Kouchibouguac National Park in New Brunswick, Canada - map, photos and visitor information

Kouchibouguac National Park protects a low coastal landscape of dunes, lagoons, rivers and Acadian forest in New Brunswick. Beach boardwalks and short forest loops suit a day visit. A longer stay can include cycling, paddling or camping, with different services available in each season.

Highlights on the Acadian Coast

• Kellys Beach: Cross the salt marsh on a boardwalk before reaching the barrier-island beach.
• Forest and wetland walks: Short loops reveal habitats that are easy to miss from the road.
• Gravel cycling paths: A 60 km network links woodland, river and lagoon scenery.
• Dark skies: The park is a dark-sky preserve, with night conditions that depend on weather and local lighting.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Currents, cold water and wildlife

Strong currents can affect beaches, lagoons and rivers. Swim with another person and supervise children near water. Fall and spring water can be cold enough to cause hypothermia. Parks Canada does not test park beach water for E. coli or other bacteria.

Paddlers need a life jacket and the skills to manage changing weather and currents. Stay within your ability. A lagoon route is not a reason to ignore wind or tides. Read the park's water-safety guidance before launching.

Black bears, coyotes and moose live here. Keep food and garbage secured, give animals space and drive carefully. Ticks, biting insects and poison ivy also require attention when planning a walk.

Protect dunes and nesting habitat

Use the boardwalk and respect fences around vegetation and piping plover nesting sites. Dogs are prohibited on Kellys Beach boardwalk and the park's barrier islands. Keep pets leashed and attended in places where they are allowed. Bicycles are not permitted on the boardwalk, beaches or dunes.

Do not bring outside firewood into the park. Use designated fire boxes only when fires are permitted. Leave shells, driftwood, plants and other natural objects in place. Recreational drone use requires special permission. The official bulletins list current orders and restrictions.

Book the overnight stay you need

Reserve campsites or oTENTik accommodation through the Parks Canada Reservation Service. Confirm the campground's operating dates before arranging the rest of your trip. Camping is restricted to designated campsites; a roadside pullout or beach parking area is not an alternative overnight site.

Backcountry sites have different approaches and water arrangements. Petit-Large can support a year-round trip with appropriate preparation. Pointe-à-Maxime is reached by paddle, while Sipu has walking and paddling access. Their posted seasons end at Thanksgiving weekend. Do not assume a backcountry site remains available because the park itself is open.

Maps, location, and access

The park is on New Brunswick's Acadian Coast, north of Moncton. Its official address is 186 Route 117, Kouchibouguac, NB E4X 2P1. There is no public transit access to the park.

Use the official maps and brochures to identify the visitor center, beach parking, campground and trail network. Select the actual destination for navigation. A general park search does not identify the correct starting point for a paddle or backcountry walk.

Other parks on a coastal road trip

• Parlee Beach Provincial Park: A southern coastal option at Pointe-du-Chêne, near Shediac. Navigate to 45 Parlee Beach Road.
• Murray Beach Provincial Park: Continue along the southeastern Acadian Coast toward Little Shemogue. The park address is 1679 Route 955.

Walk, cycle or explore the water

Kellys Beach combines a marsh crossing with access to the dune shoreline. Read the interpretive panels before stepping onto the beach. The route passes through sensitive habitat, so use the designated access rather than cutting across vegetation.

For a defined short walk, choose the 0.9 km Pines loop or the 0.9 km Mi'gmaq Cedar loop. Claire-Fontaine is a 3.3 km loop through forest, fields and waterside habitats. The Bog trail offers another way to study wetland plants. Confirm trail conditions before committing to a longer route.

Cyclists can follow designated gravel paths and use rest shelters along the network. Bring your own bicycle for a 2026 visit: bicycle, canoe, kayak and paddleboard rentals are unavailable this year. Winter equipment rentals are a separate service at Pijeboogwek and require a check of opening dates and stock.

Prepared paddlers can explore rivers and lagoons with their own equipment. Hiking remains an option when you do not have a suitable boat or the conditions exceed your skills. Winter visits can include skiing, snowshoeing and fat biking on designated routes when conditions permit.

Camping services and access support

South Kouchibouguac Campground has washrooms, showers, playgrounds and a dump station during its operating season. Côte-à-Fabien offers unserviced sites. Backcountry camping areas have picnic tables, fire boxes and pit toilets; they do not provide the same services as the main campground.

Well water at Petit-Large and Sipu is under a boil-water advisory. Confirm whether the supply is operating before travel. Pointe-à-Maxime has no well, so campers must carry their drinking water. Be prepared to cook without a campfire.

The park provides free all-terrain wheelchairs that another person must push. These can be used on suitable bike paths and hard-packed beach sand. Contact the park to reserve one and confirm collection arrangements. The listed pickup points are the information center and Kellys Beach canteen, both subject to seasonal availability.

About Kouchibouguac National Park

Mi'gmaq connections and former communities

The park is on unceded Mi'gmaq land in the Siknikt District of Mi'gmagi. In December 2024, eight Mi'gmaq First Nations in New Brunswick and the Government of Canada signed an agreement that provides a framework for shared governance and stewardship of Parks Canada sites in the province.

The landscape also carries the history of Acadian and other settler communities. About 1,200 people in seven villages or settlements lived within the area before park creation. Expropriation displaced families, and the park now commemorates that history. Fishing, farming, shipbuilding and logging formed part of those communities' livelihoods.

From forest mammals to shorebirds

Forests, bogs, marshes and estuaries support different animal communities. Alongside black bears, coyotes and moose, the park protects habitat important to piping plovers and supports conservation work for bats and Atlantic salmon. Observe from a distance and leave nesting areas undisturbed.

Contact and emergency information

For trip questions, call +1 506-876-2443 or email [email protected]. The park address is 186 Route 117, Kouchibouguac, NB E4X 2P1. Call +1 877-852-3100 to report a lost person, forest fire or aggressive animal. Call 911 for other emergencies.