Explore red sand beaches, hike scenic trails, and enjoy coastal camping at Amherst Shore Provincial Park along the Northumberland Strait. Discover easy hiking on Annabelles Brook Trails, swim at the beach, or camp among forested sites with full amenities. Nearby parks offer more day-use beaches, making this region a perfect summer escape in Nova Scotia.
Credit: Nova Scotia Tourism
Provincial Parks and maintained beaches line the Northumberland Strait. Follow the province’s Highway 6 to uncover beach after beach, incredible scenery, and several opportunities for a dip in the saltwater.
And while this shoreline is lined with many parks that make access and enjoyment a lot easier or more convenient, most of these parks are day use only, rather than a campground or beach. But fear not if you need an affordable, beautiful, and beach-adjacent place to stay. Among the Provincial Parks along the Northumberland Strait is a gorgeous option for each time and a place to stay.
A Day at the Red Sand & Saltwater Beach
Whether visiting for the day or as a camper, access to the beach is by foot only via a roughly 0.5km walk under the road tunnel and toward the red sand shores. And once at the sand, there are a few amenities to help make the beach day comfier, like outhouses, picnic tables, and changerooms. This beach also makes for exceptional scenery during sunrise. And on a warmer day, the beach area is open to public swimming with no lifeguards on duty.
- Any beach day is sure to require snacks or picnic food. Find casual and takeout options to the north of the park near Port Elgin, or to the south near Pugwash.
Hiking the Annabelles Brook
The Amherst Shore Provincial Park trail system, also known as the Annabelles Brook trails, will take a hiking trip to all parts of the park. Each of the three trails are rated as easy with flat or gently rolling terrain.
- The longest of the looping trails is main Annabelles Brook Trail at 2.9km total and is accessible from the campground road. The trail winds through the heavily forested southern part of the park while following Annabelles Brook part of the way.
- The 1.3km connector trail between the campground and beach is also a great option for day use visitors as it follows Annabelles Brook to the beach and Northumberland Strait.
- From the beach area, there is access to the third trail, Annabelle Blacks Point Trail, which leads to incredible viewing areas over the Strait.
- Earlier in the summer season, these trails are all lush with flowers in bloom.
More nearby Parks
The Northumberland Shore has many other parks and beaches to see or explore, with a few within a short drive from Amherst Shore Provincial Park.
- To the southeast of Amherst Shore are the smaller Heather Beach, Northport Beach, and Gulf Shore Provincial Parks, which are day-use only beaches.
- Follow the highway northwest from Amherst Shore to explore the history and trails of Tidnish Dock Provincial Park.
- Following the Northumberland Shore from north to south will reveal many more beautiful red sand or cobblestone beaches, most of which are maintained as Provincial Parks day use areas.
Camping on the Amherst Shore
The Provincial Park is sectioned off into two main areas and divided by the highway. On the north side of the road is the Amherst Shore Provincial Park beach and the scenic Annabelle Blacks Point Trail. Cross the road via the park’s tunnel to find the second half, where all the campgrounds are sheltered among the trees.
- Amherst Shore Provincial Park offers both serviced sites with water and electrical hookups, as well as additional campsites with no services, making it perfect for any tent, trailer, or motorhome.
- Central to the campground is a playground and a picnic shelter.
- Campers have access to amenities like showers and washrooms, drinking water, a trailer sani-dump, a dishwashing station, and firewood or ice for sale.
Northumberland Shore Camping
There are a whopping 21 Provincial Parks located within the Northumberland Shore region of Nova Scotia. These include a wide range of park types include shoreline and waterfront parks, beach areas, inland parks in the forests, those close to towns, and those more set away from main roads. And among those parks, only two offer camping accommodations: Amherst Shore Provincial Park and Caribou-Munroes Island.
These parks are conveniently located on opposite ends of the Northumberland Shore. So, for those wanting to explore the southeastern stretch of shoreline, the Caribou-Munroes Island Park is perfect for a place to lay your head overnight. And the Amherst Shore Park is perfect for anyone exploring the northern shoreline. It is about 120km between the two parks along an incredibly scenic stretch of Nova Scotia highway, as rural farmlands roll into beaches and ocean views.
Planning Your Trip
About: Amherst Shore Provincial Park is on Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Strait shoreline. This northern region of the province faces the Strait as well as PEI’s southern shores and features the iconic red sand beaches. All along the Northumberland Strait are public beaches, including the Amherst Shore beach. The park also serves as a campground with the option for services or no services at the site. Amherst Shore Provincial Park is open seasonally for camping and day use opportunities, hiking, and swimming.
What to See & Do: Amherst Shore Provincial Park offers a perfect blend of nature and adventure. Wander forested trails along Annabelles Brook, unwind on stunning red sand beaches, and swim in the warm saltwater of the Northumberland Strait. Camp beneath the trees with full or no-service sites, ideal for tents or trailers. Explore nearby day-use parks, enjoy sunrise views, and take in ocean panoramas from scenic lookouts.
Location and how to get there: 6596 NS-366, Northport.
40km east of the town of Amherst.
Amherst Shore Provincial Park is located approximately 200 km (2 hr 15 min drive) from Halifax and 97 km (1 hr drive) from Moncton.
Best time to go: June 6 to October 13, 2025
Cost: camping $26.50-$35.30 per night
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