Your Complete Guide To Camping in Fundy National Park
There’s something special about waking up with the world’s highest tides just steps from your RV. After spending a week camping in Fundy National Park as part of our extended Canadian Maritime RV road trip adventure, we discovered why this gem along New Brunswick’s coast is perfect for your next camping trip.
The constantly changing tidal landscape, incredible hiking trails, and comfortable campgrounds at Fundy National Park made it one of the highlights of our three-month trip through the Canadian Maritimes and Newfoundland.
Looking for the perfect Fundy National Park camping experience? This comprehensive guide covers everything from campgrounds to the best trails for catching those quintessential Bay of Fundy views and experiences.
Why You Should Visit Fundy National Park
Most RVers and travelers use Fundy National Park as a quick stop on the way to Nova Scotia or Newfoundland, with it only being a few hours from the Maine border (we crossed from the U.S. to Canada near Calais).
After spending a full week exploring Fundy National Park, we can confidently say that there is plenty to explore in this beautiful park to make it a multi-day stop!
The Bay of Fundy is home to the highest tides in the world, but also so much more.
What makes Fundy National Park truly special is the diversity it holds. In a single day, we hiked through dense Acadian forest in the morning, explored the ocean floor during low tide in the afternoon, and walked along a rocky coastline beach with endless blue water views at sunset.
The Best Time to Camp in Fundy National Park
As with any visit to a National Park, planning your camping trip to Fundy National Park requires balancing crowds with weather conditions. Based on our experience:
Mid-June through July offers the perfect combination of decent weather, fewer crowds, and full services. We arrived in mid-June and found the campground to be lively, but not quite at full capacity.
August through September would be another great option with warm days, cool nights, and potentially fewer visitors (especially after families return for the school season)
Note that Canadian holidays will be busy in the park, particularly Victoria Day weekend in May, Canada Day (July 1st), and the August Civic Holiday weekend. You may want to try to book your stays around these dates if possible!
Also, as is typical with maritime climates, you can expect foggy mornings (especially in campgrounds closer to the water) and your fair share of rain, especially during early summer and as you get closer to fall. Prepare for it and embrace it – it’s what keeps the landscape so green and lush!
Understanding the Bay of Fundy Tides (And How to Experience Them)
The tidal phenomenon at the Bay of Fundy is truly mind-boggling. Twice daily, over one billion tons of water flow in and out of the bay – more than all the freshwater rivers on Earth combined.
The best spots to experience the tides within Fundy National Park:
- Point Wolfe Beach – Our personal favorite! At low tide, walk along the ocean floor exploring tide pools. The dramatic red cliffs against the tidal flats are truly stunning
- Alma Beach – Convenient if you’re staying at Headquarters or Cannontown Campground. We witnessed fishing boats sitting on the bare ocean floor at low tide, then floating at their docks 6 hours later.
- Herring Cove – This small rocky cove is a great place to also explore a small sea cave
- Hopewell Rocks: Just a short drive north from the National Park, here you can get a great sense for the massive shift the tides bring. At high tide, kayak around fascinating rock formations. At low tide walk on the ocean floor, gazing up at the rock formations you were once at eye level with!
Pro tip: Visit the same location at both high and low tide with roughly 6 hours between visits. We took “before and after” photos from the exact same spot, creating dramatic comparisons that really showcase just how much and how quickly the tides change. Also, be prepared for mucky conditions when exploring at low tide. It is the ocean floor after all!
You can use these Bay of Fundy tide charts to help plan your adventures while visiting Fundy National Park!
Complete Breakdown of Fundy National Park Campgrounds
We had the pleasure of staying at Cannontown Campground during our visit, while also thoroughly exploring the other campgrounds to give you a complete picture. Use the map below to get an idea of where each campground is located within the park. It also includes our top spots for witnessing the Bay of Fundy Tides!
Here’s our rundown on all of the camping options in Fundy National Park:
Point Wolfe Campground: Best for Hiking & Beach Access
Number of sites: 155
Sites with electricity and water: 24
Unserviced sites: 120
Cabin accommodations: 10 oTENTiks, 1 Ôasis
Point Wolfe is a more unique stay in Fundy National Park. The more secluded location requires crossing a picturesque covered bridge, giving it a more remote feel.
This campground does come with height and length restrictions for RVs, limiting access to RVs over 13 feet high and 24 feet long.
Point Wolfe has both open sites and sites that are tucked into the Acadian forest, so Starlink can be tricky here depending on which site you choose (we recommend using Google Earth to get a satellite view). Also, cell service is very limited in this campground.
What makes Point Wolfe special:
- Direct trail access to Point Wolfe Beach (15-minute walk)
- Quiet/secluded location
Headquarters Campground: Most Convenient Location
Number of sites: 117 reservable sites
Sites with full hookups: 30
Sites with electricity and water: 25
Unserviced sites: 47
Unique accommodations: 5 yurts, 10 oTENTiks
This year-round campground in Fundy National Park is close to the east entrance and gives you quick access to the park’s many great recreational activities as well as the town of Alma.
From here you can easily walk into town (about 15 minutes) for groceries, restaurants, or to check out the massive tidal changes at the Alma wharf.
The campground itself is set up more like a traditional RV park, with less privacy between sites.
What makes Headquarters special:
- Walking distance to Alma (restaurants, groceries, and Alma Beach)
- Close to recreation areas like the pool, amphitheater, soccer field and more
- Best cell coverage in the park
- Walking distance to the Visitor Center
Something to consider: No fire pits at individual campsites, though communal fire areas are available.
Chignecto Campground: Family Oriented
Number of sites: 261
Sites with full hookups: 10
Sites with electricity and water: 171
Unserviced sites: 68
Unique accommodations: 13 oTENTiks
The largest campground in Fundy National Park, Chignecto was built with families in mind. It features two playgrounds, easy access to beginner-friendly trails and biking, as well as access to family-forward programming.
This location also has cell reception but is wooded, so if you will be relying on Starlink for connectivity, this may not be your best option. It is also further away from the Bay of Fundy itself (great for avoiding the fog, not so great if you are looking for a quick walk to the beach or town from your campsite).
What makes Chignecto special:
- Playground facilities
- Family bike paths
- Sites have fire pits (a fireplace permit fee will automatically be added to your booking, which allows access to all-you-can-use firewood)
Something to consider: This is the only campground not near the coast, so you’ll need to drive to experience the tides.
Cannontown Campground: Small & Central
Number of sites: 30 (all fully serviced with water, electric, and sewer)
Cannontown became our home during our Fundy National Park adventure, and we can confidently say it’s a great spot to explore the park. As a smaller campground, it offers an intimate experience conveniently located to everything you will want to do during your stay.
While there are sparse trees throughout the campground, most sites would easily accommodate Starlink connectivity (which is what we used for internet during our stay).
What we loved most about Cannontown was its location. It is within walking distance to Bennett Lake, the town of Alma and the Visitor Center, as well as close access to several hiking trails.
But the unexpected highlight for us? The 9-hole golf course literally steps from our campsite! As avid golfers, we took advantage of this unique amenity during our stay, walking over for a round right from our RV.
What makes Cannontown special:
- Some sites have views of the Bay of Fundy
- Newest facilities with great showers/restroom facilities
- Steps away from the golf course and recreation areas like the pool, amphitheater, soccer field and more
- Walking distance to the town of Alma (a bit further than the Headquarters Campground, but still very doable)
Lakeview Campground:
Number of RV sites: 5
Walk-in tent sites: 10
All sites have electrical service and fire rings
Fundy National Park’s newest campground! This campground is focused on a remote feel that is more like a backcountry experience. Located near Wolfe Lake, it offers a lake-beach area but does NOT have any shower facilities or cell service.
Reserve Fundy National Park Campsites here. You can also find the up-to-date cost of all campgrounds and activities here
What To Do During Your Visit To Fundy National Park
The 7 Best Hiking Trails in Fundy National Park
Fundy National Park features over 100km (60 miles) of hiking trails ranging from easy boardwalks to challenging backcountry routes. During our week-long stay, we hiked over 25 miles and compiled this list of our favorites:
Easy Trails:
- Alma Beach (10 minute walk): Great tidal viewing point just steps from the town of Alma
- Shiphaven Trail (1.0km; 0.5 miles): Best short trail for experiencing Point Wolfe River and the Point Wolfe Covered Bridge
Moderate Trails:
- Dickson Falls Trail (1.5km; 1 mile loop): One of the most popular trails in the park for good reason. The well-maintained path and bridges follows a stream through a moss-covered ravine to a beautiful waterfall. Best hiked in early morning before crowds arrive.
- Laverty Falls Trail (5.0km; 1.5 miles out and back): A moderately challenging trail to another one of the park’s picturesque waterfalls. Not as beautiful as Dickson Falls, but still a fun adventure – and it was really rushing after a recent rain.
- Matthew’s Head Trail (2.9 mile loop): This moderate trail starts in dense forest and brings you out to the coastline with stunning vistas of the coast and the Bay of Fundy
Challenging Trails:
- Coastal Trail (20km round trip; 12 miles): We took a day to hike this trail and loved it. It offers the most dramatic coastal views in the park as well as wonderful sections trekking through dense Acadian forest.
Hiking tip: Download the AllTrails app before your visit and save the trails offline. Cell service is spotty throughout the park, so having GPS trail maps downloaded was invaluable during our hikes.
BONUS: Golf inside the national park! The 9-hole golf course near Cannontown Campground is one of Canada’s oldest and most scenic courses. Green fees are extremely reasonable (about $25 CAD), and club rentals are available. Book tee times in advance, especially for weekend mornings. The course offers beautiful views and a surprisingly challenging layout that’s enjoyable for both beginners and experienced golfers.
Day Trips From Fundy National Park
While Fundy National Park offers plenty to keep you busy for a week, several nearby attractions are worth exploring:
- Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park (45 minutes from Alma): The iconic flowerpot rocks are a must-visit to fully appreciate the Bay of Fundy tides. Plan to visit at both high and low tide if possible (they allow same-day return with your admission ticket).
- Cape Enrage (30 minutes from Alma): Less crowded than Hopewell Rocks but equally impressive coastline views. The lighthouse and zipline make this a fun half-day adventure.
- Fundy Trail Provincial Park (45 minutes from Alma): This scenic coastal drive (Fundy Trail Parkway) offers numerous lookouts, hikes, bike paths, a suspension bridge, and beach access points.
- St. Martins Sea Caves (1-1.5 hours from Alma): These impressive red sandstone caves are accessible at low tide and make for a great photography spot. The scenic fishing village also has several excellent seafood restaurants.
Practical Tips for Your Fundy National Park Camping Trip
Reservations: Book at least 3-4 months in advance for summer visits, especially for weekends or unique accommodations. We made our camping reservation the day the reservation system opened for the season and had options, but national park camping is getting increasingly competitive. You can see a list of reservation dates for Canada National Parks here.
Weather Preparation: Even in summer, temperatures can vary dramatically. Pack layers and rain gear regardless of the forecast.
Tidal Planning: Check tide schedules upon arrival (typically posted at the Visitor Center and campground offices) and plan activities accordingly. The most dramatic tidal changes occur during new and full moons.
Wildlife Awareness: Keep a clean campsite and keep food secured! We always carry bear spray while hiking as a precaution.
Grocery Shopping: The small markets in Alma have limited selection and higher prices. If possible, stock up in larger cities before arriving at the park.
Booking Multiple Campgrounds: If you have a week or more, consider splitting your stay between campgrounds to gain different experiences of the park.
Our Fundy National Park Camping Itinerary
For those planning a camping trip to Fundy National Park, here’s how we structured our 7-day stay at Cannontown Campground:
Day 1: Arrived at Cannontown Campground, set up camp, and explored the Bennett Lake area. Brief evening walk to the golf course to check tee times for later in the week.
Day 2: Hiked Dickson Falls in the morning, followed by Laverty in the afternoon. Evening strolling along at Point Wolfe Beach.
Day 3: Day trip to Hopewell Rocks including a stop at Cape Enrage (we just visited at low tide to walk on the ocean floor, but your ticket is good for both low and high tide). Dinner in Alma at (we enjoyed the waterfront patio of Tipsy Tails Restaurant)
Day 4: Hiking day – completed the Fundy Coastal Trail. Stop in for drinks at Holy Whale Brewing. Evening campfire at our Cannontown campsite
Day 5: Morning golf at the 9-hole course adjacent to our campground. Quick walk to check out the pool (was closed during our visit). Walked down to explore Alma Beach at low tide and watch the sunset.
Day 6: Day trip along the Fundy Trail Parkway, stopping at multiple lookouts and short trails during the day.
Day 7: Relax and enjoy the campsite before packing up and heading out
Fundy National Park is a great camping destination in the Maritimes, offering the perfect combination of natural beauty, comfortable facilities, and unique experiences.
While there are so many great destinations to enjoy in Newfoundland, Cape Breton and the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and all over the east coast of Canada, we’d encourage you to slow down and spend at least a couple of days exploring this remarkable coastal wilderness and the world’s highest tides.
Have you camped in Fundy National Park? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
This article is based on our personal experience camping in Fundy National Park in June 2023. Facilities, prices, and conditions may change, so always check the official Parks Canada website for the most current information.
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