Categories: Travel

Explore an 1800s homestead and restored mine hidden within this Ontario park

Photo via David P. Lewis on Shutterstock

Murphys Point Provincial Park is a stunning nature escape, home to three blue lakes and relics of Canada’s past. It’s known for its lovely sandy beaches, a restored 1900s mine and the site of an early 1800s sawmill and farm.

According to Ontario Parks, you’ll find a mix of wildlife habitats such as forests, wetlands, and even three lakes.

How far is Murphys Point Provincial Park

Hop in your car and make your way east of Toronto! The three-and-a-half-hour drive, just north of Kingston, Ont. Here is where you’ll find Murphys Point Provincial Park.

This little piece of nature’s paradise is located on Big Rideau Lake. It is part of the historic Rideau Waterway.

The other two are Round Lake and Loon Lake. Hogg Bay and Noble Bay are also worth checking out, according to this Ontario Parks map.

While you’re out on the lake, why not partake in some fishing? Other available activities include wildlife viewing, biking, boating, canoeing, swimming at two beaches, and hiking trails.

There are five trails to choose from, easy or moderate. One of these trails leads to a 1800s site and restored home, the McParlan House. And another leads to a 1900s partially open-pit mica mine.

McParlan House

Your adventure begins at the Hogg Bay Campground. Here is where you’ll find a 1.8 km linear trail that leads to the restored McParlan House. According to Ontario Parks, it’s the site of an early 1800s sawmill, farm and later cottage.

“Part of the McParlan House Trail is also part of the Loon Lake Loop, a 1 km trail with access to two different lakes,” adds OP. “Further along, the McParlan House Trail becomes part of the Rideau Trail, a 300 km hiking trail from Kingston to Ottawa (6 km inside the park), which also provides a link to the Lally Homestead (2.8 km, easy, from campground to homestead).”

Per Tay Valley Township, the Murphy family, for whom the park was named, settled on this site on Hogg Bay in 1856. “The restored Lally Homestead is named for another family that established several farms here,” they add.

Historic finds do not end here.

Silver Queen Mine

From the Lally Homestead, you can embark on a 2 km partial loop that leads to a restored, early 1900s partially open pit mica mine, heritage displays, and the rebuilt miner’s bunkhouse, according to Ontario Parks.

Though you are allowed to take a self-guided tour along the trail, in order to access the mine, you must pre-register for a tour.

Guided hikes and tours can be booked through the gatehouse or by calling the park at 613-267-5060. The schedule can be found online.

But you’ll have to wait until later this month and into July, as tours are not yet available. Until then, the two thrilling trails seem to satisfy that hunger for outdoor adventure and discovery.