Moncton 
Hidden in the Lower Saint John River Valley, Devil’s Oven Ice Caves reveal a mesmerizing frozen world. Towering ice curtains form through a relentless thaw-freeze cycle, inviting adventurers to explore nature’s icy embrace.
Credit: Jarzns
Minto’s summer attractions draw several visitors to the area of southern New Brunswick. This includes premier mountain biking trails, the New Brunswick Internment Camp Museum and other museums, campgrounds, boating and watersports, and hiking.
During winter, when the attractions are closed, and the hiking requires boots or snowshoes, there is still plenty to explore around Minto.
What are the Devil’s Oven Ice Caves:
Some of New Brunswick’s prettiest waterfalls, creeks, and river valleys are quite stunning over the winter months. The area’s smaller waterfalls and creeks become frozen in time with the ice draping over rocks or steeper cliffs. The Devil’s Oven Ice Caves, while not an official waterfall, are the result of constant drips from the snow above the hill or cliff freezing slowly over the winter. Eventually, the ice formations become large enough to create a wall or ice caves.
- Parlee Brook Amphitheatre Trail: Nature’s Ice Cathedral Between Moncton & Fredericton
Hiking to Devils Oven Ice Caves:
This popular hike in southern New Brunswick is nice and straightforward compared to the splendid reward at the trail’s end. At 2.2km out-and-back, this linear trail leads through thick and dense forests that surround the Grand Lake region. The trail, however, is still plenty wide for multiple groups and people to fit on, with mature trees lining both sides. The start of the trail may offer a preview, too, with small ice formations on the surrounding hills or rocks. It may be possible to find several smaller ice caves along the trail.
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The ice wall and Devil’s Oven Ice Caves will be easy to spot from the trail, which leads directly to the base of the ice formations. The impressive Devil’s Oven Ice Caves are created by an ice wall or drape over the rocks, which stands at multiple metres tall from top to bottom. And thanks to this being a natural phenomenon, the Devil’s Oven Ice Caves appear different in shape, form, and size every winter! Some winters may offer the chance to walk into the cave, while in some years, this might not be possible.
The trail is level and flat, creating a great family-friendly hike. Once you arrive at the end and the Ice Caves, you’ll have plenty of family photo opportunities.
It is important to note that the trail is accessible by walking on frozen river. It is dangerous to attempt the trail during warmer winter conditions.
No matter who you’re with, be sure to be prepared to take photos. The structures are surreal to experience from within the caves.
More Winter Hikes near the Ice Caves
Minto, one of the closest communities to the Devil’s Oven Ice Caves, is home to a great number of hiking trails which are especially beautiful during the winter.
- The Newcastle Stream Trail, off the Northside Drive you take into Devils Oven, is perfect for exploring on your way to or from the Devils Oven Ice Caves trail. The hike follows alongside the water with features like a covered wooden footbridge, a staircase, public art hiding in the trees, and access to the local Northside Park.
- Minto is home to Canada’s only internment camp museum. And while the New Brunswick Internment Camp Museum is closed over the winter, there is still a chance to explore the dark part of Canadian history. The Internment Camp trail is about 15km from the museum and contains remnants of the camp which once stood there. In the winter, snowshoes and skis are allowed on the 1km loop.
Snowmobile Trails & Shelters
As with the rest of New Brunswick, the Minto and Chipman areas, and all the way to Fredericton, are lined with snowmobile trails. These trails also feature shelter areas, structures, and several lookout areas.
The trails run east from Fredericton and loosely follow highway NB-10. The trails do not go right to the Devil’s Oven Ice Caves but surround the trail area. The trails are groomed with the help of Snowmobile NB and Grand Lake Sno-Cruisers Club.
Planning Your Trip – Devil’s Oven Ice Caves
What: A trail in the Lower Saint John River Valley which leads to the Devil’s Oven Ice Caves. The ice caves form over the colder winter months as water slowly melts over the rocks and hills and refreezes.
The constant thaw-freeze cycle causes the ice to freeze as walls or curtains. The draping of the ice over tall hills and steep embankments creates enough room for hikers to be able to walk behind the wall of ice and into the caves. These ice formations get up to several metres tall and are as impressive from a distance as they are up close.
To reach the ice caves, you have to walk along the frozen river.
It is essential to wear proper hiking boots and be aware of the weather conditions. Visit only after temperatures remain below freezing for a number of days. See the ice conditions here.
Location and how to get there: use Highway NB-10 to access Northside Drive in Minto. From here, head north on Tracy Road to find the trailhead. The trail is located 58km NE of Fredericton, about 1 hour drive.
Best time to go: December to February
Cost: free
For more information:
