Northbound Great Loop cruisers reaching Lock 30 Lovesick have climbed through the Peterborough Lift Lock, threaded Stony Lake, and ascended the 24-foot rise at Burleigh Falls — arriving at one of the waterway’s most secluded overnight stops. This island lock marks the gateway to Lower Buckhorn Lake and the scenic heart of the Kawarthas, with the halfway point at Buckhorn (Lock 31) just 10 km ahead. For route planning and cruiser resources, visit AGLCA: https://www.greatloop.org/
Lock 30 Lovesick sits at KM 184.7 on the Trent-Severn Waterway, positioned on a small island between Lovesick Lake and Lower Buckhorn Lake in the heart of Ontario’s Kawartha region. It is one of only two lockstations on the entire 386-km waterway that cannot be reached by road — the other being Lock 43 at Swift Rapids. The lock stands amid a dam and four spillways, surrounded by the 200-acre Wolf Island Provincial Park, making it one of the most photographed and sought-after stops on the system.
Quebec contractor George Goodwin was awarded the contract for constructing Lock 30 as a single masonry lock, along with a series of dams to regulate the various creeks feeding into Lovesick Lake. The isolated island setting required the lockmaster to live on-site or travel by water to reach the workplace — a practical challenge that persists to this day, as lock staff still arrive by boat each morning. Both the original masonry lock and the dams were later rebuilt in concrete, but the station remains accessible only by water.
Lock 30 is among the most popular overnight stops on the Trent-Severn. Below the lock, mooring is available along the painted blue line on the east wall with room for several boats. Above the lock, the blue line is on the west wall with additional space on the east wall. Overnight stays are limited to a single night due to high demand during peak season. This is a designated pack-in, pack-out station — boaters must carry all garbage off the island, as the local wildlife (including raccoons and bears) are attracted to refuse. On-site amenities include washrooms, potable water, a picnic area, fire pits, and firewood and ice for purchase. There is no shore power, no fuel, and no restaurants. The nearest services are at Burleigh Falls (approximately 3 km east by water) or the village of Buckhorn (approximately 10 km west).
| Official Name | Lock 30 — Lovesick Parks Canada |
| Lock Number | 30 |
| GPS Coordinates | 44°33’10.6”N, 78°14’22.9”W Parks Canada |
| Street Address | 24 16th Concession, Lot 40, Smith Township, Ontario Parks Canada |
| KM Marker | KM 184.7 Mile 114.8 from Trenton (Lock 1) TSW Database |
| Region | Kawartha Lakes |
| Water Body | Lovesick Lake — Kawartha Lakes |
| CHS Nautical Chart | #2023-2 CHS CEN309 |
| Nearest Municipality | Selwyn Township (Buckhorn), Ontario |
| Historic Construction | George Goodwin (Quebec contractor) — date [VERIFY — Parks Canada] Parks Canada |
| Lock Phone | (705) 654-3561 Parks Canada |
| trentsevern@pc.gc.ca |
| Parameter | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Lock Number | 30 | |
| Average Lift | 1.07 m | 4 ft |
| Chamber Length | 36.6 m | 120 ft |
| Chamber Width | 9.7 m | 32 ft |
| Maximum Draft System-wide | 1.8 m | 6 ft |
| Gate Type | Standard mitre | |
| VHF Channel | Channel None | |
| Operating Season Parks Canada | Mid-May to mid-October | |
| Max Mooring Period Parks Canada | 1 nights | |
| Permit Required | Yes — 1‑888‑773‑8888 or parks.canada.ca | |
| Electricity | ✗ Not Available | |
| Potable Water | ✔ Available | |
| Pump-Out | ✗ Not Available | |
| Operator | Parks Canada — Environment and Climate Change Canada | |
| Lock Phone Parks Canada | (705) 654-3561 | |
▲ Above Lock
▼ Below Lock
▼ Below Lock
📌 ~3 km from lock
🌊 Depths: 14/4 ft (approach/dock)
📌 ~3 km from lock
🌊 Depths: 5/5 ft (approach/dock)
📍 GPS: 44.5531°N, 78.2395°W · 24 16th Concession, Lot 40, Smith Township, Ontario, Trent Lakes, Peterborough County, Ontario, ON · Get Directions ↗ · Street View ↗
For navigation, use CHS Chart #2023 — this map is for reference only and should not be used for marine navigation.
No taxi, rideshare, public transit, or land-based transportation available. Lock 30 is on an island accessible ONLY by boat — no road access whatsoever. This is one of only two TSW locks with no land access (the other is Lock 43 — Swift Rapids).
Boater Orientation Notes:
- Lock 30 is located on an island amid a dam and four spillways — accessible ONLY by boat. No road access.
- No grocery, pharmacy, hardware, marine supply, laundromat, or propane anywhere within reach. Be fully self-sufficient.
- Pack-in / pack-out station — do not leave garbage (bears and raccoons are present). No shore power, no water hookup, no pump-out.
- Nearest restaurants are at Burleigh Falls (Lock 28, ~3 km by water) — boat to Lock 28 dock, then walk.
- Provision at Buckhorn (Lock 31, ~8 km west by water) or Young’s Point (Lock 27, ~15 km south by water) before arriving.
🍴 Restaurants
| Name | Directions | Phone | Rating | Distance | Access |
| Dining at the Falls (Burleigh Falls Inn) 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 654-3441 | ⭐ 4.3 | ~3 km by water + 200 m walk | Boat Required |
| Lovesick Lake Park Restaurant 🔗 | Let’s Go! | (705) 654-3587 | ⭐ 3.5 | ~3 km by water + 500 m walk | Boat Required |
🏛 Local Interests
| Name | Directions | Phone | Rating | Distance | Access |
| Burleigh Waterfall | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ 4.7 | ~3 km by water | Boat Required |
| Wolf Island Provincial Park 🔗 | Let’s Go! | N/A | ⭐ 4.5 | On-site | Walkable |
🔧 Support & Services
No pharmacy, hardware, laundromat, marine supply, propane, or any commercial services available at or near Lock 30. Nearest convenience store with LCBO agency is Big Cedar Country Store at Lock 28 (~3 km by water + 1.2 km walk). Provision fully at Buckhorn (Lock 31) or Young’s Point (Lock 27) before arriving.
Last Updated: March 18, 2026
Wee little lock — only about 4 feet of lift. Approach can be a bit complicated; you’ll get some swelling on the way in. There are dams all around the area and the water is pretty shallow in spots, so stay attentive to your position. EXPECT HEAVY SMALL-BOAT TRAFFIC THROUGH HERE, including jet skis. It’s a popular area for that kind of activity and it can be a bit annoying when you’re trying to manage your approach. Keep your head on a swivel — they don’t always give you the room you’d want. Lock itself is straightforward once you’re in. Quick lift, on your way.
Shoal locations, rock hazards, and current data for Lock 30 – Lovesick are being compiled from CHS CEN309 and current Notices to Mariners. Check notmar.gc.ca for active advisories. CHS
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 ↗
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