Nova Scotia Provincial Parks -- A-Z

A



Annapolis Basin Look Off - Fundy Shore - Small area with interpretive display.



Anthony - Fundy Shore - A picnic park at the edge of the Bay of Fundy. Exposed red sand area at low tide offers a great opportunity for walking and wading in the warm water.



Arisaig - Northumberland Shore - A small picnic park, known for its fascinating geology. An interpretive kiosk, trails, and picnic area help ensure an interesting and enjoyable experience. Located near the community of Arisaig, 27 km (17 miles) north of Antigonish and 57 km (36 miles) northeast of New Glasgow on Route 245. Park Brochure (PDF) & Trail Brochure (PDF)

B


Balmoral Mills - Northumberland Shore - Small park adjacent to the Balmoral Grist Mill.



Barachois - Cape Breton - Formerly a farm, this picnic park is situated on a knoll with a lovely view of Bras d' Or Lake. A short trail leads from the park down to a marshy lagoon. Located 12 km (8 mi) south of Highway 125.



Bayfield Beach - Northumberland Shore - A small popular beach. This small pebble beach offers supervised swimming on weekends, change houses, vault toilets, picnic area and water outlets available. 6 km (4 mi.) north of Exit 36 off Highway 104, on St. Georges Bay.



Bayswater Beach - South Shore - A picnic area with large sand beach and a view of the open ocean. Barbeque grills. 20 km (12 mi.) south of Hwy 103, Exit 7.



Beaver Mountain - Northumberland Shore - A small picnic area with a view of Antigonish and Cape Breton. Trail head for a 6 km (3.5 mi) hiking and cross-country ski trail. 3 km (2 mi) south. Exit 30, Highway 104.

Ben Eoin - Cape Breton - Small secluded park on an old farm against hardwood-covered hills; picnic tables. A short walk leads to a look off with a view of East Bay.




Black Duck Cove - Eastern Shore - Small day use park with beach and trails.



Blue Sea Beach - Northumberland Shore - Small picnic and swimming park.




Burnt Island - Cape Breton - Small day use area with a boat launch.



Bush Island - South Shore - Day use area with a boat launch.

C



Cabots Landing - Cape Breton - Picnic and beach park on the shore of Aspy Bay featuring a National Historic Site cairn commemorating the landfall of John Cabot.



Caddell Rapids Lookoff - Fundy Shore - Overlooking the Shubenacadie River's spectacular incoming tides. Bald eagles can often be seen patrolling the coast for food.



Camerons Brook - South Shore - A small picnic park on the bank of Cameron's brook offers a shaded lunch stop under a canopy of pine and hardwoods. Across the road is a bay of Ponhook Lake, a favourite for fishing and canoeing. 40 km north of Liverpool.



Cape Smokey - Cape Breton - 10 km (return) trail offering numerous coastal look-offs.



Card Lake - South Shore - A small park under a canopy of mature softwood trees on the edge of Card lake. The small beach provides an opportunity for a quick dip, or you can launch a canoe or small boat to explore the lake. Chester, 17 km (10 mi.) north of Hwy 103, Exit 8.


Central Grove - Fundy Shore - Center of Long Island A small picnic area along the rocky shore of Fundy ideal for photography.



Clairmont - Fundy Shore - A small picnic area, a cool oasis, beneath a stand of red pine. Three km east of Kingston; off Hwy 101 between Exits 16 and 17.



Clam Harbour Beach - Eastern Shore - A long, wide sandy beach; picnic area in a field on top of a bluff. Supervised weekends only. Canteen, flush toilet, changing rooms, showers. From Lake Charlotte, 10 km (6 mi) south of Route 7.



Cleveland Beach - South Shore - A sister beach to Queensland, with sandy beach and picnic area. Beach is unsupervised. Hubbards, 8 km south of Hwy 103, Exit 6, east through Hubbards.



Coldbrook - Fundy Shore - A pleasant little picnic area under a canopy of pine. An excellent lunch stop. 1 km west of Exit 14.



Cookville - South Shore - Small day use picnic park.



Cottage Cove - Fundy Shore - A picnic park overlooking the Bay of Fundy. Offering a cool respit from the Valley warmth. Thirteen km northwest of Middleton on the Fundy shore.
Crystal Crescent Beach



Crystal Crescent Beach - Halifax Metro - Three white-sand crescent beaches; two pit-toilet facilities. Trail head for a hike to Pennant Point, 10 km ( 6 mi.)

D



Dalem Lake - Cape Breton - Park surrounds a small lake. Hardwood-shaded tables. White sand beach; boat launches for non-motorized boats. Trail 1.5 km (0.5 mi). 3 km (2 mi) east of Boularderie East, 4 km (2.5 mi) north off Highway 105.

Dollar Lake



Dominion Beach - Cape Breton - A 1.5 km (1 mi) sandy beach. Boardwalks to the beach protect the dunes. Change houses, canteen, salt rinse showers, toilets. From Sydney, Highway 4 left, north of Gardener Road. 5 km (3 mi), right 8 km(5 mi) east along Highway 28.

Dundee - Cape Breton - A boat launch for Bras d' Or Lakes. This small park offers a small sandy beach.

E



East River - South Shore - A tiny picturesque picnic stop on a sheltered ocean cove. Facilities for the disabled. 1 km (0.5 mi.) east of Hwy 103, Exit 7.



Elderbank - Eastern Shore - A river access point for canoeing the lower Musquodoboit River. Parking, picnic tables. 29 km (18 mi) north of Musquodoboit Harbour.

F


Falls Lake - Fundy Shore - A small picnic park on Falls Lake with beach access.



Fancy Lake - South Shore - A day use picnic park with beach access.

Five Islands



Fox Harbour - Northumberland Shore - A small picnic beach park on the shore of Fox Harbour with a sandy beach and warm water. Change rooms. 4 km (2.5 mi) north of Route 6 at Wallace.

G



Glenwood - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores - A beautiful quiet picnic area on Rickers Lake, bordering Hwy 103. Picnic tables scattered beneath hardwood trees with view of lake. At junction of Rte 3 and Hwy 103 at Glenwood.

Graves Island



Green Hill - Northumberland Shore - A picnic park with a magnificent view. Off Highway 104, 9 km (6 mi) east of West River.



Groves Point - Cape Breton - Sandy beach and warm salt water. Tables under a softwood stand. 5 km (3 mi) south of Highway 105, before crossing St. Andrew's Channel.



Gulf Shore - Northumberland Shore - A beautiful picnic park on a hilltop overlooking Northumberland Strait. Tables, some shelters, in an open field. Sandy beach with warm water. 5 km (3 mi) north of Pugwash.

H


Heather Beach - Northumberland Shore - An excellent supervised beach, crowded on weekends during good weather. Small parking lot. 8 km (5 mi) east of East Linden.



Hubbards - South Shore - Day use park with picnic area and boat launch.

I


Irish Cove - Cape Breton - A small roadside picnic park overlooking Bras d' Or Lake. Some tables are sheltered. 32 km (20 mi) northeast of St. Peter's.

L


Lake George - Fundy Shore - Supervised freshwater, sandy beach, change houses and a small picnic area.



Lake Midway - Fundy Shore - A small roadside park with lake access.



Lake O' Law - Cape Breton - Small day use picnic area with a boat launch.

Laurie



Lawrencetown Beach - Eastern Shore - This popular sand and cobble beach on the Atlantic coast is noted for its surf. Ramped board walks, change house, toilets, canteen. Strong rip tides and currents are common - swimmers must exercise caution. Supervised swimming areas.

Lennox Passage - Cape Breton - Tables scattered through a forest; saltwater beach. Explore an operating lighthouse. On route 320, 5 km (3 m) east of the junction of Routes 320 and 206.



Jerry Lawrence (Lewis Lake) - Halifax Metro - Small day use park with picnic area and trails. Download the Brochure (1,039 kb pdf)



Lochiel Lake - Eastern Shore - A quiet picnic park with tables under trees by an open field, overlooking Two-Mile Lake. The lake is suitable for boating and swimming.



Londonderry - Fundy Shore - Off Hwy 4 at Londonderry. A wayside memorial park off Highway 104. Interpretive display.



Long Point - Cape Breton - A quiet inland picnic park.
Park is closed until further notice due to flood damage that has created unsafe conditions.



Lumsden Pond - Fundy Shore - A small roadside picnic park. A small picnic area with water access and change houses.

M


Mabou - Cape Breton - Hillside location, with a panoramic view of the Mabou Valley. Picnic tables. 1.5 km (1 mi) north of Mabou.



Marie Joseph - Eastern Shore - A picturesque roadside picnic park on the ocean with a view of offshore islands. Tables scattered under softwoods overlooking rocky shoreline.1.5 km (1 mi) west of Marie Joseph.



Martinique Beach - Eastern Shore - East Petpeswick Road. Beach, with open and wooded picnic area behind dunes. Boardwalks and hard-surfaced paths. Beachcombing, migratory waterfowl. 11 km (7 mi) south of Musquodoboit Harbour.

Mavillette Beach - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores - 1.5 km long sandy beach backed by fragile marram grass covered dunes. Extensive sand flats exposed at low tide. Change houses, boardwalk and freshwater taps available , but no picnic tables.



MacCormack Beach - Cape Breton - A small picnic park overlooking Bras d' Or Lake, with tables scattered through a softwood forest. Beach access, view of picturesque Plaster Cove.0.3 km (0.2 mi) north of Iona.



MacCormacks Beach - Halifax Metro - Adjacent to popular Fisherman's Cove the park features an extensive boardwalk and provides beautiful views of Eastern Passage, Lawlor's and Devil's Islands and Halifax Harbour. A few picnic shelters.


MacElmons Pond - Fundy Shore - Small picnic park and short walking trail adjacent to a headpond and wildlife sanctuary. The rich waters of the headpond supports a small population of American widgeon as well it is an important staging area for migratory waterfowl.




McNabs and Lawlor Islands - Halifax Metro - At the mouth of Halifax Harbour, the park carries visitors back in time, and back to nature. Just a short boat trip from various points in the metro area, military and history buffs, birders, and hikers will be enthralled with this park’s intriguing past and beautiful natural surroundings so close to the dynamic downtown. Download the brochure for more information.



Melmerby Beach - Northumberland Shore - A popular 2 km (1.25 mi) supervised beach with boardwalks. Change houses, canteen, salt-rinse showers. 16 km (10 mi) north of Highway 104, Exit 25.

Moose River Gold Mines - Eastern Shore - Located in one of Nova Scotia's earliest gold mining regions, the park marks the site of the 1936 Moose River Mine Disaster. Three men were trapped in the collapse. Their rescue story was widely chronicled in the media carried by over 700 radio stations across Canada, the US and England. Download the brochure for more info.




Musquodoboit Valley - Eastern Shore - On Route 224, 42 km (26 mi) north of Route 7. Located in a field bordering the Musquodoboit River. Tables are scattered throughout the area; many are shaded by large hardwoods.

N


Newville Lake - Fundy Shore - Route 2 at Halfway Brook. Small picnic site under softwood trees, along the shore of Newville Lake.



Ninevah - South Shore - A small picnic park beneath a stand of oak and maple near a small brook. 0.5 km East of the junction of Routes 325 and 208.



North River - Cape Breton - A small picnic park from which number of backcountry trails begin. One leads through spectacular steep-sided river canyon with deep salmon pools and a beautiful 32 metre (104 foot) waterfall. Located 3.5 kilometres (2.1 miles) off the Cabot Trail at North River Bridge. From Highway 105 take Exit 11. For more information download the brochure on provincial hiking trails in Victoria County.



Northport Beach - Northumberland Shore - Open fields abutting on a red sandy beach accessible by stairs. The warm water and the gentle tide. At low tide, sandbars trap pools of warm water for wading. 3 km (2 mi) east of Northport.

O




Oakfield - Halifax Metro - Picnic park on Shubenacadie-Grand Lake featuring a small beach and boat launch. The park is not far from Laurie Park and is a popular swimming and boating area. Walking trails nearby.

P



Petersfield - Cape Breton - Picnic park overlooking the south arm of Sydney Harbour. The park contains remnants of four cultural periods, dating from the late 18th to mid 20th centuries. Extensive network of walking trails.



Plaster - Cape Breton - Small day use picnic area.



Point Michaud Beach - Cape Breton - A fantastic 3 km (2 mi) sandy beach, backed by marram-covered sand dunes and large cranberry bogs. 1 km (0.5 mi) east of Point Michaud.



Pomquet Beach - Northumberland Shore - This 3 km (2 mi) supervised beach has the best example of dune succession in Nova Scotia. Boardwalks. Flush toilet, change house, interpretive display. Take either Exit 35 or 36 north off Highway 104.



Pondville Beach - Cape Breton - Picnic park with 1 km (0.5 mi) sandy beach, backed by gentle dunes, a large lagoon and salt marsh. 2 km (1.5 mi) off route 320 through Pondville.



Port Hood Beach - Cape Breton - A picnic park with a cobble beach. Picnic tables, boardwalk. Adjacent to white sand beach. Off Route 19 at Port Hood Station.



Port Maitland Beach - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores - A one km sand and cobble beach backed by a grassy picnic area, picnic tables water outlet and change houses. The nearby wharf and fishing boats are favourite subjects for painters and photographers.



Port Shoreham Beach - Eastern Shore - A sand and cobble beach. Picnic tables scattered on the back beach. Change houses, pit toilets.

Porters Lake



Powells Point - Northumberland Shore - A large picnic area by the warmest salt water in Nova Scotia. Sandy beach on one side, rocky on the other. Route 289, north of New Glasgow; left at the shore road.

Provincial Wildlife Park


Q



Queensland Beach - South Shore - Although not large, this supervised beach is one of the most popular on the South Shore. The warm air and sand draw large crowds, so arrive early on the hot days to find a parking spot.

R



Rainbow Haven Beach - Eastern Shore - The park is known for its large sand and cobble beach at the mouth of Cole Harbour. Board walks, change houses, toilet facilities, canteen. Supervised. Rainbow Haven Park is 8 km (5 mi.) east of Cow Bay.

Rissers Beach



Ross Ferry - Cape Breton - Small day use area with a boat launch.



Rushtons Beach - Northumberland Shore - Sheltered picnic grounds. Broad sandbars at low tide and the salt marsh attract a great variety of birds; warmest salt water in Nova Scotia. Route 6, 4 km (2.5 mi) east of Brule.

S


Sable River - South Shore - This small picnic area has a brook running through it that is swallowed up by the incoming tide. A pine tree canopy provides a relaxing place to stop. Just south of Hwy 103 , Exit 23 at Sable River.

Salsman



Salt Springs - Northumberland Shore - Nestled against the banks of the West River, Salt Springs Provincial Park makes a great stopover for visitors to this region of the province. Just off Exit 19 from the Trans-Canada Highway (104) 17 km (10 mi.) west of New Glasgow.



Sand Hills Beach - South Shore - At low tide there are wide sand flats which warm the water when the tide comes back in. Spectacular sand dune system backs the beach area. There are change facilities and picnic tables. Villagedale, 6 km south of Hwy 103, Exit 29. (Barrington), features a 2.5 km white sand beach.

Savary - Fundy Shore - A small picturesque picnic area overlooking St. Mary's Bay. At low tide you can beachcomb along the rocky shoreline.



Scots Bay - Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley - Small picnic park with beach access.



Second Peninsula - South Shore - This large scenic picnic park on the ocean has tables scattered under a stand of spruce and fir and can easily accommodate group picnics. Lunenburg, 10 km south of Hwy 103, Exit 10.



Sherbrooke - Eastern Shore - Small picnic park on the St. Marys River, Scattered tables under towering softwood trees. Just north of Sherbrooke on Route 7.



Shinimicas - Northumberland Shore - A small picnic park located under stately elms along the banks of the Shinimicas River. 1 km (0.5 mi) east of Shinimicas Bridge.

Smileys



Smuggler's Cove - Yarmouth & Acadian Shores - Beach area with picnic tables and an interpretive display.

Southwest Margaree - Cape Breton - A roadside picnic area next to a small brook, with tables around an open field. 2 km (1.5 mi) south of the junction of Routes 19 and 395.
Park is closed until further notice due to flood damage that has created unsafe conditions.



Spry Bay - Eastern Shore - Small day park area with picnic area.



St Anns - Cape Breton - Small day use area with picnic spot.



Summerville Beach - South Shore - One of the finest sandy beaches on the south shore. Picnic tables are out in the open but each has a roof to provide shade. The 1 km long beach is backed by sand dunes and a open salt marsh. Off Rte. 3 at Summerville Center.

T


Tatamagouche - Northumberland Shore - Small stopover picnic park. 1.5 km (1 mi) east of Tatamagouche.



Taylor Head - Eastern Shore - Located southwest of Sheet Harbour, on Route 7(Marine Drive) Taylor Head Park occupies a rugged wind swept peninsula that juts 6 km into the Atlantic Ocean. The park's hiking trails and walks provide access to a variety of natural habitat, interesting geological features, and wildlife species, scenic look-offs, secluded beaches and 16 km (10 mi.) of unspoiled coastline. Download the brochure for this park. For images of this park see its Photo Gallery.

Ten Mile Lake - South Shore - A small picnic park beneath a stand of pine and hemlock on the shores of Ten Mile Lake. Relax by the shore or take a quick dip. 21 km north of Liverpool.

The Islands

Thomas Raddall



Tidnish Dock - Northumberland Shore - Marks the eastern terminus of the historic Chignecto Marine Transport Railway - one of Nova Scotia's most ambitious engineering projects. The project called for the construction of a 17 mile (28 km) long double-tracked railway from Fort Lawrence on the Bay of Fundy, across the isthmus to Tidnish Dock on the Northumberland Strait. Vessels were to be floated over huge wheeled cradles, which would be lifted by hydraulic presses to the level of the railway. The vessels would then be hauled across the isthmus where, on the other side, vessel and cradle would be lowered into the water until the vessel floated free. Download the Brochure



Tor Bay - Eastern Shore - Small but picturesque picnic area on a rocky point looking out to the open Atlantic 8 km (5 mi) south of Larry's River. Sweeping sand beaches; board walks; interpretive displays make this an interesting stop along the Eastern Shore. Beach is unsupervised.



Trout Brook - Cape Breton - Tables under a mixed-wood forest. Beyond the forested area is a beautiful white sandy beach on the shores of Lake Ainslie. 22.5 km (14 mi) south of the junction of Routes 19 and 395.

U


Uisage Ban Falls - Cape Breton - A 1.5 hour round trip hike to a spectacular 15 m waterfall. Picnic tables and pit toilets are available. Located 14.5 kilometres (9 miles) north of Baddeck. From Highway 105 take Exit 9.

V
Valleyview

W


Waterside - Northumberland Shore - Long sandy beach with very warm water, salt marsh and open farmland. 3 km (2 mi) north of Route 6, east of Caribou River.



West Mabou Beach - Cape Breton - Natural environment park with large sand beach and dune system at the mouth of Mabou Harbour. The park also consists of old farm fields and marshes. The park has several walking and hiking trails and a picnic area. Change houses and pit toilets and small interpretive site. For images of this park see its Photo Gallery.



Wentworth - Fundy Shore & Annapolis Valley - Day use picnic park with scenic views.




William de Garthe - South Shore - Carved memorial to the fishermen of the area. Long-time resident William de Garthe carved the memorial in a granite outcrop.

Wildlife Park (Shubenacadie)

Whycocomagh