Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia is the place where the mountains meet the sea. It’s home to Canada’s most beautiful sea cliffs. The Cabot Trail runs within the national park, so it is easy to drive from one spectacular view after another.
Camping at Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Camping is one of the best ways to truly experience and appreciate Cape Breton Highlands National Park!
Camping is available from May 19 to October 22, 2024.
There are seven front country campgrounds and one backcountry campground to choose from, each unique in its own way. Visitors who camp for seven or more consecutive nights will receive a 15% discount.
Plan your visit to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is located on northern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The park can be accessed from Cheticamp on the west side, or Ingonish on the east side. It is a 2-hour drive to the park from the Canso Causeway, a 2-hour drive from Sydney, Nova Scotia, and a 5-hour drive from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Explore campgrounds, walking and hiking trails, beaches, and breathtaking coastal and mountain views.
Campgrounds at Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Broad Cove
- 202 campsites
- 6 oTENTik
- Reservable campsites
- Showers and flush toilets
Chéticamp
- 122 campsites
- 10 oTENTik
- Reservable campsites
- Showers and flush toilets
Ingonish Beach
- 60 campsites
- 4 oTENTik
- Reservable campsites
- Showers and flush toilets
Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge New!
- 47 campsites
- 5 oTENTik
- Reservable campsites
- Showers and flush toilets
Corney Brook
- 22 campsites
- First-come, first-served
- Flush toilets
MacIntosh Brook
- 10 campsites
- First-come, first-served
- Flush toilets
Big Intervale
- 5 campsites
- First-come, first-served
Fishing Cove
- 8 backcountry campsites
- Reservable campsites
oTENTik
Make your camping experience hassle-free!
How to get to Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Directions
There are many ways to get to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Two main auto routes lead to the western entrance of the park near Chéticamp, while two other options lead to the eastern entrance in Ingonish. The scenery you experience while traveling the Cabot Trail will be vastly different depending on the direction you choose to travel—clockwise or counterclockwise—but either way, the views are breathtaking.
The Cabot Trail, one of North America’s most scenic travelways, loops around northern Cape Breton and runs for nearly 300 kilometres. Approximately one-third (106 km) of the Cabot Trail is located within the park’s boundaries.
Facilities and services
- Accessible Facilities Accessible services
- Beaches Beaches
- Bus parking Bus parking
- Dogs on leash Dogs on leash
- Gift Shop Gift shop
- Information Information
- Lookout Lookout
- Parking Parking
- Picnic area Picnic area
- Picnic Shelter Picnic shelter
- Playground Playground
- Coffee shop Restaurant or café
- Restrooms Restrooms
- WiFi Wi-Fi
Activities at Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Hiking
Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s hiking trails range from easy strolls to challenging climbs with panoramic views of canyons, highlands and seacoasts. The trails provide a chance to intimately explore the complex habitat of northern Cape Breton Island. Nature doesn’t end at the park’s boundaries. Many surrounding areas boast equally breathtaking trails.
Acadian: Climb 365 metres above the Chéticamp River for panoramic views of the Acadian coastline.
Salmon Pools: Ideal for a fitness walk or a stroll, this level trail follows the bottom of the Chéticamp River canyon.
Le Chemin du Buttereau: Retrace the steps of the Acadian pioneers who travelled this cart path from Le Buttereau, a small settlement of seven families, to Chéticamp.
Le Buttereau: The self-guiding trail explores mixed Acadian forest, old fields and foundation ruins on a “buttereau” (small hill) overlooking the Chéticamp River and.
Le vieux chemin du Cap-Rouge: Follow the route of the old Cabot Trail from Trout Brook as it gently climbs to a ridge midway up Jerome Mountain.
Corney Brook: Follow a meandering brook through a hardwood forest to a small waterfall that marks the end of the trail.
Skyline: You can enjoy an eagle’s view of the Cabot Trail as it winds its way down the mountain – vehicles look like toys. The trail, as well as the privy at the trailhead, is wheelchair accessible.
Benjie’s Lake: On the plateau at the top of the mountain, this trail crosses wet barrens and evergreen forests typical of the highlands, ending at a small lake.
Fishing Cove: Hike from the top of the mountain about six kilometres down to a small ocean cove and grassy clearing – the only designated wilderness camp site in the.
MacIntosh Brook: A nice, easy, fairly level stroll along a babbling brook and through a mature hardwood forest with a scenic waterfall at the end.
Lone Shielingp: One of the most protected areas of the park, access is restricted to this short trail.
Aspy: This trail meanders along the Aspy fault, through an Acadian and mixed forest.
Mica Hill: This breathtaking trail winds through Acadian mixed forest and stunted taiga as it climbs to the wind-swept highlands plateau.
Jack Pine: This scenic trail overlooks the Atlantic coastline and winds through a post-fire jack pine stand.
Coastal:This scenic trail runs along the ocean shoreline.
Jigging Cove Lake: Birders and other nature lovers simply enjoy the varied wildlife on this short relaxing trail.
Green Cove: From this rocky granite headland jutting out into the sea, you can watch the ocean crash against the rocks.
Broad Cove Mountain: This switchback trail leads through a dense forest of softwood to the top of Broad Cove Mountain.
Warren Lake: The trail hugs the shoreline of the park’s largest lake and is alive with wildlife.
Branch Pond Look-off: Closed. The trail explores Acadian, Boreal and Taiga land regions.
Franey: You climb up and up and your reward is at the top!
Clyburn Valley: Hikers will marvel at the spectacular stands of hardwood trees, boulders bigger than cars, old abandoned beaver ponds, meadows, apple trees and even the…
Middle Head: The trail follows a long, narrow peninsula separating two ocean bays, ending on headland cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey and Ingonish…
Freshwater Lake Look-off: If you don’t have time for a longer hike to get a view, then this trail is for you.
Freshwater Lake: Starting next to the ocean, this short, level trail follows the shoreline of a small lake that was once an ocean bay.
The following is a list of Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s hiking trails. Distances are round-trip with average walking times. Click on the trail name for more detailed information.
Our trails have been rated for difficulty with the internationally recognized symbols:
Easy : Family-friendly trails that are suitable for all visitors.
Moderate: Medium-length trails with moderate elevation gain and some short, steep sections. Suitable for most visitors.
Difficult: Longer trails with long, steep sections that are suitable for visitors who have trail experience and are prepared (proper equipment and water).
Remember that you are hiking in a protected wilderness environment.
- Do not approach, disturb or feed wild animals.
- Hike with friends and a solid walking stick.
- If you choose to walk alone, tell somebody where you are going.
- Pack in, pack out. Littering attracts wildlife and puts you and the animals at risk.
- Stay on boardwalks to protect fragile vegetation.
- Mountain bikes are permitted only where indicated, for public safety and protection of the environment.
- Dress appropriately. Weather may change rapidly on the plateau and along the coast.
- Bring water, especially for longer trails, climbs and open barrens.
- Bring insect repellant. Black flies and mosquitoes are common all summer.
Fees at Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Entry and service fees are charged at most national parks and national historic sites, where revenues are kept to support visitor services and facilities. This means that every time you visit a park or site you are investing in its future — and in a legacy for future generations.
The following definitions apply to entry and service fee categories unless otherwise specified
Adult – Person 18 to 64 years of age
Senior – Person 65 years of age or over
Youth – Person 6 to 17 years of age
Family/Group – Up to seven people arriving in a single vehicle in a national park
Free admission for youth 17 and under
Fee categories
- Admission
- Camping
- Camping services
- Backcountry use and camping
- Equipment rental
- Fishing
- Special event/facility rental
- Heritage presentation special programs
- Reservation services
ADMISSION
Daily
Adult $8.50
Senior $7.25
Youth free
Family/Group $16.75
Commercial Group, per person $7.25
Seasonal
Adult $41.75
Senior $36.75
Youth free
Family/Group $83.75
Seasonal Early Bird
Adult $21.00
Senior $18.75
Youth free
Family/Group $52.25
Available from November 1 to June 30.
Parks Canada Discovery Pass
Adult $72.25
Senior $61.75
Family/Group $145.25
Camping
One Night
Unserviced with Pit Privies (Big Intervale) $18.75
Unserviced with Washroom Building Having Toilets Only (MacIntosh Brook and Overflow) $23.00
Unserviced with Washroom Building Having Toilets Only (Corney Brook) $25.25
Unserviced with Washroom Building Having Toilets and Showers (Chéticamp and Broad Cove) $27.25
Unserviced with Washroom Building Having Toilets and Showers (Cheticamp, Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge, Broad Cove & Ingonish Beach) $29.25
Serviced with Electricity (Chéticamp) $31.50
Serviced with Electricity, Water, and Sewer (Chéticamp and Broad Cove) $37.75
Serviced with Electricity, Water, and Sewer $40.75
oTENTik (Chéticamp, Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge, Broad Cove & Ingonish Beach) $106.50
7 consecutive nights or more
Primitive with pit privies (Big Intervale) $16.00
Serviced with electricity (Chéticamp) $26.75
Serviced with electricity, water and sewer (Chéticamp and Broad Cove) $32.00
Serviced with electricity, water and sewer – high-occupancy rate $34.75
Group Camping – One Night
Per Person, with showers $6.25
Per Person, without showers $5.25
Camping Services
Firewood, per bundle $8.00
Other Programs
Shower (Non-camper) $5.50
Dump Station $40.75
Backcountry Use and Camping
Per person, per night $12.75
Equipment Rental
Snowshoeing
Adult, Per Day (Monday-Friday) $9.90
Youth (17 and under), Per Day (Monday-Friday) $7.90
Adult, Per Weekend $14.90
Youth (17 and under), Per weekend $12.90
Fishing
Per Permit
Daily $12.75
Seasonal $44.25
Seasonal (salmon) – Catch and Release Only $44.25
SPECIAL EVENT/FACILITY RENTAL
Special Events, pricing starting at $210.25
HERITAGE PRESENTATION SPECIAL PROGRAMS
School Programs
Enhanced program, per group, per hour $136.00
Commercial Groups
Hire a Guide, Commercial Group, 1 hr, per person $7.01
Hire a Guide, Commercial Group, 2 hr, per person $14.01
Hire a Guide, Commercial Group, 3 hr, per person $21.03
Enhanced Program
Skyline Sunset Hike, per person $29.70
Seeing in the Dark, per person $29.70
Lantern Walk through Time, per person $29.70
RESERVATION SERVICES
Online Reservation, Modification or Cancellation $11.50
Reservation, Modification or Cancellation by phone $13.50
Free admission for youth 17 and under
As of January 1, 2018, admission to Parks Canada places for youth 17 and under is free! There’s no better time to create lasting memories with the whole family.