazard on the Trent–Severn Waterway. Your report will be reviewed before publishing. All reports are for informational purposes — always verify conditions on the water.
We use cookies to improve your experience and analyze site traffic. Analytics cookies are only set after you consent. You can change your preferences anytime.
Get notified when new content launches — plus early access to lock-by-lock intelligence, seasonal updates, and cruising advisories.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime. Your data stays on our server — we don’t use third-party email platforms.
Get seasonal updates, new lock intelligence, cruising advisories, and guide additions — delivered to your inbox.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.