Murphys Point Provincial Park is a lakeside paradise located south of Perth, Ontario, Canada. The park shares boundaries with Big Rideau Lake, a 3061-acre body of water that is part of the Rideau Waterway. The Rideau Waterway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the oldest continuously operated canal system in North America. The waterway, completed in the early 1830s, was built by hand in less than six years and was the first canal of its kind. The canal, still operational today, brings visitors to the area each year, and it remains a popular point of interest for the province of Ontario.
Murphys Point Provincial Park is a mixed habitat area, containing three lakes, wetlands, and a forested area. The diverse landscape is a haven for birds and wildlife as well as a popular destination for people who crave a scenic waterfront getaway. RV campers choose Murphys Point Campground as a favorite camping location because the clean sites give campers the feeling of camping in the wilderness when in reality, the campsites are surrounded by a handful of amenities and places of historical significance. Campers come to the park for an outdoor experience and leave relaxed with an understanding and appreciation for the historical sites on the park’s premises.
Murphys Point Provincial Park is located in Rideau Lakes, Ontario Canada. The park is 11 miles (17.6 km) south of Perth, the closest city. From a major city, such as Ottawa, the park is located 64 miles (103 km) southwest. Because Murphys Point sits in a lake district, RVers can anticipate driving over bridges and dams.
Guests visiting the park must pay a daily vehicle permit fee as well as an overnight camping fee for more than one vehicle. Prices vary depending on the residency and ages of the guests. Fees are payable upon entry. After entering the park’s main gate, proceed to the registration gatehouse before heading to your campsite.
The Fallows Campground is best for people who want to camp in tents or small trailers up to 18 feet in length. Almost all of the sites are primitive style with no-electricity and built on a natural surface with a fire ring and a picnic table. The Fallows Campground operates seasonally and allows leashed pets. Campers have access to a comfort station with showers, vault toilets, drinking water, a laundry room, and trash and recycle bins. Registered campers may use the dump station without a fee. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
The Hogg Bay Campground is a pet-friendly, seasonally operating campground with both 15 and 30 amp electric and non-electric sites. The Hogg Bay Campground accommodates larger RVs. The driveways are made of natural surfaced material, and many of the driveways are pull through and permit RVs and trailers up to 32 feet in length. Each space creates the ideal camping site with a fire pit and a picnic table, and the campground provides the comforts many people desire with comfort stations with showers, vault toilets, drinking water, trash bins, recycle bins, and a laundry room. Registered campers may use the dump station without a fee. Generators are permitted as long as you adhere to the park’s rule of keeping excessive noise to a minimum.
During the winter, much of the park remains closed. Winter recreation seekers don’t have to worry about lack of adventure because, during the offseason, the park maintains two parking lots so that cross country skiers and snowshoers can park and have close access to the open winter trails. The park has both groomed and ungroomed trails as well as warming huts. The Tay Valley Cross-Country Ski Club maintains and grooms the trails during the winter season, so there are plenty of routes to choose from if you are ready for winter adventure. Contact the ski club during the winter for trail information.
Any time of the year is an excellent time to take to the trails within Murphys Point Provincial Park. When there isn’t snow on the ground, hikers have choices of paths based on scenery, length, and trail difficulty. The trails are rated from easy to moderate level difficulty, and they vary in length. Because the park has three distinct habitats, hikers may choose from trails that wind next to the water, through the forested area, or across the open fields. Before heading out on a walk, stop by the Park Store, pick up a map, and inquire about the best trails for your needs. Whether you stay for a day or a week, you have enough trails to choose from to keep you active during your stay.
Birds flock to large bodies of water, and because Murphys Point Provincial Park is a wetland environment with three lakes, the waterfowl and migratory birds have a safe, natural habitat to nest and rest. Bring your bird guides, cameras, binoculars, and bird checklists and head to the places within the park where park staff and guests report seeing the most birds. Some of the birds spotted along the water, in the forests, and the open fields are goshawks, barred owls, Cerulean Warblers, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Baltimore Orioles, Scarlet Tanagers, and Indigo Buntings.
Murphys Point Provincial Park is a large facility with amenities created with the park guest in mind. The Visitor Centre provides information about the park’s natural resources, including its environment; its terrain, and its wildlife and animal habitats. The Centre is located next door to the Park Store.
The Park Store, located within walking distance of the campground, is the place to visit if you forgot something, or if you want to inquire about park events, boat rentals, or you need other bits of information. Visitors can buy ice, ice cream, firewood, clothing, food, snacks, and souvenirs. Both facilities have seasonal operations with longer hours during peak season.
The park’s three lakes create the ideal paddling atmosphere for novice to advance kayakers and canoers. Depending on your skill level, there is a place for you to paddle leisurely for a few hours or more aggressively for more extended periods. Bring your boat or rent a kayak or canoe from the Park Store, located on Loon Lake, and then choose the closest location to pick up and launch your boat. At the Park Store, you may consult a park staff member about your paddling options and the available paddle routes so that you can choose the body of water that best suits your needs and desired difficulty level. Bring your personal flotation devices, or rent one from the store.
Fishing brings anglers to Murphys Point because Big Rideau Lake is known for its abundant fish such as smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, lake trout, and northern pike. People who want a laid-back fishing atmosphere and a lush, tree-lined shoreline fishing experience may fish on the smaller lakes surrounding the park. Bring your kayak or canoe to the boat launch or rent a boat from the Park Store to spend your day out on Hogg Bay or Loon Lake. No motorboats are permitted on these lakes, so there is always an opportunity for smooth water surfaces and a serene fishing environment. For motorized boats and a bigger water surface, fish from Big Rideau Lake. If you need tackle, visit the Park Store. The Tackleshare Program lends out tackle free of charge. Ontario requires fishing licenses, but the rules for permits vary by residency and age. Visit Ontario’s travel and recreation department for fishing information before heading out on the water to ensure you adhere to all fishing rules and regulations.
