Buckhorn Lake sits along the Trent-Severn Waterway, connected to a chain of lakes — including Chemong, Pigeon, and Lower Buckhorn — that gives the area its appeal for boaters and cottagers alike. The lake splits loosely into Upper and Lower sections, and the properties clustered around each have their own character. Some operate as traditional housekeeping cottage resorts; others combine marina services with rental accommodations; one has a full restaurant and event facility. The range of options means the right fit depends heavily on what you’re looking for: a family week on the water, a wedding venue, a boating base, or something in between.
Situated on Lower Buckhorn Lake about 20 minutes north of Peterborough, Beachwood Resort has been operating for almost 100 years. It’s the most full-featured property in this group, combining cottage, lodge, suite, and condo accommodations — with capacity for up to 120 guests across 30 units, some cottages sleeping as many as 12 — with an on-site restaurant and dedicated event facilities.
Frederick’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with seasonal offerings including a Monday lakeside buffet, Tuesday indoor buffet, and wood-fired pizza. Dinner entrées range from $18 (pizzas) to $43 (full rack ribs). The resort also hosts weddings, corporate meetings, quilting retreats, cooking classes, paint nights, and team-building events, and can cater groups of 20 or more. Guided hikes, boat tours, and campfire pits add to the activity mix. Cottages and condos are available year-round; the restaurant runs daily from Victoria Day weekend through Thanksgiving.
Emerald Isle Marina & Resort is a waterside property in Ennismore on Buckhorn Lake offering cottage rentals, boat rentals, and trailer sites with hydro hookups and docking. The marina side handles boat storage. It’s a compact, practical operation — a reasonable option if you want a waterfront base with the ability to rent or store a boat on-site, without the programming or dining that larger resorts offer.
Located on the southern shore of Lower Buckhorn Lake between locks 30 and 31 of the Trent-Severn Waterway, Reach Harbour is primarily a working marina that also rents three fully equipped three-bedroom cottages. The marina side is well-equipped: 95 boat slips accommodating vessels from 12 to 45 feet, fuel (gas and oil), mechanical repairs, pump-out service, winter storage, shrink wrap, a boat launch, and a convenience store stocked with snacks, ice cream, and ice.
The cottages accommodate up to six persons each and come with docking for two small boats and use of a canoe. Rates are $180 per night (two-night minimum) or $1,200 per week. Pets are welcome at $10 per day per pet. A Wi-Fi hotspot and DVD rental round out the amenities. This property suits boaters who want cottage accommodation alongside genuine marina infrastructure.
Scotsman Point Resort sits on Buckhorn Lake off Six Foot Bay Road in Trent Lakes, about 99 minutes northeast of Toronto. It’s a housekeeping cottage resort open from May 1 onward, oriented toward families and groups. Accommodation ranges from studio cabins up to four-bedroom cottages, plus a two-bedroom apartment.
The activity offering is strong: children’s programs, tubing, water skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, swimming, beach access, a campfire area, a playground, and a gift shop. Fishing, family reunion, wedding, and corporate packages are available. Kayaks are included. Pets are not permitted.
Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort is a family-operated resort and trailer park on the south shore of Buckhorn Lake, about 1.5 hours from the Greater Toronto Area. Two- and three-bedroom cottage rentals are available alongside trailer sites. Pricing is clearly structured: two-bedroom cottages run $1,080 weekly, $220 daily, $580 for a weekend, or $780 for a long weekend; three-bedroom cottages run $1,380 weekly, $380 daily, $680 for a weekend, or $980 for a long weekend. A three-night minimum applies on long weekends.
Boat rentals cover a wide range — from a 14-foot aluminum boat ($50/hour, $100/day, $450/week) up to a Sea-Doo Sportster LT ($150/hour, $500/day) — and day docking, boat launch, and seasonal docking are all available. Canoes and paddle boats are included free of charge for guests. The property also offers a sandy beach, free Wi-Fi, coin-operated laundry, showers, and a playground. Pets are welcome, and day passes ($20) and shore fishing access are sold. Overnight guests pay $50 per night.
Buckhorn Narrows Resort is a waterfront housekeeping cottage and trailer resort on Upper Buckhorn Lake, with access to Chemong and Pigeon Lakes as well. Eight housekeeping cottages range from one to four bedrooms, priced from $1,200 to $1,800 per week. The property also has 120 seasonal trailer sites. Boat rentals are available: an 18-foot pontoon runs $300 per day or $1,680 per week; a 16-foot Jon boat runs $150 per day or $500 per week. On-site amenities include a sandy beach, volleyball court, pool, and woodland trails.
Three Castles Resort is a 17-unit lakefront resort on Lower Buckhorn Lake with a mix of cabin and suite options. During peak season (June 25 to September 3), cabins are available on weekly terms only. Outside that window, nightly and weekend rates apply for cabins; three suites (A, B, C) are available year-round.
The accommodation range is wide: one-bedroom cabins from $120/night (weekdays) or $775/week; two-bedroom cabins $140/night or $1,175/week; three-bedroom cabins $200/night or $1,475/week; the Mansion (sleeps 1–8) at $1,950/week or $6,000/month; the Caboose (sleeps 1–6) at $200/night or $1,475/week. Canoe use is free for guests; boats and motors are available to rent. Non-guests can launch from the property for $10. Fishing licences are sold on-site. Pets are not permitted.
Oak Bay Resort is a family-owned resort and campground on Upper Buckhorn Lake, open May 1 to October 8. Seven cottages range from two to four bedrooms, accommodating one to eight persons. In peak season (July and August), cottages rent Friday to Friday only; outside that window, nightly rates ($200–$280 depending on season and unit) and shorter stays are available. A Tucked Away Trailer rents at $1,300/week and a Glamper at $1,200/week; one transient RV site ($60/night, maximum 35 feet) rounds out the camping options.
Complimentary use of kayaks, canoes, SUP boards, and pedal boats is included for guests. Boat rentals are offered — a 14-foot aluminum at $120/day or $450/week, and an 18-foot pontoon at $250 for four hours, $350/day, or $1,450/week. The property has a boat launch, guest docking, a children’s playground, basketball, soccer, horseshoe pits, and lawn games. Ice, worms, and firewood are sold on-site. Pets are welcome at $100/week or $50/weekend.
| Property | Lake Section | Lodging Type | Pets | On-Site Boat Rentals | Peak Season Min. Stay | Open Year-Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beachwood Resort | Lower | Cottages, lodge rooms, suites, condos | — | No | — | Yes (cottages/condos) |
| Emerald Isle Marina & Resort | Buckhorn Lake | Cottages, trailer sites | — | Yes | — | — |
| Reach Harbour | Lower | Cottages (3-bedroom) | Yes ($10/day) | No | 2 nights | — |
| Scotsman Point Resort | Buckhorn Lake | Cottages, studio cabins, apartment | No | Yes | — | No (May 1 onward) |
| Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort | Buckhorn Lake (south shore) | Cottages, trailer sites | Yes | Yes | 3 nights (long weekends) | Seasonal |
| Buckhorn Narrows Resort | Upper | Cottages, trailer sites | — | Yes | — | — |
| Three Castles Resort | Lower | Cottages, suites | No | Yes | Weekly (Jun 25–Sep 3) | Yes (3 suites) |
| Oak Bay Resort | Upper | Cottages, trailer, glamper, RV site | Yes ($100/wk or $50/wknd) | Yes | Weekly Fri–Fri (Jul–Aug) | No (May 1–Oct 8) |
Families with pets who want flexibility on stay length will find the most options at Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort and Oak Bay Resort, both of which allow dogs and offer shorter-stay windows. Boaters or Trent-Severn through-travellers needing full marina services alongside a cottage should look closely at Reach Harbour. For a group event, retreat, or wedding, Beachwood Resort — with its restaurant, conference facilities, and nearly a century of operation — stands apart from the others in scope.
Reach Harbour welcomes pets at $10 per day per pet. Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort and Oak Bay Resort also allow pets — Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort doesn’t list a pet fee, while Oak Bay Resort charges $100 per week or $50 per weekend. Scotsman Point Resort and Three Castles Resort do not permit pets.
The lowest advertised nightly rates are at Three Castles Resort, where one-bedroom cabins start at $120 per night on weekday bookings outside peak season. Reach Harbour offers cottages at $180 per night (two-night minimum), and Oak Bay Resort starts at $200 per night in low season. Weekly rates vary widely across all properties.
Beachwood Resort offers cottages and condos year-round, and its resort remains open year-round for groups and events. Three Castles Resort has three suites available year-round, though its cabins operate seasonally. Other properties listed are seasonal, generally running from around May 1 into early October.
Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort, Buckhorn Narrows Resort, Scotsman Point Resort, Emerald Isle Marina & Resort, Three Castles Resort, and Oak Bay Resort all offer boat rentals. Poplar Grove Camp: Lakefront Cottage & Resort has the broadest fleet, including aluminum boats, fishing boats, a bowrider, a bass boat, and a Sea-Doo. Oak Bay Resort offers a 14-foot aluminum and an 18-foot pontoon.
Beachwood Resort is the most purpose-built option for events, with dedicated conference and wedding facilities, group catering for 20 or more, and on-site dining at Frederick’s Restaurant. Scotsman Point Resort and Sippin Dip Restaurant-Bakery also advertise wedding and group packages, though they don’t include an on-site restaurant.
Details verified as of July 2026.
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