National park · Canada
Kouchibouguac National ParkParc national Kouchibouguac
Give it one full day: Kelly's Beach and the boardwalk bog in the morning, a bike or canoe on the lagoon in the afternoon. Skip it as a through-stop — there is no public transit to the gate and the nearest town is 20+ minutes away.
- 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
238 km² (92 sq mi)92 sq mi (238 km²)
approximate
Established
1969
Best months
Jun–Sep
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Crossing 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.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 238 km² (92 sq mi)92 sq mi (238 km²)
- Land area; the park also includes a marine zone off the barrier islands.
- Established
- 1969
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Kouchibouguac protects 238 km² of barrier islands, sand dunes, lagoons, salt marsh and Acadian forest on the east coast of New Brunswick, about an hour north of Moncton. It is a low-key park: no mountains, no shuttle buses, no reservation lottery. What it has is a 25 km dune system, one of the largest tern colonies in North America, harbour and grey seals offshore, and a flat network of trails that suits families and cyclists. The park was created in 1969 by expropriating seven Acadian communities — roughly 215 families — and that history is told in a permanent exhibit at the visitor centre. Plan around tides and wind, not altitude.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1969.
Size and age
238 km² (92 sq mi)92 sq mi (238 km²) · national park since 1969
Land area; the park also includes a marine zone off the barrier islands.
Why go
- Kelly's Beach: a long sand-dune beach with warm shallow water by Canadian standards, reached by a short walk from the parking area.
- The boardwalk over the bog is flat, wheelchair-friendly and the easiest way to see the park's wetland plants and birds.
- A flat cycling network on old roads and dykes, plus canoe and kayak launches on the Kouchibouguac River and the lagoons.
- Seal watching and seabird colonies on the barrier islands, with the second-largest tern colony in North America.
- A quiet alternative to Fundy or Cape Breton in July and August, at a fraction of the crowd.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep winter; most facilities closed, road access limited (check)
- FebCold and snowbound; cross-country ski trails only (check)
- MarThaw; trails icy and muddy (check)
- AprCold, wet; services still closed (check)
- MayQuiet; cool, blackflies start late in the month
- JunWarm days, few people, long light
- JulWarmest water; peak season and full campgrounds
- AugWarm; busiest, book camping ahead
- SepMild, quiet after Labour Day, good cycling
- OctCool and clear; some services close after Thanksgiving (check)
- NovCold, wet, short days (check)
- DecWinter; no visitor services (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piping plover (endangered) nesting on dunesApr–Aug · Dune closures apply; keep out of fenced nesting areas and keep dogs away. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Tern colony on the barrier islandsMay–Aug · Second-largest tern colony in North America; do not land on colony islands. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Harbour and grey seals offshoreMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Moose, black bear, beaver and river otterMay–Oct · Drive slowly at dusk; store food properly at camp. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesJun–Aug · Worst near the bog and in still forest; repellent is essential in June. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
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 Moncton
Drive Highway 15 to Shediac, then Highway 11 north; the park gate is off Route 134.
1 h
From Mi'kmaq / Miramichi
Highway 11 south, or the slower Acadian Coastal Drive via Route 117.
45 min–1 h
From Fredericton
Drive via Moncton and Shediac.
2.5 h
From Moncton airport (YQM)
Rent a car at the airport; there is no bus or shuttle into the park.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| South Kouchibouguac (main sector) | Visitor centre, Kelly's Beach, the bog boardwalk, main campground and most trails. | Open with entry fee; gated road. |
| Barrier islands and dunes | Sand dunes, tern and piping plover nesting areas, seal haul-outs offshore. | Landing restricted in nesting season; view from the water or marked points. |
| Kouchibouguac River and lagoons | Canoe and kayak routes, warm shallow water, salt marsh channels. | Open; rentals at the main sector. |
| Côte-à-Fabien | Primitive campground and quieter northern access. | Seasonal; basic facilities. |
Sketch map
- 1Park gate and visitor centre · Headquarters≈46.850, -64.967Map ↗
- 2Kelly's Beach · Beach≈46.833, -64.906Map ↗
- 3Bog boardwalk · Trail≈46.842, -64.933Map ↗
- 4South Kouchibouguac campground · Sleep≈46.845, -64.955Map ↗
- 5Côte-à-Fabien · Sleep≈46.890, -64.920Map ↗
- 6Kouchibouguac village · Town≈46.830, -65.010Map ↗
Take the points offline
6 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 within the park, for orientation only.
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, adult (day) | CAD 8–12 (≈ US$6–9) | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada sets entry fees annually — confirm the current rate on the official fees page (check). |
| Park entry, family/group (day) | CAD 16–24 (≈ US$12–18) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; confirm on the official fees page (check). |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 70–85 (≈ US$55–65) | adult | 2026 estimate; pays off on about 8–10 park days. Confirm the current price (check). |
| Camping, South Kouchibouguac unserviced | CAD 24–31 (≈ US$18–25) | night | Shoulder to peak season; 2026 estimate. |
| Camping, oTENTik (glamping tent) | CAD 100–115 (≈ US$75–85) | night | 2026 estimate; books out early in July–August. |
| Backcountry camping | CAD 13–14 (≈ US$10–11) | person/night | 2026 estimate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$8–12≈ US$6–9
- C$16–24≈ US$12–18
- C$70–85≈ US$55–65
- C$24–31≈ US$18–25
- C$100–115≈ US$75–85
- C$13–14≈ US$10–11
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 — Kouchibouguac fees before you go.
Park rules
- Stay off the dunes
- Dune grass holds the barrier islands together and nesting birds use the sand; use boardwalks and marked paths. Seasonal dune and beach closures apply — check signs at the trailhead (check).check
- Dogs
- Leash rules and any beach sections closed to dogs are posted at the trailhead; confirm current restrictions with Parks Canada (check).check
- Fires
- Fires only in provided fire pits at campsites; no fires on the beach or in the backcountry (check).check
- Drones
- Not permitted without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
- Collection
- No taking of plants, shells, driftwood or artefacts; the park includes Mi'kmaq and Acadian heritage sites.
Where to stay
In the park
South Kouchibouguac campground
Main campground with unserviced, electrical and oTENTik sites; showers and washrooms.
In the park
Côte-à-Fabien primitive campground
Basic sites in the quieter northern part of the park, roughly June–September.
Near the park
Motels and cottages around Kouchibouguac village and Richibucto
Simple roadside accommodation outside the gate; driving distance and availability vary — confirm before booking (check).
Safety
Cold water and currents medium
Ticks medium
Wind and weather changes medium
Wildlife at camp low
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
- The bog boardwalk and the visitor centre are wheelchair accessible.
- Kelly's Beach involves a sandy path over the dune; ask at the visitor centre about beach wheelchairs in season.
- Some cycling routes are flat and paved; gravel sections are harder for hand cycles.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on the boardwalk over the bog — peat takes decades to recover from footprints.
- Do not land on tern or plover nesting islands; observe seals from a distance and never feed them.
- Pack out everything, including fishing line and food scraps that attract gulls and raccoons.
- Support businesses in Kouchibouguac village and Richibucto rather than driving back to Moncton for every meal.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kouchibouguac National Park?
Day entry is charged per adult or per vehicle, with lower youth and senior rates; a Parks Canada Discovery Pass covers entry for a year at this and other Parks Canada sites. Camping is charged separately per night. Rates are set annually — treat any figure you see as a 2026 estimate and confirm on the Parks Canada fees page before you go.
What are the best hikes in Kouchibouguac National Park?
The park is flat, so 'hikes' are really walks. The bog boardwalk is the easiest and most rewarding for a short stop. The dune and beach paths around Kelly's Beach give the best coastal scenery. Longer forest and dyke loops suit cyclists more than hikers. There is no mountain summit here — if you want elevation, go to Fundy or Cape Breton instead.
When is the best time to visit Kouchibouguac National Park?
Late June to early September for warm weather and full services, with July and August the busiest. September is the sweet spot: mild, quieter, and good for cycling. May and October are quiet but cool, with some facilities closed. Winter is for cross-country skiing only.
Can I visit Kouchibouguac without a car?
Effectively no. There is no public transit into the park. Via Rail stops at Moncton and Miramichi, both about 45–60 minutes away, and you would need to rent a car there.
Can I swim at Kelly's Beach?
Yes, and the shallow water is warmer than most Canadian coasts by August. It is still the Northumberland Strait: cold in June, and currents can pick up after storms. Lifeguards are not guaranteed — check at the visitor centre.
Is there camping in the park?
Yes. South Kouchibouguac has unserviced, electrical and oTENTik sites, and Côte-à-Fabien has primitive sites. Backcountry camping is allowed with registration. July and August weekends book out well in advance.
Why is the park named Kouchibouguac?
The name comes from the Mi'kmaq for the river, usually translated as 'river of the long tides'. The choice was contested locally: many Acadian residents wanted the park named Claire-Fontaine after one of the communities removed to create it.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go