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the physical features of the park were ways to experience the park is by sculpted in the last ice age. canoe—the vehicle of choice here for Keji also has a large concentration thousands of years. of rare plant, insect, and animal spe- It’s easy to see why Albert Bigelow cies, many of them at risk of extinc- Payne was so eager to recount his tion. Great care and attention is paid journey here by penning The Tent to the preservation and propagation Dwellers more than a hundred years of these species, and the park has a ago. The famous author took a ik number of educational programs in historic fishing trip with his friend uj k which visitors can take part. Eddie Breck and two guides, Charles m i

“the strong” Charleston and Del “the j How to Get There stout” Thomas. The book is hilarious, ke Kejimkujik inland is accessible from poignant, insightful—and for sale in both major highways on either side the visitor centre. of the province. From Hwy. 101 take Boats and bikes can be rented exit 22 close to hourly or for up to a week; fish- and head inland on Hwy. 8. Allow ing permits can also be purchased. approximately 30 minutes from the Consider renting a canoe or kayak at exit. From Hwy. 103, take exit 13 at Jake’s Landing and paddling around Bridgewater and follow the signs Lake Kejimkujik, or drive to Merry- Twilight, Kejimkujik seaside to Kejimkujik. Allow approximately makedge for a picnic and swim. 50 minutes from the exit. Camping is hugely popular in To visit Kejimkujik Seaside, drive Kejimkujik, which includes full- toward Liverpool. Continue west on service sites along with places for kejiMkujik Hwy. 103. Approximately 7 km (4 mi) group tenting and backcountry past exit 21, turn left onto St. Cath- wilderness camping. With 46 back- erine River Road; it’s 6 km (3.5 mi) country campsites scattered along Established 1974 to the park entrance. hiking trails and canoe routes and 403 sq km/100,000 acres plenty of space between each site, When to Go you’ll feel as if you are the only per- Referred to by staff and locals as “Keji,” Kejimkujik National Park and Keji is open year-round. Although son in the park. Each site is equipped National Historic Site (see p. 47) teems with wildlife and boasts the spring, summer, and fall are the with two tent pads, a fire box, a picnic greatest diversity of reptiles and amphibians in Atlantic . The most popular times to visit, many table, a privy, firewood, and a pulley park is also home to ancient petroglyphs. Here, the Mi’kmaq cultural people visit the park during the win- device to hoist and safely store your ter to hike, snowshoe, ski, or experi- food supply. landscape dates back centuries. Spanning waterways and forests, the ence winter camping. Spring and fall park includes Kejimkujik Seaside, a 22-sq-km (8 sq mi) coastal area temperatures range from 10º to 15ºC replete with a lagoon system and an abundance of beaches, bogs, (50º–59ºF); summer temperatures Petroglyph Tour wildflowers, and coastal wildlife. reach upwards of 24ºC (75ºF) and in a full day winter they drop between minus 2º In 1995, the inland portion of the Tobeatic Reserve and the his- and minus 10ºC (14º–28ºF). For a one-day visit, sign up at the Kejimkujik was designated a toric , a Canadian Visitor Centre for the Petroglyph national historic site because of its Heritage River—is part of this How to Visit Tour with a Mi’kmaq interpreter. significant Mi’kmaq heritage. It is important biosphere. With more than 80 percent of the There are more than 500 petro- the only national park in Canada The park has numerous lakes, park accessible only by foot or canoe, glyphs in the park—the larg- that has this dual designation. In many of them dotted with islands, Kejimkujik National Park offers est collection in North America. 2001, UNESCO designated the five and several still waters. Features backcountry experiences to suit every These images give a glimpse into counties of southwest Nova Scotia also include fascinating barrens, taste, from relaxing on a secluded the lives of the Mi’kmaq and how as a biosphere reserve. Kejimkujik old-growth forests, and elongated island to traversing the park’s ancient they changed when the Europeans inland—which is situated next to hills known as drumlins. Many of canoe routes. In fact, one of the best arrived. You’ll hear stories of how 44 the challenging 19.5-km (12 mi) (12 19.5-km challenging the Tower (see pp. 58–59). This means that Keji that means This 58–59). pp. (see Canadaof Society Astronomical Royal the by Preserve Sky Dark a designated been has Kejimkujik ke stands. hemlock the in nest to likes that hawk ing hunt powerful and swift a goshawk, northern the see may you up, look you If cathedrals. nature’s hemlocks: eastern old-growth of groves ing tower the are impressive Most park. the in tall stand still forests ancient original, of Pockets woods). (soft trees evergreen northern and (hardwoods) trees deciduous southern between transition a zone, park. the in lakes 16 of one on August in chicks their or June in loons of pairs tracking Program the like programs monitoring of variety a in part take can You park. the of tions loca- seaside and inland the both at do to plenty have will Bird-watchers Bir Meadow Mersey (0.1 0.2-km the from ranging trails 17 features Keji haven, hiker’s A Hikes protected. are they why and be to came images these also suitable for biking. for suitable also are trails Six hemlocks. 400-year-old see you when away breath your take and Hardwoods and prise ending, while the while ending, prise sur- a with hike easy an is return) Keji lies within the Acadian forest forest Acadian the within lies Keji j d- i

Road at Piping Plover Guardian Plover Piping watc or become a become or

nig hike. 5-km (3 mi) loop will loop mi) (3 5-km boardwalk loop to loop boardwalk

Mill h h t ing Falls LoonWatcher, Hemlocks (2 km/1 (2 mi) - - Fire

mi - binding presentation. binding spell a in Mi’kmaqlegends with data scientific combine staff as unique is programming sky dark Kejimkujik seaboard. eastern the on observation sky night for places best the of one is Keji as special thing some experience to ready get and blanket a Bring program. astronomy pollution. light of reduction the promote and educate to taken are measures active which in area an is Join park staff for an evening evening an for staff park Join

- -

at the outdoor theatre or visi or theatre outdoor the at (available Passport Club Explorers an receives child Each scale. fun the on high score that activities educational outdoor and indoor of series a is Club Explorers the Keji, of Friends The called volunteers of group a by promoted and Sponsored the in them enrolling consider dren, chil with park the visiting When O t Club. Explorers Kejimkujik h er

activities tor cen tor - - and tracking their hatchlings. their tracking and eggs turtle Blanding’s protecting or surveys loon on working to terns pat movement their examining and snakes ribbon eastern for ing search from ranging projects of variety a in part take and volunteers trained and scientists of core a join volunteer ceremony. special a at recognized are ers explor the evening every and tre), The park also offers plenty of of plenty offers also park The

opportunities. You can - - - 45

kejimkujik 46 47

Kejimkujik National Park EXCURSIONS (Parc national Kejimkujik) INFORMATION & ACTIVITIES • Check with staff before going into back- National Canada’s oldest national historic country to learn about avoiding wildlife. Historic Site site and most attacked fort is full Visitor Centre annapolis royal, ns of wonder and intrigue. Its story Kejimkujik and National Historic Site OVERNIGHT BACKPACKING reaches back more than 3,000 years Visitor Centre 3005 Main Parkway, Rte. 8, Backcountry camping registration manda- to the Mi’kmaq. In the 1600s and ik Maitland Bridge, NS B0T 1B0. Phone tory. 46 backcountry campsites, each with

1700s, the French and the British uj (902) 682-2772. Open mid-June to early two tent pads, a firebox, a picnic table, a set up forts and vied for supremacy. k September (limited hrs. late Sept.–early pit privy, and firewood. Backcountry guide m

and map available for purchase at the Fort Anne houses an impressive i

June). j visitor centre. For reservations, call (902) 2.4-by-5.5-m (8 by 18 ft) heritage Seasons & Accessibility 682-2772 or stop by visitor centre. tapestry, crafted by more than a hun- ke Park open year-round. Campgrounds dred volunteers using some three Headquarters Campgrounds open mid-May to mid- million stitches. (902) 532-2397 or Kejimkujik and National Historic Site October; 60 sites open for winter camp- (902) 532-2321. 50 km (30 mi) north Visitor Centre. Phone (902) 682-2772. ing. Jeremy’s Bay, 358 sites (91 with elec- of park via Hwy. 8. www.parkscanada.gc.ca/kejimkujik. tricity), near Kejimkujik Lake. Hot showers, washrooms, outdoor sinks, playgrounds, Friends of Kejimkujik picnic tables, fireplaces, tent pads, dump- Friends of Keji Cooperating Association ing station, and outdoor theatre. For reser- Kejimkujik National The entire landscape of Kejimkujik 50 Pinetree Crescent, Hammonds Plains, vations call (877) 737-3783 or visit www Historic Site is designated as a national historic NS B3Z 1K4. [email protected]; .pccamping.ca. Serviced sites with elec- maitland bridge, ns site and commemorates Mi’kmaq www.friendsofkeji.ns.ca. tricity $29 per night; unserviced sites with culture dating back thousands of washroom building (toilets and showers) years. Visitors can join a tour led Entrance Fees $26 per night. Primitive sites $26. Group $6 per person, $15 per group per day; camping at Jim Charles Point for up to 80 by a Mi’kmaq interpreter and visit $30 per person, $75 per group per season. people, $5 per person. ancient rock carvings known as petroglyphs. The park has a rich his- pets Hotels, Motels, & Inns tory of aboriginal campgrounds and Owners must leash pets, pick up waste. (unless otherwise noted, rates are for a traditional canoe routes. Discover 2-person double, high season, in Canadian Accessible services dollars) more in the park’s visitor centre. The following are wheelchair accessible: (902) 682-2772. visitor centre; boardwalk and viewing plat- Outside the park: form at Mersey Meadow Trail; picnic shel- Milford House Rte. 8, South Milford, RR#4 ter, deck, and washrooms on Mill Falls Trail; Annapolis Royal, NS B0S 1A0. (877) 532- six sites and one washroom at Jeremy’s Bay 5751. www.milfordhouse.ca. $155–$265. Campground; washrooms and picnic sites White Point Beach Resort Queens County, at Jake’s Landing; playground and picnic NS B0T 1G0. (902) 354-2711. www.white Melanson Settlement Starting in the 1660s and for almost area at Merrymakedge Beach. point.com. $145. Packages $178–$198. National Historic Site a century, the Melanson Settlement The Whitman Inn 12389 Hwy. 8, Kempt, annapolis royal, ns was home to Charles Melanson, Things to Do NS B0T 1B0. (902) 682-2226. www.whit Marie Dugas, and their descendants. Guided canoe outings, hiking, cycling, maninn.com. $69–$125. This site was discovered during a swimming, fishing (April–Aug.; permit Caledonia Country Hostel Caledonia, NS. survey for Acadian sites in 1984. $10 per day, $34 per year), skiing, and (902) 682-3266. $60. www.caledonia snowshoeing. Rent canoes and bicycles at countryhostel.com. Archaeologists eventually located Jake’s Landing. the ruins of several cellars, and the site is now well documented. A short special advisories interpretive trail tells the story of this • Bring portable camp stoves for back- historic Acadian homestead. (902) country camping. Open fires may be banned in dry conditions. 532-2321. 75 km (47.5 mi) north of • Do not leave food unattended. Pack park via Hwy. 8. coolers in vehicles.