Bay of Fundy Coastal Drive

What should you know before visiting Bay of Fundy Coastal Drive?

Tolls and vignettes for a car: about $2 (ME).

• According to Parks Canada, tides can reach 12 m (about 39 ft) or more. Check the tide tables of each park before heading down to the ocean floor.
• Hopewell Rocks admission is valid for two consecutive days, so you can see both low and high tide. Tide times are given in Atlantic Time, so check the tide table before you go.
• Fundy National Park offers sites for tents and trailers, reservable online through Parks Canada. The park is always open for access, but campgrounds have their own hours.
• The Fundy Trail Parkway is a scenic drive of about 30 km (19 mi). It runs seasonally, roughly from mid-May to late October, with changing hours and an admission charge. Check NB Parks for dates and vehicle limits.

The drive

Tourism New Brunswick's suggested order starts in Moncton, then Hopewell Rocks and Cape Enrage, Fundy National Park with Alma, and Fundy Trail Provincial Park, reached from Sussex, St. Martins and the national park. Next come the St. Martins sea caves, best at low tide, then Saint John, New River Beach, St. Andrews by-the-Sea and finally St. Stephen. An optional return runs via the River Valley Scenic Drive toward Fredericton.

Planning

Hopewell Rocks has three ways down to the ocean floor: a metal staircase with 99 steps, a ramp at North Beach and the Demoiselle Trail. At low tide you walk the seabed; at high tide you can kayak around the rocks. Check tide times in advance and wear sturdy footwear. Park hours and seasons change, so confirm them with NB Parks.

Camping

Fundy National Park offers campgrounds for tents and trailers as well as backcountry sites. Reserve online or by phone through Parks Canada, and check campground hours on the park page, since the park itself is always open for access. No verified information was found on wild camping in New Brunswick, so plan on campgrounds.

FAQs