Nick Hawkins New Brunswick Tourism
The Fundy Trail Parkway. It spans from Fownes Beach in St. Martins to the western boundary of Fundy National Park.
Words by Steve Fennell
At approximately 73,000 sq km (28,185 sq mi), New Brunswick is the largest province in the Canadian Maritimes. With such a vast land mass and the fact that Quebec is to the north and the State of Maine is to the west, there are a few exciting routes to travel here by RV - and many destinations to discover once you cross one of its borders.
Although the Bay of Fundy is to the south and the scenic Northumberland Strait in the Gulf of St. Lawrence is to the east, experiencing both coasts is possible during an RV trip. One of the most efficient ways is by visiting the province’s two national parks, Fundy and Kouchibouguac.
National Parks are a wonderful way to experience a Canadian destination by RV. They preserve many natural attractions, have full-service campgrounds, and the outdoor recreation is second to none. To determine which of these parks to visit first depends on the route you take to New Brunswick, but both are easily accessible and there are a variety of communities along the way to discover.
Fundy National Park
Established in 1948, Fundy National Park is on the southeast coast of New Brunswick. If your travels include visiting one or all of the province’s larger cities, the park is an easy run from Fredericton, Saint John, and Moncton.
More specifically, Fundy National Park is just outside the Village of Alma. This is a rural, seaside maritime fishing community where seafood such as lobster, scallops, and chowder reign supreme at the number of local restaurants. It’s the perfect place to stop before venturing into the park and walk along its shores (low tide) and admire the commercial fishing vessels.
Marie-Eve Sasseville iStock
The Kellys Beach Boardwalk leads 1 km (.6 mi) over salt marshes and lagoons to vast expanses of sand dunes.
Find the Best Campground For Your RV Lifestyle
Fundy has five campgrounds and a network of backcountry campsites. Perhaps the two most popular are Headquarters and Cannontown. Both are located in the hub of the park and close to many amenities and services.
For instance, Headquarters is within walking distance of Alma and has a total of 171 reservable sites. While 30 have power, water, and sewer, 25 have power and water only. If you prefer more of a boondocking experience, 47 are unserviced.
Cannontown, too, is near Alma and the closest to the park’s saltwater swimming pool, tennis courts, lawn bowling facilities, and the Fundy National Park golf course. This nine-hole, par 70 track was designed by course architect Stanley Thompson and is a relaxing way to spend a day here. The campground has 30 fully serviced sites with power, water, and sewer, and reservations are also available.
Another full-service campground is Chignecto. This is a large, wooded area in the park’s highlands area. It has 263 sites and 171 feature power and water; only 10 are full service (68 are unserviced). Ideal for families, a few special features include two playgrounds and the nearby Chignecto Recreation Area.
Two additional campgrounds include Pointe Wolf with 155 reservable sites (24 have electricity and water only and 120 are unserviced). You’ll appreciate Point Wolfe Beach, which is one of the perfect places to stroll along the water.
Lakeview is the park’s newest campground and even though it has limited services, it’s the ideal location if you want some privacy. It’s close to Wolfe Lake that has a beach area and scenic hiking trail to further explore the park.
Bay of Fundy Adventures New Brunswick Tourism
A visit to Alma, NB, provides the chance to sample some of the region’s fine - and fresh - seafood.
The Highest Tides in the World
Fundy spans 206 sq km (80 sq mi). While it may not be the largest in Canada, it is located on the Bay of Fundy, which is home to the highest tides in the world that can be seen from inside and outside of the park. In fact, the difference between high and low tide can be as much as 12 m (39 ft) and at the head of the bay, it can rise as high as 16 m (52 ft).
Some of the areas to experience and observe this natural occurrence are Point Wolfe Beach, Alma Beach, and Herring Cove Beach. You can even walk on the ocean floor for more than 1 km (.6 mi) at low tide.
To further enjoy the water, two inland lakes - Bennett and Wolfe - are where you can go canoeing, swimming, and fly fishing. Kayak, paddleboard and canoe rentals are available at the Bennett Lake Boathouse and fishing permits are required. Keep in mind that boating is restricted on Wolfe Lake until August.
When darkness falls, you’ll be amazed at the star-lit sky. The park is designated as a Dark-Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) in partnership with Parks Canada. A variety of public programs and events are commonly held from June to October and the prime viewing areas (even by the naked eye) are Caribou Plain, Bennett Lake, and Herring Cove.
With many other types of outdoor recreation, scenery to discover, and even scheduled educational programs, Fundy National Park is an excellent destination for RVers. To plan your trip visit www.parks.canada.ca or www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca.
Caroline Langevin New Brunswick Tourism
Kayaking is perhaps the best way to observe rare waterfowl as well as seals in their natural habitat.
Kouchibouguac National Park
If you’re touring the extensive Acadian Coastal Drive along New Brunswick’s east coast, don’t pass up the chance to experience Kouchibouguac National Park. A visit here means being rewarded with more stunning views and diverse landscapes.
While Kouchibouguac has three campgrounds, South Kouchibouguac is perhaps the most reserved among RVers. It’s also the largest with 311 sites and 126 are equipped with water, power and sewage while 59 have power only. Ninety-eight are unserviced. Some amenities include washrooms/shower facilities, kitchen shelters, fire pits, a dumping station and two playgrounds.
A less populated area of the park is Côte-à-Fabien Campground, which is ideal if you’re looking to escape some of the crowds during peak season. It has 31 unserviced sites so be ready for a boondocking experience. If you’re into mountain biking, it’s one of the main access points to the 60 km (37 mi) of biking trails.
The park is also known for its hiking. Many of the trails lead through salt marshes, freshwater systems, Acadian woodland forests, and even sand beaches and magnificent dunes.
Most hikes are rated easy and range in distance from .9 to 5.3 km (.6 to 3.3 mi). The Kouchibouguac River Trail is the longest (and rated moderate) with a length of 11.3 km (7 mi) and leads along scenic shores. It’s one of the common areas for birdwatching and other great routes for birding include the Osprey Trail (5 km (3 mi)), the Bog Trail (2.1 km (1.3 mi)) and the Pines Trail (.8 km (.5 mi)).
New Brunswick Tourism
Accommodating campgrounds are found in both national parks.
From Beaches to Birding
Being along the shores of Northumberland Strait, Kouchibouguac National Park is home to a handful of attractions including a magnificent 25 km (16 mi) stretch of sand dunes (or sand spits) and beaches. One of the most visited is Kellys Beach, which is accessed via a 1 km (.6 mi) boardwalk that leads off the mainland over salt marshes, a lagoon, and dunes.
This is the perfect day destination where you can cool off in its refreshing waters, relax under the sun, and explore the expansive dunes. Some amenities include change rooms, washrooms, showers, a food concession, picnic areas and even trails.
Nearby are the South Kouchibouguac and North Kouchibouguac dunes - extensive sandpits that many species of birds call home. In fact, it has the second largest tern colony in North America and you may spot the endangered Piping Plovers, Red-Breasted Mergansers, as well as other shorebirds. Harbour and grey seals also reside here and can often be seen frolicking on the warm sand or slipping into the cool water.
Back on the mainland, Callanders Beach is another sandy oasis. Although it’s 5 km (3 mi) from the South Kouchibouguac campground, it’s easily accessible by car or bike. For a new experience, try your hand at softshell clamming (permits are required) while other pastimes include geocaching, swimming, and having picnics at the designated facilities.
Of course, the tidal rivers, lagoons and the Kouchibouguac River are widely used for paddlesports. Fishing, too, is excellent and a Kouchibouguac National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish or go clamming.
These are just two of the preserved parks in the province but with their stunning landscapes, range of activities, full-service facilities, and welcoming campgrounds, they are the perfect way to experience New Brunswick this summer with your RV.
For more information about the park and trip planning visit www.parks.canada.ca/pn-np/nb/kouchibouguac