Kouchibouguac National Park

Interpretation programs

Several interpretation programs are offered by the staff of Kouchibouguac National Park. Consult the list below to discover this exciting offer.

Lagoon Life

Participate in a unique activity where the whole family will discover what’s lurking beneath the waters of the sheltered, salt-water lagoon. You might catch a crab, sticklebacks, sand shrimps, moonsnails and more for observation before gently putting them back in their habitat. You will learn some of their secrets.

Meet us at the large white tent near Kellys Beach canteen.

• English presentation

• Every Saturday
• 2:30 pm to 4 pm

• French presentation

• Every Sunday
• 2:30 pm to 4 pm

Citizen science activity

Participatory activity to identify and count the marine organisms of the estuary. The data collected will be used by the Resource Conservation Team.

Bilingual presentation

• Every Monday
• 2:30 pm to 4 pm

Step-on guide services

Motorcoach groups, organized groups or families may request a park interpreter for a better understanding of their tour to a specific trail or facility of their choice.

Make your reservation at least 3 days in advance by calling 506‑876‑2443. Available on certain days only.

There is a fee for this service.

Voyageur canoe adventure

Kouchibouguac’s Voyageur Canoe Experience merges an active wildlife adventure with an intriguing cultural exploration. With an experienced guide at the helm, you’ll paddle calm estuarine waters in a replica Voyageur Canoe.

Ospreys, bald eagles and terns circle overhead as your interpreter illuminates the region’s Mi’gmaq and Acadian heritage, weaving historical facts and traditional folklore. You and your fellow paddlers are now connected to this culture, plying the same waters as First Nations and early settlers. Ahead, a 25-kilometre-long stretch of golden sand dunes punctuates the inshore region.

As you approach the sandbanks, a strange sound permeates the air—it is a bustling, barking colony of grey seals, perhaps numbering in the hundreds. These impressive marine mammals—as large as 450 kilograms and, at times, more than two metres long—bob, bask and frolic a short distance from your canoe. Your photographs are incredible; your memories even better.

Cancellation Policy

The Voyageur Canoe outing is subject to many environmental factors such as thunderstorms, wind velocity and other severe weather conditions.

We do not cancel the outing because of showers or light rain. If the weather forecasts more than 20 mm of rain in the morning, we could cancel the outing.

When the wind velocity is fewer than 20 knots (38 km/h), the regular outing will be offered. When the wind velocity is between 20 and 35 knots (38 to 64 km/h), a shorter outing of approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes will be offered along a sheltered route. This outing will be given up-river and will contain 75% of the original outing information. For this outing, participants will be refunded 50% of the total payment.

When wind velocity is more than 35 knots (64 km/h) or if the forecast predicts thunderstorms, no outing will be offered and participants will be refunded the full amount.

The final decision, whether there will be an outing or not, will be taken at Cape Saint-Louis Wharf on the morning of the activity. However it’s possible that this decision is known the previous evening, especially when the forecast is severe (heavy winds or thunderstorms).

Live shows

Kouchibouguac National Parks invite you to a family friendly live performance full of songs, stories and dancing. Join us for an entertaining and engaging experience and discover the history of this captivating place.

Campfire

Sementay is waiting for you with her violin to present: Kouchibouguac over time. She will highlight the evening with stories and songs. Sit back, clap your hands and enjoy the evening’s campfire. Bring your insect repellent!

The campfire circle is located along the bicycle trail between Ryans and Kellys.

French presentation

• Every Thursday
• 8 pm - From the end of June to the end of July
• 7 pm - During the month of August

Wigwam gathering

Connect with a Mi’gmaq First Nations interpreter and be whisked away on an immersive experience as centuries-old Aboriginal culture is brought to life.

Set in Kouchibouguac’s Big Wigwam, overlooking Callanders Beach, you’ll be enthralled by the deep roots of the Mi’gmaq people—unveiled through historical stories, entertaining folklore, traditional regalia and deep spirituality. Follow the footwork of an elaborate dance and get hands-on with replica artefacts and actual animal pelts.

Before you depart to explore the park—now with deeper context and understanding—your host will lead you through the process of creating a friendship bracelet, adornment of the Mi’gmaq people, to wear on your travels. Let this heritage guide you—Kouchibouguac’s human story intertwines with every dive-bombing osprey, every prancing deer and every starry night.

Meet us at the Wigwam at Callanders Beach.

• Bilingual presentation

• Every Sunday
• 10 am to 11:30 am

• English presentation

• Every Tuesday
• 10 am to 11:30 am

Legends of the night

Meet at the Wigwam, near the entrance of the Mi’gmaq Cedar Trail at Callanders Beach to listen to your favourite legends and to learn more! Join us in the light of day to hear the Legends of the Night.

English presentation

• Every Monday
• 8 pm - During the month of July
• 7 pm - During the month of August

Outdoor theatre

Enjoy various amusing sketches, skits or stories followed by an audio-visual presentation that highlights the park’s special places. The outdoor theatre is located between South Kouchibouguac campground and Ryans.

Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and some insect repellent.

French presentation

• Every Saturday
• 8 pm to 9 pm

Geocaching

Geocaching is a fun and rewarding outdoor adventure that combines hiking and treasure hunting. The goal is to find hidden containers known as caches or geocaches using a portable satellite navigation device called a GPS receiver. Those who practice this activity are called cachers or geocachers.

Geocaching is a great family activity that provides excitement, exercise, and fresh air. The caches take you on adventures to different sites and scenic vistas throughout the park and weave in stories about its natural and cultural history.

Kouchibouguac National Park would like to express its appreciation for the work of its partner, Cache Up NB, for bringing you a fine geocaching experience.

To participate

• Go to Cache Up NB's website and print this year’s Kouchibouguac geocaching passport - this gives you the coordinates you will need to find the caches hidden in the park
• Bring along a GPS device or smart phone
• Find each cache in the park (please stay on the trails) - the caches are little plastic boxes
• Read the cache information, and punch the passport with the tool provided
• Return the cache where you found it
• Bring your completed passport to the Visitor Centre to receive your Parks Canada geocoin (a limited number is available)

Useful Links

• Visitor Activity Guidelines
• Geocaching.com

Parks Canada Xplorers

Are your children curious, bright, and active? Do they like challenges? Are they budding artists, dreamers or promising journalists? Then they are a perfect candidate to become a Parks Canada Xplorer.

When you arrive at a participating national park, national historic site or national marine conservation area, your children will receive an Xplorers booklet filled with fun activities that will guide your discovery of each unique place you are visiting.

When the kids have completed the requested number of activities they will be recognized as an official Xplorer with a certificate and a special collectible souvenir!

Collect them all by checking out some of the other Parks Canada sites pleased to launch this program.