Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Cape Breton Highlands National Park of Canada

Camping

Camping is one of the best ways to truly experience and appreciate Cape Breton Highlands National Park on the Cabot Trail!

Camping is available from mid-May to mid-October.

There are six front country, one backcountry and one group campground to choose from, each unique in its own way. Visitors who camp for seven or more consecutive nights will receive a 15% discount.

Map - Camping

Front Country Camping
Backcountry Camping
- Fishing Cove
Group Camping
- Robert Brook

Campground Host Program

Front Country Camping

Aerial view of Chéticamp Campground
© Parks Canada / I. Harte

Chéticamp

The Chéticamp Campground is located in the Rigouèche Valley, approximately 8 km north of the village of Chéticamp, with the mountains on one side and the river on the other. Chéticamp Campground has a lot to offer: 76 unserviced sites (65 with fireplaces); 14 electrical sites with fireplaces; 24 sites with 3-way hookups (14 with fireplaces); wheelchair-accessible sites and washrooms. There are both wooded and open sites, hot showers, playgrounds and kitchen shelters with wood stoves. Firewood is available for purchase, but campfires are only permitted in the designated fireplaces.

The kiosk is staffed from late June to early September. During the shoulder season, you can pay at the nearby Visitor Centre or by self-registration if the centre is closed. Within walking distance, you will find the outdoor theatre featuring evening nature programs and concerts, the Visitor Centre with exhibits, slide show and nature bookstore as well as hiking trails.

Corney Brook Campground

Corney Brook

Located 15 km from Chéticamp, Corney Brook is a very small, oceanside campground with 20 unserviced sites. There are fireplaces and one washroom building with flush toilets, but there is no potable water on site. There is ocean swimming and hiking nearby. Payment is by self-registration.

Kitchen shelter at MacIntosh Brook Campground

MacIntosh Brook

Located in the Grande Anse Valley, 5 km from Pleasant Bay, MacIntosh Brook Campground is a small, open area nestled at the base of the mountains. It has only 10 unserviced sites, a large kitchen shelter, playground, flush toilets and a hiking trail. Payment is by self-registration.

Big Intervale Campground

Big Intervale

Located at the base of North Mountain 10 km from Cape North, Big Intervale is a small campground on the Aspy River. It has 10 unserviced sites, pit privies and a hiking trail. There is no potable water on site. Payment is by self-registration.

Aerial view of Broad Cove Campground
© Parks Canada / I. Harte

Broad Cove

Located adjacent to Ingonish, Broad Cove is a large, wooded and open campground on the Atlantic coastline. It has 111 unserviced sites (58 with fireplaces); 83 sites with 3-way hook-up (49 with fireplaces); wheelchair-accessible sites and washrooms. There are hot showers, kitchen shelters with wood stoves, group fireplaces, playgrounds and swimming – it's only a short walk to the ocean at the end of the campground. Hiking trails are located nearby. Firewood is available for purchase, but campfires are only permitted in the designated fireplaces. The outdoor theatre offers evening nature programs and concerts. The kiosk is staffed from late June to early September. During the shoulder season you can pay by self-registration or at the Ingonish Visitor Centre.

Ingonish

Located in Ingonish Beach, this campground is a large, open campground with 50 unserviced sites (18 with fireplaces). There are showers, kitchen shelters with wood stoves, communal fireplaces and a playground. It is a 10-minute walk to ocean or freshwater lake swimming. There is a wheelchair-accessible washroom. Firewood is available for purchase, but campfires are only permitted in the designated fireplaces. The kiosk is staffed from late June until late August. Hiking trails and the Highlands Links golf course are nearby.

Backcountry Camping

There is only one designated “wilderness” camping area in the park: Fishing Cove. To camp anywhere else in the backcountry, you must check with park wardens; they are the only staff authorized to issue permits for camping in the park outside of a designated area.

Fishing Cove Backcountry Camping

Fishing Cove

The Fishing Cove backcountry camping area is an 8 km (5 mi) hike down to the rugged coastline cradled at the base of MacKenzie Mountain. A grassy hillside, a cobblestone beach and a river compliment this camping spot. Campers are required to register for a backcountry permit at either the Chéticamp or Ingonish Information Centres, bring a camp stove (no open fires allowed), pack out all garbage (no garbage receptacles) and bring their own drinking water. Potable water is not available on site. A 4 km (2.5 mi) return trail is also available.

Group Camping

Robert Brook Group Campground

Robert Brook

Robert Brook Group Campground is located adjacent to Chéticamp Campground.
It consists of large grassy tenting areas, a kitchen shelter, a washroom/shower building and a fire circle. Reservations required.

Campground Reservations

Reservations are accepted at Chéticamp Campground and Broad Cove Campgrounds. All other campgrounds assign sites on a first come – first served basis. (Note: Group sites can be reserved by calling 902-224-2306.)

The National Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service is available between April 16 and September 2, 2013, and the campgrounds are open between May 17 and October 15 (at noon), 2013.

To reserve a campsite in the Chéticamp Campground or Broad Cove Campground, please visit the 24-hour Internet service or dial toll free (within North America) 1-877-737-3783 (1-877-RESERVE), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time. If you are calling from outside North America, dial 1-519-826-5391 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. AST).

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this service, please call or email us.

Campground Host Program

People from around the world visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park to relax, experience the great outdoors and learn about our natural heritage. You can join them by volunteering as a host at one of our campgrounds.

Campground hosts greet visitors and provide them with information. They volunteer for four weeks, 5 days per week (including weekends). In return, hosts have free entry to the park for a year, a free campsite while they volunteer and many other benefits.

Campground hosts must provide their own self-contained camping unit (RV, truck camper or tent trailer). For more information, contact us via email or call 902-224-2306.