Rideau Lakes.
Rideau Lakes is the rural township along the middle stretch of the Rideau Canal corridor between Kingston and Smiths Falls, holding Big Rideau Lake — the largest lake on the canal system — plus the connected canal lakes of Newboro, Indian, Sand, Opinicon, and Otter. Murphys Point Provincial Park sits on the south shore of Big Rideau Lake with roughly 20 km of trails through Frontenac Arch granite, the Silver Queen mica mine (operated 1903–1920, with seasonal interpretive tours), and the restored 19th-century Lally Homestead.
Four Parks Canada lockstations — Newboro, Chaffeys, Davis, and Jones Falls — anchor the canal corridor through the township, with oTENTik glamping at Jones Falls and Chaffeys Lock during the navigation season. The Cataraqui Trail rail-trail crosses the southern half of the township, and roughly 50 km of the 387-km Rideau Trail run through the Rideau Lakes section.
The township surrounds the separately incorporated village of Westport as an enclave, sits within the UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, and lies on traditional Algonquin Anishinaabe territory. Roughly an hour from Kingston and a bit longer from Ottawa.
Today's read.
Real-time conditions updated; AI field notes unavailable.
On the record.
Every claim sourced. Click through to the original.
- 01The Rideau Canal is a 202-km Parks Canada–managed waterway running from Kingston to Ottawa, completed in 1832 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.Source ↗
- 02Big Rideau Lake is the largest lake on the Rideau Canal system at approximately 50 km², lying primarily within the Township of Rideau Lakes.Source ↗
- 03Murphys Point Provincial Park covers approximately 12.4 km² on the south shore of Big Rideau Lake and contains the Silver Queen Mine, a former mica mine operated 1903–1920 with seasonal interpretive tours.Source ↗
- 04The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve was designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2002 and covers the Frontenac Arch granite ridge between the Canadian Shield and the Adirondack Mountains, including the Rideau Lakes corridor.Source ↗
- 05The Rideau Canal traverses 47 lockstations across its 202-km length; the Township of Rideau Lakes contains the Newboro, Chaffeys, Davis, and Jones Falls lockstation groups.Source ↗
7. activities
worth your time
Hiking
Murphys Point Provincial Park runs roughly 20 km of trails across approximately 12.4 km² on the south shore of Big Rideau Lake, including the McParlan House Trail, Silver Queen Mine Trail, Sylvan Trail, Lally Homestead Trail, and Point Trail through Frontenac Arch granite, mixed forest, and marsh. A section of the 387-km Rideau Trail runs through the Rideau Lakes corridor as part of the long-distance Kingston-to-Ottawa hiking route maintained by the Rideau Trail Association. The Cataraqui Trail rail-trail crosses the southern half of the township between Newboro and Smiths Falls.
Read field guide arrow_outwardCamping
Murphys Point Provincial Park runs approximately 170 reservable campsites on the south shore of Big Rideau Lake, including front-country sites, group camping, and water-access sites reachable from the lake. Parks Canada also operates oTENTik glamping and tent camping at Jones Falls and Chaffeys Lock lockstations during the canal's navigation season. Reservations through the Ontario Parks system for Murphys Point and through Parks Canada for the lockstations.
Read field guide arrow_outwardCycling
The Cataraqui Trail crosses the southern half of the township as a managed rail-trail surface, running from Newboro east through Chaffeys Lock toward Smiths Falls and beyond, with connections to the broader Cataraqui Trail and Trans Canada Trail networks. Maintained by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, the trail passes the Chaffeys Lock and Newboro lockstation areas and offers flat, family-friendly cycling on a former rail corridor.
Read field guide arrow_outwardPaddling — Flatwater
Big Rideau Lake offers approximately 50 km² of flatwater paddling on the largest lake of the Rideau Canal system, with through-canal connections south via Newboro Lock to Newboro Lake and south again through Chaffeys, Davis, and Jones Falls lockstations to Indian, Sand, and Opinicon Lakes. The connected lake chain runs roughly the length of the township and links to the broader Kingston-to-Ottawa canal corridor. Open water on Big Rideau builds chop in strong winds; the smaller connected lakes south of Newboro Lock are more sheltered.
Read field guide arrow_outwardSailing & Boating
Big Rideau Lake — the largest lake on the Rideau Canal system at approximately 50 km² — anchors open-water sailing and motor cruising in the township, with through-canal navigation north toward Smiths Falls and south through the Newboro, Chaffeys, Davis, and Jones Falls lockstations toward Kingston. The four lockstations are staffed Parks Canada operations during the canal's roughly mid-May through mid-October navigation season. Locking-through fees apply at every lockstation.
Read field guide arrow_outwardFreshwater Fishing
Big Rideau Lake holds lake trout in its deep north basin plus largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, yellow perch, and black crappie, all under Fisheries Management Zone 18. Newboro Lake, Indian Lake, and Opinicon Lake — connected to Big Rideau through the canal lockstations — add multi-species warmwater fishing across the township. Bass season opens the third Saturday in June through December 15 (S-6, C-2). Walleye runs January 1 to March 1 and second Saturday in May through December 31, with a 40–50 cm slot limit (S-4, C-2). Lake trout opens fourth Saturday in May through September 8 (S-2, C-1).
Read field guide arrow_outwardHeritage & Culture
The Rideau Canal — a 202-km Parks Canada-managed waterway from Kingston to Ottawa, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 — runs through the township via the Newboro, Chaffeys, Davis, and Jones Falls lockstation groups. Inside Murphys Point Provincial Park, the Silver Queen Mine is a former mica mine operated 1903–1920 with seasonal interpretive tours, and the Lally Homestead is a restored 19th-century pioneer farm. The township also overlaps with the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, designated a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 2002.
Read field guide arrow_outward16. more outings
surveyed.
Activities supported across Rideau Lakes without a featured write-up.
- 01
Trail Running
Murphys Point Provincial Park trails - 02
Walking & Strolling
Murphys Point Provincial Park day-use - 03
Nature & Discovery
Murphys Point Provincial Park - 04
Surf & Wind
Big Rideau Lake - 05
Swimming & Beach
Murphys Point Provincial Park beach - 06
Cross-Country & Nordic
Cataraqui Trail - 07
Snow Adventure
snowshoeing - 08
Sky Watching
Murphys Point Provincial Park - 09
Seasonal Phenomena
fall-colours - 10
Wildlife Viewing
Murphys Point Provincial Park - 11
Motorized Touring
scenic-drive - 12
Food & Drink
Portland village shops and restaurants - 13
Wellness
Portland village shops - 14
Geology & Discovery
Frontenac Arch granite outcrops at Murphys Point Provincial Park - 15
Arts & Craft
Portland artist studios and shops - 16
Outdoor Education
Murphys Point Provincial Park
Local operators.
Trusted outfitters, guides, and experience providers in Rideau Lakes.
1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises
1000 Islands boat tours, high-speed cruises, tiki boat, dinner cruises, private charters
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Cyclery
Bike rentals, repairs
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Fishing Charters (Spencer's/The Island Lure)
Guided fishing charters (trolling for pike, muskie), all equipment provided
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Helicopter Tours
Scenic helicopter tours (10-30 min), charters, heli-hops to breweries
Visit website arrow_outward1000 Islands Kayaking
Kayak rentals, guided tours (half/full day, camping), skills courses, boat shuttles
Visit website arrow_outwardB Shad's Guide Service
Guided fishing trips (bass, multi-species)
Visit website arrow_outwardDan Spencer's Fishing Charters
Fishing charters (bass, walleye, pike)
Visit website arrow_outwardDeltawood Farm
horseback trail rides, riding lessons
Visit website arrow_outwardDive Brockville Adventure Centre
Scuba diving charters, kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals, snorkeling, boat cruises
Visit website arrow_outwardHeritage Stables
Horseback riding, summer camps, RCMP rides
Visit website arrow_outwardKouri's Kopters Inc.
Helicopter tours, fishing excursions (fall/ice fishing with heli transfer), custom charters
Visit website arrow_outwardMerrickville Lions Campground
Canoe and kayak rentals on Rideau Canal
Visit website arrow_outwardMisty Isles Lodge & Trekking
Kayak rentals and guided tours
Visit website arrow_outwardNorris Outdoors
Boat rentals (small motorboats, pontoons), canoe kayak paddleboat rentals
Visit website arrow_outwardRideau King Tours
Boat cruises/sightseeing tours on Rideau Canal (Merrickville-Westport, Ottawa-Merrickville)
Visit website arrow_outwardRidgedale Equestrian
Horseback riding lessons, boarding, breeding
Visit website arrow_outwardTootle Bikes
Bike rentals
Visit website arrow_outwardKey resources.
- ontarioparks.caMurphys Point Provincial Park — trails, camping, Silver Queen Mine tours — Ontario Parks
- crca.caCataraqui Trail — rail-trail through the Rideau Lakes corridor — Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority
- ontario.caOntario Fishing Regulations Summary — Fisheries Management Zone 18 (Rideau / Cataraqui)
- rideaulakes.caTownship of Rideau Lakes — visitor information, communities, boat launches
- parks.canada.caRideau Canal National Historic Site — locks, navigation season, lockstation camping — Parks Canada
- rideautrail.orgRideau Trail Association — Kingston-to-Ottawa hiking corridor through the township
- frontenacarchbiosphere.caFrontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve — UNESCO Biosphere designation context