10 Amazing National Park Experiences in Atlantic Canada

August 23, 2017

We're continuing our look at some of the BEST ways to experience our parks and historic sites—with Atlantic Canada's amazing Parks Canada sites:

Have you taken advantage of Parks Canada’s Discovery Pass this year?

To celebrate Canada’s 150th—the federal agency is offering FREE admission to all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas throughout 2017. (Plus, free seasonal lockage too, on national historic waterways.)

We’re continuing our look at some of the BEST ways to experience our parks and historic sites—with Atlantic Canada’s amazing Parks Canada sites:

New Brunswick

Kouchibouguac Duathlon

After pedalling around on Kouchibouguac National Park’s (PICTURED) 50 kilometres of bike paths (rent a bike at Ryan’s Rental Centre), cool off with a swim. The park brags some of the warmest ocean waters north of the Carolinas.

Hike Above the Tides

The 3.2-kilometre Coastal Trail in Fundy National Park stays safely out of reach of the world’s largest tides by skirting sea cliffs and headlands. It’s one of the prettiest hikes in the park.

Acadian Refuge

When the English tried to kick the Acadians out of New Brunswick, the French immigrants hid on Beaubears Island. Today, this home of a national historic site is mostly old growth pine forest, a rarity in this part of New Brunswick. The best way to reach the island is on an interpretive Voyageur canoe journey.

Prince Edward Island

Afternoon at the RITS

The newest trail in Prince Edward Island National Park is the RITS, the five-kilometre Robinsons Island Trail System. Though it’s multi-use, it was designed for mountain bikers with 11 technical challenges at spurs spread along the double-loop. (PICTURED)

Nova Scotia

The Best Sunset in the East

One of Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s best sunsets is viewed from the Skyline Trail (PICTURED) with a park’s guide. Meet two hours before sunset at the trailhead. Reserve beforehand at the campground or visitor centre ($15).

Best Canoeing in the Maritimes

Don’t let the 13 portages along the 48-kilometre Peskowesk Lake canoe route put you off. They’re mostly short and easy: a quick break of old growth forest between the spring-fed lakes of the circuit in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Labrador’s 50-K beach

One of the highlights of Canada’s newest national park, Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains, is a 50-kilometre-long sandy beach known as Wunderstrands. (PICTURED)

Spot an Iceberg

In the spring, Malady Head in Terra Nova National Park is a good place to spot an iceberg. From the woodsy campground, it’s a relentless two-kilometre hike to the summit—but all of the Eastport Peninsula and Bona Vista Bay is visible.

The Far East

Tag North America’s most easterly point by hiking or paddling around Cape Spear. The national historic site is part of the East Coast Trail, a good spot to see whales and a challenging sea kayak destination.

Tag The Rock’s #2

The 800-metre summit of Gros Morne Mountain—in the namesake national park—is the second-highest on the island of Newfoundland. The 16-kilometre loop hike to the peak includes scree-scrambling and a rocky gully. The view of Ten Mile Pond is a beauty that’s well worth the effort.

These experiences are just the start.

Discover 150 MORE amazing outdoor adventures in our brand-new, totally free e-book: CANADA’S 150 MOST AMAZING OUTDOOR ADVENTURES.

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Discover More National Park Adventures:

16 Incredible National Parks Experiences in Ontario and Quebec

Have you taken advantage of Parks Canada’s Discovery Pass this year?
To celebrate Canada’s 150th—the federal agency is offering FREE admission to all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas throughout 2017. (Plus, free seasonal lockage too, on…