Staff favourites in Atlantic Canada

What better place to commence your Bay of Fundy exploration than Alma Beach in Fundy National Park? Feel free to call it a trail maintained by the legendary tidal movement of the mighty bay - a quintessential Fundy experience. A phenomenon as old as time and as refreshing as the sea breeze. For those with mobility needs, a short wheelchair-accessible boardwalk awaits, allowing you to soak in the coastal beauty without barriers. Don’t forget to explore the local flavours and Maritime hospitality in the magnificent community of Alma.

Whether I’m camping, hiking, cycling, or paddling, Kouchibouguac National Park has a way of captivating me. It’s where I go when I need to be in nature. Here, I find myself hiking through a vast deciduous forest in solitude, or calmly walking bare feet along kilometers of sandy dunes with the lulling sound of the waves. I can really discover my inner peace; it truly keeps me grounded.

My favourite gem in Kouchibouguac National Park is the Bog Trail. The view from the observation tower is amazing, and walking through the bog almost makes you feel like you’re on another planet! It’s very unique. Love it!

One of the most fascinating and unusual places in Gros Morne National Park is without a doubt the Tablelands. Every time I walk on this golden plateau of mantle rocks, my soul fills with joy and curiosity. The Tablelands are an open-air museum of natural beauty and mystery!

If you want to really see Terra Nova National Park, get on the water in a kayak to explore its rugged coastline edged by thick boreal forests, alive with the songs of nature and culture. There are tours for beginners, sheltered inlets for intermediate paddlers, and offshore paddling for those more advanced. My favourite paddling spot is the Southwest Arm below one of the park’s most distinctive landmarks, Malady Head.

Until I stood along the white picket fence outside Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site I didn’t fully appreciate what it felt like to be standing at the most easterly point in Canada. Every time I visit it’s still truly fascinating to be standing at the edge of the world as waves crash the rocks below and I get to watch the whales dance in the ocean before me.

Cape Spear’s presence has always shaped my life. From childhood family excursions, to my first Parks Canada position, to becoming a birder – I have always been entranced by this site’s amazing natural and cultural resources. Each time I fly over Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site, walk its rocky barrens or taste the ocean’s salt spray - the Cape says welcome home and our conversation starts again!

Hiking around Signal Hill National Historic Site gives such a serene feeling. The cliff-side trails bring you physically as close to the Atlantic Ocean as possible, and spiritually immerse you in the salt air and the deep fishing history that makes this place special. Throw in a fantastic sunrise and the chance to see whales on top of that, and it really does feel as if you are far away from any of life’s stressors.

This is one of the least used trails at Signal Hill National Historic Site, but the view at the top is spectacular. It offers stunning views of the city of St. John’s, the Narrows, and Quidi Vidi Lake.

Signal Hill National Historic Site is a sight to behold, but getting to experience it as a solider of the Royal Newfoundland Companies in 1862 takes it to the next level. Firing a musket over the majestic St. John’s Narrows while wearing a historic uniform—that’s Signal Hill at its best.

Rose Island, (Sallikuluk in Inuktitut) has been used by generations of Inuit who have lived, hunted, gathered, and used the island as a meeting place. Part of Torngat Mountains National Park, this small island located in Saglek Bay, is also a resting place for Inuit as there are over 600 traditional Inuit rock graves. When you step onto the island you know you have arrived at a truly special place.

My favourite lesser-known gem in Gros Morne National Park is the Stanleyville Trail in the southeastern region. This charming trail through the Boreal Forest leads to a secluded cove on the beach, where you can relax in a true fjord near the Atlantic Ocean. Backcountry camping here is spectacular—there’s nothing like watching the sunrise over Killdevil Mountain while sipping your morning coffee. You may even see some marine wildlife! Don’t feel like hiking? This location is also accessible by kayak; you can depart from the Lomond Campground.

My absolute favorite spot at the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site is the beach. Tucked away along the coast, Kennington Cove’s sandy beaches are the perfect place to play in the waves and watch the sunset. I always bring my binoculars for a chance to spot eagles and seals. Dogs are permitted on leash, and my puppy loves it there too!

Kedge Beach at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is a favorite for our family. We love to bike there for a refreshing swim when we’re camping, and we love to play and picnic there under the brilliant autumn leaves.

The moment I climbed aboard the 10-person Voyageur canoe for a guided tour in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site I was hooked! Meandering up the Mersey River to the Stillwater Orde, a rarely visited and pristine part of the park, I felt completely removed from civilization. As I dipped my paddle into the still waters while listening to captivating stories of the past, I knew I was in a special place.

The looming beauty of this trail will never lose its magic for me. Every time I visit Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, I always make sure to carve out time to do this special trail. Over the years I keep coming back and every time my fondness for the giant, shady trees grows even deeper.

I cannot visit Grand-Pré National Historic Site without watching the presentation in the multimedia theatre, designed like the hull of a ship. The state-of-the-art presentation depicts the story of the Acadian Deportation and helps you better understand your visit through the site. There is not a dry eye at the end!

Hidden in plain sight! A beautiful photo found at Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site; Alec watching Mabel pilot his speed record hydrofoil - the HD4. It tells so much about them: her adventurous spirit and his anxiety, caution and pride all at the same time. Leads to the story of the importance of Mabel’s role in Alexander Graham Bell’s life.

This trail takes you through all three forest types showcased in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, past a beautiful lake to 360° panoramic views. The mica, for which the destination is named, glitters on the ground around you while quartz boulders glow white amid a riot of spring blooms or fall foliage.

I love this one stretch of the Haunted Wood at Green Gables Heritage Place lined with fantastic old pines. The path, soft with pine needles, winds under the upstretched branches, creating this perfect little place that feels hidden and full of magic. I love passing through it. It’s just the kind of setting that could inspire a haunted tale!

The Greenwich Dunes trail in Prince Edward Island National Park is a spectacular and calming walk through grassland, forest, and wetland habitats, ending at one of the most beautiful dune systems and beaches on the island. You’ll be sure to find connection with nature and yourself at this special place.

I love spending afternoons on Robinsons Island in Prince Edward Island National Park. The trail system there is one of the most underrated in the park and offers plenty of opportunities for great birdwatching. Once I’ve finished my walk, I like taking advantage of the beach accesses there for a swim!

The lookout at Oceanview is my favourite panorama in Prince Edward Island National Park. It seems like you can see the whole history of PEI written across the horizon from there. Where else can you see lighthouses, sand dunes, busy beaches, the site of a famous shipwreck, red cliffs, Krummholz forest and bank swallows with a turn of your head?