You are here

Home » What To Expect At Parks Canada's Mainland Nova Scotia Sites In 2023

What To Expect At Parks Canada's Mainland Nova Scotia Sites In 2023

Share
By NPT Staff - June 6th, 2023
Fort Anne National Historic Site is a four-bastion fort built to protect the harbour of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.

Fort Anne National Historic Site is a four-bastion fort built to protect the harbour of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia/Parks Canada, Chris Reardon

Four Parks Canada sites in mainland Nova Scotia have opened for the season and two more are poised to open this month.

We’ve rounded up details of what to expect.

Halifax Citadel National Historic Site:

• The new signature exhibit, Fortress Halifax: A City Shaped by Conflict, chronicles the history of Kjipuktuk, through its establishment as Halifax in 1749 to today. The exhibit recounts stories of the people here — the Mi’kmaq and settlers of British, French, Acadian, Black Loyalist, and other immigrant cultures — told through the lens of the four forts that stood atop Citadel Hill. It’s the most comprehensive history of Halifax’s social and military past in one location.

• Entry includes guided tours, noon gun, pipes and drum performances, period rooms, exhibits, family programs and the Army Museum that preserve Atlantic Canada’s military history.

• Additional programs this season with the Halifax Citadel Society include ghost tours, experiential military programs and spirit tasting programs with Compass Distillers.

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site:

• Visitors will enjoy 6.3 kilometres (3.9 miles) of twists and turns with optional mountain bike features on the new multi-use Ukme’k Trail, crossing the new Mill Falls bridge and the inclusive rainbow crosswalk.

• Whynot Adventure – the Keji Outfitters offers equipment rentals and guiding services.

• Todd Labrador returns to the canoe-building shop at Merrymakedge to offer public birchbark canoe-building experiences. Mi’kmaw cultural programs include daily petroglyph tours, evening petroglyph paddles in the Big Canoe, and Mi’kmaw encampments.

• Other interpretation activities include guided hikes, guided paddles, dark sky programs, family campfires, puppet theatre, dark-sky kit rentals and geocaching.

• Keji is investing in a climate-resilient, four-season, permanent pedestrian bridge at Jake’s Landing. There will be no bridge at Jake’s Landing this season.

• Enjoy two separate biking/hiking areas — the visitor center to Jeremy’s Bay Campground, and Jake’s Landing to Merrymakedge and beyond.

• Kejimkujik Seaside National Park, on the Atlantic coast, offers a wild and isolated stretch of coastline with white sand and turquoise water. The newly revitalized Port Joli Head Trail is now open following extensive trail work.

There's a new tapestry by Mi'kmaw artist Loretta Gould at Fort Anne National Historic Site.

There's a new tapestry by Mi'kmaw artist Loretta Gould at Fort Anne National Historic Site/Parks Canada

Fort Anne National Historic Site:

• In the Tapestry Room, a new mural by Mi’kmaw artist Loretta Gould presents Mi’kmaw presence since time immemorial, and connections between Mi’kmaq and the land. Together with the existing tapestry that depicted the arrival of Europeans, the room holds 3,000 years of rich stories.

• Site tours help visitors learn about what has happened over the years at this hotly contested territory. Vauban Fortification and Cradle of Acadia tours are offered daily on-demand, while White Glove tours of the extensive collection of artifacts can be pre-booked.

Port-Royal National Historic Site:

• Guides are the key so first-person interpretation connects visitors with characters of the Habitation. Visitors can talk to artisans and laborers inside the fort or in the “potager” vegetable garden, and perhaps use the “new” reproduction 17th century garden tools from Ross Farm Museum, or the “new” reproduction 17th century astrolabe, used by explorers to navigate based on star positioning. 

• The immersive “A Meeting with the Governor” program brings visitors into the colony to receive their orders for work and provides a unique glimpse of what life was like in the Habitation in 1605.

Georges Island National Historic Site opens June 10.

Georges Island National Historic Site opens June 10/Parks Canada

While those four sites are already open, two others don't open until later in June.

Georges Island National Historic Site:

• The season starts June 10 and the site will be open weekends from June 10 to Oct. 8, as well as five days a week (Thursday to Monday) in July and August.

• New panels share more of the island’s past and let people see and hear stories of Acadians, Mi’kmaq and lighthouse keeper families.

• Along with touring the underground tunnels, visitors can now also see inside the Married Officers’ Quarters.

• The ferry to Georges Island can be booked with Ambassatours, or plan to arrive as part of a guided kayak tour with Harbour Watercraft Tours & Adventures.

Fort Edward National Historic Site:

• The season at this Acadian Deportation site starts June 30 and there is free entry.

• The West Hants Historical Society offers on-site interpretation. Visitors can check out Canada’s oldest surviving Blockhouse and enjoy a walking trail, picnic area and geocaching.

• New special events this year will highlight British as well as Acadian histories.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Journalism about National Parks!

National Parks Traveler is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE WWW.FRESHFROMFLORIDA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

The Essential RVing Guide

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

The National Parks RVing Guide, aka the Essential RVing Guide To The National Parks, is the definitive guide for RVers seeking information on campgrounds in the National Park System where they can park their rigs. It's available for free for both iPhones and Android models.

This app is packed with RVing specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 parks.

You'll also find stories about RVing in the parks, some tips if you've just recently turned into an RVer, and some planning suggestions. A bonus that wasn't in the previous eBook or PDF versions of this guide are feeds of Traveler content: you'll find our latest stories as well as our most recent podcasts just a click away.

So whether you have an iPhone or an Android, download this app and start exploring the campgrounds in the National Park System where you can park your rig.