Best time - Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Acadia?

[BobB]

Originally Posted by Rocketman53

We had no trouble finding camp sites anywhere, most (except near the cities) charging C$20 a night on the water with views, no hookups.

Thank you for the info. Right now we are focusing on NS and NB, not going as far as Gaspe. Did Montreal, Quebec and Charlevoix a couple of years ago. I understand about the crowds at Acadia, but we are going to stop there on return, early to mid Sept.

Did you stay at Provincial Park CGs, private CGs?

Any favorites in NS or NB?

[Rocketman53]

Originally Posted by BobB

Did you stay at Provincial Park CGs, private CGs? Any favorites in NS or NB?

We stayed at private CGs. We generally used the Allstays phone app and Woodalls as we figured where we were going to stay. Several towns had municipal CGs that were inexpensive and good bargains with wi-fi and clean facilities.

My favorite CG on the trip was up at the tip of Cape Breton (St. Margaret Village) - the Jumping Mouse Eco-Camping campground. The view from our site, probably any site there, was orgasmic. You could see the occasional whale from the cliff. (Bring binoculars.) It was exactly what we came to see and experience. The CG was unique. Marie, the lady running the place for her sister, is very kindly. It was like pulling into your cousin's farmyard at a family reunion. The place revolves around the lounge - the only area for wi-fi and electricity. People interact with one another, and it was an interesting crew while we were there. Atmosphere has a definite '60s, pacific feel. We loved it. And in the harbor down below was a whale watch that was all of $30 for three hours surrounded by whales, dolphins, seals, even a bald eagle or two. Understand, it is a bit rustic with simple amenities...pit toilets, for example.

[BobB]

Originally Posted by Rocketman53

We stayed at private CGs. We generally used the Allstays phone app and Woodalls as we figured where we were going to stay. Several towns had municipal CGs that were inexpensive and good bargains with wi-fi and clean facilities.

My favorite CG on the trip was up at the tip of Cape Breton (St. Margaret Village) - the Jumping Mouse Eco-Camping campground.

Thank you very much for that info.

Tip of Cape Breton was on our list, but only place that shows up on my All Stays app is Meat Cove. Jumping Mouse not shown, but found it on internet.

Is there an overall list of municipal/town CGs in NS or NB? Nothing showing up on All Stays unless they are in with "independents". Woodall's?

[Davydd]

We are heading for the Atlantic provinces in September.

[Rocketman53]

Originally Posted by BobB

Thank you very much for that info.

Tip of Cape Breton was on our list, but only place that shows up on my All Stays app is Meat Cove. Jumping Mouse not shown, but found it on internet.

Here is link for Jumping Mouse Eco-Camping . I am told that Meat Cove is also very picturesque. Can't go wrong.

Is there an overall list of municipal/town CGs in NS or NB? Nothing showing up on All Stays unless they are in with "independents". Woodall's?

No overall list. They are with the independents on All Stays. Woodall's guide either said they were muni CGs or some are listed under things like the local merchants' group or such. There is one at Lunenburg, for example. See: Campground | Lunenburg Board of Trade (BTW: The price they have listed is higher than I recall paying.) It's on the hill above town. (Lunenburg Board Of Trade Campground )

Frankly, I got the distinct impression almost everywhere up there that the tourism business is very much down from what it may once have been.

[Rocketman53]

Originally Posted by Davydd

We are heading for the Atlantic provinces in September.

I really enjoyed the visit there. I'd go back in a heartbeat. Our tour overall exceeded expectations. Reminded me of the Midwest. People are happy to talk with strangers, and with a smile. The businesses made me feel my patronage was appreciated. Even the customs guys were reasonable.

[jword]

Originally Posted by BobB

Thank you very much for that info.

Tip of Cape Breton was on our list, but only place that shows up on my All Stays app is Meat Cove. Jumping Mouse not shown, but found it on internet.

Is there an overall list of municipal/town CGs in NS or NB? Nothing showing up on All Stays unless they are in with "independents". Woodall's?

Hey Bob, just wanted to say, I live in Nova Scotia so any questions, just holler. As many have mentioned, provincial parks close down usually after Thanksgiving (Canadian that is!) but you can find all the Provincial park here: https://www.novascotiaparks.ca/

Season: Nova Scotia Provincial Parks

Only 5 have hookups.
From my experience the facilities are usually as good if not better than private CGs. And not busy from here on in.

re: Meat Cove ... the road in is pretty sketchy! Gorgeous location though.

[BobB]

Originally Posted by jword

Only 5 have hookups.
From my experience the facilities are usually as good if not better than private CGs. And not busy from here on in.

re: Meat Cove ... the road in is pretty sketchy! Gorgeous location though.

Thank you for links. Might take you up on more questions later.

Yes, we were planning our trip around many of the Provincial Park campgrounds. We like state and NPS CGs here and had heard great things about those in Canada. Don't really need hookups all that often and don't really want to pay for pools, playgrounds, etc.

What do you know about Lunenburg Board of Trade CG? Rocket man mentioned it. Sounds simple, not fancy, but nice and close to downtown. We like being within walking distance.

Meat Cove and/or Jumping Mouse were on our list. We had heard Meat Cove road unpaved, but "sketchy"? Our VW is fine with most gravel roads, but the ones with deep ruts don't work real well. Can you clarify "sketchy'?

[jword]

Hey Bob ... The Lunenburg CG is located right in the town of Lunenburg on top of the hill overlooking both front and back harbours. Not what I would call a "private" location but you can't do better for visiting the town and all it has to offer! Something to consider re: your visit/timing is the weekend that Folk Harbour Festival is on, the town is full. Having said that, well worth getting a pass ($135!) if you'll be in town then.

Rissers is considered one of the nicest provincial cgs, right on the beach and you can't go wrong with Thomas Raddall ... very private sites and the white sand beach goes on for miles.

re: Meat Cove ... the road is dirt and very windy and depending on the year, there could be run off. Having said that, it is well worth the drive. Truly one of those 'end of the line' places. All of Cape Breton really.

As an aside, we spent a few days this summer at Spencer's Island between Parrsboro and Advocate Harbour (Old Shipyard Beach Campground - Old Shipyard Beach Campground) and though it isn't private ...at ALL... in a Class B we could use the tent sites. The water at high tide was literally 4 feet away from our door and at low tide 3/4mile away. A fantastic way to really experience those crazy Fundy Tides! A lovely little cafe on the spit 2 minutes amble away.

[Rocketman53]

Here is the view over Bay St. Lawrence at Jumping Mouse.

[jcostick]

Just returned from Acadia last week (Sept 26). This was our first trip and we really enjoyed it. I would estimate the NP Blackwood campground was half full during the time we spent there . Only complaint was that the sites are very close to each other and there is no real privacy. One nice feature is that there are free shuttle buses that run between Bar Harbor - Major attractions - Blackwood.
Took a trip over to Bass Harbor and drove through the NP Seawall campground. The sites were much larger and there was much more privacy between sites. Only drawback is that it is a little more remote than the Blackwoods campground from the attractions.
Only crowds were in and around Bar Harbor when the cruise ships were docked. All the major attractions were crowed with tour buses.
Other than having to navigate around New York City, it was a very enjoyable trip.

[BobB]

jcostick,

Thank you for the info!

Rocketman53,

Jumping Mouse is on our route!

jword

Thanks for info - Definitely going to Lunenburg Cg and will look into Spencers

[mkguitar]

The time to go is right after Labour Day.

Schools are back is session- families are home.
Everything seasonal will still be open.

take a look at weather. Newf requires a sweater on a sunny August day...

Mike

[BobB]

Originally Posted by mkguitar

The time to go is right after Labour Day.

Schools are back is session- families are home.
Everything seasonal will still be open.

take a look at weather. Newf requires a sweater on a sunny August day...

Mike, thanks.

Right now we are planning on going up to NS in mid-to-late August (via Portland ferry), camp/explore/enjoy, then circle down through NB (not going as far as Newf, maybe PEI) and cross back to US and Acadia after Labor Day.

Yes, pack the polar fleece and sweaters.

[mkguitar]

the ferry can be expensive and check on propane restrictions if you have.

many enjoy the drive up through Maine into New Brunswick...lots to see and do- this positions you well to hit Prince Edward Island on the way to NS

link to the halifax paper which always has an "out and about" feature on the weekends- this paper overs teh Province so lots of info on fairs, events

The Chronicle Herald

as far as I'm concerned you can;t go wrong- anywhere in Atlantic Canada.

If you decide to do the Cabot Trail...drive it E to West, that way you are always on the waterside of the road.
The town of Cheticamp is known for crab fishery- you may get fresh

Mike

[Davydd]

We just spent most of September in the Atlantic and Maritme provinces. We entered Canada September 12 at the Grand Portage, MN border, drove across the north side of Lake Superior and then the most northern roads across Ontario and Quebec before turning south to drive the Quebec Gaspe Peninsula coast. We then drove through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to catch the ferry from N. Sydney, NS to Port Aux Basques, Newfoundland. We drove all the way up to the northern tip to L'Anse Aux Meadows where Lief Ericsson built a village in ca. 1000. We camped in Gros Morne NP going up and coming back. BTW, the ferry one way two senior fares and our 24 ft. Van cost us $244 Cdn.

On the way back which is about a 6 hour trip and nearly 8 hours on the ferry we caught the overnight and rented a cabin to sleep. It had a full bath.

In Nova Scotia we camped at the beginning of Cape Breton Highlands NP and at the end at Cheticamp. We did some hiking and whale watching from a Zodiak boat.

In Halifax we toured a brewery and went to Peggy's Cove. In New Brunswick we camped in Fundy NP and if you want to score a perfect campsite, site 59 has the only unobstructed view of the bay from inside your B. In low tide we could walk out a half mile. We then drove to Hopewell Rocks and got there at low tide so we could walk them.

We went over to Prince Edward Island to Cavendish. The Maritimes lobster season was over so most restaurant were out. A lot were closed for the season. The national park had closed September 13 there as had all the provincial parks throughout the Maritimes. We left Canada September 30 in a rainstorm. The next morning we re-entered at Campobello Island to tour the President Roosevelt cottage.

Then on to Acadia NP for two days. LL Bean in Freeport and now in Bennington, VT. The fall colors are just starting.