Categories: Travel

This Ontario Park stuns every winter with some of the best cross-country skiing in the region

Photo via @murphyspointpp on Instagram

Murphys Point Provincial Park is a lakeside experience that is a must-see in any season, but it truly stands out in the winter. It transforms into a winter getaway, away from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Ready for an adventure? If you’re in the Kingston area, you’re in the perfect spot for a day trip to Murphys Point Provincial Park. But for us here in Toronto, it’s just a scenic three-and-a-half-hour drive east of the city. But hey, if you’re up for the journey, hit the road early.

This gem is located on Big Rideau Lake which is part of the historic Rideau Waterway. According to Ontario Parks, here you’ll find a mix of wildlife habitats such as forests, wetlands, and even three lakes – Big Rideau Lake, Round Lake and Loon Lake. There’s also Hogg Bay and Noble Bay worth checking out, according to this Ontario Parks map.

Though you might have trouble fishing this winter, there are other activities you can partake in.

Winter activities at Murphys Point Provincial Park

Per Ontario Parks, it offers some of the best cross-country skiing in southeastern Ontario. The park also works with a local ski club, The Tay Valley Cross-Country Ski Club, who help groom the ski trails.

If you’re looking for a skiing adventure, the network includes 4 km for skate-skiing, 14 km for classic skiing and 8 km for backcountry skiing.
They recommend checking out the Hardwood and Fallows Loops, followed by the Hogg Bay Loop. There are also two warm-up huts which allow skiers to take a break between runs.

No skis? No problem! You can put on your snowshoes and trek along non-groomed hiking trails. “Many visitors enjoy snowshoeing the Beaver Trail and the Silver Queen Mine Trail, or along the sides of ski trails to access the Point or Sylvan hiking trails,” shares the park.

It’s important to note that these hiking trails are not maintained in the winter so use them at your own risk.

That being said, access to the Silver Queen Mine Trail may be limited as the mine itself won’t be available to explore. You can still enjoy the trail and do your own self-guided tour but to explore the mine, you’ll have to come back in the summer.

But that just sounds like the perfect excuse to visit again. For now, we’ll stick to the winter activities and make the most of it, especially with this extra bit of snowfall.