National park · Canada
Kejimkujik National ParkKejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Day trip from Halifax: drive 2 h to the inland park, pay the Parks Canada entry fee, walk Slapfoot (2–3 h) or paddle the Mersey; skip the Seaside unit unless you have a separate half-day near Liverpool.
- 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
404 km² (156 sq mi)156 sq mi (404 km²)
approximate
Established
1967
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
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
- 404 km² (156 sq mi)156 sq mi (404 km²)
- 404 km² across two units: the large inland park plus the Kejimkujik Seaside unit on the Atlantic coast (check current boundary figures).
- Established
- 1967
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Kejimkujik — Keji to everyone — is the wooded interior of southwest Nova Scotia: a low upland of lakes, slow rivers and Acadian forest about 50 km inland from the South Shore, plus a small coastal unit, Kejimkujik Seaside, near Port Joli. The whole inland park is also a National Historic Site because of its Mi'kmaq cultural landscape — canoe routes, village sites and petroglyphs — and it sits inside a UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is a Dark-Sky Preserve, so the night sky is part of the reason to camp rather than day-trip.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere ReservePart of the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve with the Tobeatic Wilderness Area.
- Special national siteThe inland park is a National Historic Site of Canada for its Mi'kmaq cultural landscape.
Size and age
404 km² (156 sq mi)156 sq mi (404 km²) · national park since 1967
404 km² across two units: the large inland park plus the Kejimkujik Seaside unit on the Atlantic coast (check current boundary figures).
Why go
- Canoe country: a connected lake-and-river system with maintained portages, so you can paddle for days and see almost nobody.
- The inland park is a National Historic Site — Mi'kmaq petroglyphs, village sites and canoe routes, not just trees and water.
- Dark-Sky Preserve: on a clear night away from Jeremy's Bay lights the Milky Way is the main attraction.
- Easy day access from Halifax (about 2 h by car) with short lakeside trails if you are not camping.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow, most services closed; winter access is limited
- FebCold and snowy; check what is open before driving
- MarThaw, mud and ice; few facilities
- AprQuiet; trails wet, some services still closed
- MayPark opens mid-May; blackflies start
- JunWarm days, bugs at their worst; fewer people than July
- JulFull services; warmest water for swimming and paddling
- AugFull services; book campsites well ahead
- SepMild, quieter, good paddling; some services wind down
- OctColour in the hardwoods; services end 31 Oct
- NovLimited services; short days
- DecWinter conditions; check access
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piping plover nesting on the Seaside beachesMay–Aug · Keep off signed nesting areas and keep dogs away. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no |
| Blanding's turtle nesting on beachesJun–Jul · Endangered in Nova Scotia; do not touch nests, report sightings to the visitor centre. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Loons, beavers and warblers on the lakesMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Seals on the Seaside rocksMay–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Blackflies and mosquitoesMay–Jul | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no |
| Moose and white-tailed deerMay–Jun, Sep–Oct · Dawn and dusk along waterways; drive slowly on Route 8. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | 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 Halifax
Drive Highway 103 to Exit 13 (Bridgewater), then Highway 325, Highway 208 and Route 8 through Caledonia to Maitland Bridge.
2–2.5 h
From Halifax by shuttle
Seasonal day-trip bus service to the park on selected dates; check whether it is running this year.
2.5 h
From Annapolis Royal
Route 8 south through Kejimkujik Lake country to the park entrance.
1 h
From Liverpool
Route 8 north to Maitland Bridge; the Seaside unit is off Highway 103 near Port Joli.
1 h
From Kejimkujik Seaside
Separate coastal unit, about 99 km (62 mi) southeast of the inland park by road.Separate coastal unit, about 62 mi (99 km) southeast of the inland park by road.
1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy's Bay and Merrymakedge | Main campground, beach, day-use area and the start of the short lakeside trails. | Open with entry fee; full services July–August. |
| Kejimkujik Lake and Mersey River | The paddling heart of the park, with portages linking lakes and rivers. | Open; backcountry permit needed to camp. |
| Backcountry lakes | Frozen Ocean, Channel and the Liberty Lake country — canoe, bike or hike in only. | Permit and reservation required. |
| Kejimkujik Seaside | Barrier beaches, bogs and coastal barrens near Port Joli; piping plover nesting area. | Day use only; no camping. |
Sketch map
- 1Maitland Bridge entrance · Gate≈44.438, -65.209Inland park gate on Route 8.Map ↗
- 2Jeremy's Bay Campground · Sleep≈44.405, -65.220Map ↗
- 3Jake's Landing · Ranger station≈44.390, -65.230Canoe launch and shuttle point on Kejimkujik Lake.Map ↗
- 4Big Dam Lake parking · Trail≈44.430, -65.180Start of the Frozen Ocean loop, with a short portage to the water.Map ↗
- 5Frozen Ocean Lake · Sleep≈44.460, -65.130Backcountry campsites and a roofed shelter.Map ↗
- 6Merrymakedge Beach · Beach≈44.400, -65.210Map ↗
- 7St Catherines River Beach, Seaside · Beach≈43.900, -64.830Approximate; in the coastal unit near Port Joli.Map ↗
Take the points offline
7 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.
Inland coordinates are approximate, for orientation between the gate, the campground and the canoe routes; the Seaside point is a rough position in the coastal unit.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry, adult | CAD 6–7 (≈ US$5–6) | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada adjusts fees yearly — check the current rate. |
| Entry, senior | CAD 5.5–6.5 (≈ US$4–5) | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Entry, youth (under 18) | Free | person | Free for youth; check the current Parks Canada policy. |
| Family or group day entry | CAD 13–16 (≈ US$10–12) | group | 2026 estimate for a vehicle or family group. |
| Discovery Pass (annual, all Parks Canada sites) | CAD 70–80 (≈ US$55–60) | adult | 2026 estimate; worth it if you visit two or more Parks Canada sites. |
| Frontcountry campsite, Jeremy's Bay | CAD 30–45 (≈ US$25–35) | night | 2026 estimate; serviced sites cost more. |
| Backcountry campsite | CAD 13–20 (≈ US$10–15) | person per night | 2026 estimate; reservation fee extra. |
| oTENTik or rustic cabin | CAD 100–150 (≈ US$75–110) | 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 entry permit or guide
Backcountry camping permit permit or guide
Canoe rental or shuttle no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$6–7≈ US$5–6
- C$5.50–6.50≈ US$4–5
- C$13–16≈ US$10–12
- C$70–80≈ US$55–60
- C$30–45≈ US$25–35
- C$13–20≈ US$10–15
- C$100–150≈ US$75–110
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 — Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Dogs must be on a leash and are not allowed on the Seaside beaches during plover nesting season.
- Camping
- Only at designated frontcountry or backcountry sites; no random camping in the forest.
- Petroglyphs
- Do not touch, chalk or photograph with flash; the carvings are fragile and culturally sensitive.
- Fires
- Only in provided fire pits; check for fire bans before you light anything.
- Drones
- Not allowed without a permit from Parks Canada (check).check
- Litter and food
- Pack out everything; store food away from tents because of bears and raccoons.
Where to stay
In the park
Jeremy's Bay Campground
Tenting to RV sites, plus oTENTiks, yurts and rustic cabins; showers, washrooms and a campfire program in season.
In the park
Jim Charles Point
Group tenting area inside the park.
In the park
Backcountry campsites
Canoe-in, bike-in or hike-in sites, including a group site and a roofed shelter on Frozen Ocean Lake.
Near the park
Maitland Bridge and Caledonia
Small inns, motels and B&Bs outside the gate for people not camping.
Near the park
Thomas Raddall Provincial Park
Camping across the bay from the Seaside unit, since the Seaside has no camping.
Safety
Cold water and sudden wind on the lakes medium
Getting lost or benighted in the backcountry medium
Ticks and Lyme disease medium
Black bears and coyotes low
Winter conditions high
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
- Jeremy's Bay has a wheelchair-accessible washroom building with a shower and six nearby campsites for people with mobility disabilities, four with electricity.
- Two accessible oTENTiks can be reserved through the Parks Canada reservation service.
- The Slapfoot Trail and the Merrymakedge day-use area are the easiest walks for limited mobility; the backcountry routes are not.
Visiting lightly
- Paddle the established routes and use the maintained portages instead of cutting new paths.
- Keep to the beach above the plover nesting lines at the Seaside unit.
- Use the fire pits, buy firewood locally and leave deadwood in the forest.
- Camp at designated sites so the lakeshore stays as it is.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Kejimkujik National Park?
Expect roughly CAD 6–7 per adult for a day, with youth free and a family or vehicle rate around CAD 13–16 (2026 estimate). Camping and backcountry permits are charged separately. Parks Canada adjusts fees each year, so check the current rate before you drive out.
What are the best hikes in Kejimkujik National Park?
For a short visit, the Slapfoot Trail along Kejimkujik Lake is the easy pick at 2–3 hours. Backpackers take the 56 km Liberty Lake Trail over several days. At the coastal Seaside unit, Harbour Rocks Trail reaches St Catherines River Beach in about 1.5–2 hours and Port Joli Head Trail is a rockier 2–3 hour loop.
When is the best time to visit Kejimkujik National Park?
July to September for full services, warm water and the easiest paddling, with September quieter than August. May, June and October are open with limited services; from November to April expect winter conditions and few facilities.
Do I need a reservation to camp at Keji?
Yes for July and August, and for backcountry sites at any time. Frontcountry sites at Jeremy's Bay, the oTENTiks and cabins, and every backcountry campsite are booked through the Parks Canada reservation service.
Can I visit Kejimkujik without a car?
It is hard. The inland park is about 167 km from Halifax with no regular public transport; a seasonal day-trip shuttle has run on selected dates, so check whether it is operating this year. Otherwise you need a car or a tour.
Is Kejimkujik good for stargazing?
Yes. It is a Dark-Sky Preserve, so on a clear, moonless night the sky is the attraction. Stay after sunset, use a red torch and keep white lights and phone screens off.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs are allowed on a leash in the inland park but not on the Seaside beaches during piping plover nesting season. Check the current Parks Canada rules before you go.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go