Moncton 
No matter where you go on Campobello Island, off the east coast of Maine and the west coast of New Brunswick, there is stunning nature to explore.
Credit: Tourism New Brunswick
The parks, trails, and beaches of the Island all provide perfect viewing areas for birding or whale watching. And overall, these natural parts of Campobello Island offer stunning vistas of the Bay of Fundy and the Island’s smaller coves.
Campobello Island is accessible from the mainland of New Brunswick via two ferries. Otherwise, visitors can take a scenic drive through Main to reach the town of Lubec and the Roosevelt Campobello International Bridge.
The Island is small enough to make it easy to explore within a day trip. However, there are many reasons to stay a bit longer, and accommodation options around the Island including camping, comfort camping, motels, and historic inns.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
The park, home to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 34-room summer home and additional historic cottages celebrates the enduring friendship between Canada and the United States, drawing thousands annually.
Starting May 23, 2026, explore Roosevelt Cottage with guided tours offered every 15 minutes, showcasing the preserved summer home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Enjoy “Eleanor’s Tea” daily with King Cole tea and cookies, and join “FDR Happy Hour” every other Thursday for cocktails, music, and stories at Prince Cottage, an immersive, engaging tribute to two remarkable historical figures.
Any other summer, The Roosevelt Campobello International Park plays host to the Campobello Coastal Challenge and race in August. The park takes up the south portion of the island, with Glensevern Road dividing it from the Herring Cove Provincial Park.
- The Visitor’s Centre and welcome area are also home to the property’s historic cottages, open for exploration and guided tours. High tea is also available to enhance the experience.
- Be sure to have all your picnic supplies and snacks with you. Each of the park’s trails and lookout points offers several picnic area options.
- The park’s trails are open to hiking and cycling. The first from the visitor’s centre, the Friar’s Head Trail, is 2.6km out and back with views over Passamaquoddy Bay. The Cranberry Point Trail is a bit shorter and will provide views over the Lower Duck Pond, Deep Cove, and of Maine.
- Find more incredible views via simple trails near Liberty Point or the Eagle Hill Bog.
- Learn about all the marine life surrounding the island with the park’s Marine Life Interpretation Centre. The Centre is operated by the Canadian Whale Institute which performs rescues, research, and provides conservation efforts for local whales.
Herring Cove Provincial Park
Herring Cove Provincial Park is to the north of the International Park and offers several more chances for hiking to beautiful viewpoints. There are seven main trails ranging from 1-5km in length, with none posing too great a challenge for kids.
The park is open from May to September each year, with four types of campsites for those who want to stay a little longer: choose between unserviced sites, serviced sites, rustic shelter camping, or Ch-A-let comfort camping.
The Provincial Park is also home to one of New Brunswick’s premier places to tee off with the Herring Cove Provincial Park Golf Course.
Events on Campobello Island
The summer events on Campobello Island will have visitors celebrating Island nature, culture, history and heritage, art, music, and more.
- The Campobello Island Seaglass Festival (September) celebrates the beachcombing lifestyle. The festival includes numerous beach-themed activities on the north side of the Island.
- The Seaglass Festival is hosted by Island Girl Images Seaglass Art, which also help East Quoddy Tours book sightseeing and whale watching tours from Campobello Island.
- Campobello Fogfest (August) is an annual festival for celebrating all the local art, music, heritage and culture.
Where to Eat & Stay on Campobello Island
Aside from the camping in Herring Cove Provincial Park, there are many other accommodation options across Campobello Island.
- The Friar’s Bay Inn & Cottages or the Owen House Country Inn and Gallery offer stays in historic buildings. More great options include the Campobello Whale Watch Motel, or the Pollock Cove Resort.
- On the south side of the island, try the Prince Café at the International Park, or the Lodge Restaurant at the Herring Cove Golf Course. Outside of the parks are The Porch, Habibi Restaurant, or Pier Waterfront.
Plan your trip – Campobello Island
Credit: Matt Hewitson/Tourism New Brunswick
What: Campobello Island is one of New Brunswick’s rural communities located on the Bay of Fundy and close to Lubec, Maine. Visitors can access the island and its parks via the bridge from Lubec, or ferries from L’Etete and Deer Island, NB. Originally, the island was Passamaquoddy Nation land and slowly grew as a fishing village post-colonization. It was officially incorporated as a rural community as late as 2010. Campobello Island has two large parks for visitors to explore, with dozens of hiking trails, scenic roads to travel, and great wildlife viewing.
Best time to go: The weekend after Victoria Day in May through the weekend after Columbus Day in mid-October, as Roosevelt Campobello International Park is only open seasonally.
Opens: Saturday, May 23rd, for 2026 season.
Location and how to get there:
- From New Brunswick, Campobello Island is accessible by ferry or car. By ferry, visitors do not need to bring their passports. First will be a ferry from L’Etete to Deer Island via New Brunswick Ferries (schedule), a drive south across Deer Island, and a second ferry to Campobello Island via East Coast Ferries Ltd. (schedule)
- If driving, the route passes through Maine, and travellers will need a passport to cross the border.
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