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Canada🇨🇦 | national parksKejimkujik National ParkMi'kmaw petroglyphs, tannin-dark lakes, canoe routes, Dark Sky Preserve | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Kejimkujik
👀 For curious travelersnational park ranked #22
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 22, 2026

Kejimkujik is a Dark Sky Preserve, and on clear nights the Milky Way is easy to see from the Merrymakedge and Jeremy’s Bay shorelines. The park sits in southwestern Nova Scotia, Canada, a drive inland from the Annapolis Valley. Lakes, tannin-dark water and hemlock stands make it a paddler’s park, and hiking is gentle. I once packed no bug net for a June walk and spent it swatting blackflies, so bring one. Day one could mean a short loop, then a canoe at dusk.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #22 national park in CanadaWhat sets this place apart

Kejimkujik National Park suits backpackers who like to plan their own days, because the Mersey River and Kejimkujik Lake canoe network lets you reach backcountry sites that no tour bus touches. Rental canoes and kayaks are on site, and the trails are short enough to link into loops without a guide. The Mi’kmaw petroglyphs at Kejimkujik are best seen on a ranger-led visit, which makes the park a rare mix of self-guided freedom and cultural depth.

💡 HighlightsMust-see experiences and standout moments

  1. Mi’kmaw Petroglyphs (Kejimkujik National Historic Site): Thousands of carvings of animals, canoes and people etched into slate along the Mersey, visited on guided tours.
  2. Kejimkujik Lake paddling: Calm, shallow water with islands and sandy bays, ideal for a first canoe trip.
  3. Mersey River: A slow current threading through hemlock and red maple, where loons and herons are common.
  4. Merrymakedge Beach and Jeremy’s Bay: Sandy shoreline for a swim, picnic and sunset watching.
  5. Dark sky stargazing: The park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve, with starry nights from open lakeshores.
  6. Kejimkujik Seaside: A separate coastal section with seals, rugged headlands and the Harbour Rocks trail.
  7. Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail: A short walk through old-growth trees, with trunks several hundred years old.
Kejimkujik National … read more 👉
  1. Mi’kmaw Petroglyphs (Kejimkujik National Historic Site): Thousands of carvings of animals, canoes and people etched into slate along the Mersey, visited on guided tours.
  2. Kejimkujik Lake paddling: Calm, shallow water with islands and sandy bays, ideal for a first canoe trip.
  3. Mersey River: A slow current threading through hemlock and red maple, where loons and herons are common.
  4. Merrymakedge Beach and Jeremy’s Bay: Sandy shoreline for a swim, picnic and sunset watching.
  5. Dark sky stargazing: The park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve, with starry nights from open lakeshores.
  6. Kejimkujik Seaside: A separate coastal section with seals, rugged headlands and the Harbour Rocks trail.
  7. Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail: A short walk through old-growth trees, with trunks several hundred years old.
Kejimkujik National Park costs nothing for stargazing from the shoreline once you are inside, and the short forest walks are also covered by your park pass.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

🌤️ When to go?Choosing the right time of year

July through September gives Kejimkujik National Park its warmest, driest stretch, with highs of 22 to 26°C (72 to 79°F) and lakes warm enough for paddling.
  • Summer: Long daylight, busy campgrounds, and the highest rates. Book backcountry sites early.
  • Fall: Cool nights of 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F), colorful maples, fewer people, and no bugs after September.
  • Spring: Black flies peak in May and June. Highs are 8 to 16°C (46 to 61°F), with wet trails.
  • Winter: Highs hover near -2°C (28°F), short days, and ski or snowshoe routes with minimal services.
Paddle in September to get warm water without the crowds.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: below average for travelingFEBFebruary: below average for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: good for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: highly recommended for travelingJULJuly: good for travelingAUGAugust: good for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: highly recommended for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: below average for traveling
canada-national-park-kejimkujik-national-park
© Google | Kaiyan Liang

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🛏️ Where to stay?Where staying makes the most sense

Inside Kejimkujik National Park, Jeremy’s Bay Campground is the main base, with about 330 sites, plus backcountry tent sites and rustic oTENTik cabins you can book through Parks Canada. Those fill fast for summer weekends. Backcountry sites around Kejimkujik Lake suit paddling trips. Outside the park, Maitland Bridge, about 10 minutes from the entrance, has a few lodges, cottages, and private campgrounds. Caledonia, roughly 20 minutes away, has basic motels and a small grocery. Liverpool on the South Shore and Annapolis Royal in the Annapolis Valley (each about an hour by car) offer hostel-style … read more 👉
Inside Kejimkujik National Park, Jeremy’s Bay Campground is the main base, with about 330 sites, plus backcountry tent sites and rustic oTENTik cabins you can book through Parks Canada. Those fill fast for summer weekends. Backcountry sites around Kejimkujik Lake suit paddling trips. Outside the park, Maitland Bridge, about 10 minutes from the entrance, has a few lodges, cottages, and private campgrounds. Caledonia, roughly 20 minutes away, has basic motels and a small grocery. Liverpool on the South Shore and Annapolis Royal in the Annapolis Valley (each about an hour by car) offer hostel-style rooms, inns, and restaurants. Expect no real hostel inside the park.
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👛 Costs (as of 22 October 2026)How expensive it really is

Kejimkujik National Park costs a backpacker roughly US$60 to 91 a day when camping and cooking most meals.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feeUS$5 to 6Adult daily fee, paid in Canadian dollars; free for under 18s
CampingUS$20 to 30Frontcountry sites cost more than backcountry sites; reservation fees apply
Local transportUS$15 to 30Fuel or rental car share; no public transit reaches the park
Food and suppliesUS$20 to 30Groceries in Caledonia or Liverpool; one pub meal runs US$15 to 22
Canoe rentalUS$0 to 25Half-day rentals from the park outfitter; skip if you bring your own
Total Daily BudgetUS$60 to 91Based on high-season camping


source: parks.canada.ca
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsBest hikes in Kejimkujik national park

Kejimkujik National Park offers mostly gentle, well-marked walking on flat to rolling forest terrain, with more adventure on the water than the trail.
  • Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail: About 5 km loop, roughly 1.5 hours, easy, through old hemlock and hardwood forest with boardwalk sections.
  • Mersey River Trail: About 4 km one way, around 1.5 hours, easy, following the river through pine and hemlock.
  • Mill Falls Trail: About 2 km return, under an hour, easy, leading to rapids on the Mersey.
  • Peter Point Trail: About 5 km loop, 1.5 to 2 hours, easy to moderate, a lakeshore walk with quiet coves.
  • Harbour Rocks
… read more 👉
Kejimkujik National Park offers mostly gentle, well-marked walking on flat to rolling forest terrain, with more adventure on the water than the trail.
  • Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail: About 5 km loop, roughly 1.5 hours, easy, through old hemlock and hardwood forest with boardwalk sections.
  • Mersey River Trail: About 4 km one way, around 1.5 hours, easy, following the river through pine and hemlock.
  • Mill Falls Trail: About 2 km return, under an hour, easy, leading to rapids on the Mersey.
  • Peter Point Trail: About 5 km loop, 1.5 to 2 hours, easy to moderate, a lakeshore walk with quiet coves.
  • Harbour Rocks Trail (Seaside): About 3 km one way, roughly 1 hour, easy, over coastal barrens and rocky shore with seal views.
Wildlife includes loons, white-tailed deer, otters, and the rare Blanding’s turtle. Public transport does not reach the park, so most visitors arrive by car. Summer weekends are the busiest, especially around the beaches. A Parks Canada entry fee applies, around US$5 to 10 per adult per day.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetyTraveler Safety Guide

Kejimkujik National Park is straightforward and well managed, with mostly flat, well-marked trails. The main nuisances are ticks (check your skin and clothing after every hike), black flies in late spring, and mosquitoes into July. Wear long sleeves and use repellent. Black bears live here but rarely cause trouble, so store food in the provided lockers or hang it. Lakes can turn choppy fast, so cross open water early in the day, wear a life jacket, and carry a map, since cell service is spotty. Paddlers should pack extra layers because nights get cold.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Kejimkujik

Two to three days works well for Kejimkujik National Park. That covers a paddle on Kejimkujik Lake, the Mi’kmaw petroglyph tour from Merrymakedge, and a hike such as the 6 km Mersey River Trail. Add a third or fourth day if you plan a backcountry canoe overnight to the islands.
Kejimkujik National Park is hard to reach without a car, since no public transit serves it. The nearest bus stops are in Liverpool or Annapolis Royal, each about an hour away, and taxis or rides from there cost roughly US$60 to 90. Once inside, trails, bikes, and canoes cover most sights.
Kejimkujik National Park charges a daily entry fee of roughly US$5 to 6 per adult, and kids under 18 are free. A Parks Canada Discovery Pass covers a full year for about US$50 to 55. Camping and backcountry stays need separate reservations, with permit fees around US$10 to 30 a night.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

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We 💚 feedbackWhat to keep in mind

Kejimkujik National Park is at its best in early morning, when mist lifts off the lake and the loons call, or in September, once the blackflies are gone. I would paddle at dawn and keep afternoons for the trails.

✈️ When did I visit Canada?
As part of my 1.5 year travel around the world trip, I visited Canada in 2016.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Canada, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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