Kouchibouguac National Park

Kouchibouguac protects barrier islands, lagoons, salt marsh and bog on the Northumberland Strait, where the shallow water behind the dunes warms to some of the highest sea temperatures north of Virginia. The park was created in 1969. A tern colony on the dunes is among the larger ones in eastern Canada.

History

The Mi'kmaq hunted, fished, gathered plants, traded and lived here before European settlers came, and the river's name means river of the long tides. Parks Canada founded the park in 1969 to protect the dunes and bogs (Wikipedia, Kouchibouguac National Park).

What's there

• The warm lagoons - shallow water behind barrier dunes at high temperatures.
• The Kelly's Beach boardwalk - a walkway over the lagoon to the dune beach.
• The tern colony - among the larger ones in eastern Canada, on the dunes.
• The tern colony - a large seabird nesting area on the dunes.

When to go

June to September for the beaches; water is warmest in August. Tern nesting closes dune sections in early summer. The park is open in winter for skiing with limited services.

Things to know

Mosquitoes and blackflies are heavy in early summer. Beach access is by boardwalk with a walk from parking.

Nearby

Bouctouche lies south; Miramichi is north.

Key facts