I never spent more than a couple hours in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick. Even when I lived in the province for two years, I never had the pleasure of staying the night in Fundy. With Athena at a really fun age and an extended stay in the province, we decided to spend a day hiking and the night camping in Fundy.
Fundy National Park is located on the Bay of Fundy, near the village of Alma, New Brunswick.
The park showcases a rugged coastline which rises up to the Acadian Highlands, the highest tides in the world, and more than 25 waterfalls.
It covers an area of 207 km² along Chignecto Bay and the trails range from easy to difficult.
In one day, we covered three family-friendly trails and canoed at Bennett Lake. We camped at Headquarters Campground and roasted marshmallows while looking down at the town of Alma.
For Athena, it was a fantastic introduction to the outdoor life in New Brunswick and for me, it was a reminder of why I am so proud to be from eastern Canada.
We arrived in Fundy National Park after roughly an hour drive from Moncton. The scenery was stunning with ocean vistas and grassy fields.
We ate lunch in Alma before heading to our first hiking area near Point Wolfe. Rather than hiking the Point Wolfe trail, we played along the river and made our own path. The water was cold, but it didn’t stop Athena from jumping and splashing around.
The Fundy weather can be unpredictable. Make sure to pack a jacket in case it rains or it is colder along the coast.
Herring Cove Beach
Our first official trail was Herring Cove Beach. This short, coastal trail is only 1 km round trip.
The forest trail provided great overhead coverage and crossed a little stream and the return trail lead us to a stunning lookout.
Athena loved hiking along the path and she wanted to throw rocks on the beach for more than an hour. It was low tide but we watched as the waves quickly filled the beach and washed over rocks we had sat on just a few minutes before.
Dickson Falls
The most photographed waterfall in Fundy National Park, Dickson Falls, was our last hike of the day.
It was 1.5 km round trip and we started off by soaking in the beautiful view at the lookout. The trail took us down into a cool, lush valley along the swift Dickson Brook. It was easy to see why it’s the most popular trail in the park. It was simple enough for the entire family and provided picture perfect Fundy scenery.
Bennett Lake
We fished off the afternoon with a one-hour canoe adventure on Bennett Lake.
There is a small company on the lake that rents canoes and kayaks. We rented a canoe for $17/hr and paddled around the entire lake. In the middle of the lake is an island where you can stop and explore. Athena’s anticipation was bubbling over as we paddled up to the island and set off into the unknown. It was only a tiny island and a short walk from one side to the other but she felt like an adventurer as she led the way.
The sun was hiding behind a cloud and it was dark and mysterious, which was the ideal setting for our expedition.
Athena fell asleep in the car on the short drive from Bennett Lake to Headquarters campground. Everything was new and exciting and we still had our first camping experience ahead of us.
Fundy National Parks’s oTENTik Experience
Since we’re only visiting New Brunswick, we don’t have all of our camping gear here. I found Fundy National Parks’s oTENTik experience and knew that it would work well with our situation. The Parks Canada oTENTik is a spacious blend of tent and rustic cabin equipped with beds and furniture on a raised floor. It’s not exactly roughing it but it’s a great introduction to camping and tenting.
Outside the oTENTik was a parking space, a picnic table, two deck chairs and a charcoal BBQ. Inside, there was a table, 4 chairs, a bench, a sleeping area, a solar-powered light and a propane heater. All we needed was bedding, food and drinks, cooking gear, propane and a lighter.
Athena climbed up and down the bunk bed steps dozens of times and anxiously awaited s’mores. Since the BBQ was propane, we used waffle cones and stuffed them with marshmallows and chocolate. Wrapped in tinfoil, they roasted beautifully on the grill and tasted delicious.
As we sat in the chairs and ate our s’mores and hotdogs, we watched a pair of squirrels run and play around us. Even though we were only 1 km from the town of Alma, we felt like we were having a deep woods camping experience.
Remember what I said about the weather – Fundy weather can be unpredictable and it gets cold at night. Be prepared with extra-warm clothing.
At night when it was time for sleep, Athena used her flashlight as a nightlight and we made shadow animals on the side of the tent.
It was everything I imagined our first camping experience including woodland creatures and delicious food around a fire followed by snuggling up in the tent while telling stories and drifting off to sleep.
The next morning, we felt rejuvenated from the fresh air and full day of activities. I knew that I would love Fundy National Park but I had no idea how family-friendly it is. With easy and medium trails, water sports, swimming, camping and a close proximity to town, Fundy is our favorite family spot in New Burnswick.
This is what I wish we had here … more outdoors and stuff for the kids well we do but its often long drives so not suited for young kids ☺ This seems really fun!
One of the best parts of growing up in eastern Canada was the amount of time we spent outdoors. There are endless amounts of trees and paths waiting to be explored.
This is what I wish we had here … more outdoors and stuff for the kids well we do but its often long drives so not suited for young kids ☺ This seems really fun!
One of the best parts of growing up in eastern Canada was the amount of time we spent outdoors. There are endless amounts of trees and paths waiting to be explored.
Since we only had a long-weekend roadtrip to get to New Brunswick and back to Toronto again, we didn’t get the chance to camp out or explore Fundy National Park and it was something we REALLY wanted to be able to do. This looks like tons of fun and now we’re anxious to be able to see more of Canada and the east coast!
The waffle cones filled with marshmallows and chocolate over the propane BBQ has got to be one of the most ingenious things ever! We’ll be trying that when we next get a chance!
Just another reason to return, right?
Are you from Canada?
Since we only had a long-weekend roadtrip to get to New Brunswick and back to Toronto again, we didn’t get the chance to camp out or explore Fundy National Park and it was something we REALLY wanted to be able to do. This looks like tons of fun and now we’re anxious to be able to see more of Canada and the east coast!
The waffle cones filled with marshmallows and chocolate over the propane BBQ has got to be one of the most ingenious things ever! We’ll be trying that when we next get a chance!
Just another reason to return, right?
Are you from Canada?
Sounds like fun, especially the canoe ride to the tiny island! I love the idea behind oTENTik since I am not a camper, and never will be!
oTENTik is great for my family too, although we do like tenting. Athena is at the perfect age to enjoy it.
Sounds like fun, especially the canoe ride to the tiny island! I love the idea behind oTENTik since I am not a camper, and never will be!
oTENTik is great for my family too, although we do like tenting. Athena is at the perfect age to enjoy it.
How gorgeous!! This sounds like a good set up for someone like me, who likes camping but loves my sleep more. Lol Great take on the smores! Waffle cone sounds way better.
I love tenting but you’re right about the sleep – I never really do get a good sleep in a tent. We definitely slept in the oTENTik. It was comfy and warm. I hope we can make it a yearly tradition now.
How gorgeous!! This sounds like a good set up for someone like me, who likes camping but loves my sleep more. Lol Great take on the smores! Waffle cone sounds way better.
I love tenting but you’re right about the sleep – I never really do get a good sleep in a tent. We definitely slept in the oTENTik. It was comfy and warm. I hope we can make it a yearly tradition now.
So many waterfalls! It’s always nice to stay overnight so you get more time to see everything and even go hiking and fishing. Hard to do that on a day trip.
Unfortunately we didn’t go fishing. Some of my favorite memories as a child were fishing with my grandfather. That should go on my 2016 list – take Athena fishing. 🙂
So many waterfalls! It’s always nice to stay overnight so you get more time to see everything and even go hiking and fishing. Hard to do that on a day trip.
Unfortunately we didn’t go fishing. Some of my favorite memories as a child were fishing with my grandfather. That should go on my 2016 list – take Athena fishing. 🙂
I hope this inspires more people to get out into the great outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer!
Me too! There is so much beauty to be seen in the “wild”. New Brunswick is one beautiful spot after another.
I hope this inspires more people to get out into the great outdoors and enjoy what nature has to offer!
Me too! There is so much beauty to be seen in the “wild”. New Brunswick is one beautiful spot after another.
Wow, the pictures are beautiful! I love how it looks so secluded. I haven’t heard of this national park but I will be putting it on my list. I just love national parks and I think they make a great family trip. Looks like you guys had fun!
Have you been to New Brunswick? You should put it on your list for sure.
Wow, the pictures are beautiful! I love how it looks so secluded. I haven’t heard of this national park but I will be putting it on my list. I just love national parks and I think they make a great family trip. Looks like you guys had fun!
Have you been to New Brunswick? You should put it on your list for sure.
I really want to see the tide changes in Fundy. It is so amazing how the tides change.
It is worth the trip. They are the highest tides in the world. Fundy is beautiful even if you don’t go for the tides. Have you ever been to eastern Canada?
I really want to see the tide changes in Fundy. It is so amazing how the tides change.
It is worth the trip. They are the highest tides in the world. Fundy is beautiful even if you don’t go for the tides. Have you ever been to eastern Canada?
What a beautiful family! Athena is a real cutie I am very glad that you still have time to do all these! Kudos! Xx
We try to find a balance that works for all of us. Since we all love the outdoors, this worked perfectly.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family
Thank you, Lisa! We spent Thanksgiving in Thailand so we missed out on our regular turkey dinner but it was worth it 😉
Happy Thanksgiving to you as well. I hope it was filled with family and joy.
How fun! This is exactly the kind of place that my family enjoys, too!
How fun! This is exactly the kind of place that my family enjoys, too!
Love your photos and the place looks amazing! This is something I would definitely like to do on the weekend
Love your photos and the place looks amazing! This is something I would definitely like to do on the weekend
Glad you had a good time, where exactly is the national park? It looks gorgeous with all the brightly colored canoes and the scenic views,
Glad you had a good time, where exactly is the national park? It looks gorgeous with all the brightly colored canoes and the scenic views,
This location looks so stunning and serene. I will have to keep this in mind if we ever get up north.
This location looks so stunning and serene. I will have to keep this in mind if we ever get up north.
Beautiful pictures! They make me dream of summer! Can’t wait to get out on the trails and in a kayak!
Beautiful pictures! They make me dream of summer! Can’t wait to get out on the trails and in a kayak!
Oh my word. These pictures are absolutely gorgeous! Those canoes look like an absolute blast!
Oh my word. These pictures are absolutely gorgeous! Those canoes look like an absolute blast!
I am loving all of these photos of you all having a good time. Your pics look like something out of a magazine
I am loving all of these photos of you all having a good time. Your pics look like something out of a magazine
This looks like a trip we would love. Beautiful photos.
This looks like a trip we would love. Beautiful photos.
That is my kind of camping. I could handle that.
That is my kind of camping. I could handle that.
Looks like a great vacation. We have such bad allergies that we don’t do as much outdoorsy things as I’d like.
Looks like a great vacation. We have such bad allergies that we don’t do as much outdoorsy things as I’d like.
This is beautiful and looks like such a great family spot! I wish we had something like this closer to us!
This is beautiful and looks like such a great family spot! I wish we had something like this closer to us!
Great post! I think if I had a tent cabin combo I’d go camping more often. Love the colorful pics you’ve included too!
Great post! I think if I had a tent cabin combo I’d go camping more often. Love the colorful pics you’ve included too!
What a beautiful place to camp and hang with your little one! We love camping as a family, but on a long trip I think the tent/ cabin would be really nice to save you from having to pack so much gear. I’ve never been to Eastern Canada (or the Eastern US, for that matter) but I so hope to make those further trips as our kids get a little bigger.
What a lovely day to spend at the park. The views are amazing.
What a lovely day to spend at the park. The views are amazing.
I would love to go on a hike that led me to a waterfall. You took some really nice shots, especially of Bennett Lake. Looks like your daughter had a blast.
I would love to go on a hike that led me to a waterfall. You took some really nice shots, especially of Bennett Lake. Looks like your daughter had a blast.
Looks like a super fun trip!! Kayaking rocks!
Looks like a super fun trip!! Kayaking rocks!
Wow, beautiful place that offers so much beautiful scenery! I love to kayak and when the hubs and I hit the road, we’re all about enjoying as much time outside as we can!
Wow, beautiful place that offers so much beautiful scenery! I love to kayak and when the hubs and I hit the road, we’re all about enjoying as much time outside as we can!
This looks like such an amazing trip! I’m hoping to take my kids camping this summer some, not sure how it will work with an 18 month old, but we will see!
This looks like such an amazing trip! I’m hoping to take my kids camping this summer some, not sure how it will work with an 18 month old, but we will see!
I’d love to visit this place. It looks truly relaxing and pure fun. I love your photos!!!
I’d love to visit this place. It looks truly relaxing and pure fun. I love your photos!!!
Looks like an amazing trip!! I’d love to visit this place it seems like a great place to relax…
Looks like an amazing trip!! I’d love to visit this place it seems like a great place to relax…
these pictures are awesome!!.this is worth trip.this is useful for kids.
these pictures are awesome!!.this is worth trip.this is useful for kids.