Cape Breton Island 
The next time you consider exploring the Bay of Fundy, consider Nova Scotia’s Cape Chignecto Provincial Park.
This coastal gem is made up of stunning seaside scenery, and offers a plethora of outdoor recreation for spring, summer, and fall. And for those willing to embark into Nova Scotia’s backcountry wilderness and coastal regions, Cape Chignecto has even more to offer a multiday trip.
Unbeatable Coastal Beauty
The park’s rugged cliffs are the central defining feature of Cape Chignecto and are part of the park’s appeal for outdoor enthusiasts. We say enthusiasts because a backcountry trip into the park would require hiking and camping equipment and involves strenuous stretches of trail. But for those able to make it to these backcountry look-offs and campsites, the remote, quiet, and peaceful Fundy views will make the trip worth the trouble.
Coastal Hiking & Kayaking at Cape Chignecto
Whether you want to venture onto the backcountry trails for a day or multiple days, or keep it to a shorter trek for sightseeing, the Provincial Park has something for all hiking abilities.
- In total, the Coastal Loop Trail of Cape Chignecto is 52km. The trail is divided into major sections where terrain changes or becomes more of a challenge. Rest assured, however, that there are facilities waiting along different points of the trail to help a multi-day Coastal Trail trip. These include cabins and bunkhouses, vault toilets, and water pumps.
- There is also the option to hike parts of the Coastal Trail from the Red Rocks beach, or the Eatonville day use area. The park has the loop sectioned off to make for trips that are closer to 5, 10, or 15km round-trip.
- A day-hike onto the Coastal Trail and back could also be centered on the many look-offs and beach areas along the trail.
- This shoreline is a popular route for kayakers, too, with kayak sites at Refugee and Seal Coves.
Camping at Cape Chignecto
The unique camping opportunities around Cape Chignecto Provincial Park include a dozen kayak-in-sites, 28 walk-in tent sites at the New Yarmouth campground, and over 50 backcountry sites at various points along the 52km looping trail around the park. There are amenities along the backcountry trail, such as outhouses, drinking water taps, and firewood stacks. There are also three group campgrounds available nearby at the Christy Field area beside the park entrance.
For those embarking on the backcountry, multi-day hike across the challenging coastal trail, the park also offers cabin and bunkhouse rentals.
Beaches & Picnics at Eatonville
Cape Chignecto’s Eatonville day use area is on the far north side of the park. There are two main lookout locations at the Eatonville day use area that help add to the awesome scenery for your day at the beach, picnic date, or both. Picnic amenities include benches and tables, vault toilets, and trail access.
- The Three Sisters Look-off is named after the towering sea stacks that will be within view and involves a 2.4km out-and-back hike.
- The Squally Point look-off is a 2.1km loop from the beach.
- There are several beaches and look-offs several kilometres south on the Coast Trail.
Exploring the South Side of Cape Chignecto
The south, or New Yarmouth area of Cape Chignecto Provincial Park is where much of the easier to access camping is found, as well as more beaches! These areas are also equipped with picnic amenities and toilets.
- From the parking lot, it is about a 5-minute walk to the Red Rocks beach. It is another few kilometres to the next beach, and then another 6.5km to the Refugee Cove beach.
- The beauty of the Red Rocks beach, and its ease of access, may have you wanting to stay put. As the name suggests, the beach scenery is made colourful from large and red seaside rock formations, many of which are covered in bright green mosses.
Planning Your Trip – Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
What: Cape Chignecto Provincial Park is on a cape which shoots out onto the Bay of Fundy. The park has two main day-use areas, walk-in tenting, group camping, and an extensive backcountry area.
The backcountry area of Cape Chignecto is navigable via the Coast Trail, a 52km loop around the park. This trail, which provides access to tent sites, cabins, and look-offs over the Bay and cliffs, is rated as relatively difficult, given some of the elevation changes and the rugged terrain. Front-country hiking and look-offs are available, as is beach access.
Location and how to get there: 1108 West Advocate Road, Advocate Harbour
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park is located approximately 235 km (2 hr 50 min) from Halifax.
Best time to go: Victoria Day Weekend to Thanksgiving Weekend — May 15 to October 12, 2026
How much: camping $26.70 per night
For more information:
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
