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the world’s highest tides

Things To Do in Fundy National Park

New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park is located on the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides. Easy access is via the pretty town of Alma, literally just minutes from the park gates at the east entrance.
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Beach at Herring Cove in Fundy National Park

New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park is located on the Bay of Fundy, home to the world’s highest tides. Easy access is via the pretty town of Alma, literally just minutes from the park gates at the east entrance.

There are lots of things to do in Fundy National Park in summer when beaches beckon and over 100 km of hiking trails wait for the clomp of your boots. In winter snow related activities abound. And it’s easy to stay overnight in the park if you don’t mind rustic accommodation. Fundy National Park is located an hour southwest of Moncton – one of the cities serviced by air.

Things to do in Fundy National Park  – Visit the beaches 

There are sandy beaches along the Coastal Trail in the park. The one at Herring Cove is a great place for a picnic. It can be accessed by car if you’re not into hiking. You can also head to Bennett Lake or Wolfe Lake for freshwater swimming and more sandy beaches.

Beach at Herring Cove in Fundy National Park
Beach at Herring Cove in Fundy National Park
Beaches to explore in Fundy National Park
One of the beaches close to Alma

Choose from over 100 kilometres of hiking trails

Some hiking trails like the Caribou Plain Boardwalk are super short – just an easy half kilometre while others are exceptionally strenuous. The 48 km Fundy Circuit links seven hiking trails together and takes three to five days to hike.

I always prefer a trail with a view and the 13.8 km Coastal Trail delivers that as you can see in the photo below.

One of the things to do in Fundy National Park is to hike to Squaw's Cap Lookoff - a Fundy Biosphere Amazing Place
Squaw’s Cap Lookoff – a Fundy Biosphere Amazing Place
One of the things to do in Fundy National Park is beautiful forest hiking
Beautiful forest hiking
Hiking near Matthew's head in Fundy National Park
Some of the trails like this one near Matthew’s Head are very easy

Birdwatching is excellent

According to Kirby Adams of National Parks Traveler, warblers are drawn by the Old Man’s Beard, lichen found in spruce forests.

Twenty six warbler species have been sighted in Fundy National Park. In the boreal forest you can expect to find boreal chickadees and spruce grouse. And along the shoreline you will be rewarded with gulls, terns, sandpipers, plovers and even common eider ducks.

Black-throated green warbler, one of the warbler species sighted in the park
Black-throated green warbler, one of the warbler species sighted in the park – Photo credit: Fyn Kynd on Flick Creative Commons

4. Go kayaking with Fresh Air Adventure based in Alma

Fresh Air Adventure tours offer a great way to experience the inaccessible park shoreline and to see the tides of the Bay of Fundy in action. With a little luck you might be able to see bald eagles or peregrine falcons. Canoes, rowboats and kayaks are also available for rent on Bennett Lake.

Check out the waterfalls 

There are more than 25 waterfalls in Fundy National Park. Many of the falls can be seen from the hiking trails. The most photographed set of falls, the Dickson Falls, are accessed via a 1.5 km loop trail.

Laverty Falls - Photo credit: mrbanjo1138 on Flickr
Laverty Falls – Photo credit: mrbanjo1138 on Flickr

Go camping – one of the top things to do in Fundy National Park

There are lots of camping options. In Fundy National Park there are four front-country campgrounds and 8 backcountry options at Goose River, Marven Lake, Tracey Lake or Chambers Lake.

There are also three rustic cabins, all fully insulated. You do have to walk into them – with distances varying by cabin and season. You also have to bring your own sleeping bag and mat, cooking gear and all your water. (If there was snow, I’m sure you could melt at least some of what you need.)

Other options include yurts, the Parks Canada oTENTik – a combo tent and rustic cabin equipped with beds, the Ôasis pictured below or the more traditional front-country camping which includes tents and RV’s. Don’t forget the s’mores.

Camping in Fundy National Park
Camping in Fundy National Park – Photo credit: Shawn Harquail on Flickr Creative Commons
Smores - two graham wafers, a roasted marshmallow & melted chocolate
Smores – two graham wafers, a roasted marshmallow & melted chocolate – Photo credit: gLangille on Flickr
Goutte d'O in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick
Oasis in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick – Photo credit @Parks Canada

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In winter choose from cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, winter walks or tobogganing

There’s plenty to keep you busy in winter in Fundy National Park. In fact it’s a prime destination especially because there are oTENTiks and rustic cabins to rent so you can enjoy winter right outside your front door.

There are lots of places to go snowshoeing, 18 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, fat-biking, ice-skating and tobogganing. If you do spend the night you can also look forward to some magnificent night skies. Don’t forget the binoculars.

The park is open from sunrise to sunset and best of all it’s all FREE.

Where to stay near Fundy National Park

Alma, literally a few minute’s drive from the park entrance has lots of overnight accommodation options.  

The Parkland Village Inn where I stayed was on the basic side but it offered great views.

Alma Shore Lane Suites & Cottages would be another excellent choice.

For more information on Fundy National Park visit the park website.

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