Hopewell Rocks and Fundy National Park Adventure

10 min readJun 11, 2024

Walk on the sea floor at low tide among rock formations at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and explore the forested coast at Fundy National Park in New Brunswick.

After staying the night in Halifax we headed to Hopewell Rocks. We only stopped for lunch and had to manage our time for the drive based on the tides, which is important if you want to walk on the ocean floor.

If you are planning a trip to Canada by car you can visit Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia all in one drive. This is what we did one summer!

Hopewell Rocks Motel and Country Inn

We stayed at this nearby motel so we could spend extra time around the rocks, evening and morning.

The motel includes a morning breakfast and an outdoor swimming pool.

Also, you can have dinner at the on-site restaurant

It is a simple inn, but since it is just off the grounds of the park, it works well to go back and forth to it. The park fee allows you to have two days which is important since the site is dependent upon the tides.

Address: 4135 Route 114, Hopewell Cape, NB E4H 3J4, Canada

HOPEWELL ROCKS PROVINCIAL PARK

After driving down the park road you come to the Visitor Center. Inside or exhibits on the rock formations along with a gift shop.

Behind the center is where the trails are located.

You go to the left to head to the main stairs to down to the rocks. The trail goes through woods and is not paved, but wide.

The Main Deck offers a large metal staircase complete with a spacious viewing platform. Guests can descend the 99 stairs to the ocean floor and after exploring climb back up the stairs to the top. For those who are not a fan of stairs, venturing a little further towards North Beach grants you access to a ramp with benches strategically placed along the incline.

Also, know that a shuttle service is provided to take you to the stairs for a nominal fee.

You can also look out above the rocks without going down, but the fun part is being on the sea floor.

Know that the sea floor is muddy and rockier closer to the cliffside. We wore water shoes. Near the stairs are restrooms and outdoor hoses to clean off your shoes and legs.

Before you head down there are information signs about the rock formations and tide times.

Make sure you check the tide information before you come to the park so you are not swept away, the whole beach area goes underwater and high tide.

Down Below

We went down the stairs and went to the right.

The flowerpot rocks create arches that you can walk through.

People think of them as flowerpots with plants and trees on top.

If you look along the ocean floor you come across crabs and snails and other life.

We ventured out to the ocean and had to work our way back through the muck.

Walking along the bottom we came to where the stacks created arches and small caves.

Park rangers do rope off some areas since the sea stacks do fall on occasion.

We walked down to where the rock formations end and then headed back.

My son found a small waterfall as we walked back to the stairs.

Once back by the center, I noticed a sign showing when they do kayaking. We didn’t have time to do that the next day, but it would be cool to see them from a kayak.

DETAILS

Hours: 8 a.m. — 8 p.m., late June-mid-August; 8 a.m. — 6 p.m., late Aug.-early Sept.; 9 a.m. -5 p.m. the rest of the year. (Check the website for more information)

Admission: $15.54, Adults; $13.32, 65+; $13.32, 19+; 5–18, $8.88; 4 and Under

Address: 131 Discovery Rd, Hopewell Cape, NB E4H 4Z5, Canada

The next morning, we briefly checked out the park. The tide was in some, but not completely filling the shoreline.

Then afterward we headed to Funday National Park.

Fundy National Park Drive

We drove along Highway 114 which goes near the coast.

We made it to Alma where we had lunch.

Tipsy Tails Restaurant

Seafood lunch with a view of the harbor.

Hours: 8 a.m. — 8:30 p.m., Friday- Sunday; 11 a.m. — 8:30 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday

Address: 8607 Main St, Alma, NB E4H 1N6, Canada

Kelly’s Bake Shop

We also stopped in at Kelly’s Bake Shop where I bought a package of day-old sticky buns. This provided some easy breakfast options the next morning.

Hours: 7 a.m. — 6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday; 8:30 a.m. — 5 p.m., Monday- Friday

Address: 8587 Main St, Alma, NB E4H 1N6, Canada

FUNDY NATIONAL PARK

Fundy National Park has waterfalls, lakes, and many trails along with beaches. We were able to check out a few spots in this huge national park.

More information about the park can be obtained at the Visitor Center.

Visitor Center Address: 8642 NB-114, Alma, NB, Canada

Fundy Footpath

First, we drove to the Fundy Footpath along the coast. Here we walked on the trail taking in the views and seeing the Pointe Wolfe Covered Bridge.

Next, we drove back down Pointe Wolfe Road to Dickson Falls Trailhead.

Address: Parking lot, Alma Parish, NB, Canada

Dickson Falls

From the trailhead, you take a short trail through the woods. It is a natural surface and there are stairs and elevation gain, so it is a workout.

As you walk along the trail take in the views of the bubbling stream.

The trail goes up some stairs along the rapids.

Information signs are along the boardwalk area.

Then you are at the fast-moving falls.

Next, we followed the trail loop back to the parking lot.

Signs along the trail help to guide you.

Also, before you start the trail make sure to take in the view of the distant coast.

Address: Dickson Falls Trail, Alma Parish, NB E4H 4X6, Canada

FUNDY NATIONAL PARK DRIVE

After the falls we made a left and continued on Highway 114 through the park.

The next stop was the Observation Deck for more coastal hill views.

Address: NB-114, Alma, NB E4H, Canada, Canada

Bennett Lake

Here we did a short out and back along the lake. You can also rent kayaks here. Restrooms are also available.

FUNDY NATIONAL PARK DETAILS

Hours: 8 a.m. — 8 p.m.

Admission: $8.50, Adult; $7,25, Senior; Youth, Free. You can drive through the park for free if you do not stop.

Address: 8642 NB-114, Alma, NB, Canada

ON THE WAY TO BUCKSPORT MAINE

After exploring the New Brunswick Coast we headed back to the U.S. with stops along the way. Our destination today was a night’s stay at Bucksport, Maine.

Fort Howe National Historic Site

Here you can see a fort blockhouse. Sadly you can’t go in it, but it is a nice view of St. John.

Address: Fort Howe National Historic Site, Magazine St, Saint John, NB, Canada

Carleton Martello Tower National Historic Site

Next, we stopped at this tower which was used for defense from the War of 1812 and until World War 2. On the grounds is a small museum.

We didn’t do the museum but did walk up to the tower, although you can’t enter the tower since it is undergoing restoration.

Address: 454 Whipple St, Saint John, NB E2M 2R3, Canada

St. George Falls

There is no real parking but it is a scenic spot with the waterfall and mill. It is just off the Highway 1.

Address: NB-1, St. George, NB E5C 3S2, Canada

LAST CANADIAN STOP: St. Stephens

The Chocolate Museum and Gift Shop

We didn’t go to the museum but bought chocolates for friends.

Hours: 9: 30 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Address: 73 Milltown Blvd, St Stephen, NB E3L 3A6, Canada

Across the street from the museum is a park with a playground along the scenic St. Croix River.

Once you cross the bridge you are in Calais Maine.

Hotel: Bucksport Maine

Next, we stayed in the night at Bucksport, Maine at Fort Knox Park Inn.

Address: Fort Knox Park Inn, 64 Main St, Bucksport, ME 04416

MORE CANADIAN ADVENTURES

PEI Ferry, Titanic, and Halifax Citadel Exploring

We took a road trip through various Canadian provinces including Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Highlights included a bottle village, Point Prim Lighthouse, the Citadel, and the Titanic exhibit in Halifax. We also enjoyed beach walks, seafood, ferry rides, and a fascinating museum showcasing maritime history and Titanic artifacts.

Parlee Beach Fun and Prince Edward Island Touring

Shopping at Fredericton’s Farmers Market, and swimming at the warmest beach in Canada, Parlee Beach, before staying the night in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

This was our first full-day itinerary in the Maritime Provinces.

Two Days In Quebec City

In Quebec City, we explored the remains of a fort underground, toured the historic Old Town, and saw the nearly 300-foot Montmorency Falls.

Short Trip to Montreal

See a giant apple, drive by a Thousand Islands, tour the War of 1812 Fort Wellington, and check out the Olympic Park Biodome in Montreal! After stopping in Toronto, we headed to Canada’s second city, Montreal, and checked out more amazing places along the way.