Mountainous camping in Nova Scotia

This is where you want to be for salty waves, rambling coasts, and fresh fish.

96% (128 reviews)
96% (128 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Nova Scotia

Community favorites in Nova Scotia

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

9 top mountainous campgrounds in Nova Scotia

98%
(31)

Unique Cabot Trail Campground

14 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents100 acres · Baddeck, NS
This was one of the original homesteads in the Margarees. There was an old sawmill on site which was used to build the house and barn. It was sold to a man who started renovations for a summer house but ended up listing it for sale. I purchased it and completely renovated the 100-year-old house. Shortly after, my brother and I started an outfitting company with no plan of building a campground, but in 2017 we saw a great opportunity for building something unique. We wanted to keep a backwoods camping feel, but yet create it around a hostel-inspired environment. We launched June 1, 2018 and are in full swing now. We look forward to meeting you and will help you out in any way to make your trip here something to remember. Adventure awaits at this eco-camping hostel offering a natural setting, overlooking a picturesque valley. This location offers close to off-grid camping with a twist of comfort; furnished Glamping tents, sleeping up to 4 people per tent on a queen bed with twin camping beds for extra guests. Cooking gear, bedding, and towels are provided. Each tent, located at this eco-hostel, has its own campfire pit, with a solar outdoor shower on site and beautiful views of the river valley.
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CA$35
 / night
96%
(14)

Porters Peak

13 sites · Lodging250 acres · Halifax, NS
Breathe in the fresh air, unwind, reconnect, and recharge as you escape in the great outdoors. Porters Peak is an adventure getaway located in Porters Lake, only 40 minutes from Halifax. We offer over 250 acres of rolling hills, adventure activities and 2 unique types of accommodations; Safari Tents and Cozy Cabins. Built by Canadian adventurers, for adventurers of all types. Enjoy Luxurious Glamping Tents for Your Next Adventure. Relax in style with our luxurious glamping tents featuring plush bedding for a comfortable night's sleep. Enjoy cooking in our fully equipped outdoor kitchen and seating area, surrounded by beautifully landscaped surroundings. As the sun sets, cozy up around your personal fire pit and soak up the ambiance with solar lights illuminating your tent, or grill up some delicious food on your personal BBQ. Our glamping tents offer the perfect blend of comfort and nature for an unforgettable outdoor experience. Experience the magic of the great outdoors!
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CA$70
 / night
Booked 2 times

The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

4 sites · Lodging3 acres · Englishtown, NS
The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals, (formally the Dancing Moose Cafe) is a beautiful 3.5 acre ocean front, (rock) beach accessible property, located right on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic routes in the world! We are located on the east side (sunrise) on the Cabot Trail, about 15 minutes from Ski Cape Smokey, 25 minutes from the entrance of the Cape Breton Highland National Park with over 35 well maintained hikes. The on site restaurant, The Dancing Moose Cafe, is changing its activity starting this year (2025) and will only be open, serving breakfast for guests that stay on the property. Full a la carte breakfast is available, including our "famoose" Dutch Pannekoek. Breakfast is optional and not included in the rental fee. There are 4 different kind of vacation rentals on the property, The Sleeping Moose Cottage (1x), The Zzzz Moose Camping Cabins (3x) The ZzzzMoose 2.0 Camping Cabin (1x) and the Birch Plain Tower 1x). The Sleeping Moose has a minimum of 2 nights. All other rentals can be booked for 1 night, or more of course. Except for the Birch Plain Tower al our vacation rentals are pet friendly. (as long as you see this message it means we are working on setting up the rental units)
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CA$80.75
 / night
100%
(10)

Sally's Brook Wilderness Cabins

8 sites · Lodging55 acres · Baddeck, NS
Sally’s Brook is located in Unama’ki, within the unceded ancestral territory of the Mikmaq people. Sally’s Brook is an Eco-friendly property in the heart of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. We have three wilderness cabins and a yurt available for rent year-round, and three Lotus Belle glamping tents in the warmer weather. We have a wood-fired sauna and communal CookHouse kitchen-dining building for guests. We also have the Hive Dome! This 26 foot year-round space is the perfect place to host your own event with us, gather for our movie nights, board games, playing music, and retreat from bad weather with so much space to move around. Guest Use of the Hive: While you are staying on the property, we welcome guests to reserve time in the Hive for their own private use. Our staff will prepare this space for you by lighting the wood stove, stocking wood and heating it up for your arrival. Stretch, practice yoga, play games or music, or celebrate with your group! $30 + HST for a 3.5 hour reservation to current guests Morning, afternoon or evening (until 10:00pm) reservations are available
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CA$139
 / night
100%
(9)

Petpeswick Hills

2 sites · RVs116 acres · East Petpeswick, NS
Explore 100+ acres of forest via hiking trails and logging roads. 4 kms from famous Martinique Beach Provincial Park with 5 km of white sand and surf. Solid safe roads and clean parking areas from where you can enjoy ocean views, camp fires, star gazing and explore the diverse landscape. Free firewood available. Sounds of of nature are everywhere from the lowlands to the highlands. There is also a path to Petpeswick Inlet. Coastal rains fall directly on our plateau and flow down to your campsite while forming small streams, ponds, waterfalls and springs. The amazing upland blanket bog distinguishes this property from many others and is a naturalist's wonderland. Connected to 300 acres of protected wilderness area and the Musquodoboit Harbour Bird and Game Sanctuary. Almost every species of wildlife and plant can be found in this pristine Acadian boreal forest. Highest elevations within 8 km of beach. There's also plenty to explore in nearby Musquodoboit Harbour including spectacular, well maintained hiking and biking trails, farmer's market, public library, cafes and more. If you're looking to connect with nature, while being close to surf and civilization, you've reached the right destination on the Eastern Shore. For maximum peace and tranquility consider booking both sites and have the entire property to yourself.
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CA$25
 / night
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Mountainous camping in Nova Scotia guide

Overview

Almost entirely surrounded by water, Nova Scotia is central to Canada’s maritime region. Ocean inlets sneak tendrils into the province’s forested interior, while seafront restaurants dole out fresh fish, lighthouses beckon ships to shore, and beach bonfires dot the coast. The region shines in summer, when most Nova Scotia campgrounds open and gulf currents warm the Atlantic for swimming and boating. Autumn’s crisp temperatures and colorful foliage are perfect for hikes through the Cape Breton highlands or a drive on the Cabot Trail, and winter snow lays a smooth foundation for cross-country skiing.

Cape Breton Island

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is ideal for camping in summer and hiking year-round, with old-growth boreal forests, river canyons, and plenty of sandy beaches. Campers can also consider taking a road trip along the coast and across the highlands on the scenic Cabot Trail highway. Further south, the saltwater Bras d’Or Lake is a sailing and swimming hotspot.

Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley

Here, you can experience the world’s most dramatic ocean tides in Fundy National Park, comb the beaches of Five Islands Provincial Park, or canoe through Kejimkujik National Park. Catch a glimpse of humpback and right whales during their summer migration—then, venture inland for fresh local produce and wine tastings at Annapolis Valley vineyards.

Eastern Shore

Head to Larencetown and Martinque beaches outside Halifax for some of the best cold-water surfing on Canada’s east coast. Visit the region’s authentic fishing communities on the way, then take a boat out to the 100 Wild Islands archipelago, where you can hike and camp in secluded coves and boreal rainforests.

Northumberland Shore

Plenty of warm-water beaches lie along the sheltered Northumberland Strait, as does a thriving local wine scene and Gaelic culture in Pictou, known as “the Birthplace of New Scotland." The region’s fishing industry also brings fresh lobster to area restaurants.

South Shore

The South Shore of Nova Scotia offers opportunities to dive into maritime history at colorful Old Town Lunenburg (home of the Bluenose II schooner), snap a picture of the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, or get off the grid for a camping trip in one of the region’s wilderness areas—many of which feature thick canopied forests and white-sand beaches.

Top regions in and near Nova Scotia

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