Cape Breton Island 
The outdoor fun, activities, and experiences from Kejimkujik National Park & Historic Site continue well into the fall months.
The area, known for its exceptional forest scenery and seaside views, transforms into a colourful oasis each September and October. The park is just as easy to explore in the fall as in the spring and summer, with just as much to do!
Overnight stays are available until October, and there are many different ways to camp. During your stay, make time for a trip to the Seaside, relax under the dark sky and stars, and explore the park’s vast trail system.
The Best Fall Hikes & Bike Rides
There are 13 front-country hiking trails in Kejimkujik National Park, as well as two main Seaside trails and two backcountry trails. The park is part of the Acadian Forest, old-growth hemlock, and old-growth hardwood forests. With this comes a wide array of colours for fall hiking and biking scenery.
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- No matter which part of the Seaside you want to explore, a hike is required (bikes not permitted on the Seaside trails). The Harbour Rocks Trail is 2.8km one-way, while the Port Joli Head Trail is 4.4km one-way and is considered the more challenging of the two routes.
- Mill Falls Trail is a 2.6 km return hike along the Mersey River, showcasing stunning fall colours. Start at the Visitor Centre and pass vibrant autumn foliage, reaching the powerful Mill Falls. Enjoy year-round access to the picnic shelter and find peaceful spots by the river, ending at Parks Canada’s iconic red chairs.
- Hiking to Channel Lake is the park’s best option for a full-day hike. The trail creates a 24km loop starting at Big Dam Lake. From here, the well-established backcountry trail loops toward Channel Lake to the southwest, then north to Frozen Ocean Lake, and back east around Big Dam Lake.
- A shorter and simpler trail near Big Dam Lake can provide similar views and scenery. Use the Hemlock and Hardwoods Trail to create a moderate 5km loop.
- The Ukme’k Trail is another of the park’s moderate trails with both hiking and cycling permitted. It is 12.6km out-and-back as it follows the Mersey River from the Visitor’s Centre to the Jeremy’s Bay Campground.
Fall Programming and Guided Experiences at Kejimkujik
Enjoy the guided experiences, tours, and workshops from Kejimkujik National Park this fall to indulge in the area’s historical and cultural significance. The area was originally home to the Mi’kmaw people, and its cultural and historical sites are located across the park and accessible by trails.
- The Guided Dark Sky Discovery Program from Kejimkujik National Park is one of the best ways to take advantage of the stargazing opportunities that southern Nova Scotia has to offer. These are available to book until October 30th, with tours that are about an hour in length.
- More workshops and tours are offered until October 6th and include Birch Bark Canoe Building with Todd Labrador (Thursday and Friday), a Guided Dark Sky Paddle (Friday), Experience the Petroglyphs (Saturday and Sunday), Kejimkujik Campfire Experience: Ghost Cat (Saturday), Stories of the Stars (Saturday), and Wejisqalia’ti’k – Mi’kmaw encampment (Sunday).
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Paddling & around Kejimkujik Lake & More
Whynot Adventure, the Keji Outfitters, is the source for rentals and water adventures in the National Park. They are located on-site, with paddle rentals available seven days a week until Thanksgiving each year. Those rental options include canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, camping gear, and bikes.
- There are several recommended trips to take from Parks Canada that will create 1-4 hours of paddling.
- One of those route options, the Mersey River paddle, is offered as a guided adventure from Whynot Adventure and is also available until Thanksgiving.
Fall Camping & Glamping at Kejimkujik
These campgrounds are equipped for tents and RVs while offering several other options. The Kejimkujik camping options include those plus Parks Canada’s oTENTik, Oasis, yurts, or rustic cabins. Jeremy’s Bay Campground is the name for the entire camping area divided into smaller sections.
- The Meadow and Slapfoot Loops are the tent/trailer camping areas with tap water, washrooms, showers, and playgrounds.
- The Jim Charles Loop and Jim Charles Point areas offer more tent and trailer options, as well as roofed accommodations. These include the oTENTik, yurts, Oasis, and cabin options.
- These campgrounds are all on the northeast shores of the park’s largest lake: Kejimkujik.
Kejimkujik National Park Seaside
The Seaside section of the National Park is to the south of the inland part of Kejimkujik and on Nova Scotia’s south coast. This is a hike-in attraction with a parking lot and park entrance about 2km from the closest shoreline.
- The single entrance trail hits a fork 1.3km in with the Harbour Rocks Trail leading toward the St. Catherines River Beach and the Port Joli Head Trail leading to Boyds Cove, followed by MacLeods Cove. Continue of the Port Joli Head Trail to reach the St. Catherines River Beach.
- The River Beach is only accessible from fall to spring. During the summer, it is closed to support the nesting of piping plovers (birds).
- The Harbour Rocks are a Parks Canada Red Chairs location with a pair sitting seaside and overlooking the St. Catherines Bay.
- Keep in mind that there is 100km separating Kejimkujik National Park and the Seaside.
Parks Canada Perfect Picnic (inland or seaside)
The Perfect Picnics are an effort by Parks Canada and the local restaurants surrounding certain national parks. A visit to Kejimkujik National Park can include the Parks Canada Perfect Picnic Experience from both park locations: the main inland picnic spots and the seaside spots. Plus, the park has many other options for other great picnic ideas.
- Choose between two nearby restaurants for a catered picnic: Lakeview Café & Eatery or Lane’s Privateer Inn, which are the closest options to the park.
- Picnics are available until October 30th.
- Pack in your own eats and enjoy the Merrymakedge Beach outside the Lakeview Café & Eatery. There are multiple tables around the shoreline and under the shade of the trees. This area also offers a playground and raised picnic platforms.
Planning Your Trip – Kejimkujik National Park & National Historic Site
What: A national park in southwestern Nova Scotia is made up of two separate parts. The inland park and Historic Site are the larger of the two sites and is made up of a dense, mixed forest. The Seaside location of the National Park is a coastal day-use park about 100km to the south.
Location and how to get there: 48km southeast of Annapolis Royal, or 68km northwest of Liverpool, on Trunk NS-8
Best time to go: camping is available Victoria Day weekend until the end of October
How much: day-use admission $5.50-$13.50 per person or family;
camping $33.50-$133.25 per night
For more information:
Kejimkujik National Park Seaside
