Pack up your camping gear and get ready for a fantastic adventure when you go camping in Nova Scotia. Rediscover the beauty of the great outdoors, the wonder of sleeping under the stars, and of course S’mores.
Credit: Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Check out the places nearby, or take a longer trip for a weekend away from home; either way, set up camp and enjoy the natural wonders of Nova Scotia.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
The Cabot Trail is best explored over a few days, and over a third of the trail runs through this breathtakingly beautiful national park. Pick from six front campgrounds and one backcountry campground around the park. Spend the night under the stars and the day connecting with nature by exploring the 26 trails that run through the park.
Details
Ingonish Beach
Credit: Parks Canada
See the stars and planets without any light pollution when you set up camp in Keji. Under the sunlight, Kejimkujik National Park is packed with outdoor adventures. Hike and paddle your way long historic Mi’kmaw hunting trails, or relax beachside.
Details
3005 Main Parkway, Maitland Bridge
Valleyview Provincial Park
Just 5km north of Bridgetown, Valleyview Provincial Park is tucked in the North Mountain. Enjoy a gorgeous panoramic of the Valley below and hike the 1km trail to the lake. You can set up camp at one of the 30 unserviced campsites and stay overnight in this breathtaking green oasis.
Details
960 Hampton Mountain Road, Bridgetown
Blomidon Provincial Park
Credit: Nova Scotia Parks
Walk and even picnic on the ocean floor during low tide, and watch the highest tides in the world at Blomidon Provincial Park. Hike to the top of the 180 metre tall cliffs to take in the views of the Valley and the Bay of Fundy. The park is home to 76 open, partially wooded, and wooded camping sites that you can choose from.
Details
3138 Pereau Rd, Canning
Amherst Shore Provincial Park
This gem of a provincial park is the perfect place to spend a few summer days. Relax on the beach, take a dip in the warm saltwater and see what the ocean has washed up on the red sand beach. The campsites are in a wooded area, so there is a lot of shade where you can cool off after having a fantastic day of fun in the sun.
Details
6596 Hwy 366, Amherst Shore
Laurie Provincial Park
You would never realize that this park is located just minutes from downtown Halifax. Spend an afternoon relaxing lakeside in the quiet forest. Enjoy the lake by going for a swim, or go on a fun water adventure by paddling or water skiing around the lake. Set up camp at one of the 63 wooded sites in the park and spend a relaxing night under the stars.
Details
4949 Nova Scotia Trunk 2, Grand Lake
Rissers Beach Provincial Park
Beach lovers, like me, just love Rissers Beach with its beautiful white sand beach, lovely boardwalk, and low amount of people. Close to the beach are the campsites, where you can dry off near the fire grills and enjoy snacking on camping favorites like S’mores.
Details
5366 Highway 331, Crescent Beach
Credit: Nova Scotia Parks
You will need to go off the beaten path to find this picturesque park. Red sandstone cliffs and rocks, and fantastic ocean views await you at Cape Chignecto. Leave your footprints in the red rock beach, and hike through old-growth forests. Skip setting up your campsite by staying at the bunkhouse or in one of the three cabins that are available for rent.
Details
1108 West Advocate Road, Advocate Harbour
- Top Outdoor Things to Do During Summer in Amherst and Cumberland County
- 50 Things to Do at Fundy GeoPark
Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park
Wake up on the edge of Ellenwood Lake and enjoy a meal overlooking the picturesque lake. The park is well-loved by campers for being such a relaxing place to stay, while it still has lots of activities for people to do. The lake has supervised swimming in July and August, and the 2km easy hiking trail takes you past rare native plants and wildlife throughout the park.
Details
1888 Mood Road, Deerfield
- 50 Things To Do on the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores
- 25 Outdoor Activities & Adventures During Summer in Yarmouth
Thomas Raddall Provincial Park
Credit: Nova Scotia Parks
Close by to Kejimkujik National Park Seaside is Thomas Raddall Provincial Park. This hidden gem of a park is great for those looking for a similar experience to Keji seaside without the crowds. You can even spot seals off the shore.
Details
529 Raddall Park Road, East Port l’Herbert
The Islands Provincial Park
The Islands is an extremely popular stop along the South Shore. From the park’s office, you can see the picturesque town of Shelburne that is across the harbour. Campsites in this park are grouped together, which makes it a great place to go camping with a large family or lots of friends.
Details
183 Island Park Road, Shelburne
Five Islands Provincial Park
Credit: Nova Scotia Parks
Try your hand at clam digging and beachcombing in the red sand on the edge of the Bay of Fundy.
Staying at Five Islands gives you full access to inspiring natural sights from the powerful waves of the Bay of Fundy with multi-coloured sea cliffs to substantial old-growth trees.
Details
618 Bentley Branch Road, Five Islands
Dollar Lake Provincial Park
Take a dip in Dollar Lake, and relax on the beach surrounded by woodland at this quiet provincial park. Set up camp at one of the 117 wooded and partially wooded overnight camping sites. The campsites are set up for those who want to have a ‘real’ camping experience.
Details
5265 Old Guysborough Rd, Wyses Corner
Porter’s Lake Provincial Park
Just minutes from Halifax and Dartmouth, Porter’s Lake is the perfect escape from the city without being too far from modern comforts. Porter’s Lake is a popular location for freshwater lake fishing, canoeing, and hiking.
Details
1160 West Porters Lake Road, Porters Lake
Smileys Provincial Park
Smileys Provincial Park is a great place to go camping or just to have a quick day away from the city since it is located just 40 minutes from Halifax near the town of Windsor. It is a self-serve park that offers hiking and fishing in a mix of wooded and open areas beside the Meander River. This park has 80 open, partially wooded and wooded overnight sites (unserviced) available that you can choose from.
Details
109 Clayton McKay Rd, Newport
Battery Provincial Park
The popular Battery Provincial Park is located on a hill overlooking picturesque St. Peter’s Bay. This campground has 40 campsites, 4 pull-through sites with electricity only, and 2 back-in sites with both power and water. It has an unsupervised beach, a trail that leads to a lighthouse inlet, and awesome covered picnic tables where you can eat your meals.
Details
10110 NS-4, St. Peter’s
Boylston Provincial Park
Credit: Nova Scotia Provincial Parks
Many campers find that Boylston Provincial Park is unique because it has two distinct visiting areas. One is a picnic area on the shore side of the highway with well-maintained picnic tables and shelters, which is always a nice place to eat or just rest. The other is a campsite that is up a hill on the other side of the highway and has a fantastic viewing area for wonderful photo opportunities of the valley below.
Details
11131 NS-16, Guysborough
Graves Island Provincial Park
No matter if you go for a day-trip or camp for a week at Graves Island Provincial Park you will find that is it a real gem. Its location is convenient since it is just 40 minutes from Halifax and 5 minutes from Chester. There are 95 spots available for tents, trailers, and RVs (combined). It has a playground, picnic tables, walking trails, and a tiny beach, so there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Details
230 Graves Island Rd, Chester
Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park
Credit: Credit: Nova Scotia Parks
If you like camping near the ocean, then Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park is the perfect place for you. It has 95 overnight sites that allow pets as long as they are leashed. The park also features picnic tables, large green areas, and a fantastic mile-long sand beach with wheelchair access, a staircase, and the warmest saltwater swimming north of the Carolinas. There is truly something for everyone at this delightful park.
Details
2119 Three Brooks Rd, Pictou
Mira River Provincial Park
Close by to Sydney and many popular attractions, Mira River Provincial Park is a great base camp when you are exploring Cape Breton Island. Spend a day in the park, hiking the trail that takes you through the wooded areas, open fields, and along the beautiful shore.
Details
439 Brickyard Road, Albert Bridge
Ovens Natural Park
Explore the wonders of Sea Caves and wake up to the sound of the ocean by camping at the Ovens Natural Park. There is a lot to do around the park other than just exploring the ovens. You can try your hand at gold panning, and hike to the top of Cannon Cave to hear the booms of the waves entering the caves.
Details
326 Ovens Road, Riverport
Salsman Provincial Park
On the smaller side, Salsman Provincial Park is rarely crowded. Pack a picnic, and enjoy a meal overlooking Country Harbour. Starfish and crabs can often be found on the beach during low tides. Many of the campsites have a fantastic view of the harbour.
Details
15641 Highway 316, Country Harbour
Whycocomagh Provincial Park
This is a ‘must-visit’ park in the fall to see the beautiful fall colours in the Skye River Valley and the Bras d’Or Lakes. Hike the trails up Salt Mountain to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the area. Whycocomagh is also the first provincial park to offer yurt camping. Each of the three yurts is outfitted with beds, solar lighting and propane barbecues.
Details
89 Provincial Park Road, Whycocomagh
Meat Cove Campground
Credit: Meat Cove Campground
Relax on the north coast of Cape Breton Island, perched on the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. While this campground is small, it is worth going off the beaten path for the amazing views of the Island. The campground is close by to a relaxing, quiet beach.
Details
2479 Meat Cove Road, Capstick
Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean
Credit: Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean
Explore the beautiful Eastern Shore and experience the unspoiled nature with modern comforts. From the beach at Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean, you can see the 100 Wild Islands. They offer boat tours and canoe rentals to the islands. You can even stay on some of the islands overnight.
Details
308 Murphys Rd, Murphy Cove