Twice a day, every day, the tide comes in and out of Fundy National Park. This is no normal tide, but a 50+ foot wave, the biggest of its kind on earth. You can experience the changing of the tides over a course of six hours in the park and surrounding areas. More than just the bay, this park protects maritime forest with dozens of waterfalls and 25 hiking trails. Stop by the Visitors Center to grab a map, see what activities are available, and have with you the complimentary booklet complete with tide timetable.
+Walk the Bay of Fundy at low tide
From the Visitor Center heading towards the town of Alma, right before the bridge there is a parking area for access to the bay. On this wet day my rain boots were perfect, but I think any day they would be great for sloshing through the tide pools and puddles of the receding ocean floor.
At the lowest tide walking out towards sea, I couldn’t even find the water. It was too far out. The ripples which it left behind were mesmerizing, as were the cliffs disappearing and reappearing due to the rain.
Some areas of the ground were covered in a compilation of colorful rainbow rocks.
Walk as far as you’d like, looking for life and admiring the landscape – but just be very aware of the time that the tide will start coming back in.
+Ship Haven Trail
A short trail filled with beauty, this ½ mile round trip, out and back walk is perfect for those short on time. Just after driving over the covered bridge the parking lot pops up on the right. You have to cross the street to get to the trailhead. Instantly there is a great view of the bridge,
and the Wolfe River which is exceptionally green.
I am unsure of why the water is this color in the area, but I love it.
After climbing up some stairs and over boardwalks, a picturesque view of the estuary is revealed.
+Matthews Head Trail
In a loop that is just under 3 miles, this trail meanders through fields of wild flowers
and forests draped with lichen.
The highlight is a vista that looks out to sea, and a subtle face of a stone man that looks out with you.
Can you see him? A small beach and sea cave may be exposed if the tide is right.
+Kinnie Brook Trail
A level hike through an Acadian Forest leads to a set of stairs which descend down to a streambed. The trail is two mile out and back, round trip.
As you are heading down the stairs pass by a massive monolith.
Another one sits at the base of the streambed, which you may explore.
On some days, especially in spring and after heavy rains, the water level reaches the stairs. On other days, the stream seems dry – unless you walk out onto the flood plain to find it appearing, hence the name ‘the disappearing stream.’ Be sure to look for wild mint growing nearby.
+Kelly’s Bake Shop, 8587 Main Street, Alma, New Brunswick E4H1N6
Just over the bridge in the nearby town Alma is a little bakery known for their sticky buns, a wonderful treat after a long day of hiking.
Good to know:
+Free to enter in 2017, during Canada year
+ Solar-heated saltwater pool and 9 hole golf course
It’s such an amazing place, so glad you enjoyed it as well. Would love to get out and explore New Brunswick more!
Fundy National is a great park! And the cinnamon buns from Kelly’s Bake shop was a mandatory part of our trips to Fundy when my girls were young.
New Brunswick surprised me! I never really heard much about it before this trip, but visiting and driving through made me want to go back and see more.
Thank you for this thorough view of Fundy NP, Julie. I have often wondered about this area, and now I see how vast and gorgeous it is. Rivers, rock formations, tides, forests, wildflowers — it has everything.