Are you visiting Canada’s East Coast this summer? You won’t want to miss Hopewell Rocks in beautiful New Brunswick! As one of the top natural attractions around, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park offers a spectacular family-friendly adventure on the Bay of Fundy. Remember to check the tides before heading out. Low-tide is the best time to walk along the sea floor!
I have spent several years living in and exploring the Maritime provinces, including various day trips and multi-day excursions. This summer, I decided to spend more time on the East Coast and it’s been fantastic so far! I revisited one of the most popular attractions around this past week. Have you heard about Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick? I was able to bring my sister, Sarah, along for her first-ever visit to the park. No matter if you’re coming from away or somewhere close by, Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is a worthwhile summer outing. Try arriving during the week or early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
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Hopewell Rocks Low-Tide Trail Map (New Brunswick)
You can download the park map before arriving.
About Hopewell Rocks
Location: Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park, Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick
Distance: 4 km out and back
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 100 metre elevation gain
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours
Family-Friendly: Yes, but not stroller-friendly.
Dog-friendly: Yes, but pets must remain on leash. Leashes cannot exceed 3 metres (10 feet) in length.
Features: Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is a spectacular natural attraction and a family-friendly outing. Visitors can walk along the Bay of Fundy’s ocean floor to experience more than 20 sandstone and boulder structures towering above, known as sea stacks or flowerpots.
How To Get To to Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
If you’re driving from Moncton, head southeast on Route 114 along the scenic route through rural New Brunswick. Once you’re on route, it’s pretty much a straight shot through the communities of Lower Coverdale, Hillsborough, and Hopewell Cape. As you drive, you will find signs directing you toward Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park. Depending on your starting point, the trip should take between 45 minutes to an hour.
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Hopewell Rocks — A Must-See Natural Attraction in New Brunswick
It had been several years since my last visit to Hopewell Rocks. Honestly, I’m not sure I had ever walked the entire beach before. So I invited my sister along and we spent a few hours exploring this spectacular place. Before leaving Moncton, I bought our parking pass online which can be used for two days. Purchasing online made arrival a tad smoother but you can also pay at the entrance. We made our way to the gift shop and washroom area (I had too much Zevia on the way…) and then we were ready to go!
It’s a short 15-minute walk down to the beach. If needed, you can arrange a shuttle to the stairs. To get down to the sea floor, visitors must climb down (and back up) a large metal staircase. If mobility is an issue, you can still enjoy several viewpoints without going down to the beach. I was impressed by the accessible trail infrastructure. Sarah and I arrived mid-morning and had plenty of low-tide time to explore the structures on the beach. As the famous Bay of Fundy tides go down, the rock formations become fully exposed. Parks NB has installed signage and employs staff to guide visitors and protect the natural environment.
Note: Due to the sensitive nature of the mudflats, visitors are prohibited from walking down to the water at low tide. Please respect the natural environment.
What to Bring for Visiting Hopewell Rocks
I suggest sturdy sandals or trail runners for this walk. It’s not a bad idea to bring a day pack with a few essentials like a water bottle and a few snacks. Don’t forget sunglasses and even sunscreen if you visit on a sunny day. If you want to stay dry, bring a rain jacket as well (this is New Brunswick, after all!). The Hopewell Rocks trail is very well-maintained and signed. You won’t have any trouble finding your way here.
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Know Before You Go
Park Pass: Visitors must purchase an entry pass valid for two consecutive days. This means you have the flexibility to see both high and low tides. You can purchase your pass online or pay at the entrance.
Parking: Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park has plenty of paved parking. Arrive early or during the week to avoid crowds during the peak summer months.
Tides: Check the tide chart before heading out. Most visitors want to experience Hopewell Rocks at low tide to walk among the rock formations.
Toilets: Flush toilets are available in the interpretive centre. Outhouse toilets are also available.
Garbage: If you pack it in, please pack it out. You will find garbage bins near the trail. Spend some time learning about Leave No Trace before heading out if you’re unfamiliar.
Family-Friendly: Hopewell Rocks is a great family-friendly adventure. The main trail is stroller-friendly until reaching the metal staircase.
Footwear: Sturdy and supportive footwear is recommended. I would not suggest barefeet on this rugged and rough beach (the rocks are sharp… speaking from experience).
Have you visited Hopewell Rocks in New Brunswick? How was your experience? Leave a comment below!
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Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
