This Ontario park has an abandoned mine you can still explore today
If your summer itinerary includes an Ontario getaway that combines history, swimming, hiking, and classic cottage-country charm, then go ahead and add Murphy's Point Provincial Park to your to-do list.
Located on the shores of Big Rideau Lake, just outside Perth, Ont., the park spans more than 1,200 hectares within the Rideau Waterway, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007. It also lies along the Frontenac Arch, where rugged Canadian Shield terrain meets forests, wetlands, and meadows, creating a diverse habitat for a wide variety of wildlife and plant species.
Beyond its lush wilderness and waterfront setting, one of the park's biggest draws is the Silver Queen Mine, a former mica mine dating back to the early 1900s. The naturally occurring mineral once mined at the Silver Queen site is used in everything from motor vehicle parts to paints and other industrial applications.
Photo via Murphy's Point Provincial Park.
Early settlers began mining mica in the area as an alternative source of income when they realized that the soil conditions in Eastern Ontario weren't ideal for farming.
Although the mine has been closed since 1920, visitors can still explore it through guided tours of the historic site today. During the operating season, guests descend underground for a 1.5-hour experience, walking through the mining pit, which is lit by lanterns shielded by mica mined from this very location.
The Silver Queen Mine is easily one of the most distinctive attractions you can check out in an Ontario provincial park. The operating season runs from July to August, with tours offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and they can be booked online through Ontario Parks.
Photo via Ontario Parks.
But the park's history extends well beyond the mine.
Visitors can also discover remnants of early settlement, including pioneer homestead sites, old farm buildings, and the remains of one of the area's earliest sawmills, offering a glimpse into the region's past and the efforts to preserve it at Murphy's Point Provincial Park.
Of course, outdoor recreation is just as much a reason to visit.
More than 20 kilometres of hiking trails wind through the park, and many of those routes become cross-country ski trails during the winter months. For those who want to add to the adventure, you can easily bike partway to the mine via the Silver Queen Mine Trail. Along any of the trails, visitors can experience everything from rocky ridges and mature forests to wetlands and open fields.
Photo via Murphy's Point Provincial Park.
Big Rideau Lake also offers plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. Canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing are all popular activities, and the park features a boat launch and three swimming beaches for cooling off on warm summer days.
Those planning an overnight stay can choose from around 200 campsites suitable for tents and trailers, with some offering electrical service. Group camping is also available for larger gatherings, making it easy to pack up a carload of campers and spend a weekend at Murphy's Point Provincial Park.
So, whether you're exploring an underground mine, paddling across Big Rideau Lake, or relaxing around a campsite, Murphy's Point Provincial Park offers a blend of outdoor adventure and local history that's easily accessible from much of eastern Ontario, and a change from some of the most popular campsites and provincial parks that nature lovers flock to this time of year.
Murphy's Point Provincial Park is located at 2243 Elm Grove Rd. in Perth, Ont.
Murphy's Point Provincial Park
