Kejimkujik National Park Dark Sky Preserve Guide

Kejimkujik features over 15 hiking trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging wilderness routes. Popular trails include Mill Falls Trail (2.4km easy walk to waterfalls), Mersey River Trail (4.4km moderate riverside hike), and Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail (5.5km through diverse forest ecosystems). The park is famous for canoeing with over 44 lakes and rivers connected by historic portage routes used by Mi'kmaq peoples for thousands of years. Other activities include swimming at designated beaches, fishing (license required), geocaching, wildlife viewing, and cultural interpretation programs. Winter activities include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on groomed trails when conditions permit.

Essential packing for Kejimkujik includes layered clothing for changing weather conditions, waterproof rain gear, insect repellent (blackflies and mosquitoes are prevalent May-August), sunscreen, and comfortable hiking boots. For camping, bring warm sleeping bags rated for nighttime temperatures, headlamps with red filters for dark sky viewing, camp chairs, and cooking equipment. Stargazing equipment should include red flashlights, blankets or reclining chairs for comfortable sky viewing, and binoculars or telescopes if desired (the park also loans basic equipment). Canoeing requires personal flotation devices (mandatory), dry bags for gear, and appropriate clothing that can get wet. Don't forget cameras for capturing both daytime landscapes and nighttime sky photography, plus extra batteries as cold weather drains power quickly.

Kejimkujik offers extensive guided programs year-round, including specialized Dark Sky programs with park interpreters who provide telescopes, astronomy knowledge, and guidance for first-time stargazers. Evening programs include constellation tours, planet viewing, meteor shower watches, and photography workshops. Cultural programs feature Mi'kmaq heritage walks, traditional storytelling, petroglyphs tours, and craft demonstrations. Daytime activities include guided nature walks, bird watching tours, wildflower identification, and ecosystem education programs. Family programs cater to children with junior naturalist activities, scavenger hunts, and hands-on learning experiences. Programs operate seasonally with peak offerings June through September, and advance registration is recommended for popular programs. Check the Parks Canada website or visitor center for current schedules and availability.

Kejimkujik supports diverse wildlife across its forest, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems. Commonly observed mammals include white-tailed deer, black bears, porcupines, raccoons, red squirrels, and chipmunks. The park is home to over 200 bird species including loons (whose calls are iconic lake sounds), great blue herons, kingfishers, various woodpecker species, and numerous songbirds. Reptile species include painted turtles, wood turtles (species at risk), and various snake species including the harmless eastern ribbon snake. Aquatic life features brook trout, yellow perch, and chain pickerel. Best wildlife viewing times are early morning and evening when animals are most active. Maintain safe distances from all wildlife, never feed animals, and store food properly to avoid attracting bears. Quiet observation and patience reward visitors with memorable wildlife encounters.