Ontario Provincial Parks

Murphys Point Provincial Park is located near Perth, Ontario, along the shores of Big Rideau Lake within the Rideau Lakes region of eastern Ontario. The park protects a diverse landscape shaped by Canadian Shield geology, where rocky ridges, mixed forest, wetlands, and shoreline environments come together within a historically significant setting.

As an operating provincial park, Murphys Point offers both campground and day-use facilities. Big Rideau Lake is a central feature, supporting swimming, paddling, boating, and angling in designated areas. Inland portions of the park include forested trails that pass through hardwood and coniferous stands, wetlands, and exposed bedrock typical of the Frontenac Arch region.

The park also reflects the area’s long history of human use. Natural resources and waterways supported Indigenous travel and later settlement, and remnants of early industrial activity remain part of the protected landscape. These cultural elements are integrated into the park’s conservation mandate alongside ecological protection.

Murphys Point Provincial Park is managed to balance recreation, education, and conservation. Its primary role is to protect representative Rideau Lakes landscapes while providing structured access for camping, hiking, water-based recreation, and nature appreciation within a managed park environment.

General Information

Location

Latitude: 49.6583346 Longitude: -89.40982199

Camping

Murphys Point Provincial Park offers natural beauty, history, and a variety of camping options, making it a favourite for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you prefer a convenient car camping experience or an adventurous backcountry trip, Murphys Point has something for everyone.

Car Camping

Murphys Point features several campgrounds with a mix of electrical and non-electrical sites suitable for tents, trailers, and RVs. Campers will find well-shaded, spacious sites, along with comfort stations that include showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities. Some areas are radio-free for those looking for a quieter, more serene camping experience.

Group Camping

For larger gatherings, the park offers group camping areas that can accommodate multiple tents and are ideal for family reunions, scout troops, or other organized groups. These sites are located close to amenities and trailheads, making it easy to combine social time with outdoor activities.

Backcountry Camping

Murphys Point also offers backcountry camping for paddlers and hikers seeking a more secluded experience. Backcountry sites are located on Big Rideau Lake and can be accessed by canoe or hiking trail, providing a true sense of adventure and tranquility.

Facilities & Recreation

Murphys Point Provincial Park is a well-loved four-season park in eastern Ontario, located along the shores of Big Rideau Lake near Perth. Known for its mix of water recreation, forested trails, and cultural history, the park offers a balanced experience for campers, day users, paddlers, and winter visitors.

The park provides barrier-free access at all comfort stations, with campsite #154 designated as an accessible site near the Fallows comfort station. A boat launch near the Hogg Bay entrance offers direct access to Big Rideau Lake, where power boating is permitted. From here, boaters can explore scenic stretches of the Rideau Waterway, including trips through Narrows Locks into Upper Rideau Lake or through Beveridges Locks toward Perth.

Canoeing and kayaking are highlights of the park. Rentals are available through the Park Store, with convenient pickup points at Loon Lake, Noble Bay, and the main beach at Hogg Bay. A popular 6 km canoe loop connects Hogg Bay, Big Rideau Lake, and Loon Lake, featuring two short portages and calm paddling routes ideal for intermediate paddlers. Loon Lake and Hogg Bay are also favoured fishing spots where motorboats are restricted.

Day-use visitors will find picnic tables at multiple scenic locations, including Hogg Bay Beach, Lally Homestead, McParlan House, the Point Trail hike-in beach, and the historic Silver Queen Mine site. Two marked swimming beaches—Hogg Bay and Noble Bay—offer gradual entry and buoyed swimming areas suitable for families.

Murphys Point features an excellent trail network, with routes ranging from short interpretive walks to longer forest loops. Trails include the Point Trail, Sylvan Trail, Silver Queen Mine Trail, Beaver Pond Trail, and Lally Homestead Trail, each offering a mix of lakeside views, mature forest, and historical features tied to the park’s former mining and settlement past.

Campers have access to modern amenities, including potable water, flush toilets, showers, a dumping station, laundry facilities, a playground, and a well-stocked Park Store. Pets are welcome but must remain leashed at all times.

In winter, Murphys Point is especially well known for its groomed and track-set cross-country ski trails, considered among the best in southeastern Ontario. Snowshoeing is also popular on non-groomed hiking trails, making the park a true year-round destination.

Murphys Point Provincial Park is ideal for visitors seeking a mix of lakeside recreation, hiking, paddling, camping comfort, and outstanding winter activities, all within an easy drive of eastern Ontario communities.

Nearby Attractions

Perth Museum: Housed in the historic 1840 Matheson House, this museum offers a glimpse into the lives of early settlers through well-preserved artifacts and elegant period rooms.

Stewart Park: A beautifully landscaped green space in downtown Perth, featuring stone bridges, gardens, and the tranquil Tay River flowing through it.

Perth Brewery: A local craft brewery known for its welcoming taproom and a wide selection of small-batch beers brewed on-site.

Classic Theatre Festival: This professional summer theatre company stages entertaining and historically inspired plays in Perth’s charming downtown district.

The Code’s Mill on the Park: A stunning heritage building filled with boutique shops, a café, and a romantic event venue right next to the river.

Helpful Links

The Friends of Murphys Point Park

Nearby Parks

Park Blog