Nova Scotia Provincial Parks is opening for the 2026 season starting this Friday, May 15th while other day-use and camping parks open June, 5th.
Friday, May 15:
Blomidon – Canning, Kings County
Cape Chignecto – Advocate Harbour, Cumberland County
Ellenwood Lake – Deerfield, Yarmouth County
Graves Island – East Chester, Lunenburg County
Porters Lake – Porters Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality
Rissers Beach – Petite Rivière, Lunenburg County
Thomas Raddall – Port Joli, Queens County
Friday, May 29:
Mira River – Albert Bridge, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Friday, June 5:
Amherst Shore – Amherst Shore, Cumberland County
Battery – St. Peters, Richmond County
Boylston – Boylston, Guysborough County
Caribou-Munroes Island – Caribou, Pictou County
Dollar Lake – Wyses Corner, Halifax Regional Municipality
Five Islands – Five Islands, Colchester County
Laurie – Grand Lake, Halifax Regional Municipality
Salsman – Country Harbour, Guysborough County
Smileys – Brooklyn, Hants County
The Islands – Shelburne, Shelburne County
Valleyview – Bridgetown, Annapolis County
Whycocomagh – Whycocomagh, Inverness County
“Our provincial parks allow Nova Scotians and visitors from around the world to get outside and enjoy the beautiful nature that defines our province. We’re making a number of improvements to modernize amenities and accessibility this year, so even more people will be able to enjoy the amazing natural spaces Nova Scotia has to offer.”
The 2026-27 provincial budget includes $9.5 million for improving campsites, updating washrooms and upgrading roads, parking lots and trails. Visitors will see improved amenities and services at parks including Blomidon, Dollar Lake and Martinque Beach.
Park visitors are reminded to be vigilant about wildfire prevention. Campfires and smoking are not allowed in day-use parks or at beaches at any time, and people at provincial camping parks and other campgrounds must follow daily provincial burn restrictions. That means campfires are only permitted after 2 p.m. and before 8 a.m. when the Province’s BurnSafe map is green, or between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. when the map is yellow – the same as campfires in people’s backyards. If the map is red, campfires are not allowed. A $25,000 fine applies to violations of the daily burn restrictions.
Devices such as gas stoves and charcoal briquette barbeques can be used any time, following manufacturers’ instructions.
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