National park · Canada
Prince Edward Island National ParkParc national de l'Île-du-Prince-Édouard
Base yourself in Cavendish or Brackley for one full beach day: buy the Parks Canada day pass, walk the Homestead or Dunelands trail before 10:00, and swim only between the red-yellow flags in July–August.Base yourself in Cavendish or Brackley for one full beach day: buy the Parks Canada day pass, walk the Homestead or Dunelands trail before 10:00 AM, and swim only between the red-yellow flags in July–August.
- 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
27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²)
approximate
Established
1937
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
- 27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²)
- About 27 km² of land along roughly 65 km of shoreline; the park is not one block but three separate coastal sections (check).
- Established
- 1937
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Prince Edward Island National Park is a thin ribbon of red sand, dunes and salt marsh along the island's north shore, split into three road-accessible pieces: Cavendish–North Rustico in the west, Brackley–Dalvay in the middle, and Greenwich in the east. It was created in 1937 around the Green Gables farmstead and now protects the largest dune field on the island. Most visitors come for the beaches; the walking is short and flat, so a car and a day pass cover it well.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteGreen Gables Heritage Place and Dalvay-by-the-Sea are national historic sites inside the park.
Size and age
27 km² (10 sq mi)10 sq mi (27 km²) · national park since 1937
About 27 km² of land along roughly 65 km of shoreline; the park is not one block but three separate coastal sections (check).
Why go
- Red sand beaches and warm shallow water on the Gulf of St. Lawrence — the warmest swimming on the island in late summer.
- Green Gables Heritage Place and the trails around it, the reason the park was created in 1937.
- Greenwich, in the east, has the biggest dune system on PEI and a boardwalk over it.
- Flat, easy cycling on the Gulf Shore Parkway and the multi-use trails.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunBest
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanFacilities closed; sea ice on the shore
- FebClosed season; snowploughing only
- MarCold, closed; ice still on the gulf
- AprPets banned on beaches from 1 Apr; most services shut
- MayQuiet; beaches open, water cold
- JunLong days, few crowds, cool water
- JulLifeguards on duty; warmest water; busiest
- AugWarmest sea; peak crowds and full campgrounds
- SepWarm water, thinner crowds after Labour Day
- OctCool and quiet; some services closing
- NovFacilities closed; storms
- DecClosed season; no services
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piping plover (endangered; nesting areas closed)Apr–Aug · Keep out of signed nesting areas and keep dogs off the beaches in the ban period. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Great blue heron and other wading birds in the marshesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Red fox and coyote around the dunes and campgroundsAll year · Do not feed them; store food in your vehicle or locker. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Shorebirds and waterfowl on migrationApr–May, Sep–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | 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 Charlottetown
Drive Route 15 north to Route 6, then follow signs to Brackley Beach or Cavendish.
25–40 min
From Cavendish
The western park section starts at the village edge; Green Gables and Cavendish Beach are minutes away.
5–10 min
From North Rustico
Route 6 west to the Cavendish section, or east to Brackley–Dalvay.
10–20 min
From St. Peters Bay (Greenwich)
Route 313 northwest, then 200 m on Wild Rose Road to the interpretation centre.
10 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Cavendish–North Rustico | Green Gables Heritage Place, Cavendish Beach, dunes and the Homestead Trail. | Open with a park pass; the busiest section in July–August. |
| Brackley–Dalvay | Brackley Beach, Stanhope, Covehead and the Dalvay-by-the-Sea historic inn. | Open with a park pass; lifeguards at Brackley and Stanhope in summer. |
| Greenwich | The eastern peninsula: largest dunes on PEI, an interpretation centre and a boardwalk trail. | Open mid-June to mid-September; centre open daily 9:00–17:00 in season.Open mid-June to mid-September; centre open daily 9:00 AM–5:00 PM in season. |
| Protected beach and dune closures | Nesting areas for the piping plover and fragile dune grass. | Closed; no walking on dunes at any time. |
Sketch map
- 1Cavendish Beach · Beach≈46.499, -63.392Map ↗
- 2Cavendish Campground · Sleep≈46.497, -63.408Map ↗
- 3North Rustico Beach · Beach≈46.461, -63.296Map ↗
- 4Brackley Beach · Beach≈46.431, -63.202Map ↗
- 5Stanhope Beach · Beach≈46.421, -63.101Map ↗
- 6Dalvay-by-the-Sea · Sleep≈46.415, -63.074Map ↗
- 7Greenwich Interpretation Centre · Headquarters≈46.445, -62.682Map ↗
- 8Greenwich Beach · Beach≈46.454, -62.700Map ↗
- 9Charlottetown · Town≈46.238, -63.131Map ↗
Take the points offline
9 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 along the north shore, from Cavendish to Greenwich, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day pass, adult | CAD 9–10 (≈ US$7–8) | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada sets the rate each year — check before you go. |
| Day pass, senior | CAD 8–9 (≈ US$6–7) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Day pass, youth 6–17 | CAD 4–5 (≈ US$3–4) | person | 2026 estimate; under 6 free. |
| Family/group day pass | CAD 20–21 (≈ US$15–16) | vehicle | 2026 estimate; up to 7 people in one vehicle. |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 75–80 (≈ US$55–60) | adult | 2026 estimate; worth it only if you visit several Parks Canada sites. |
| Green Gables Heritage Place, adult | CAD 8–9 (≈ US$6–7) | person | Separate national historic site ticket on top of the park pass (check). |
| Cavendish or Stanhope campsite, serviced | CAD 30–40 (≈ US$25–30) | night | 2026 estimate, high season, plus park admission per person. |
| oTENTik (equipped tent, sleeps up to 6) | CAD 110–135 (≈ US$80–100) | night | 2026 estimate; book early for July–August. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park day pass permit or guide
Camping reservation permit or guide
Green Gables Heritage Place no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$9–10≈ US$7–8
- C$8–9≈ US$6–7
- C$4–5≈ US$3–4
- C$20–21≈ US$15–16
- C$75–80≈ US$55–60
- C$8–9≈ US$6–7
- C$30–40≈ US$25–30
- C$110–135≈ US$80–100
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 — Prince Edward Island National Park before you go.
Park rules
- Dunes
- Walking or climbing on the dunes is prohibited; use the boardwalks and signed paths.
- Pets on beaches
- Dogs are banned on park beaches from 1 April to 15 October; on leash elsewhere in the park.
- Cannabis
- Allowed only at your own campsite; smoking it on the beach is not allowed.
- Alcohol
- Park management can restrict alcohol in campgrounds at certain times, such as during events (check).check
- Covehead Bridge
- Jumping from the bridge is prohibited and dangerous.
- Winter use
- The park stays open in winter but facilities are closed and only the scenic drives are ploughed; sea ice makes beach walking hazardous.
Where to stay
In the park
Cavendish Campground
About 200 sites with showers, flush toilets, laundry and its own supervised beach; on the Homestead Trail.
In the park
Stanhope Campground
Over 100 sites on Gulf Shore Way, walking distance from Stanhope Beach; hot showers and kitchen shelters.
In the park
Dalvay-by-the-Sea
Historic summer house run as an inn with a restaurant; 25 rooms and a few cottages.
Near the park
Cavendish and North Rustico
Motels, cottages and B&Bs just outside the park along Route 6.
Near the park
Brackley Beach and Stanhope
Smaller guesthouses and cottages close to the middle section.
Safety
Rip currents on the gulf beaches high
Cold water even in summer medium
Sun and wind on open sand medium
Winter sea ice and closed services 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
- Cavendish Beach, Brackley Beach and Stanhope Beach have boardwalk or ramp access to the sand and accessible washrooms.
- The Homestead Trail and the Stanhope–Dalvay multi-use trail are flat and suitable for wheelchairs and strollers.
- The Greenwich Dunes Trail boardwalk is accessible; the beach section beyond it is sand.
Visiting lightly
- Stay off the dunes — the grass holds the whole system together and takes years to recover.
- Keep dogs off the beaches from April to October so piping plovers can nest.
- Pack out everything; bins are limited outside the main beaches.
- Use the park shuttle or bike the Gulf Shore Parkway instead of driving between beaches in peak season.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Prince Edward Island National Park?
A Parks Canada day pass is roughly $9–10 CAD per adult, $4–5 per youth aged 6–17, and about $20 per vehicle for a family or group (2026 estimate). Under-6s are free. Camping and the Green Gables Heritage Place ticket cost extra. Rates are set annually by Parks Canada, so check the current price before you travel.
What are the best hikes in Prince Edward Island National Park?
There is nothing steep here. The Homestead Trail at Cavendish is an easy 8 km loop, the Greenwich Dunes Trail crosses the biggest dune field on a boardwalk, and the Stanhope–Dalvay multi-use trail runs about 10 km along the coast. All are flat and take 1.5–2 hours at a walk.
When is the best time to visit Prince Edward Island National Park?
July to early September for swimming, with lifeguards on duty and the warmest water in August. June and September are quieter and cheaper, with cooler water. Most facilities close after mid-September and the park runs without services from November to April.
Do I need a reservation to camp in the park?
Yes in practice for July and August. Cavendish and Stanhope campgrounds fill months ahead, and oTENTik equipped tents go first. Reserve through Parks Canada as soon as dates open.
Can I bring my dog to the beach?
Not between 1 April and 15 October — dogs are banned on park beaches in that period to protect nesting piping plovers. On leash they are allowed in campgrounds, picnic areas and on park trails.
Is the park the same as Green Gables?
Green Gables Heritage Place sits inside the park at Cavendish and is run as a national historic site with its own ticket. The park itself is the 65 km strip of beaches, dunes and marsh along the north shore.
How do I get around without a car?
It is difficult. The three sections are 20–40 minutes apart by road and there is no park-wide shuttle. Cycling works on the Gulf Shore Parkway and the multi-use trails, but you still need a way to reach the park from Charlottetown.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialParks Canada — Prince Edward Island National Park
- officialParks Canada — Greenwich, Prince Edward Island National Park
- officialParks Canada — Green Gables Heritage Place
- officialParks Canada — Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site
- secondaryWikipedia — Prince Edward Island National Park
- secondaryWikivoyage: Prince Edward Island National Park, revision 5250165 (CC BY-SA 4.0)