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Kejimkujik National Park

National Park

Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia offers canoe routes, lakes and old‑growth Acadian forest; visitors come for paddling, backcountry camping, Mi'kmaq petroglyphs and dark‑sky viewing.

Kejimkujik National Park Lunenburg, Nova ScotiaSydney, Nova ScotiaYarmouth, Nova ScotiaAntigonish, Nova ScotiaNew Glasgow, Nova ScotiaTruro, Nova ScotiaAmherst, Nova ScotiaKentvilleKejimkujik National Park
In this guide

Kejimkujik National Park essentials

Address: Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site, Nova Scotia, Canada (visitor centre near Lake Kejimkujik)
Website: pc.gc.ca
Hours: Visitor centre hours vary seasonally; park lands open year-round (check Parks Canada site for current visitor centre hours)
Admission: Parks Canada day pass (approx CAD 9.80 adult); camping and activity fees vary
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About Kejimkujik National Park

Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site is a protected area in Nova Scotia that combines inland lakes, forested river corridors and cultural sites important to the Mi’kmaq people.

Visitors use an established network of canoe routes and backcountry campsites across a system of lakes and rivers, and the park contains numerous Mi’kmaq petroglyphs and archaeological locations that are protected as part of its National Historic Site designation. A separate seaside component preserves coastal beaches and shoreline habitat.

The park supports hiking, paddling, wildlife viewing and cultural interpretation, and is managed with permit systems for backcountry camping and guided cultural programming to protect sensitive sites. It lies in south-central Nova Scotia between communities on the province’s western and southern coasts.

  • Cultural designation: The park is also designated a National Historic Site for its concentration of Mi’kmaq heritage features and petroglyphs.
  • Dark-sky preserve and permits: Kejimkujik is a Dark Sky Preserve offering good night-sky viewing away from major light sources, and canoe camping requires permits for designated campsites.

What to See#

  • Lakes and canoe routes: Inland lakes and canoe routes that run through forested areas, with numerous interconnected waterways popular for multi-day paddling trips.
  • Mi’kmaq cultural sites: Petroglyph sites and cultural landscapes with Mi’kmaq archaeological features and designated historic areas within the park.
  • Kejimkujik Seaside: Kejimkujik Seaside - a separate coastal component of the park offering beaches, coastal trails and marine shoreline habitat.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Kejimkujik National Park

Best visited late spring through fall for paddling and trails; winter offers cross-country skiing and near-deserted trails for cold-weather solitude.

Late spring
May-June · 8-18°C
Water levels are high, bog flowers bloom and paddling routes open; bugs increase as summer approaches.
Summer
July-August · 15-25°C
Warm days for canoeing and swimming, long evenings for stargazing-expect the most visitors and the worst insects.
Fall
September-October · 5-15°C
Crisp air and brilliant foliage, canoe routes quieter; ideal for hiking and maple-syrup-sweetened solitude.

Weather & Climate near Kejimkujik National Park

Climate

Kejimkujik National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 24°C. Abundant rainfall (1367 mm/year), wettest in November.

Air Quality: AQI 17 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJulySeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
-22°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -10° - -1° -10° 139 mm overcast 90% 2.8 m/s 0.1 low 9.1h
February Poor -10° - 0° -10° 107 mm overcast 88% 2.9 m/s 0.3 low 10.3h
March Poor -6° - 4° -5° 127 mm overcast 83% 3.1 m/s 0.6 moderate 11.8h
April Acceptable 0° - 9° 2° 122 mm overcast 82% 3.1 m/s 1.0 moderate 13.3h
May Acceptable 5° - 16° 10° 100 mm overcast 82% 2.8 m/s 1.3 high 14.6h
June Good 9° - 21° 15° 101 mm partly cloudy 83% 2.6 m/s 1.6 very high 15.3h
July Very Good 13° - 24° 18° 97 mm partly cloudy 85% 2.3 m/s 1.6 very high 15.0h
August Very Good 13° - 24° 18° 88 mm partly cloudy 85% 2.2 m/s 1.4 high 13.8h
September Good 9° - 19° 14° 90 mm partly cloudy 86% 2.3 m/s 1.0 high 12.4h
October Acceptable 4° - 14° 7° 102 mm partly cloudy 86% 2.6 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.8h
November Poor 0° - 8° 1° 151 mm overcast 88% 2.7 m/s 0.2 low 9.5h
December Poor -7° - 2° -6° 143 mm overcast 88% 2.8 m/s 0.1 low 8.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Kejimkujik National Park

Kejimkujik lies roughly 120-150 km west of Halifax by road, depending on which entrance is used. From Halifax take Highway 103 west, then follow local routes (such as NS-8 and road signs to Kejimkujik National Park) toward Maitland Bridge/Caledonia. The park has multiple access points (inland and seaside); follow Parks Canada signage to the visitor centre and specific trailheads. There is no direct public transit to the park-driving is the normal way in; some outfitters in Halifax and Annapolis Royal offer guided shuttle services.

Tips for Visiting Kejimkujik National Park

  • Head to the Kejimkujik National Park Visitor Centre early to book canoe routes and check the nightly dark-sky programming-spots for guided paddles fill fast.
  • If planning a multi-day canoe trip, use the boat cache at the north end of Kejimkujik Lake to avoid carrying heavy gear over portages.
  • Bring a good insect-repellent system between June and August; black fly and mosquito pressure can make midday paddles unpleasant.
  • Visit the Kejimkujik Seaside adjunct (Kejimkujik National Park Seaside) on a separate day-the inland park and seaside are 90-120 minutes apart by car and feel like different parks.