Fundy National Park New Brunswick Tides and Dickson Falls

Why visit Fundy National Park

The park lies along Goose Bay, a branch of the Bay of Fundy, and on a clear day you can see the coast of Nova Scotia across the water. Its forests include some of the last pure stands of red spruce in eastern North America, along with bogs, rivers and hardwood slopes. The Broad, Point Wolfe and Upper Salmon rivers flow through the park, and rare plants such as bird’s-eye primrose grow along the coastal cliffs.

The tides are the main draw. At low tide you can walk across the ocean floor, and at high tide the same spot lies under roughly fifteen metres of water.

The tides and the coast

Alma and the tidal harbour

The village of Alma sits at the park's eastern edge, where the Upper Salmon River and Cleveland Brook meet Salisbury Bay. Boats rest on the mud at low tide and float again hours later. Check tide tables at the park office to time a waterfront walk, The park headquarters is in Alma West, so it is the natural place to collect maps and advice, and pass the monument to Molly Kool, the first woman in the Western world to earn a master mariner's certificate.

A red-painted covered bridge crosses the river at Point Wolfe. Photo: The Cosmonaut, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Walking the ocean floor

At low tide you can explore the exposed seabed and see creatures such as dog whelks, periwinkles and seaweeds clinging to the rocks. Watch the clock carefully and leave well before the water returns, because the tide comes in quickly.

Dickson Falls is the park's most popular trail destination. Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Trails, falls and forest

Dickson Falls

Dickson Falls is the most popular trail in the park. It is often busy in summer, so go early. The path leads through a damp forest to a waterfall and makes a good first stop. Stay on the boardwalks and stairs to protect the vegetation.

At high tide the ocean floor disappears under about fifteen metres of salt water. Photo: NASA/METI/AIST/Japan Space Systems, and U.S./Japan ASTER Science Team, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Point Wolfe and the covered bridge

Point Wolfe was once a thriving settlement based on fishing, sawmills and shipbuilding. Today a unique red-painted covered bridge marks the spot, and it makes an easy photo stop on the road to the coast.

Paddlers can ride rising waters on guided outings in the bay. Photo: James Mann from Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0

Caribou Plain

The Caribou Plain trail and boardwalk cross upland forest and a bog, where carnivorous pitcher plants, sundews and bladderworts grow. Allow an hour or two, and bring insect repellent in early summer. The bog supports black spruce and eastern larch over thick sphagnum moss, a very different scene from the coast.

Lobster and scallop fishing are important industries in Alma. Photo: Wladyslaw, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Wildlife

Moose, black bears, white-tailed deer, coyotes and beavers live in the park, while birds include peregrine falcons, great blue herons and pileated woodpeckers. Early morning and dusk give the best chances, and you should keep a safe distance from all animals.

The Hopewell Rocks are sea stacks shaped by tidal erosion. Photo: Wladyslaw, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0

Beyond the park

Hopewell Rocks

These red-brown sea stacks stand about twelve to twenty-one metres tall at Hopewell Cape and are covered at the base by water twice a day. Visitors are advised to stay for a full tidal cycle to see both views. It is a short drive from Alma, so it suits a half-day trip. Part of Elephant Rock collapsed in 2016, a reminder that the cliffs keep changing.

The Fundy Trail Parkway follows the coast near St. Martins. Photo: Tony Webster from Half Moon Bay, California, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

A short history

The Mi'kmaq and Maliseet peoples once used the area, and Scottish, Irish and English settlers arrived in the 1800s. Logging and small shipyards shaped the coast until the park opened in 1950, after which many former residents moved to Alma.

Maple and birch bring autumn color to the park's mixed-wood forest. Photo: MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Food and local flavors

Alma is a working fishing village, and lobster and scallops are the main catch from its tidal harbour. Look for lobster on menus at local restaurants and seafood shops, and for scallops cooked simply with butter.

In late spring, fiddleheads, the young coiled shoots of ferns, appear as a seasonal New Brunswick vegetable. There are no restaurants deep inside the park, so plan to eat in Alma or pack a picnic for the trails. Bring a cooler if you plan to buy seafood to take home.

Popular dishes to try in Fundy National Park

Where to stay

Alma is the most convenient base. It sits beside park headquarters, has restaurants and shops, and lets you walk to the waterfront. It suits families and first-time visitors who want amenities near the trails.

Inside the park you can camp in three campgrounds, or stay in rustic cabins, oTENTik tents and yurts. Reserve early for summer weekends. Cabin and yurt availability changes by season, so check dates on the Parks Canada reservation page.

Hopewell Cape is a good option for travelers who want to see the Hopewell Rocks first thing in the morning, while Riverside-Albert offers a quieter village stay. Both suit those combining the park with a longer road trip along the bay.

Where to stay in Fundy National Park

Best time to visit

Summer is the most popular season, when the park runs its full services and trails are dry. The area has cool, wet summers on the coast and warmer weather inland, so pack layers in all seasons.

Autumn brings color in the maple and birch forests and fewer crowds. Winter is for day use only, with cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing at your own risk. Spring can be muddy and wet, and some facilities open late. Check the official site for seasonal closures. Parks Canada posts current conditions for trails and services.

Getting there and getting around

Fundy National Park is near the village of Alma in Albert County, New Brunswick. Most visitors drive, taking Route 114 from Moncton, which also has the nearest large airport. Saint John is another gateway for travelers coming from the west.

There is no regular public transport to the park, so a car is the practical choice. Inside the park, roads link Alma with Point Wolfe and trailheads, and parking lots sit near the main trails.

A park entry fee applies, and annual passes are available. Confirm current fees, vehicle rules and fishing permits on the Parks Canada website before you travel.

A suggested itinerary

Practical tips

• Check tide times each day, because they shift by roughly an hour daily.
• Never walk the ocean floor without watching the incoming tide.
• Pack rain gear and layers for changing coastal weather.
• Book campgrounds, cabins and yurts early for summer.
• Carry water and a trail map for longer hikes.
• Keep a safe distance from wildlife such as moose and black bears.
• Cell service can be limited, so download maps beforehand.