Murphys Point Provincial Park — Hotel in Tay Valley

Incredible park, definitely a hidden gem, but pretty unrealistic noise expectations that are very strictly enforced. I went to this park because it was recommended as an alternative to Bon Echo, and I am SO glad I found it! What an awesome campground with so many areas to explore and enjoy. The only downside I found were the noise expectations. The park was relatively quiet overall, but that doesn't mean everyone should be mute. After all, we were there to enjoy ourselves and be on vacation. There were a lot of solo campers in our campground (Ash Hill), which was lovely, but it meant that the night time was absolutely silent. This was totally fine, but it does mean that any, and I mean ANY, noise you make will receive a visit and warning from the warden even though there were no complaints from neighbours. I was there with my partner and another couple, and we were playing a relatively quiet board game. We would have loved to have played some quiet music but opted not to because it was so quiet and we didn't want to be disruptive. We were keeping our voices down very low, but understandably had the odd laughter, again at a reasonable, understandable volume. We received a visit and warning from the warden at 9:50pm saying we were creating excessive noise. This put a huge damper on our evening and we wrapped up early. The following day we finished our board game in the afternoon so that we wouldn't have a repeat of the following evening. That night, we opted to just sit around the campfire again and chat. Again, in hush tones with the odd laughter because hey, we are on vacation and visiting with friends we haven't seen in ages. However, we again received a visit, warning, and verbal reprimand from the warden with the threat of a fine next visit. This was incredibly frustrating and set the tone for the week to pretend we are living in a monastery as soon as the sunsets at 9pm. It also created a heavy veil of anxiety and uncertainty in our group of "be sure not to have ANY slightly audible fun or communications past dusk for fear of being thrown out". Overall, I understand the need for quiet. People are going there to be amongst nature and enjoy the peaceful outdoors. But there does need to be some understanding that ANY noise does not mean excessive noise, especially that early in the night. It was not midnight and we were not partying. Just enjoying our company in a special place, making s'mores and catching up, which is what we went there to do. My advice is that if you're going there to have fun with friends and don't plan on going to bed before 9pm, choose a different park. If you're going alone or with your partner and plan on settling in and reading or being silent at sundown, then this is the park for you. Either way, it's gorgeous, but definitely not the place to congregate with more than 2 people if you're expecting to staying up until 11 or later and would like to make the...

Honestly, we were having a great time until the park ranger came with cops (he was very nice) we revived a fine for vulgure language? And excessive noise. This fine was 180$. The first night we were all sleeping by 10:30 pm. We might have made some noise but not enough for a complaint. No one around us. The second night we had some quiet music but honestly we’re not that loud. I promise you we were very quiet and had music very low. No warning recieved . We were all super confused and we all wanted to leave immediately. But it was late and we didn’t want to make any more noise. We felt super uncomfortable and will definitely not coming back. I’ve come here with my family and we recieved a warning for some noise but since we were 20 years olds it was a straight fine. There were many others yelling and making noise but it’s a public park so we didn’t say anything. We were woken up at 6 am by multiple loud barking dogs buy we didn’t complain. The officer said there were several complaints but we never got any warning what so ever, even from other campers. Normally if someone’s too loud they would shush.

NOT TO MENTION the privacy here is horrible. The website lies and says the privacy is good but it is horrible. We could fully see into other lots.

We have been camping many times to several parks. Have never received this treatment. A warning would have been appreciated as we were wrapping the night up anyway at 11pm. After we went to bed we heard a car pass by, we all looked up in fear and the ranger slowed down at our lot. Thankfully, they were just checking to make sure we were being quiet I guess. But we were all about to sleep.

All in all, the beaches sucked, the campsite was gross. There was food thrown out on our campground, and those people probably left with ease and no disturbance. Their priorities are just not set straight.

First coming here, the lady at the registration was very short and rude. She did not explain anything to me and just asked for the names that were on the campsite, handed me a paper and looked at me. We went to the store and one worker was just very short and unhappy. I have worked minimum wage jobs and even if I’m having a bad day I try to be personable at minimum.

ALSO the bathrooms are horrendous!!! Many other parks have nice bathrooms. These was stuff splattered all over the place we didn’t see one cleaning happen. I get that bathrooms are somewhat not their fault but at least a daily cleaning? We could smell it from our campsite.

Seriously, listen to the bad reviews and go...

Amazing experience in such a majestic park surrounded by beautiful lakes, bays and rivers. A fantastic place to fish. A fishermans or womans paradise. Also amazing to canoe or kayak around.

Park staff was incredibly friendly and helpful. Especially enjoy my talks with Nancy at the park store and incredibly knowledgeable about the area.

Also have to thank Drew the park ranger who came and helped us after a long canoe ride out to rideau ferry in not the best conditions. Also extremely friendly and helpful.

As for the campsites and experience. It was very pleasant and quiet. Very strict noise policy to which i appreciated. I've seen some nasty reviews and remarks and to that I say, you truly had to be too loud or out of hand that you needed to be warned and furthermore fined.

The campsites are close to one another so you do have to take in consideration of your noise levels as it may disturb your neighbours.

Also great benefit was when everything quieted down around 11. The park came alive with wildlife. Had a few deer come through my campsite as well as a porcupine and other critters. The coons werent a problem. There werent that many and they scare easily with a flashlight. All the creatures of the park were very docile and friendly to humans.

Had an amazing experience canoeing on hogg bay being buzzed by a loon a couple feet over head. Animals everywhere day and night.

Visitor centre very informative. Park store has all the necessities one may need including ones one doesn't. Needless to say if you forgot something important they have you covered.

Trails were beautiful, MacParlen house was interesting. I have to say this is one of my favourite places I've been and I will definitely be returning.

If you are looking to party all hours of the night this place isn't for you. If you are out to enjoy nature, wildlife, history and many memorable memories, this is the place for you.

5 star rating. Thanks again staff of Murphys Point for making this the best trip yet. Kudos all around. Very...