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systems—span a small but signifi- How to Visit cant portion of the park. Stretching Start at the visitor reception centre 25 km (15 mi), these dune systems and plan to spend time at the new shelter estuaries, lagoons, and salt

interpretive centre. Here you will get ac

marshes in an intensely dynamic an overview of the natural aspects of u coastal environment. Influenced by the park, learn how it was created, g the presence of the Gulf of St. Law- u and experience the four seasons o b

rence, the dunes are ever changing through a lively audiovisual presenta- i due to the influence of tides, storms, tion. At the visitor centre you will h and shifting sands. c also find detailed information about u The diverse wildlife and flora in park activities. the park includes salmon, eel, piping If you have two or more days to ko plovers, common terns, ospreys, spend, Kouchibouguac has 311 camp- mussels, crabs, and oysters along sites (both serviced and unserviced) with widgeon grass and eelgrass. as well as semiprimitive campsites There are nine rare plants including for those who want to rough it—but the rayless aster and southern tway- not too much. Primitive campsites, blade. Recreational clam harvesting is accessible only by foot, bike, kayak, encouraged and enjoyed. or canoe, are available for those who really want to rough it. Dune camp- View of Kellys Beach from the boardwalk How to Get There ing, referred to as “no impact camp- The park is located in Kent County ing,” is also an option but special on New Brunswick’s central east- conditions apply. For example, no ern shore in an area known as the open fires are allowed, walking paths kouchibouguac Acadian Coastal Drive. It is a one- are restricted, and tents must be New Brunswick hour drive north from Moncton, a placed on sand and 5 m (16 ft) away from any vegetation. Established 1969 four-hour drive from the Quebec bor- The park offers Step-on-Guide 239 sq km/59,000 acres der, or a four-hour drive northeast of Maine. Take Hwy. 15 to Shediac and Services for motorcoach tours, then either Hwy. 11 heading north or organized groups, or families. Simply Kouchibouguac National Park covers an area of protected land on the the more scenic Rte. 134. request that a park interpreter ac- eastern shore of New Brunswick. Representative of the maritime plain company you on a specific trail or for natural region and the Atlantic–Gulf of St. Lawrence marine region, it When to Go a particular activity and this will be features a number of fascinating ecosystems including the Acadian The park is open year-round. arranged (service available in spring, forest, bogs, salt marshes, tidal rivers, lagoons, open fields, and Although the warmer months (May– approximately 25 km (15 mi) of fragile white-sand dunes. Oct.) are the most popular, people are discovering the joy of winter Pronounced koo-she-boo-gwack, are part of the Acadian forest. Peat activities. There are three trails Kouchibouguac is a Mi’kmaq word bogs cover another 21 percent of the specifically designated for winter meaning “river of long tides.” There park. These bogs are about 5,000 walking, three for snowshoeing, and are 26 known aboriginal archaeologi- years old and measure up to 6 m a 22-km (14 mi) groomed trail sys- cal sites in the park—a testimony (20 ft) deep at the domed centres tem for cross-country skiing. Cozy to the park’s rich cultural history. of the bogs. Although salt marshes warm-up huts with wood stoves are Acadian, Irish, and English settlers are not a large part of the park, 72 strategically placed along the trails, also lived and worked here, and their plant species have been identified. and winterized camping shelters are legacy lives on. As well, several species of waterfowl accessible by ski or snowshoe. Skis, More than half of the park is occu- breed here. snowshoes, and sleds for transport- pied by forests, including significant The Barrier Islands—a unique ing young children or gear are avail- stands of rare forest vegetation that feature that includes a series of dune able for rent. Bicycling along a summer path lagoons orpaddlealongthe a canoeorkayakandexplorethe scenery. spectacular boast (9–17 km 27 to 14 from range They loops. cycling flat the of one choose and bike a rent day, one spend to plan you If gravel. fine with topped and flat, relatively wide, are trails The Canada. Atlantic in destinations biking best the of one as recognized is Kouchibouguac bikeways, of mi) (37 km 60 With Hiking advance noticeisrequired). summer, andfallseasonsonly; Barrier the to trek a for canoe” “grand the in others few a join and interpreter park a with excursion three-hour a book adventure, unique a For hours 3 Marine V L time. (506) 876-2443. Cost $30 per $30 Cost 876-2443. (506) time. a at people eight accommodate only can canoe the as recommended highly are Reservations up. and years six is limit age necessary; not is experience Paddling America. North in colony tern largest ond sec- the including species bird other and eagles, bald ospreys, see likely also you’ll way the Along colony. the in 700 approximately of hundreds chibouguac River ideal andsafeactivities. park, canoeingandkayakingare (flat-water) riversflowingintothe underneath it.With eightClassI river, andyoucanactuallypaddle tree stretcheshorizontallyoverthe of asandstoneoutcropping.The eaning R o If paddlingisyourstyle,rent y age Islands, ed Pine Tree & K & Ad There are There seals. grey u where you’ll see you’ll where r andseethe a C vent y anoe growingout aking mi) and mi) u Kou- re Great experience in a wigwam. interpreter for a Mi’kmaq cultural are you’ll be able to join a First Nation Naturalist Club,whichexposesthem head to lunch at Kellys Beach Canteen then moonsnails.sticklebacks,and crabs, Program,Life the Throughlagoon. water salt- a in lurkingwhat’s see to activity hands-on a forinterpreter park a join the in part take swim, a enjoy can you Relaxing at a winter shelter winter a at Relaxing to goingconsider children,with visiting are you If V guided If you have time, check out the self- as the water is warm and shallow. area), a great place for young children NB E4X 2P1. E4X NB Kouchibouguac, 117, Rte 186 person. isiting Kids aged six to ten love the Another option is to buy a picnic Puppet TheatrePuppet Mi’kmaq Cedar Trail. Callanders

children learn all about all learnchildren wit Kellys B presentation,or each h K h B (day-use each, i d Lagoon Chances s where Young 63

kouchibouguac 64 65

Kouchibouguac National Park special advisories skiing and snowshoeing. Côte-à-Fabien, (Parc national Kouchibouguac) • Wear minimum SPF 15 sunscreen at open mid-June to early September, Kellys Beach; there is no natural shade. 32 campsites with fireplaces, picnic INFORMATION & ACTIVITIES pets • Contact the visitor centre to inquire tables, and pit toilets. Group camping Pets must be leashed and attended at $5 per person per night. For reservations

about jellyfish conditions in the ac

Visitor Centre all times. Pets are not permitted on the beaches. call (506) 876-2443. u

Visitor Reception Centre Phone (506) barrier islands or on the boardwalks g 876-2443. Open mid-May to mid- leading to the barrier islands. overnight backpacking Hotels, Motels, & Inns u Fees for backcountry use and camping: (unless otherwise noted, rates are for a o

October. Park attendants available from b December to March. Accessible services $10 per person per night, $69 per person 2-person double, high season, in Canadian i per year. Eight primitive campsites at dollars) h The Salt Marsh Trail, Mi’kmaq Cedar c

Seasons & Accessibility Trail, and boardwalk at Kellys Beach are Petit-Large open year-round and acces- u Park open year-round. Administration wheelchair accessible. All washroom sible by bicycle or on foot. Four canoe Outside the park: ko office open weekdays year-round. facilities are also wheelchair accessible. campsites at Pointe-à-Maxime acces- Auberge Le Vieux Presbytère sible only by canoe and/or kayak. Four Bouctouche, NB E4S 3B8. (506) 743- Headquarters Things to Do canoe campsites at Sipu accessible by 5568 or (866) 743-1880. aubergevp@ 186 Rte. 117, Kouchibouguac National Hiking; biking (helmets mandatory); canoe or on foot. Parking lot camping, nb.aibn.com; www.vieuxpresbytere .nb.ca. $109–$165. Park, NB E4X 2P1. Phone (506) 876-2443. swimming (warm waters in Kouchi­ $19 per vehicle per night, available mid- Kouchibouguac Resort 10983 Rte. 134, www.parkscanada.gc.ca/kouchibouguac. bouguac inner bay, cooler waters in October to April. the Northumberland Strait); canoeing; St. Louis, NB E4X 1W6. (506) 876-4317 friends of kouchibouguac and kayaking. Campgrounds or (888) 524-3200. www.kouch.com. South Kouchibouguac, open mid-May Amica, Inc. Kouchibouguac National Bicycles and boating equipment avail- Rooms $170–$180, cottages $115–$135, to mid-October, 311 frontcountry sites for Park, 186 Rte. 117, Unit 1, Kouchibouguac able for rent at the Ryans Recreation and condo-chalets $125–145. tents and RVs; 127 have electrical hook- National Park, NB E4X 2P1. Phone (506) Equipment Rental Centre (mid-May– Maison Tait House 293 Main St., ups. Campground has fireplaces, kitchen Shediac, NB E4P 2A8. (506) 532-4233 876-1234. [email protected]; www mid-Sept.) near South Kouchibouguac shelters, picnic tables, playgrounds, or (888) 532-4233. Rooms start at $159. Campground. Fishing permits $10 per .friendsofkouchibouguac.ca. washrooms, and showers. Unserviced day, $34 per year. Entrance Fees campsites with washroom building (toi- In winter, cross-country skiing, snow- lets and showers) $27–$32 per night. $8 per person, $20 per group per day; shoeing, and sledding. Cross-country $16 per night for primitive and backcoun- $39 per person, $98 per group per sea- skiing trail use $8 per person, $20 per try camping. Rustic shelters available son. Reduced rates April to mid-June and group per day; $39 per person, $98 per early December to late March; stove and September to end of November. group per season. firewood provided; accessible only by to new adventures and challenges. sky. As a bonus, one of the park’s EXCURSION Children and adults can also take part interpreters is an expert astronomer in the Citizen Science Program while and leads some of the nighttime pro- Boishébert national During the deportation of 1755, contributing to the park’s ecological grams for visitors. historic site many Acadians followed French- integrity. Join a group and participate During one of these programs, miramichi, NB Canadian officer Charles Deschamps in a mission to count aquatic species you may witness the wonders of a de Boishébert, taking refuge on from the estuaries. meteor shower, glimpse planets, and hear stories, legends, and myths from an island of the same name. Now Mi’kmaq folklore and as portrayed by Beaubears Island, it achieved fame dark-sky Delights the stars. Visitors are also introduced for its shipbuilding in the early to the basics of astronomy and learn 19th century. The island contains In 2009, the Royal Astronomical why the dark sky is important to the part of an old-growth Acadian for- Society of Canada designated birds, bats, insects, and amphibians est and can be reached via a short Kouchibouguac a Dark Sky Preserve that live in Kouchibouguac. You can shuttle ferry (foot passengers only) (see pp. 58–59). This means the also observe Saturn’s rings, craters from Nelson-Miramichi. (506) 876- park minimizes lighting at night on the moon, galaxies, and nebulae 2443. 52 km (32.1 mi) northwest of and encourages public awareness by using the park’s special light- Kouchibouguac via Hwy. 134. of the cultural heritage of the night gathering telescopes.