Saint John 
Originally, once its own official village, Gagetown is now part of the larger Arcadia within Queens County in New Brunswick. This picturesque and quiet village sits on the west banks of the Gagetown Creek and Island, which separates the Creek from the St. John River. That larger group of communities that makes up Arcadia also includes everywhere between Cumberland Bay in the north to Gagetown in the centre, and Hampstead in the south.
Credit: Pascal Chiasson/New Brunswick Tourism
The main drag through Arcadia, Route 102, offers two of the fastest ways to enter Gagetown, but driving is not the only way to get there. The Gagetown Ferry, open June 1-November 24, provides access to and from Route 715 to the east.
When in Gagetown, it will feel rural and quiet. But this riverside village is only 55km southeast of Fredericton, and less than 100km north of St. John. So, if either major city is your starting point, there is a gorgeous drive to Gagetown ahead of you, whether you choose the Trans Canada Highway or Route 102. Anywhere along these sections of New Brunswick highways, and the communities, are especially scenic in the fall; the area is under a heavy forest cover around the River and Grand Lake to offer awesome autumn foliage.
Here are the top activities to include on your trip to Gagetown:
Fun on the St. John River
There are two small public boat ramps in Gagetown that lead onto the St. John River. And across the river from the town are a handful of islands that break up the river with creeks and calmer paddle spots. This includes Mt. Creek, almost directly across from the north boat ramp which winds around the Mount House Ruins. The small set of ruins…
- The St. John River is also well-known as an excellent fishing river with a wide variety of species that swim these waters. It is an especially great river for catching striped or smallmouth bass.
Gagetown’s Rich History & Culture
Walking a loop around Gagetown is a great way to start exploring the town’s history and culture. This walk around town is about 4km and can include a handful of different stops that offer more info on Gagetown’s rich history. Gagetown, originally Grimross, was settled by Acadians and Maliseet before the 1758–59 St. John River Campaign. British forces, led by Robert Monckton, destroyed Acadian villages, including Grimross. Named after General Thomas Gage, the village later became a Loyalist community.
- The Queens County Heritage organization keep up a handful of historic sites and buildings around the county, including Gagetown’s Tilley House (open June-August). The building is the original home of Samuel Tilley, considered a Father of Confederation and an overall influential politician. The home acts as a museum for artifacts around the Tilley family, as well as many other parts of local history like Indigenous cultures, military artifacts, or locally made art. Keep in mind during your visit that this house dates back to 1786!
- The Loomcrofter’s Studio is on the same site as the Tilley House and also serves as a museum, but as a much smaller one. The Loomcrofters was originally a studio for hand-woven goods as started by one of New Brunswick’s first female entrepreneurs: Patricia Jenkins.
- Also managed by Queens County Heritage is the old courthouse, constructed in 1789 and around the corner from the Tilley House and Loomcrofters Studio.
Exploring Arcadia & the St. John River Valley
One of the major highlights of the larger village of Arcadia of which Gagetown is part, is the amount of gorgeous shoreline! This includes those shores of Grand Lake, Washademoak Lake, and the St. John River. So, a tour around Arcadia, no matter where you go from Gagetown, will have wonderful scenery for the drive, for a picnic stop, or for a photo op.
- Find more scenic riverside trails and walking paths in Cambridge Narrows: there is a short loop around the Pine Conservation Park, and a longer loop across the highway that leads around the dense forests. These trails offer great scenery around the shores of Washademoak Lake.
- Arcadia borders the eastern shores of Grand Lake where there are scenic waterfront trails to offer chances for birding and wildlife viewing, or nature photography.
- Those travelling from or around Saint John and to Gagetown will have the option to stop along the way at two different waterfall trails on Route 124: Reddin Falls (2.3km), and Henderson Falls (<0.5km).
- Those travelling from Fredericton may want to stop in Oromocto as the town offers places for scenic riverside hikes, food or picnic snacks, museums, and other local attractions.
Dining in Gagetown & Arcadia
The two local Gagetown restaurants offer visitors two excellent (and highly rated) options for a bite. These include the Gulliver’s World Café with a waterfront patio, or the Gagetown Grill & Smokehouse, where they specialize in smoked meats, and where they offer entertainment like trivia and karaoke nights. Make a stop at Gagetown Distilling & Cidery for spirits and ciders.
- If you’re exploring the scenic drive and trails around the Cambridge-Narrows, be sure to stop by Nove’s Place for sweets, ice cream, espresso, or coffee.
- The drive around the eastern shore of Grand Lake offers options like Lumberjack Subs, LLL Take Out, Turner’s One Stop, or McCabe’s Ice Cream.
- Charlotte’s Family Orchard apple picking during the fall.
Summer Events
Gagetown’s summer events include a recurring family-friendly event, and an annual adults-only festival. Either will be a great way to get a taste for Arcadia and Gagetown.
- The Gagetown Farmers’ Market opens for the summer at the end of each May and sets up on the banks of the river off Courthouse Road. Along with several local vendors, the market also often features local artists and entertainment. This isn’t the only summer market in Arcadia, either! The summer market hosted by Nove’s Place in Cambridge-Narrows is now open at 3pm each Friday.
- Vintage in the Village is an opportunity to take part in an afternoon of wine-tasting and other festivities across historic Gagetown right before the summer ends.
Accommodations
The quaint and adorable accommodations within Gagetown include the Steamers’ Bed & Breakfast with a coffee shop and cocktail bar, The May Queen B&B, or Gulliver’s Guest Suites. Plus, the riverbanks and other scenic areas around Gagetown have many different types of campgrounds:
- Coy Lake Camping offer tent, trailer, and RV sites with the option between no services or full service sites with power, water, and electricity. Campers also have access to an outdoor pool on the hotter days.
- Snag the cabin rental this summer available from the Lakeside Campground! Otherwise, the campground also offers tent or RV sites, plus campers have access to a store and the shores of Grand Lake.
- Get a more elevated experience this summer with the Glamp Camp near Grand Lake and Gagetown. The campground offers luxury dome rentals, which have clear tops to allow for all-night stargazing.
- The Mohawk Camping campground is an RV resort that also offers a furnished RV unit for rent. The park also boasts a beach, an indoor activity centre, and boat launch.
