With its craggy, rugged coastline, sweeping views, and thick forests, Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia is an outdoor lover’s paradise.
A visit to this maritime island is unlike any beach vacation you’ve had before, complete with secluded sandy beaches, cascading waterfalls, and mountainous hiking trails, all embraced in an ethereal mist that drifts across the land from the Atlantic Ocean.
You can explore more of this dramatic landscape with a Cape Breton camping trip.
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At-A-Glance: Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Location: Northern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia — View on Google Maps
Hours: May to October
Camping: 22 tent/RV sites, some with electric/water hookups (no reservations)
Fees: Day rate: $9 adults, $7.75 seniors, $17.50 family/group. Kids are free. Camping rate: $19.75 to $42, depending on site, with discounts for a week or more.
Dogs: On-leash (no pets on the Skyline Trail)
Official Park Website
Cape Breton Highlands National Park Hiking Guide
Moose and bears are plentiful within the forests of Cape Breton, and whales and eagles are often spotted from the coast.
Cape Breton Highlands was the first national park created in the Atlantic Provinces, and although it receives more than 300,000 visitors every year, there is plenty of room to spread out across more than 366 square miles (948 km²).
Camping in Cape Breton Highlands is one of the best ways to explore the park’s varied terrain, and it’s the perfect way to road trip on the world-famous Cabot Trail, which runs around the perimeter of Cape Breton Island.
Did you know that the Cabot Trail is known far and wide as one of the world’s most spectacularly scenic roads? The best way to enjoy this magnificent road trip is by pitching your tent at the spacious campgrounds along the way.
The Cabot Trail is a 185-mile road that connects all of the Cape Breton campgrounds within the National Park, as well as several beautiful coastal communities.
Here’s our complete camping guide for Cape Breton Highlands National Park, with a complete overview of the best Cape Breton camping based on our experiences on our recent summer road trip through the Maritimes.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park Camping
We stayed almost entirely within Cape Breton Highlands National Park during our recent Cape Breton camping trip. For help planning other aspects of your Cape Breton getaway, please check out the official travel website for Cape Breton Island.
If you want to explore more of Nova Scotia, check out about 30+ things to do in Nova Scotia over at 2TravelDads.
There is so much to do and see in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It’s a fabulous destination for families who love the outdoors, and the best way to explore the park is by setting up camp at one of six unique campgrounds.
Sites at three of the campgrounds are reservable, and three smaller campgrounds are first-come, first-served.
Read Next: Fundy National Park Camping Guide
Cape Breton Highlands National Park Camping: Which Campground is right for you?
Over the summer, our family had the pleasure of camping in Broad Cove, Ingonish, and Chéticamp campgrounds in Cape Breton Highlands, as well as Meat Cove, which is outside of the park.
Check out the above map of the campgrounds available within the park. We started our journey driving counter-clockwise on the Cabot Trail and spent two nights in each of the three reservable campgrounds.
While all the Cape Breton camping spots provide great amenities and access to a variety of hiking trails, we have a definite favorite.
Each campground has distinct benefits and drawbacks, depending on your camping style and what type of adventure you’re looking for.
Hopefully, this Cape Breton campground guide will help you find the perfect spot for your unique adventure.
The four reservable Cape Breton Highlands National Park Campgrounds have washrooms, hot showers, kitchen shelters, and picnic tables.
Cheticamp and Broad Cove Campgrounds both have sites with electric, water, and sewer hookups. Ingonish and Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground sites are all unserviced.
Most campsites, but not all, have fire pits. They also have large dishwashing sinks with hot water.
Types of Camping in Cape Breton Highlands National Park
In addition to basic tent and RV sites that you are likely familiar with, Parks Canada provides a unique Cape Breton camping option that I want to mention. We talked to many families taking advantage of the o’TENTiks, and all of them were super happy with their accommodations.
oTENTiks are cabin/tent hybrids that are great for families. Inside, you will find bunks for sleeping (you still need sleeping bags), a table and chairs, solar-powered lights, and heat. There’s a picnic table outside and either a fire pit or a barbecue grill. There are 25 oTENTik campsites in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
Ingonish Beach Campground: Great Beach for Kids!
Number of sites: 60
oTENTiks: 4
Sites with electric, water, and sewer: 0
Sites with electricity and water: 0
Unserviced sites: 51
Ingonish Beach Campground is located on the east side of Cape Breton Island near the entrance to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It is very close to the Ingonish Visitor Center, a local bakery, and a small market. The beautiful Ingonish Beach is a ten-minute walk from the campground.
This is probably the most popular beach in Cape Breton Highlands, and it’s a great beach for kids because there are always lifeguards on duty in the summer. Visitors can swim in the ocean or the freshwater lake, which is much warmer.
The Ingonish Beach Campground has a small nature center, and interpretive programs are offered daily throughout the summer months. Although this Cape Breton campground is small, most of the sites are open and have little privacy.
What we loved about Ingonish Beach Campground: We enjoyed spending time at Ingonish Beach. The ocean was pretty cold for swimming, but the lake was perfect.
Something to consider: There are no hookups, so you are generally camping with tenters or small RVs and vans.
Hiking Trails Near Ingonish Beach Campground
- Freshwater Lake. This easy loop can be reached from the campground. It’s entirely level and travels along the coast, past beaver ponds and a freshwater lake that was once a saltwater bay. The 1.1-mile (1.7km) is suitable for young children. After your hike, take a dip in the ocean or the lake before heading back to camp.
- Freshwater Lake Look-Off. If you’re short on time but still want a fantastic view, take the short, steep hike up to the Freshwater Lake Look-Off. The trail is just a .2 mile (.3km) round trip, and it leads to incredible views of the ocean, Freshwater Lake, and Middle Head.
- Middle Head. This moderate, 2.4-mile (3.8km) loop meanders along a narrow peninsula on the headland. It is mostly level, with a few rocky sections. It’s suitable for older kids. There are opportunities for spotting wildlife from the headlands, including eagles, whales, and seabirds. This is a fantastic trail to hike on a sunny day, especially if you have a picnic.
Broad Cove Campground: Spoiler — Our Favorite Cape Breton Camping!
Number of sites: 202
oTENTiks: 6
Sites with electric, sewer, and water: 83
Unserviced sites: 113
Note: Not all of these sites have fire pits. See individual site descriptions before booking.
Broad Cove Campground is the largest campground in the park, but you wouldn’t know it. There are many loops to choose from — some open, others wooded and more private. You will have a lot more choices if you don’t need hookups.
The RV sites are in one section and are mostly quite crowded together, but the tent sites are spread out through woods and fields. We loved our stay at Broad Cove Campground, and in my humble opinion, it is the best Cape Breton camping available.
Without seeing the campground beforehand, we booked site 160 online. This turned out to be one of our favorite sites of our trip. The section was very quiet and open, and we had a private trail down to the most spectacular beach with red sand and crashing waves.
The Broad Brook empties into the sea here, so you can choose to swim in the ocean or the river at Broad Cove Beach (swim at your own risk). There were never more than a handful of people on the beach, and both sunset and sunrise were spectacular!
Broad Cove Campground was a great spot to just relax. It’s not close to stores, so stock up! There are several hiking trails that you can hike without getting in your car.
What we loved about Broad Cove Campground: It was very quiet, and you could walk from the campground to several trails. The beach was awesome. The rangers hosted a campfire on the beach one evening and provided music, s’mores, and hot chocolate. Cell service was good too.
Something to consider: If you choose the loop near the main bathhouse, you will find it fairly crowded, and possibly noisy. The smaller campground loops are very quiet.
Trails near Broad Cove Campground
- Broad Cove Beach. This isn’t listed as an official hiking trail, but it’s a nice walk through the woods from the campground to the beach. Depending on where you’re camping, it’s a 5-15 minute walk.
- Warren Lake. We saw so many signs of moose on the Warren Lake Trail, and we thought for sure that we would see one. We talked to a ranger later who said they are often spotted there. You can hop on the trail across the street from Broad Cove Campground or save some time by driving to the parking lot near the lake. The trail is a level, 2.9-mile (4.7km) loop. There’s a sandy beach, parking area, and toilets near the parking area.
- Broad Cove Mountain. The trailhead to Broad Cove Mountain is located on the road to Warren Lake. It’s a 1.4-mile (2.3km) out-and-back hike. It is quite steep, but the view is definitely worth the work. There’s a bench at the top so you can catch your breath and take in the views of the ocean.
- Franey Trail. We didn’t hike the Franey trail, but I’m including it here because so many people told us afterward that we missed one of the best hikes in the park. It’s a 4.6-mile (7.4km) loop that takes you through the forest, up mountains, and along cliffs. It’s rated as difficult.
Chéticamp Campground: The Busiest Cape Breton Campground in the Park
Number of sites: 122
oTENTik:10
Sites with electricity, water, and sewer: 24
Sites with electricity: 14
Unserviced sites: 71
Chéticamp Campground is located on the park’s west side, about a 1.5-hour drive from Broad Cove.
If you are planning a road trip, it makes sense to divide your time between the two sides of the island so you don’t spend all of your time in the car. Chéticamp Campground is the closest campground to the famous Skyline Trail, which is a must-do for everyone.
The campground is also close to the bustling town of Chéticamp, which is the biggest town on the Cabot Trail. The community has 4,000 residents, most of whom are Acadian and speak French as their native language.
Cheticamp Campground is within walking distance to the Chéticamp Visitor Center, where you’ll find a small gift/book shop, coffee, and free Wi-Fi.
The campground consists of open and wooded campsites. The open area offers little privacy, but it has a nice family feel, and the sites surround a great playground and an outdoor theater.
What we loved about Chéticamp Campground: Its proximity to the town of Cheticamp, where we found awesome food, Acadian music, and a sandy beach. This is a very convenient Cape Breton camping spot if you want to explore outside of the park.
Something to consider: Chéticamp Campground seemed like the busiest of all the campgrounds we stayed at. Our site was not at all secluded, and we wouldn’t have been happy if we had to spend a lot of time there. We mainly just slept at the campground and used it as a jumping-off point for day trips.
Hiking Trails Near Chéticamp Campground
- Salmon Pools. This is the only trail you can walk to from the campground. It features a lovely walk along the Chéticamp River, where you can watch salmon spawning in the deeper pools. Total distance is 7.7 miles, but it’s an out-and-back trail, so you can simply turn around whenever you’re ready. There are a few steep sections, but it’s an easy trail for the most part.
- Skyline Trail. As I mentioned above, the Skyline Trail is one of those must-hike trails. No matter when you visit, it will likely be crowded, but the vistas are beyond incredible. You can see all kinds of wildlife — moose, bear, eagles, whales, and coyotes, plus you’ll have a great view of the Cabot Trail below. The hike is rated as easy. You can go out and back in 4 miles (6.5km) or do a loop in 5.1 miles (8.2km). Unless you are looking for a longer hike, we found the out-and-back route easier, with better views.
- Acadian Trail. This 5.2-mile (8.4km) loop is a steady climb through forest and fields, with some excellent views of the river valley, town, and highlands. Moose and bears frequent the area.
Read Next: Hike the Skyline Trail on Cape Breton Island
Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground: The Park’s Newest Campground
Number of sites: 47
oTENTik: 5 sites
Unserviced with fireplace: 42
This small cliff-side campground offers the best of both mountains and ocean. Sites are walk-in and quite private and just a few miles north of Chéticamp Campground, so you can take advantage of the same hiking opportunities and fabulous sunsets over the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
This is the first Mi’kmaw-French facility name in the park. Mkwesaqtuk is a Mi’kmaq word that describes a place or feature that distinctly changes to red. This Mi’kmaq expression would have been used to describe the coastal area that Acadians later called Cap-Rouge on the western side of Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
The buildings are designed to reflect the area’s distinct Acadian heritage. You’ll feel connected to local culture as you hike coastal trails and explore the cobblestone beach.
Corney Brook Campground: Oceanfront camping in Cape Breton
Unserviced sites: 22
Corney Brook Campground is a small Cape Breton campground right on the ocean. There is no potable water, but there is plenty of solitude and gorgeous views. We considered staying here, but in the end, the wind was blowing too fiercely.
I can tell you that on a Saturday night in July, only four of the campsites were occupied when we drove through. Corney Brook is very close to the Skyline Trail, and unfortunately, you can’t make reservations.
MacIntosh Brook Campground: Small and secluded
Unserviced sites: 10
Located in the Grande Anse Valley near Pleasant Bay, MacIntosh Brook Campground is a small, open area nestled at the base of the mountains. There is a waterfall within walking distance, a kitchen shelter, a playground, and flush toilets.
When we drove through this Cape Breton camping area on our trip, all but three sites were occupied. It’s first-come, first-served.
Big Intervale Campground: The Smallest Cape Breton Campground
Unserviced sites: 5
This tiny campground has just five unserviced sites. Each campsite has a picnic area along the river, a privy, and fire pits. This Cape Breton camping spot is located at the base of North Mountain. Nearby Aspy Trail starts at Beulach Ban Falls and follows the valley to a pretty lookout.
Meat Cove Campground: Amazing Views!
Meat Cove Campground is not located in Cape Breton Highlands National Park, but I wanted to include it so you know your options. Located in Meat Cove, on the northern tip of Cape Breton Island, the whole camping area is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
This is a fantastic Cape Breton camping spot if you aren’t afraid of heights and the wind isn’t blowing too hard!
During our visit, we went whale watching along Meat Cove and could see our campsite from the water, way up on the bluff.
Meat Cove Campground provides campers with free Wi-Fi, hot showers, and kayak rentals, and they have camping cabins as well! The onsite Chowder Hut Restaurant is a definite bonus and is what made this special Cape Breton camping experience tie for our first-place recommendation.
Cape Breton Highlands National Park Campgrounds are open from mid-May to late October. Most sites can be reserved, but there are several that are first-come, first-served.
If you hope to rent an o’TENTik, I recommend reserving your site in the winter before your trip. All of the campgrounds are fairly modern and clean, but our two favorites were Broad Cove Campground and Meat Cove Campground.
Cape Breton Camping FAQs
Where is Cape Breton Highlands National Park?
Cape Breton Highlands National Park is located on northern Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia, Canada. The best way to explore Cape Breton Island is by embarking on a multi-day road trip. The nearest international airport is the Halifax Stanfield International Airport. From Halifax, it’s a 4.5-hour drive to the park entrance.
From the airport, it’s easy to rent a car for your Cape Breton road trip. We use Kayak to find flight and car rental deals during the planning stage of our trips.
When is the best time to go camping on Cape Breton?
Cape Breton Highlands National Park Campgrounds are open from mid-May to late October, with full services in July and August, which is the most pleasant time to camp on the island.
Can you drive an RV on the Cabot Trail?
Yes. The Cabot Trail is a curvy two-lane road, so driving an RV will depend entirely on your comfort level and how big your rig is. We drove the Cabot Trail in a small car, but we saw a lot of RVs making the journey. As for the Cape Breton campgrounds, most can accommodate large RVs, but be sure to check the details of each campsite before reserving.
Are there amenities like gas and groceries near Cape Breton Highlands?
The Cabot Trail circles around Cape Breton Highlands National Park with numerous small towns and villages along the way. Because this is a tourist destination, you’ll find gas, groceries, and motels in most communities. There are a few long stretches of beautiful wilderness between towns, but nothing to worry about if you don’t let the gas tank get too low before filling up.
What animals will we see in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?
Cape Breton Highlands National Park includes many different ecosystems, from interior forests and mountains to coastal areas rich in marine life. Common land mammals include eastern coyote, moose, Canada lynx, snowshoe hare, American marten, red fox, bobcat, and black bear. Off the coast, you have a good chance to see several marine mammals, including pilot whales, minke whales, white-sided dolphins, and harbor seals.
Do we need to make camping reservations in Cape Breton Highlands National Park?
The campgrounds at Cape Breton Highlands National Park have a good mix of reservable and non-reservable sites, but if you are traveling from a distance, I always find it safer to reserve sites ahead of time, especially if you are visiting in July and August.
Where can I find a Cape Breton trail guide?
Glad you asked. Cape Breton camping and hiking go hand-in-hand. Grab a copy of Hiking Trails of Cape Breton (second edition) by Michael Haynes before your trip.
Have you ever camped in Cape Breton Highlands National Park? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Here are a few more resources for exploring Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and travel blogger with a passion for outdoor adventures. She is the co-author of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont and currently blogs at Back Road Ramblers and Vermont Explored, where she shares travel tips, adventure destinations, and vacation ideas for the wanderer in everyone.
Lou Ann
Wednesday 11th of January 2023
We are planning our trip to Nova Scotia. I noticed your picture includes to pups. Do you travel with them? Any guidance for Nova Scotia. Our pup has traveled with us to Ottawa, CA, so she is already an international traveler. :)
Tara Schatz
Wednesday 11th of January 2023
Hi Lou Ann,
We travel with our dogs most of the time. They are allowed in Cape Breton Highlands National Park (on-leash), with the exception of the Skyline Trail and a few of the beaches. Campgrounds are dog-friendly too, and if you travel in the summer, you'll find lots of dog-friendly patios where you can eat. Have fun!