Day Use Parks in Nova Scotia

Day Use Parks in Nova Scotia



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Musquodoboit Valley

Attractive park on the Musquodoboit River. Picnic in open or hardwood shaded areas; also a group use area. Located on Hwy 224, 42 km (26 mi) north of Route 7.

Northport Beach

Open fields abutting on a red sand beach that is accessible by stairs. Warm water and a gentle tide. At low tide, sandbars trap pools of warm water suitable for wading. Area for group gatherings. Located 3 km (2 mi) east of Northport.

Oakfield

A popular day-use park on Grand Lake featuring a small beach and a boat launch for motorized craft. Picnic tables, vault toilets, walking trails nearby, and ample parking. Camping nearby at Laurie Park.

Petersfield

This park has a significant cultural history as it contains remnants of four cultural periods, dating from the late 18th to mid-20th centuries. Explore the 7 km (4.5 mi) of trails. 

Point Michaud Beach

A 3 km (2 mi) sandy beach, backed by marram-covered sand dunes and large cranberry bogs. Supervised swimming (July – August/STC). Some surfing opportunities.

Accessible Facilities

Pomquet Beach

This 3 km (2 mi) beach has the best example of dune succession in Nova Scotia with gentle slope and occasional sand bars. Supervised swimming (July – August/STC). There is a tea room near the park and a building where various summertime entertainments are held. Located about 10 km (6.2 mi) north of Hwy 104 between Exits 35 and 36.

Pondville Beach

Sandy beach on Isle Madame. The one kilometre (0.5 mi) beach is backed by gentle dunes, a large lagoon and a salt marsh. Located 2 km (1.5 mi) off Hwy 320 east through Pondville.

Port Hood Station

Popular picnic spot with a cobble beach and adjacent to white sand beach.

Port L’Hebert

Park features a 2.1 km (1.3 mi.) looped trail through hardwoods and granite boulders left by retreating glaciers. Trail provides a pleasant walk to an attractive view of the coast. Site is adjacent a federal migratory bird sanctuary and near Thomas Raddall Provincial Park and Kejimkujik National Park Seaside Adjunct.

Port Maitland Beach

Yarmouth & Acadian Shores - A one km sand and cobble beach backed by a grassy picnic area. Supervised swimming (July – August/STC). The nearby wharf and fishing boats are favourite subjects for painters and photographers. From Hwy 101 take Exit 33 to Route 1 and travel 4 km (2.5 mi).

Port Shoreham Beach

Sand and cobble beach park on Chedabucto Bay.

Accessible Facilities
Electrical Hook-up

Porters Lake

Quiet lakeside setting offers a wide range of outdoor opportunities including camping, boating, canoeing, water skiing, fishing, and swimming.

Powells Point

A large day-use park with shoreline access to the warmest salt water in Nova Scotia. Sandy beach on one side, rocky on the other. Some winter recreation opportunities such as snow shoeing and cross-country skiing. Located off Hwy 348, about 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of Trenton.

Queensland Beach

A popular beach park with metro area residents. Supervised swimming (July – August/STC). Arrive early on hot summer days to find a parking spot.

Rainbow Haven Beach

Rainbow Haven Beach is popular with families looking to have a day of fun at the beach. There is supervised swimming (July – August). Also a great place to fly a kite.

Accessible Facilities
Electrical Hook-up

Rissers Beach

A beautiful white sand beach and boardwalk along an inland marsh provide the perfect setting for swimming, beachcombing or relaxing in the sun. 

Accessible Facilities

Ross Ferry

Community managed day-use area offering a boat launch to the Bras d’Or Lake.

Rushtons Beach

Popular beach featuring the warm salt waters of the Northumberland Strait. Broad sandbars at low tide and the salt marsh attract a great variety of birds. Located about 4km (2.5 mi) east of Brule in Marshville.

 

Sable River

Park has a canopy of pine providing a relaxing place to stop and a brook running through it changes direction with the tide.

Sackville Lakes

A natural environment park offering an attractive forest setting in a near-urban area for walking and hiking as well as lake access for canoeing or kayaking. Trail development and management by a community group.

Accessible Facilities

Salsman

A quiet setting to relax and rejuvenate. 
Located on a small peninsula on the east side of Country Harbour, Guysborough County.

Salt Springs

Nestled against the banks of the West River, this park makes a great rest stop for travellers. Picnic just off the highway, or down by the river. Unsupervised swimming at the river. Cross country skiing, snowshoeing. Located just off Hwy 104, Exit 19, 17 km (10 mi) west of New Glasgow.

Sand Hills Beach

A 2.5 km (1.5 mi) white-sand beach. The sand flat warms at low tide and then warms the incoming tide for swimming. Spectacular dune system backs the beach. Please use boardwalks and marked paths to protect the dune system. Popular bird watching area. Located about 6 km (3.7 mi) south of Hwy 103, Exit 29.

Savary

Once a shipbuilding site; a picturesque picnic area located under a birch canopy overlooking St. Mary's Bay.

At low tide you can beachcomb along the rocky shoreline. Geocaching opportunities

Scots Bay

Small park offering access to Scots Bay, near Cape Split.  Watch the world's highest tides rise and fall before your eyes.