Hiking.
Murphys Point Provincial Park sits on the south shore of Big Rideau Lake on the Frontenac Arch granite, with roughly 20 km of named trails — McParlan House, Silver Queen Mine, Sylvan, Lally Homestead, and Point — running through mixed forest, marsh, and exposed bedrock. A section of the 387-km Rideau Trail passes through the township as part of the long-distance Kingston-to-Ottawa hiking corridor maintained by the Rideau Trail Association.
The brief.
Murphys Point Provincial Park is open year-round, with full vehicle access and amenities mid-May through mid-October; off-season visitors come in for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing on unmaintained trails. Day-use and camping fees apply during the main season; winter use is free but services are limited.
The Silver Queen Mine Trail and Lally Homestead Trail double as cultural-heritage walks (interpretive panels and seasonal staffed tours at the mine). The Cataraqui Trail rail-trail crosses the southern half of the township and is a flat, family-friendly alternative to the park's rolling Frontenac Arch terrain.
Reservations for camping and group sites go through the Ontario Parks reservation system.
3. places.
- 01
Murphys Point Provincial Park
12.4 km² Ontario Park on the south shore of Big Rideau Lake; main trailhead area on County Road 21; interpretive centre, beach, and approximately 170 reservable campsites.
- 02
Rideau Trail — Rideau Lakes section
Section of the 387-km Kingston-to-Ottawa long-distance hiking corridor running through the township, maintained by the Rideau Trail Association.
- 03
Cataraqui Trail
Rail-trail surface running east from Newboro through Chaffeys Lock toward Smiths Falls; flat and family-friendly; managed by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
Today's read.
Cool but comfortable for layered effort · light winds · clean air.
By the book.
- 01Murphys Point Provincial Park day-use and camping fees apply mid-May through mid-October; reservations through Ontario ParksSource ↗
- 02Five-lined Skink is a Species at Risk inside Murphys Point — do not disturb cover habitatSource ↗
- 03Cataraqui Trail open year-round; managed by Cataraqui Region Conservation AuthoritySource ↗