70 Provincial Parks Camping Nova Scotia
NOVA SCOTIA PROVINCIAL PARKS OVERVIEW:
• Total Parks: 70+ provincial parks and reserves
• Campgrounds: 20 parks offer camping facilities
• Total Campsites: 1,800+ individual campsites
• Season: Mid-May to mid-October (varies by park)
• Reservation System: Reserve.parkscanada.gc.ca or phone
• Booking Window: Up to 5 months in advance
• Daily Rates: $25-45 CAD per night depending on services
• Annual Pass: $65 CAD for unlimited day-use access
Top Provincial Park Campgrounds
PREMIER CAMPING DESTINATIONS:
• Kejimkujik National Park: 384 sites, canoe camping, Mi'kmaq culture
• Rissers Beach: 90 sites, long sandy beach, lighthouse views
• Dollar Lake: 64 sites, pristine lake, excellent fishing
• Boylston: 90 sites, lakefront camping, swimming beach
• Laurie: 45 sites, wilderness camping, hiking trails
• Ellenwood Lake: 45 sites, remote location, great for families
South Shore Provincial Park Camping
SOUTH SHORE CAMPING PARKS:
• Rissers Beach Provincial Park: 90 campsites, beach access
• Thomas Raddall: 86 sites, coastal hiking, bird watching
• Graves Island: 69 sites, tidal exploration, kayaking
• Oak Island: 32 sites, mystery and treasure hunting lore
• Parkdale-Maplewood: 45 sites, beach and forest combination
• Facilities: Flush toilets, hot showers, fire pits
• Activities: Beach activities, coastal hiking, fishing
• Best Season: June-September for warm weather
Central Nova Scotia Park Camping
CENTRAL REGION CAMPGROUNDS:
• Dollar Lake Provincial Park: 64 sites, pristine wilderness lake
• Laurie Provincial Park: 45 sites, hiking trails, wildlife viewing
• Five Islands Provincial Park: 90 sites, Bay of Fundy tides
• Burntcoat Head Park: Day-use only, world's highest tides
• Blomidon Provincial Park: 68 sites, Minas Basin views
• Anthony Provincial Park: 48 sites, lake swimming
Eastern Nova Scotia Camping
EASTERN REGION PARKS:
• Boylston Provincial Park: 90 sites, Guysborough County
• Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park: 45 sites, pristine lake
• Battery Provincial Park: 32 sites, Bras d'Or Lakes
• Mira River Provincial Park: 60 sites, river canoeing
• Mabou Highlands: Day-use, hiking, Cape Breton scenery
• Whale Cove: Day-use, coastal views, whale watching
• Features: Less crowded, excellent fishing, wilderness feel
• Access: Longer drives from Halifax, more remote
Campsite Types and Amenities
CAMPSITE CATEGORIES:
• Unserviced Sites: $25-30 CAD per night, fire pit, picnic table
• Electrical Sites: $35-40 CAD per night, 15 or 30-amp service
• Full Service: $40-45 CAD per night, water, sewer, electricity
• Backcountry Sites: $20-25 CAD per night, primitive camping
• Group Camping: $100-200 CAD per night, accommodates 8-40 people
• Cabin Rentals: $80-150 CAD per night where available
Reservation System and Booking
BOOKING PROVINCIAL PARK CAMPSITES:
• Online System: novascotiaparks.ca reservation portal
• Phone Reservations: 1-888-544-3434 (seasonal)
• Booking Window: Up to 5 months in advance
• Peak Season: Book early for July-August availability
• Cancellation: 72-hour notice for partial refund
• Check-in: 2:00 PM standard, varies by park
• Check-out: 12:00 noon standard
• Payment: Credit cards accepted online, cash at parks
Facilities and Services
STANDARD PARK AMENITIES:
• Washrooms: Flush toilets and hot showers in most parks
• Laundry: Available at larger campgrounds
• Playgrounds: Family-friendly equipment at major parks
• Beaches: Swimming areas where geographically appropriate
• Boat Launches: Ramps at lakefront and coastal parks
• Hiking Trails: Various difficulty levels and lengths
• Interpretive Programs: Nature walks, educational activities
Seasonal Operating Information
CAMPING SEASON DETAILS:
• Main Season: Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving
• Peak Period: Canada Day to Labour Day
• Shoulder Season: May-June, September-October
• Weather Dependent: Some parks extend season weather permitting
• Water Services: Turned off in fall to prevent freezing
• Reduced Services: Shoulder seasons may have limited amenities
• Staff Presence: Full staffing during peak season only
• Emergency Services: 911 available, park staff during operating hours
Activities and Recreation
POPULAR PARK ACTIVITIES:
• Swimming: Supervised beaches at major lakefront parks
• Fishing: Lake and coastal fishing opportunities
• Hiking: Trail networks from easy walks to challenging hikes
• Canoeing/Kayaking: Rentals available at some parks
• Wildlife Viewing: Bird watching, photography opportunities
• Beach Activities: Sand castles, volleyball, beachcombing
• Interpretive Programs: Guided nature walks, evening programs
Camping Equipment and Preparation
ESSENTIAL CAMPING GEAR:
• Tent: Waterproof, appropriate size for group
• Sleeping Bags: Temperature-rated for Maritime climate
• Cooking Equipment: Camp stove, fuel, cookware
• Food Storage: Bear-safe containers in wilderness parks
• Lighting: Flashlights, lanterns, extra batteries
• Weather Gear: Rain protection, warm clothing
• First Aid: Basic medical supplies
• Personal Items: Toiletries, medications, insect repellent
Rules and Regulations
PROVINCIAL PARK CAMPING RULES:
• Quiet Hours: 11 PM to 7 AM in all campgrounds
• Fires: Only in designated fire pits, firewood available for purchase
• Pets: Allowed on leash, maximum 2 pets per site
• Alcohol: Permitted at campsites only, not in day-use areas
• Generators: Restricted hours, usually 8 AM to 8 PM
• Vehicles: Maximum 2 vehicles per campsite
• Occupancy: Maximum 6 people per regular campsite
Accessibility Features
ACCESSIBLE CAMPING OPTIONS:
• Accessible Campsites: Available at most major campgrounds
• Wheelchair Access: Paved paths to accessible sites
• Accessible Washrooms: Barrier-free facilities
• Beach Access: Some parks have accessible beach routes
• Parking: Reserved accessible parking at sites
• Trail Access: Some parks have accessible trail sections
• Advance Booking: Recommended to ensure accessibility needs met
• Service Animals: Welcome with proper identification
Food Services and Shopping
FOOD AND SUPPLY AVAILABILITY:
• Park Stores: Basic supplies at larger campgrounds
• Firewood: Available for purchase at most parks
• Ice: Sold at park stores and nearby communities
• Groceries: Plan shopping before arriving at remote parks
• Restaurants: Limited options near parks, plan meals
• Vending Machines: Basic snacks and drinks at some locations
Safety and Emergency Procedures
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS:
• Emergency Services: 911 system available in all parks
• Park Staff: On-site during operating hours
• First Aid: Basic first aid available at park offices
• Water Safety: No lifeguards, swim at own risk
• Wildlife: Follow bear safety protocols in wilderness areas
• Weather: Maritime weather can change rapidly
• Fire Safety: Fire bans possible during dry periods
• Cell Service: Variable, don't rely on mobile coverage
Group Camping Options
GROUP AND ORGANIZATION CAMPING:
• Group Sites: Accommodate 8-40 people depending on park
• Youth Groups: Special rates for registered organizations
• Scout Groups: Traditional users of group camping facilities
• Family Reunions: Large sites perfect for extended family
• Corporate Retreats: Team building in natural settings
• Advance Booking: Essential for group sites
Seasonal Highlights by Park
BEST TIMES TO VISIT SPECIFIC PARKS:
• Spring (May-June): Wildflowers, bird migration, fewer crowds
• Summer (July-August): Peak season, all facilities open
• Fall (September-October): Autumn colors, comfortable temperatures
• Rissers Beach: Best in summer for warm ocean swimming
• Kejimkujik: Excellent anytime, fall colors spectacular
• Dollar Lake: Great fishing in spring and fall
• Five Islands: Spring and fall for tidal bore viewing
• Blomidon: Fall for apple harvest and colors
Budget Planning for Park Camping
COST BREAKDOWN FOR CAMPING:
• Campsite Fee: $25-45 CAD per night
• Vehicle Entry: Included with overnight camping
• Firewood: $8-12 CAD per bundle
• Ice: $3-5 CAD per bag
• Laundry: $4-6 CAD per load where available
• Hot Showers: Usually included, some parks charge $1-2
• Activities: Most included, some rental fees apply
Photography and Nature Study
NATURAL PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES:
• Coastal Parks: Dramatic shorelines, lighthouse views
• Lake Parks: Mirror reflections, sunrise/sunset shots
• Wildlife Photography: Birds, deer, occasional moose
• Botanical Studies: Native plant communities, wildflowers
• Geological Features: Rock formations, tidal phenomena
• Cultural Sites: Mi'kmaq petroglyphs at Kejimkujik
• Best Light: Golden hour photography opportunities
• Weather Conditions: Dramatic skies common
Environmental Responsibility
LEAVE NO TRACE PRINCIPLES:
• Pack It In, Pack It Out: All garbage must be removed
• Respect Wildlife: Observe from distance, no feeding
• Stay on Trails: Protect fragile ecosystems
• Fire Safety: Only in designated areas, fully extinguish
• Water Protection: Use biodegradable soaps away from water
• Noise Control: Respect quiet hours and other campers
Connecting Parks for Multi-Park Tours
PARK-HOPPING ITINERARIES:
• South Shore Circuit: Rissers, Thomas Raddall, Graves Island
• Central Lakes Tour: Dollar Lake, Laurie, Anthony
• Bay of Fundy Experience: Five Islands, Blomidon
• Cape Breton Adventure: Battery, Mira River parks
• Weekly Tours: Plan 7-10 day multi-park experiences
• Annual Passes: Cost effective for multiple park visits
• Route Planning: Consider driving distances between parks
• Seasonal Variations: Some parks better in different seasons
Expert Camping Tips
INSIDER RECOMMENDATIONS:
• Book Early: Popular parks fill quickly for summer weekends
• Midweek Stays: Less crowded, often better weather
• Site Selection: Request waterfront or private sites when booking
• Weather Preparation: Maritime weather changes quickly
• Local Knowledge: Chat with park staff for inside information
• Equipment Check: Test all gear before leaving home
• Flexible Itinerary: Weather may require plan changes
• Annual Pass: Worthwhile if visiting multiple parks