On the south-easternmost part of Canada lies the beautiful island of Nova Scotia, home to the highest tides in the world. Blomidon Provincial Park is a feature of this island paradise and spreads over 1,800 acres of striking landscape and abundant wildlife. The park's natural attractions and wonders bring in thousands of visitors every year for an outdoor island retreat like no other.
Steep cliffs, almost 200 meter high, jut out of the shores of the Minas Basin where campers, locals, and visitors alike can enjoy magnificent views of sunrises and sunsets and witness the amazing power of the highest tides in the world. During low tide, the basin is miles upon miles of wet mud, boasting a massive beach area, while during high tide, all this land is completely submerged. The tidal occurrence happens twice a day and is truly a sight to behold especially from an elevation at the Bay of Fundy.
Apart from its striking natural features, diverse habitats, and jaw-dropping landscape, Blomidon Provincial Park also offers campers plenty to do while exploring this island wilderness. Boating, hiking, photography, picnicking, and wildlife viewing are but some of the many ways one can stay thoroughly entertained.
Amenities and facilities at the park are also top-tier so you can enjoy a comfortable and even luxurious stay on a truly one of a kind island paradise.
The drive to Blomidon Provincial Park is a pretty one as you go through many small towns like Wolfville, New Minas, and Blomidon. The roads are well-maintained, but narrow, and have some sharp bends and steep inclines so make sure you drive slow and safe. When driving from Halifax, Blomidon Provincial Park is about a three hour drive over scenic routes with plenty of cultural activities to partake in along the way. Take Hwy 101 until you reach Exit 11 where you will turn on to Rte 358 that goes through Canning. Turn left on Pereau Rd the park entrance should be just up ahead.
Blomidon Provincial Park has one campground for RV and tent camping and one group campground for hosting events and large gatherings. Blomidon Campground offers 76 unserviced campsites that are spacious and offer decent shade and privacy. The campground is close to many amenities including flush toilets, showers, and a disposal station. Campers also have access to fire grills, picnic tables, group shelters, a playground, and a day-use area. Visit the camp store if you need wood or ice. Wifi is also available close to the administration building. Pets are permitted on the campground as long as they are on a leash.
The simply stunning landscape around Blomidon Provincial Park makes for some truly spectacular hiking trails that vary in difficulty from easy to quite challenging at times. These all-season trails span over 13 km (8 miles) in length winding through mature hardwood forests, steep rocky inclines, streams, and bushland. Eventually, you'll arrive at spots that offer panoramic views of the Minas Basin and the Bay of Fundy below. Pack your hiking shoes and get ready for a truly rewarding outdoor hiking experience. The Jodry, Woodland, and Look-off Trails are the more popular hiking trails at the park.
The Minas Basin and the Bay of Fundy are famous for their rich lobster and crab fishing and you would have no trouble spotting plenty of fishing boats around the Bay area. During high tide, one can take to the waters either in a boat or sea kayak and explore the many coves, caves, and small islands. These interesting areas are formed by the constant erosion of rock caused by the crushing unseen power of these relentless tides.
Once the tide is out one can walk on the miles and miles of sandy and muddy beachfront that hides plenty of amazing beachside treasures. The island of Nova Scotia has a rich history and it is believed that the island was a favored hiding spot for many Carribean pirates that once sailed these waters. This folklore is a great campfire story but the real treasures at Blomidon Provincial Park are its striking natural features. Coves, caves, cliffs, mudflats, and even waterfalls can all be spotted as you walk along the beach cooled off by the breeze and simply stunning scenery.
Blomidon Provincial Park is home to abundant wildlife from small mammals like rabbits, chipmunks, skunks, and squirrels to bears, deers, coyotes, and even wolves patrol the more untouched parts of the Annapolis Valley. At the campground, you can spot hummingbirds, seagulls and other beautiful and exotic birds hovering over the mature hardwood trees. Bees and other insects are also abundant here as well as reptiles like grass snakes and frogs. Make sure to pack your food after you are done otherwise crows might just swarm your campsite.
Fancy a picnic on the beach soaking in the sun and cooling off in the waters of the Minas Basin? Maybe you are in the mood for a picnic in the woods with plenty of shade and privacy? At Blomidon Provincial Park you get the best of both worlds. Sunbathe or swim by the beach or unwind and relax in the comfort and shade of mature hardwood forests enjoying snacks and the stunning natural beauty surrounding you.
The mudflats around the Minas Basin during low-tide makes for a truly once in a lifetime opportunity to go “Mudding” as the locals would say. Since Minas Basin is an estuary and forms at the mouth of the Cornwallis River before emptying out into the Bay of Fundy and Atlantic ocean, the mudflats here are some of the most extensive in the world. A mudding festival is held every year in the valley close to Mud Creek where hundreds of people slide down the muddy river banks enjoying the cool mud on their bodies that offers respite, especially, on those hot summer days.
