National park · Canada
Pituamkek National Park Reserve
Go only if you have a boat or a booked Mi'kmaq-guided trip: there is no road, no gate and no day-use fee yet, so most visitors see the Hog Island sandhills from the water or skip it for Prince Edward Island National Park.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
approximate
Established
2024
Best months
Jun–Aug
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
- Atlantic Canada ↗The Maritimes means Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI only; Newfoundland and Labrador is Atlantic but not Maritime.
- Atlantic Canada ↗Most sights, ferries and seasonal hotels run late June to early September; outside that, check each opening before booking.
- Prince Edward Island ↗Confederation Bridge toll is charged only when leaving the island, collected on the PEI side; the Wood Islands ferry works the same way — you pay going out, not coming in.
- Prince Edward Island ↗Outside Charlottetown and Summerside a vehicle is close to mandatory; intercity public transport is minimal.
- Prince Edward Island ↗Legal drinking age is 19; ID is checked for anyone who looks under 25.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
- Interim figure for the reserve lands around Hog Island and the Cascumpec–Malpeque sandhills; the boundary is still being finalised over a 12-year establishment period (check).
- Established
- 2024
- Best months
- Jun–Aug
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Charlottetown
Pituamkek National Park Reserve is Canada's newest national park, established in 2024 around Hog Island and the Cascumpec–Malpeque sandhills on Prince Edward Island's north-west shore. It is co-managed with the Mi'kmaq, for whom the sandhills are culturally significant, and it is being built over a 12-year establishment period: as of 2026 there is no road, no gate, no visitor centre, no campground and no day-use fee. Almost everyone who sees it does so from a boat or kayak out of the Malpeque or Cascumpec shore, usually with a licensed or Mi'kmaq-guided operator. The older, fully serviced Prince Edward Island National Park near Cavendish is a separate place 1–1.5 hours east, and for trails, campgrounds and beaches that is the park to use.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2024.
Size and age
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²) · national park since 2024
Interim figure for the reserve lands around Hog Island and the Cascumpec–Malpeque sandhills; the boundary is still being finalised over a 12-year establishment period (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Charlottetown.
Why go
- Canada's newest national park reserve, protecting the Hog Island sandhills and the chain of dunes behind them.
- A Mi'kmaq co-managed landscape: the sandhills are culturally significant to the Mi'kmaq and the park is being built with them, not around them.
- One of the least developed national parks in the country — no road, no visitor centre, no campground yet.
- The Malpeque Bay side is a quiet paddling and birding area, far from the Cavendish crowds.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprAvoid
- MayCaution
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanIce, wind, no access
- FebIce, wind, no access
- MarIce breaking up; unsafe
- AprCold water, no services
- MayCold; some boat operators start
- JunLong days, calm water, seabird nesting
- JulWarmest water; book boats ahead
- AugWarmest water; busiest on the water
- SepCalm, fewer boats, good light
- OctWindy; operators wind down
- NovCold, few boats
- DecIce forming; no access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shorebirds and waterfowl on migrationAug–Oct · The bay is a stopover; roosts are easily disturbed. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Piping plover nestingMay–Jul · Beach-nesting birds; stay out of signed areas and keep dogs away. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Seals and sea ducks in the bayNov–Apr · Seen mostly from shore in the colder months. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Charlottetown
Drive to the Malpeque or Cascumpec area, then join a boat or paddling trip; there is no road into the park.
1–1.5 h drive, then by water
Open the page →
From Summerside
Short drive to the Malpeque Bay shore, then a guided boat to the sandhills.
45 min drive, then by water
Open the page →
From Cavendish and PEI National Park
Drive west along the coast to the Malpeque area; the two parks are separate and not connected by trail.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hog Island sandhills | The dune chain that gives the park its shape, with beach and dune habitat. | By water only; land with a guide and stay off the fragile dune crest. |
| Malpeque Bay shore | The sheltered bay side, used for paddling and birdwatching. | Launch from public shore access points outside the park. |
| Cascumpec area | The western end of the sandhill chain and its surrounding water. | By water; no facilities. |
Sketch map
- 1Hog Island sandhills · Beach≈46.612, -63.788Approximate centre of the reserve.Map ↗
- 2Malpeque Bay shore · Town≈46.560, -63.720Approximate; common launch area.Map ↗
- 3Cascumpec · Village≈46.650, -63.900Approximate; western end of the sandhill chain.Map ↗
- 4Kensington · Town≈46.437, -63.639Approximate; nearest services.Map ↗
- 5Charlottetown · Town≈46.238, -63.131Approximate; main gateway.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the park boundary is still being established.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | No entry fee or gate as of 2026; the park is not yet fully established (check). |
| Guided boat or paddling trip to the sandhills | CAD 60–150 (≈ US$45–110) | person | 2026 estimate; depends on operator, group size and departure point. |
| Parks Canada Discovery Pass (annual, all national parks) | CAD 75 (≈ US$55) | adult | 2026 estimate; not needed for Pituamkek itself, useful for PEI National Park and other parks. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Landing on Hog Island permit or guide
Research or commercial filming permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$60–150≈ US$45–110
- C$75≈ US$55
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Parks Canada — Pituamkek National Park Reserve before you go.
Park rules
- Dogs
- Keep dogs off the sandhills and out of signed bird areas; on PEI beaches dogs are generally prohibited in plover season (check).check
- Dunes
- Do not walk on the dune crest or disturb vegetation; the sandhills are both fragile and culturally significant.
- Camping
- No camping in the park reserve; there are no facilities yet.
- Fires and litter
- No fires on the sandhills; carry out everything you bring.
- Cultural sites
- Do not remove artefacts or disturb archaeological sites; report anything you find.
Where to stay
Near the park
Malpeque and Kensington area
Inns, B&Bs and cottages within a short drive of the bay shore.
Near the park
Cavendish
The main PEI National Park base, 1–1.5 h east; more choice in summer.
Near the park
Charlottetown
City hotels, about 1–1.5 h from the Malpeque shore.
Safety
Cold water and strong currents high
Wind and weather changes medium
No facilities or phone coverage gaps medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- There is no road, boardwalk or accessible facility in the park reserve as of 2026.
- Visitors with limited mobility can see the sandhills from a boat; landing on soft sand is not step-free.
Visiting lightly
- Book with Mi'kmaq-guided or licensed operators so the local community benefits from the park.
- Stay on the lower beach and off the dune crest; a footprint can start a blowout.
- Keep well back from roosting and nesting birds, and never let a dog chase them.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Pituamkek National Park Reserve?
Nothing as of 2026: there is no gate, no ticket and no day-use fee while the park is being established (check). Your real cost is the boat or guided trip, roughly CAD 60–150 per person (2026 estimate), plus travel to the Malpeque or Cascumpec shore.
What are the best hikes in Pituamkek National Park Reserve?
There are no formal hiking trails yet. The sandhills are reached by water, and any walking is a short beach walk on the lower sand with a guide. For real PEI trails, use Prince Edward Island National Park instead.
When is the best time to visit Pituamkek National Park Reserve?
June to August for calm water, long days and boat availability, or September for quieter water and fewer boats. The bay is cold and often iced from December to April, and most operators do not run.
Can I drive to Pituamkek?
No. There is no road into the park reserve; access is by boat or kayak from the Malpeque or Cascumpec shore, normally with a licensed or Mi'kmaq-guided operator.
Is Pituamkek the same as Prince Edward Island National Park?
No. Prince Edward Island National Park is the older park along the north shore near Cavendish, with roads, trails and campgrounds. Pituamkek is a separate reserve around Hog Island and the sandhills to the west, with almost no visitor infrastructure.
Do I need a park pass?
Not for Pituamkek itself. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass is useful if you are also visiting Prince Edward Island National Park or other national parks on the same trip.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go