Hidden-Gem Outdoor Experiences

Visit the Walton Glen Gorge 

📍: Fundy Trail Provincial Park, Fundy-St.Martins

The Fundy Trail Provincial Park is one of the last remaining coastal wilderness areas between Florida and Labrador. With stunning views of the world-renowned Bay of Fundy, various trails and points of interest to discover, and waterfalls and beaches waiting to be explored, you'll find adventure around every corner.

Walton Glen Gorge is in a Protected Natural Area adjacent to park land, and protects an example of a coastal river ravine within the Fundy Coastal Ecoregion. The steep cliffs provide uncommon habitat which support reported occurrences of provincial rare flora.

Looking for that Instagram-worthy shot to remember your adventures by? Visit the Walton Glen Gorge Observation Deck and peer out over and deep down into the gorge!

Put your toes in the sand at Black Beach

📍: Black Beach Road, Saint John

Black Beach is a unique beach made of black sand, caused by the graphite deposits around the beach. The stunning views make for a perfect afternoon of relaxation. 

Looking for more adventure? Check out Black Beach Trail, traveling through a mossy, spruce, coastal forest with a few lookouts along the way. At the end of the loop, enjoy the lookout overlooking Frenchman's Creek.

Visit the Quaco Head Lighthouse

📍: Lighthouse Road, West Quaco

The Quaco Head Lighthouse stands on a scenic point with an excellent view of Fundy-St.Martins' beach and the Fundy Trail coastline. This 1855 tower was replaced in 1966 and altered a decade later with a concrete structure. It's the perfect spot for a picnic and birdwatching, or to enjoy a hike!

Go geocaching at Irving Nature Park

📍: 1790 Sand Cove Road, Saint John

Just minutes from uptown Saint John, the Irving Nature Park is a special part of the Fundy coastline, and allows everyone to experience the various ecosystems of Southern New Brunswick.

Park visitors can enjoy the rugged beauty, boardwalks and lookout points. The area nurtures one of the province's richest marine ecosystems, and is a traditional staging site for migratory and marine birds that travel between the Arctic and South America. Featuring forest and marsh, beaches and trails, it is ideal for recreational activities like walking, hiking, biking, and geocaching!

Take a selfie in a covered bridge at Meenan's Cove

📍: 199 Model Farm Road, Quispamsis

Meenan's Cove Park offers a public beach, playground, walking trails, and a scenic covered bridge for visitors to enjoy. Spend an afternoon snapping shots by the bridge, then go for a dip at the beach (lifeguards are on duty for the summer months).

Take in the river view at East Riverside-Kingshurst Park

📍: 2602 Rothesay Road, Rothesay

The East Riverside-Kingshurst Park is a beautiful riverside area with a large green space, and is a popular spot for those looking for a leisurely and scenic escape. The park offers beautiful views of the Kennebecasis River, and is also home to two small trails.

Kayak the picturesque Hammond River

📍: 10 Porter Road, Nauwigewauk

The Hammond River runs approximately 40 km along the border of the Saint John Region. Near the mouth of the river, at the rural community of Nauwigewauk, the river joins Darlings Lake, and is one of the few rivers in the world that is still spawning Atlantic Salmon.

Want to enjoy the river from a distance? Visit the Hammond River Park in Quispamsis to experience the Hammond River watershed's native biodiversity. This 5 km trail is the perfect way to explore the forest and hillside, and untouched marshlands.

Climb through the treetops at TimberTop Adventures

📍: 730 Dominion Park Road, Saint John

Visit one of Canada's largest aerial adventure parks, nestled in a beautiful old-growth forest next to the sandy shores of Dominion Park beach. Timbertop Adventures offers 12 courses with over 115 creative obstacles curated from around the world, including rope bridges, suspended climbing walls, swinging ropes, spinning logs, a flying skateboard, a trapeze and over 25 zip line challenges.

Timbertop Adventures is open seasonally from May to October. Check their website for more details.

Take in the views of the Kennebecasis River with Osprey Adventures

📍: 1075 Main Street, Lighthouse River Centre, Hampton

Explore the Kennebecasis marshlands and enjoy a variety of wildlife and flora with Osprey Adventures! There are a number of canoes, kayaks, and paddle boards to allow you to fully experience this amazing area. 

Rent one of their kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards to explore on your own, or engage one of their expert guides to give you a comprehensive history of the area and an overview of the diversity of life that exists in the marshlands.

Take a cable ferry to the Kingston Peninsula

📍: Grand Bay-Westfield or Quispamsis

Enjoy year-round, toll-free service between Grand Bay-Westfield and Hardings Point on the Kingston Peninsula with the Westfield Ferry. While you're aboard, take in the scenic views of the Saint John River. Plan a stop at the Brundage Point River Centre in Grand Bay-Westfield for many outdoor activities including a weekly Thursday market, and spend a night at the Hardings Point Campground on the Kingston Peninsula.

You can also travel by cable ferry with year-round, toll-free service between Gondola Point (Route 119) and Long Reach (Route 845) with the Gondola Point Ferry. Be sure to check out the stunning views of the Saint John River at Yip Cider.