The best camping near Fundy National Park

Twice a day, New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy goes completely dry—then fills with nearly 12 metres of water in just six hours. Dubbed the “Tidal Bore,” the rapids created by this sudden onslaught of water can range from one to four metres tall. This means that if you time your visit right, you can walk across the exposed ocean floor at low tide, then hop on a kayak or rafting boat to surf the roller-coaster waves. Further inland, over 100 kilometres of Canadian trails wind past waterfalls and rivers, while frontcountry and backcountry campsites allow you to get off the grid entirely.

• Best for easy town access: Headquarters Campground is set right next to the gateway town of Alma, a golf course, and a saltwater swimming pool.
• Best for families: Chignecto Campground caters to families with a couple of large playgrounds, access to easy hiking trails, and a bike trail. 
• Best for secluded coastal wilderness: Point Wolfe Campground is known for its proximity to out-of-the-way hiking and biking trails and endless views.

1. The Parks Canada online reservation service typically opens for spring and summer bookings in late January. Sites at Fundy National Park tend to fill up quickly, so it’s a good idea to reserve as far in advance as possible—especially if you’re hoping to snag a yurt, oTENTik structure, rustic cabin, or one of the eight coveted backcountry spots.
2. If you’re aiming for a last-minute stay, the unserviced campsites at Point Wolfe and Chignecto may be a good option, though you’ll need to bring your own tenting equipment.
3. Walk-up campers can check in at the Headquarters or Wolf Lake visitors centres between 2 and 5:30pm.

For the full Fundy experience, plan your visit around a full 6-hour tide cycle to see the water at its lowest and highest points (check out the official timetables online). Summer is the most popular time to visit, with warmer weather and ocean temperatures for swimming—plus a potential break from the bay’s persistent morning fog. Spring and autumn are your best bet to avoid crowds, while Headquarters Campground remains open during winter, along with ski and snowshoe trails.

• All frontcountry campgrounds at Fundy National Park have bathrooms, hot showers, electric hook-ups, running potable water, kitchen shelters, and picnic tables. 
• Campers need to drive through a large covered bridge to access Point Wolfe campground, making it unsuitable for RVs. 
• Wifi is available at the visitors centres and in some sections of the Headquarters and Chignecto campgrounds. 
• Both Headquarters and Chignecto have a couple of wheelchair-accessible campsites.