New Brunswick is home to two spectacular national parks: Fundy National Park and Kouchibouguac National Park. Fundy National Park is located on the Bay of Fundy, renowned for its high tides and natural beauty. Covering 206 square kilometres, it offers excellent hiking trails and outdoor recreational facilities. Kouchibouguac National Park, on the other hand, spans 238 square kilometres on the east coast of New Brunswick. It boasts forests, sheltered lagoons, and sand dunes. In addition to these national parks, New Brunswick also has 12 provincial parks, including Sugarloaf Provincial Park, République Provincial Park, and Murray Beach Provincial Park, each offering its own unique attractions and adventures.
What You'll Learn
Fundy National Park
New Brunswick is home to 12 parks, including the Fundy National Park, which is located on the Bay of Fundy, near the village of Alma. The park was created in 1946 and officially opened in 1950. It showcases a rugged coastline that rises up to the Canadian Highlands, the world's highest tides, and more than 25 waterfalls. The park covers an area of 207 square kilometres along Goose Bay, the northwestern branch of the Bay of Fundy.
The Bay of Fundy, a notable feature of the park, is home to the largest tidal shift in the world, with waters rising up to 12 metres or more. At low tide, visitors can explore the ocean floor, which is home to a variety of sea creatures, and at high tide, the ocean floor disappears under 15 metres of saltwater.
The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. There are 658 species of vascular plants, 276 species of bryophytes, and over 400 species of lichens. The Fundy forest is a mixed-wood forest with red spruce, balsam fir, yellow birch, and sugar maple trees. The area that is now Fundy National Park was once inhabited by the Mi'kmaq and Maliseet peoples, and later by Acadian settlers in the surrounding areas.
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Kouchibouguac National Park
New Brunswick is home to several national and provincial parks, including the Kouchibouguac National Park. Established in 1969, the park is located on the east coast of New Brunswick in Kouchibouguac and covers an area of 238 square kilometres (92 square miles). The park is situated on unceded Mi'gmaq territory and includes diverse landscapes such as barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marshes, and forests.
Camping is a popular activity in the park, with 311 campsites offering amenities like washrooms with showers, playgrounds, and dumping stations. There are also 31 unserviced sites located along a lagoon and 3 backcountry camping locations with fire pits, picnic tables, and pit toilets. The park provides roofed accommodations, including a blend of tent and rustic cabin options. It is important to note that certain rules and guidelines must be followed, such as keeping pets on a leash, not feeding wildlife, and maintaining a quiet time from 11 pm to 7 am.
The park has a rich history and cultural significance, particularly for the local Indigenous Peoples, including the Mi'kmaq. The name "Kouchibouguac" is derived from the Mi'kmaq language and means "river of the long tides". The creation of the park involved the expropriation of land from numerous landowners and communities, leading to resistance and a change in Parks Canada's rules to prevent forced removal in the future. The park's management plan aims to include various stakeholders, such as local Indigenous Peoples and former residents, in decision-making processes and improve cultural resource management.
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Roosevelt-Campobello International Park
New Brunswick is home to several national parks, including Fundy National Park, Kouchibouguac National Park, and Roosevelt-Campobello International Park. While not a national park, Roosevelt-Campobello International Park is a historic site and a must-see when visiting New Brunswick. The park is a symbol of cooperation between the US and Canada, jointly administered, staffed, and funded by both nations.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, spent many summers on Campobello Island as a child and adult, enjoying sailing, hiking, and picnicking. After contracting polio, Roosevelt visited the island less frequently, but it remained important to him. Although he was paralysed from the waist down, Roosevelt sailed to the island in 1933 and visited briefly in 1936 and 1939. Eleanor Roosevelt also loved the cool summer weather and visited the island frequently with her children and friends.
After Eleanor Roosevelt's death in 1962, the cottage was acquired by Armand Hammer, who deeded the property to the US and Canadian governments. The two governments established the international park in 1964, with a treaty outlining equal financial support and joint management and staffing. The Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission, consisting of members from both countries, was created to administer the park.
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Provincial parks
New Brunswick is home to a plethora of natural wonders, including its famous Bay of Fundy, which boasts the largest tidal shift in the world. The province has 12 provincial parks, each offering a unique experience.
The Anchorage Provincial Park
The Anchorage Provincial Park is a coastal wildlife oasis, offering camping, hiking, and beach access. It is a great place to experience the natural beauty of New Brunswick.
Sugarloaf Provincial Park
Sugarloaf Provincial Park is a mountain of adventure, featuring a mountain bike park, tennis court, restaurant, and hiking trails. It also offers downhill biking for those seeking an adrenaline-pumping experience.
République Provincial Park
République Provincial Park is a place where nature, culture, and history meet. Visitors can enjoy biking, botanical gardens, camping, hiking, and a pool and tennis court.
Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Parlee Beach Provincial Park is known for having Canada's warmest saltwater beach. It offers a variety of activities, including volleyball, biking, camping, and a restaurant.
North Lake Provincial Park
North Lake Provincial Park is a nature lover's paradise, offering camping and beach access. It is a great place to explore the natural beauty of New Brunswick.
New River Beach Provincial Park
New River Beach Provincial Park is a Fundy tidal beach, providing access to hiking, camping, a restaurant, and beach activities. It offers a unique experience with the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy.
Murray Beach Provincial Park
Murray Beach Provincial Park, known for its stunning sunsets over the Northumberland Strait, offers beach camping and hiking. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the natural surroundings.
Mount Carleton Provincial Park
Mount Carleton Provincial Park provides a Canadian Appalachian Experience, with biking, camping, hiking, and a café. It is a place to explore the four seasons and connect with nature.
Mactaquac Provincial Park
Mactaquac Provincial Park is a four-season playground, offering beach access, biking, camping, a golf course, marina, and volleyball court. It has something for everyone, all year round.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park invites visitors to walk on the ocean floor and explore the Bay of Fundy's famous tidal shifts. It also offers beach access, hiking, a restaurant, and walking trails.
Herring Cove Provincial Park
Herring Cove Provincial Park is a nature lover's retreat, offering camping, a golf course, hiking, and a restaurant. It provides a peaceful and scenic experience.
Fundy Trail Provincial Park
Fundy Trail Provincial Park showcases the beauty of the Bay of Fundy, with beach access, biking, camping, hiking, and a café. It is a great place to experience the power of the world's highest tides.
New Brunswick's provincial parks offer a diverse range of experiences, from coastal adventures to mountain excursions. They provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, exploration, and connection with nature, all within the province's natural wonders.
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Park amenities
New Brunswick is home to several national and provincial parks, each offering a unique experience. While the exact number of national parks in the province is unclear, here is an overview of some of the notable ones, focusing on their park amenities:
Fundy National Park
Fundy National Park, established in 1948, is located on the east coast of New Brunswick. It boasts the world's highest tides, with up to 38 feet of water flooding the bay twice daily. The park features a rugged coastline, saltwater lagoons, sandy beaches, and manicured gardens. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and kayaking during the summer, and cross-country skiing in the winter. Interpretive programs and trails allow visitors to explore the Bay of Fundy and the backcountry.
Kouchibouguac National Park
Kouchibouguac National Park, located along the Acadian Coast, offers a diverse landscape of barrier islands, sand dunes, salt marshes, forests, and lagoons. It is known for its excellent bike trails, with 60kms to explore, and its cross-country ski trails in the winter. The park is also a Dark Sky Preserve, making it ideal for stargazing.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
This historic park preserves the summer retreat of the Roosevelt family, including the 34-room cottage of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. The park features scenic trails, flower gardens, and forested areas with 150 bird species. It showcases the natural beauty of Campobello Island, located in the Bay of Fundy.
Herring Cove Provincial Park
Herring Cove Provincial Park, part of Roosevelt Campobello International Park, offers steep cliffs, a sprawling beach, a rich bog, and ancient spruce trees. It is known for its wildlife, including bald eagles, osprey, and beavers. The park also has amenities for camping, golf, hiking, and dining.
The Anchorage Provincial Park
The Anchorage Provincial Park, situated on Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy, is a natural bird sanctuary with approximately 275 species. It provides opportunities for whale-watching, gentle walks on trails like the Red Point Trail boardwalk, and kayaking. In the winter, visitors can explore the park with snowshoes or cross-country skis.
Sugarloaf Provincial Park
Sugarloaf Provincial Park offers amenities for camping, hiking, and mountain biking. It also has a tennis court and a restaurant.
République Provincial Park
République Provincial Park caters to a range of activities, including biking, botanical gardens, camping, hiking, and tennis. It has a pool and provides access to cultural and historical experiences.
Parlee Beach Provincial Park
Parlee Beach Provincial Park, known for having Canada's warmest saltwater beach, offers a volleyball court, biking, camping, a restaurant, and walking trails.
Mount Carleton Provincial Park
Mount Carleton Provincial Park, located within the Canadian Appalachians, provides opportunities for biking, camping, hiking, and dining at its café.
Mactaquac Provincial Park
Mactaquac Provincial Park is a four-season destination offering a golf course, marina, volleyball court, and amenities for camping, biking, and beach activities.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park invites visitors to explore the ocean floor and features a beach, hiking trails, a restaurant, and walking paths.
These parks showcase the natural beauty and diverse amenities of New Brunswick's provincial and national parks. Each park offers a range of activities and experiences to suit different interests and vacation styles.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two national parks in New Brunswick: Fundy National Park and Kouchibouac National Park.
Fundy National Park is located on the Bay of Fundy, which is home to the largest tidal shift in the world. It covers 206 square kilometres and has excellent hiking trails and outdoor recreational facilities.
Kouchibouguac National Park covers 238 square kilometres and has forests, sheltered lagoons, and sand dunes. It also offers excellent bike trails and fun programming for adults and kids.
Yes, there are several provincial parks in New Brunswick, including Herring Cove Provincial Park, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, and République Provincial Park.