Visitor guidelines

Fundy National Park

Our protected areas are unique places and require unique rules to protect them.

Laws are designed to protect you, the visitor, and also the Park for enjoyment by future generations. It is your responsibility to be aware of the laws. If you have any questions please contact the Fundy National Park's Visitor information centre.

National Parks are unique places and therefore require unique rules and persons to enforce them. Park Wardens are Federal Peace Officers responsible for the protection of the National Park, and preservation and maintenance of public peace. Their primary responsibility is enforcement of the National Parks Act, however, they also enforce Criminal Code, liquor and highway regulations among others.

Breaking the law in a National Park or National Historic Site can result in consequences including evictions or tickets, or in more serious cases, court appearances and/or large fines.

View the Canada National Parks Act and its regulations.

Activity restrictions

There are a number of outdoor activities that require a permit. Check with the Fundy information centre prior to engagement of non-traditional, unusual or commercial activities.

Aircraft

You cannot take-off or land an aircraft in a national park without a Restricted Activity Permit from Parks Canada, with some exceptions as listed in the National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations. All aircraft must comply with the Canadian Aviation Regulations and National Parks of Canada Aircraft Access Regulations.

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol is only allowed at registered campsites, private residences or on licensed premises. Alcohol is not allowed at beaches, day use areas, cook shelters, or on trails. During certain periods of the year, specific campgrounds may have temporary alcohol bans in effect. These will be identified through notices posted online and at the campgrounds. It is your responsibility to be aware of the rules regarding alcohol consumption.

Area closures and restrictions

Area closures and restrictions are sometimes needed to protect natural or cultural resources or for visitor safety reasons. Closures are enforceable by law. Closure notices will be posted at the trailheads, access points, park offices, and information centres. Information on closures is also available on our Important Bulletins page.

Boating

Use of gas or electric motors on any waterbody in Fundy National Park is not allowed. Any type of inflatable is considered a vessel when it is used for navigating and each occupant/passenger requires a life vest and safety equipment. Drinking and boating is illegal, similar to drinking and driving. Please refer to the Fishing regulations summary for more information.

Camping

Camping is allowed in designated campgrounds only. Camping - including sleeping in a vehicle - in roadside pullouts, trailheads, and day-use areas is not allowed (location of campgrounds in Fundy National Park). The permit holder for the campsite is responsible for the site, including cleanliness, noise levels, and actions of visitors. All campers must adhere to the camping permit conditions.

You can be a good neighbour by respecting the following conditions:

  • Accessing facilities – Please use roadways and pathways to access campground facilities (cook shelters, bathrooms, etc.) and your own campsite. Cutting through a neighbouring campsite will disturb other campers and may cause damage to fragile vegetation
  • Alcohol and cannabis – Alcoholic beverages and cannabis must be confined to and consumed at your registered campsite. Consumption is not authorised in all public spaces such as day use areas, playgrounds, trails and roads, shelters and accommodations.
  • Campfires – Campfires are only permitted in fireplaces provided by the park. Do not collect wood from the forest. Firewood can be purchased at the kiosk.
  • Campsites – Camping is only allowed in designated campsites. All campers and visitors must have a valid Park entrance permit. One sleeping unit and one vehicle per site. A kitchen tent or small tent will also be permitted. Maximum of 5 people per site (exceptions will be made for 2 parents with dependent children up to six people). Checkout time is 11 am. Please vacate your site or re-register by this time.
  • Driving – Respect the posted speed limits and remain alert while driving in the campground. Trees may obstruct your view and pedestrians, especially children, may suddenly dart out onto the road.
  • Garbage – Help keep the park clean by disposing non-recyclable items into marked garbage receptacles
  • Generators – Check at your campground for generator use schedules
  • Noise and park enjoyment – You are not allowed to interfere with others’ quiet enjoyment of the park during any part of the day or night. This includes loud music and shouting in campgrounds or in day use areas.
  • Pack in, Pack out – All backcountry campsites have "Pack In, Pack Out," rules. All garbage (food wrappers, beverage containers, etc.) brought into the site must be carried out.
  • Pets – Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. They must not be left unattended. Please note that pets are not permitted in campgrounds kitchen shelters or washrooms and at the Bennett Lake beach, the swimming pool, and on the golf course.
  • Quiet hours – While excessive noise is not allowed at any time of the day, visitors should be aware that quiet hours are enforced between 11 pm and 7 am in all campgrounds. Please remember, even quiet conversations can carry through a forested area.
    • During quiet hours, music, generators, loud conversation are not allowed
    • Only campsite occupants are allowed on a site after 11 pm
    • Respect other campers and keep noise to a minimum
    • Please remember, even quiet conversations can carry through a forested area. Please report disturbances to park staff
  • Recycling – Bottles and cans (refundable containers) can be recycled in each campground at designated collection containers
  • Vehicles – Vehicles staying overnight must be registered to a campsite. Campsite reservations include parking for one (1) vehicle only. This vehicle can be parked on the campsite.
  • Washing dishes – Use a personal basin for washing dishes on your campsite (not the bathrooms or water taps)
  • Washing laundry – Please use your own tub and dump water down the outdoor sink or toilets
  • Wildlife – Feeding or disturbing wildlife is strictly forbidden. Keep your distance when observing wildlife. Keep your picnic and campsites clean and free of garbage and store food in your vehicle or animal resistant food containers.

Cannabis

Cannabis is legalized and strictly regulated in Canada. It is your responsibility to understand federal and provincial regulations for cannabis use while visiting Fundy National Park.

Where cannabis can be used at Parks Canada places

Alcoholic beverages and cannabis must be confined to and consumed at your registered campsite. Consumption is not authorized in public spaces such as day use areas, playgrounds, trails and roads, shelters and accommodations.

Commercial film and photography permits

To care for these amazing places and ensure visitors’ wishes are fulfilled, filming activities have special considerations. All commercial activity is subject to business licensing and permits. Click here to learn more.

Day-use areas

Day-use areas, such as beaches and picnic sites are not for camping. Liquor and cannabis are not allowed at all day-use areas. Fires are only allowed where designated, metal fire boxes are available and firewood is not provided.

Drones

All Parks Canada places are ‘no drone zones’ for recreational use. If you do not possess a permit or special permission to fly your drone in a Parks Canada place, please leave your drone at home. Learn more about our drone usage rules.

Fires

Bush party sites and random fires pose a serious threat to the park and facilities. Fires are only allowed in proper designated, metal fire boxes. No random fires are allowed in the Park. Do not collect deadfall or cut branches for fires. Use provided firewood only. Never leave a fire unattended. Be sure to put it out before you leave.

Please keep your campfire safe for you and the environment by following these rules:

  • Keep fires small – To reduce their impact on the environment, fires must be contained within the designated metal fire boxes provided and be kept to a reasonable size
  • Use firewood provided – Transporting wood from elsewhere may spread invasive insects and disease. Do not burn garbage or collect deadfall from the surrounding forest for burning
  • Never leave a fire unattended – Fires must be attended at all times
  • BBQs – Charcoal barbeques are permitted. Please dump cold ashes into a fire pit

Backcountry camping – Fires are allowed in areas with designated metal fire boxes only.

Firearms and hunting

In general, firearms and hunting are not allowed in National Parks. Firearms may be transported through National Parks in accordance with the National Parks Wildlife Regulations and the Firearms Act.

No person shall be in possession of a firearm in a park unless the firearm is not loaded and is transported in a case. No person shall carry a firearm or trap outside a vehicle.

*Firearm means any weapon from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged and that is capable of causing injury or death to wildlife and includes anything that can be adapted for use as a firearm and anything that is designed for or capable of being used for the purpose of causing injury or death to wildlife (including: BB gun, pellet gun, archery, sling-shot).

Fireworks

Use of, selling, or purchasing fireworks, or any other type of explosive, is not permitted within a National Park.

Fishing

Fishing in a National Park requires a national park fishing permit. Provincial licences do not apply.

Fishing permits

Anyone under the age of 16 may fish in the national parks without a permit if accompanied by a national park permit holder 16 years of age or older. However, their catch is then included within the permit holder’s daily limit. A national park fishing permit can be purchased at at Bennett Lake and at the park’s Visitor Reception Centre. Permit prices can be found on the location’s fees page. There are specific rules and regulations every angler must adhere to. Visit the current Fishing Regulations Summary.

Garbage and litter

Never litter

Good times in the great outdoors are safer and more rewarding when you Leave No Trace of your visit. A good rule of thumb is to leave “no trace on the place” and “no trace on others’ space”.

Leaving food out in a campsite can attract wildlife. Wildlife is also attracted to non-food items that smell like food including garbage, dishes, pots, coolers and even toiletries. All food and garbage must be stored or disposed of in bear-proof containers.

In the backcountry, all food and garbage must be packed out.

Natural and historic objects

It is illegal to collect plants, mushrooms, berries, animals, animal parts (including antlers), fossils, driftwood, rocks, signs, or any other historic or natural object.

If you believe you have found something significant, leave the item in place and report your finding to the nearest Parks Canada office. Please leave these natural items for others to enjoy.

Motorized vehicles (off-road driving, snowmobiles, ATVs, personal watercraft)

Vehicles must remain on hardened surfaces, paved and gravel roads. The use of ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, or other off-road vehicles is not allowed. Scooters are considered motor vehicles for these purposes and are not allowed on trails or areas closed to motor vehicle traffic.

Parking

Please park only in designated areas and areas where you do not pose a risk to others. If a parking lot is full, find the next closest lot and walk to your destination.

Pedal assist e-bikes

Pedal assist electric bicycles (e-bikes) are allowed on designated bike trails at select national parks.

What does pedal assist mean?

  • Power assistance is only provided when the bicycle is being pedalled.
  • When pedalling stops, the power assistance also stops.

What other specifications does the bike need?

  • The motor can generate a maximum of 500W.
  • Power assistance stops when the bicycle attains a speed of 32 km/h on level ground.

Please note that e-bikes equipped with an accelerator (a throttle) are not pedal assist e-bikes and can only be ridden on roads.

Electrical bikes (e-bikes) used on Parks Canada’s trails need to respect the following definition

  1. has steering handlebars and is equipped with pedals
  2. is designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground
  3. is capable of being propelled by muscular power only
  4. has one or more electric motors which have, singly or in combination, the following characteristics:
    1. it has a total continuous power output rating, measured at the shaft of each motor, of 500 W or less
    2. power assistance immediately ceases when the muscular power ceases
    3. it is incapable of providing further assistance when the bicycle attains a speed of 32 km/h on level ground
  5. is equipped with a safety mechanism that prevents the motor from being engaged before the bicycle attains a speed of 3 km/h

Pets and service animals

  • At all times, pets must be kept on a leash or in suitable confinement.
  • Don’t leave your pet unattended in a vehicle, on your campsite, or anywhere else, during your visit to Fundy National Park. Wildlife, weather, and an unfamiliar environment can be scary or dangerous for your pet.
  • Don’t allow your pet to chase any wild animal - it’s illegal and dangerous.
  • Pets are not allowed in some areas. Look for notices at trailheads and info centres to find out where these restrictions are.
  • Remember to clean up after your pet.
  • Service animals are welcome, in the company of their handlers. Please keep service animals on a leash or harness during your visit.

Please note that pets are not permitted in campgrounds kitchen shelters or washrooms and at the Bennett Lake beach, the swimming pool, and on the golf course.

Smoking and Vaping

Be aware of provincial smoking and vaping regulations regarding distances from buildings, playgrounds, and other facilities.

Cannabis is legalized and strictly regulated in Canada. It is your responsibility to understand federal, provincial, and municipal regulations for cannabis use.

Where cannabis can be used at Parks Canada places

Wildlife

  • You are not allowed to entice, pet or attempt to pet, harass, or feed wild animals in National Parks.
  • Bring your binoculars or a telephoto lens to capture that once-in-a-lifetime photo of a wild animal in its natural environment.
  • Be respectful when photographing wildlife. Animal behaviour is unpredictable.
  • Obstructing traffic is an offence and a hazard to other motorists. Only pull over in designated pullouts for viewing wildlife.

We need your help

If you see something suspicious, do not hesitate, report it. Record the following information and contact Parks Canada Dispatch 24/7 at 1-877-852-3100. You can drop this information off at any Parks Canada office.

  • Date
  • Time occurred
  • Location (road, trail day use area)
  • What happened (offence believe occurred)
  • Licence plate (include province)
  • Vehicle description (make, model, color)
  • Number of persons, age, description (gender, race, hair, height, clothes)
  • Identifying features (dents, stickers)
  • Other notes

Please report any activity such as fishing offences, vehicle off-roading, littering or polluting, removal of artefacts, damage to plants, poaching, feeding and harassment of animals and public liquor use.

Your information and participation contributes to the protection of this special place for all visitors. Your information will remain anonymous. If you are willing to assist further please provide your name, address, and phone number.

Report violations

1-877-852-3100

This is only a summary of some common regulations governing National Parks and has no legal status.

Visit the Canada National Parks Act for a complete list of regulations.

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