Prince Edward Island National Park
Location: Green Gables Shore
Park Type: Campground
Supervised Beach: Yes
Discover extensive walking trails, boardwalks and a paved multi-use trail for cycling. Meander across floating boardwalks and along field edges and hedgerows, through varied coastal terrain, from saltwater marsh to Acadian forest. Marvel at the spectacular vistas and varied species of birds and wildlife.
The National Park is renowned for its beaches. The beautiful dunes are protected areas that are critical to ecosystem health. Dune grass, that holds dunes in place, is sensitive to trampling; only walk in designated areas. Beaches are also nesting areas for the endangered Piping Plover; pets are not permitted in summer.
Home to Anne of Green Gables, Prince Edward Island National Park houses Green Gables and the national historic site, Dalvay by the Sea located at Dalvay Lake. Be sure to go for a walk along the boardwalk taking you across the marshland to the sand dunes.
With other hiking trails, and a very long sandy beach, this is the perfect stop on a PEI road trip. Get more information: Things to do in Prince Edward Island (PEI)
Location: Prince Edward Island (PEI) – 30 minutes north of Charlottetown.
Size: 27 sq. Km
Plan your visit to Prince Edward Island National Park
Located on Prince Edward Island’s north shore, PEI National Park is easily accessible by car and only 24 kilometres from the provincial capital of Charlottetown. The park is divided into three regions (Cavendish-North Rustico, Brackley-Dalvay, and Greenwich), which are separated by bays and not directly connected by highways.
Get in Prince Edward Island National Park
Provincial Highway 15 runs north from Charlottetown to Highway 6, the main east–west road which runs near the southern edge of the park.
Get around Prince Edward Island National Park
There is a drivable scenic road, the Gulf Shore Parkway West, on the Cavendish waterfront in the western half of the park. Route 15 meets the eastern Gulf Shore Parkway and follows the waterfront eastward through the eastern half of the park.
As much of the park is a narrow strip of waterfront, it is split in two by bays near Rustico. Route 6, as the main east–west road, joins the severed pieces of parkland.
There are an assortment of cycling and hiking trails, some of which provide a fine view of the ocean.
Buy
There’s little or nothing in the park. A handful of tourist-oriented businesses operate seasonally outside the park limits along Route 6, the main road through Cavendish and the surrounding communities, but selection is limited.
Eat
There are six picnic areas in the park; some are equipped with washrooms and kitchen shelters.
Stanhope Beach, Stanhope Cape, Cape Turner and Cavendish East picnic areas are open mid-June to mid-September. Cavendish Grove picnic area is open mid-May to end-September. Dalvay Trail House is open from mid-May to Thanksgiving. Information is available from the park office at +1 902-672-6350.
Drink
There is a liquor store in North Rustico; Sandbox Pub & Eatery.
Park management may restrict campers from bringing alcoholic beverages into park camp sites at certain times, such as during the music festival.
Cannabis usage within the park is allowed, however it is restricted to the visitor’s personal campsite. Smoking Cannabis on the beaches is not allowed. If you so choose to consume Cannabis on the beach despite the rules, please be considerate of families present on the beach and remove yourself from proximity to children. If you have any questions, please refer to Parks Canada’s guide to cannabis consumption within National Parks.
Sleep
These accommodations are part of PEI National Park. See Cavendish (Prince Edward Island), North Rustico-New Glasgow, and Brackley Beach-Stanhope for additional lodging outside the park.
Lodging
1 Dalvay-by-the-Sea (Dalvay-by-the-Sea National Historic Site), 16 Cottage Crescent, Dalvay, ☏ +1 902-672-2048, toll-free: +1-888-366-2955. Elaborate summer house in the Queen Anne Revival style. A historic Victorian era mansion operated as an inn with restaurant and event space, twenty-five bedrooms with four-piece en suite bath, wi-fi but no TV or radio. Eight one or two-bedroom cottages are nearby. edit
Camping
There are two campgrounds in the park:
2 Cavendish Campground, 357 Graham’s Lane, Cavendish, toll-free: +1-877-RESERVE (7373783). 200 camp sites, exclusive supervised white sand beach, showers, flush toilets, laundry, kitchen shelters. Campfires permitted on selected sites. On 8-km (five-mile) Homestead Trail for hiking and cycling. $27.40-35.30/night plus park admission ($22-28 in shoulder season). edit
3 Stanhope Campground, 983 Gulf Shore Parkway, Stanhope, toll-free: +1-877-RESERVE (7373783). Camp with over 100 sites on Gulf Shore Way, a 10km multi-use trail for cycling, inline skating or walking. Hot showers, flush toilets, laundry and kitchen shelters; within walking distance of Stanhope Beach. =$27.40-35.30/night plus park admission ($22-28 in shoulder season). edit
oTENTiks (tents on platforms with beds, water and electricity), are available at Cavendish and Stanhope (sleeps up to 6) $120.00/night
Stay safe
Jumping from Covehead Bridge is prohibited and dangerous. The gulf is prone to rip currents or rip tides which can pull a swimmer away from shore. Swimmers are encouraged to use supervised swimming areas.
Pets are prohibited on national park beaches from April 1 – October 15 but are still allowed on leash in camping areas, picnic areas and along park trails.
Although winter usage of the park is allowed, Parks Canada would like to remind potential off-season visitors that facilities are closed and park maintenance is restricted to snowplowing on the scenic drives. Parks Canada holds no responsibility for any injuries sustained within the park during this time of year and advises visitors to be extremely cautious when accessing the beach. During the winter time, sea ice piles up on the shore and makes walking along the beach very hazardous.
