Main image

Fundamentaldan CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Prince Edward Island National Park

National Park

A stretch of coastal parkland on Prince Edward Island with red sandstone cliffs, sand dunes, beaches and boardwalk trails; visitors come for shoreline walks, birdwatching and seaside landscapes near Cavendish.

Prince Edward Island National Park TorontoVancouverMontrealBanffQuebec CityNiagara FallsOttawaWhistlerPrince Edward Island National Park
In this guide

Prince Edward Island National Park essentials

Address: Multiple sites along Prince Edward Island’s north shore (major access: Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada)
Website: pc.gc.ca
Hours: Open year‑round (visitor services seasonal)
Admission: Seasonal vehicle/day‑use fees apply; Parks Canada passes accepted - see Parks Canada for current rates
GoogleAppleOSM

About Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park is a Canadian national park on the north shore of Prince Edward Island established in 1937 to protect the island’s coastal landscapes.

The park contains long sandy beaches, dune systems and coastal trails that run along more than 60 kilometres of protected shoreline. Key visitor areas include the Cavendish/Green Gables area, Brackley Beach and the Greenwich dune complex, with picnic areas, boardwalks and interpretive signage. Wildlife sightings commonly include shorebirds and marine life along the intertidal zone.

The park was created by the federal government in 1937 to conserve scenic coastline and develop public recreation facilities; it has been expanded and managed as a national park reserve to balance conservation and tourism. Campgrounds, visitor centres and trail infrastructure were added across the 20th century to support recreation.

The park lies on the north coast of Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada, with Cavendish as the main visitor settlement and Charlottetown the nearest city on the island’s southern shore. Access is by road across the island.

  • Shoreline length: Park protects more than 60 kilometres of ocean shoreline on Prince Edward Island and includes a mix of beaches, dunes, and coastal trails.
  • Green Gables connection: The Green Gables site within the park is associated with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novel and is a marked heritage attraction.

What to See#

  • Major park areas: A cluster of coastal sites including the interpretive **Green Gables** area in Cavendish, long sandy beaches at Brackley and Cavendish, and the protected dune system at Greenwich with boardwalk access and interpretive trails.
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Prince Edward Island National Park

Best in summer (June-August) for beaches and outdoor activities, with shoulder seasons offering fewer crowds.

Summer
Jun-Aug · 15-25°C
Warmest, best for beaches, trails and outdoor activities, but this is the busiest time at park beaches and facilities.
Spring/Autumn
Apr-May, Sep-Oct · 5-15°C
Cooler and quieter shoulder seasons with fewer visitors; weather can be changeable but generally pleasant for walking and wildlife viewing.
Winter
Dec-Feb · -5-5°C
Cold with possible snow and ice; many outdoor activities are limited and visitor numbers are low.

Weather & Climate near Prince Edward Island National Park

Climate

Prince Edward Island National Park's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -12°C to 23°C. Abundant rainfall (1130 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.

Air Quality: AQI 15 Good
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustSeptember
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
27°
Warmest Month
-24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Poor -12° - -3° -15° 101 mm overcast 89% 5.9 m/s 0.1 low 8.9h
February Poor -12° - -4° -15° 81 mm overcast 89% 5.6 m/s 0.2 low 10.2h
March Poor -7° - 1° -10° 82 mm overcast 86% 5.6 m/s 0.5 low 11.8h
April Poor -1° - 6° -2° 80 mm overcast 85% 5.3 m/s 0.9 moderate 13.4h
May Acceptable 4° - 13° 6° 96 mm overcast 85% 5.0 m/s 1.3 high 14.8h
June Good 10° - 19° 14° 90 mm overcast 85% 4.6 m/s 1.5 very high 15.6h
July Very Good 14° - 23° 19° 80 mm partly cloudy 84% 4.3 m/s 1.6 very high 15.2h
August Very Good 15° - 23° 19° 86 mm partly cloudy 81% 4.3 m/s 1.3 high 14.0h
September Good 10° - 18° 14° 95 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.8 m/s 0.9 moderate 12.4h
October Acceptable 5° - 12° 6° 107 mm overcast 81% 5.4 m/s 0.4 low 10.7h
November Poor 1° - 7° -1° 111 mm overcast 84% 5.9 m/s 0.2 low 9.3h
December Poor -6° - 1° -9° 121 mm overcast 87% 6.2 m/s 0.1 low 8.5h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Prince Edward Island National Park

Prince Edward Island National Park (the Cavendish area and adjacent parklands) is on the north shore of PEI and is reached by car via the Trans‑Canada Highway (Route 1) and then local routes (for example Route 6) toward Cavendish. Charlottetown is the nearest major city; driving from Charlottetown to the Cavendish/park area is roughly 40-50 km (about 40-50 minutes by car).

There are local roads and seasonal visitor services from Charlottetown and other island towns; once in the Cavendish area you will use the Gulf Shore Parkway to reach the park’s beaches and trails.

Tips for Visiting Prince Edward Island National Park

  • Head to the Greenwich and Cavendish sectors to see the park's signature dunes and sandy beaches; these two sectors offer the most developed visitor facilities and the interpretive boardwalks that explain the island's coastal ecology.
  • Visit outside peak summer weekends (late spring or early autumn) to avoid congestion at the main parking areas and enjoy quieter beaches and trails - PEI National Park's shorelines fill quickly on holiday weekends.
  • Use the park's marked trails and boardwalks to reach fragile dune systems (especially at Greenwich); many visitors stick to the main beach and miss the park's coastal forests, interpretive center and unique barrier-dune landscapes.