Mactaquac Provincial ParkAbout Mactaquac Provincial Park
Mactaquac Provincial Park is a provincial park on the Saint John River in New Brunswick, adjacent to the Mactaquac Dam and reservoir. It serves as a local recreational area for lakeshore activities and camping.
The park offers day-use facilities, a sandy beach, picnic areas, campgrounds and a network of short hiking and cycling trails suitable for family outings and shoreline recreation. Visitors use the park for swimming, picnics and access to the reservoir shoreline.
The park was developed in association with the construction of the Mactaquac hydroelectric project in the 1960s and has been managed as a provincial recreation area since that period. Facilities and trail development expanded to support camping and seasonal programming.
The park sits on the banks of the Saint John River at the Mactaquac headpond in central New Brunswick, near the village of Mactaquac and the Fredericton area.
- Day-use and beach: Sandy beach and day-use areas are the main picnic and swimming spots during the warmer months; facilities and services are seasonal so check provincial park information before visiting.
- Camping and trails: Campgrounds and trails support multi-day stays and short hikes; bring insect repellent and water for lakeshore trails.
Best Time to Visit Mactaquac Provincial Park
Summer is busiest for water recreation and camping; late spring and fall are best for quieter outdoor hiking and birding.
Weather & Climate near Mactaquac Provincial Park
Mactaquac Provincial 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 -16°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1098 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -16° - -5° | -17° | 101 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -15° - -3° | -15° | 67 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -8° - 3° | -8° | 89 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -1° - 9° | 1° | 85 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 18° | 11° | 99 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 9° - 23° | 16° | 86 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 13° - 26° | 19° | 96 mm | - | - | 2.7 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 12° - 25° | 19° | 86 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 8° - 20° | 14° | 92 mm | - | - | 2.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 2° - 13° | 5° | 95 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -3° - 6° | -2° | 102 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -11° - -2° | -12° | 100 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Mactaquac Provincial Park
Mactaquac Provincial Park is about 20-30 minutes northeast of Fredericton by car on Route 105. The park is accessible off Highway 2 via local exits; follow signs to Mactaquac Dam and the provincial park facilities.
Tips for Visiting Mactaquac Provincial Park
- The park is adjacent to the Mactaquac Dam and reservoir - water-level dependent activities vary seasonally.
- Cycle the campground roads early in the day to see beaver and local birdlife along the river.
- Reserve campsites in summer - the park is popular with families from Fredericton and the region.