New River Beach Provincial Park in New Brunswick, Canada

A couple of weeks ago now, as a bit of a final grasp on summer, my sisters and I took a camping trip to New River Beach Provincial Park in New Brunswick.

New River Beach is less than an hours drive from my home and I have visited it many, many, many times in the past. I have to say, that even though I have been there numerous times, New River Beach never fails to impress me with its natural beauty and breathtaking ocean views.

Early morning fog drifting over the mud flats (low tide) at New River Beach.

A sunset walk on the mud flats at low tide. Difficult to believe that just a few hours later, at high tide, this entire area was covered in several feet of ocean water.

Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo, but one clear evening at about 11PM, we walked to the beach and the display of stars was breathtaking. I have never seen them look so brilliant, you could see the Milky Way, spilled across the sky with such clarity. As we stared up at the sky, none of us spoke and the only sound was the gentle crashing of the waves. Definitely, a once in a lifetime, not to be missed experience.

Location –

78 New River Beach Road, 78 New River Beach Road, New River Beach, New Brunswick, Canada, E5J 1G7

It is approximately 45 km (30 minutes) from Saint John, New Brunswick

Contact Information –

Toll-Free number – 1-800-561-0123 or New River Beach office – 1-506-755-4046

Website – New River Beach Provincial Park and Email

Open –

May – September

Rates –

$28 – $43

Features – 

 

 

 

Whether it’s a day trip or a week-long camping adventure, New River Beach is my happy place.

“New River Beach Provincial Park is the perfect spot to camp, admire breathtaking coastal islands and kayak the Bay of Fundy. The beaches and coastal trails at New River Beach abound with spectacular evidence of the natural formation of the bay’s high tides. Wade in the tidal pools, search for crabs, periwinkles, whelks and starfish. Enjoy the unsupervised saltwater beach, nature’s panorama of offshore islands, fishing boats and wildlife. Gulls, Eider ducks and cormorants… large, lustrous-black seabirds nest offshore and along the two circuits of hiking trails. 

You’ll find tonnes of natural history preserved and just waiting to be discovered along the shoreline at New River Beach Provincial Park. Hike the sweeping cliffs on Barnaby Head or walk the boardwalk through the bog and discover bug-eating plants unique to the area and 90-years-old dwarfed Black spruces.

Let your creativity inspire you by participating in the annual Sand Sculpture Competition. Or, enjoy one of the many recreational activities at the playground, volleyball courts, beaches or trails. Grab a bite to eat at the Gull and Herring, a friendly-family restaurant also at the park. Pets are not allowed on the beach, but they are in the rest of the park.” (Tourism New Brunswick)

We have tented at New River Beach, stayed in a tent/trailer and more recently have fallen in love with the “rustic shelters”.

Our cozy rustic shelter. The shelters are roughly 14 feet by 14 feet, have electricity and have pallets on which to put your air mattress. There is also a picnic table, ceiling light, broom, and dustpan inside as well as a picnic table and fire pit outside.

The “backyard” of our shelter.

The campground offers 99 campsites and 4 rustic shelters, forested campsites, scenic coastal nature trails, a picnic area and a spectacular tidal beach.

The sites are nicely wooded with fire pits, the washrooms are clean and the staff is very helpful and friendly.

The beach and receding tide.

An early evening swim. Be warned though, the water is VERY cold!

Sunset

There was swimming in the ocean, beach combing for shells, pretty little rocks, and sea glass. Walking on the mud flats, hiking, lying on the beach, eyes closed, listening to all the activity around me. Reading, campfires, girl talk, s’mores and afternoon naps.

I can’t wait to go back!