Looking for outdoor things to do in Nova Scotia? The Northumberland Shore offers plenty of ways to get outside in every season. Explore sandy beaches and warm coastal waters, hiking and cycling trails, provincial parks, scenic look-offs, ski hills, and outdoor recreation areas along the Sunrise Trail.
Whether you’re planning a summer beach day, a fall hike, or a winter adventure, there are experiences for every pace — from an easy walk with a coastal view to something a little more adventurous.
Featured Outdoor Experiences
Beaches, Parks & Outdoor Places to Explore
From sandy beaches and coastal parks to forest trails and scenic look-offs, there are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors along Nova Scotia’s Northumberland Shore. Here are a few places to add to your itinerary.
Beaches & Coastal Parks
Amherst Shore
Set along the Northumberland Strait, Amherst Shore Provincial Park combines a red sand and cobble beach with wooded hiking trails and a campground. The shore is known for its warm saltwater, making it a great place for swimming, walking, camping, and exploring the coast.
Bayfield Beach
Located on St. George’s Bay near Antigonish, Bayfield Beach is a sand-and-pebble beach with beautiful coastal views and easy access to the water. It’s a lovely stop for a swim, beach walk, or relaxing afternoon by the shore.
Blue Sea Beach
Blue Sea Beach features a wide sandy beach and dune system along the Northumberland Strait. At low tide, long sand flats are exposed, offering plenty of room for walking, wading, and enjoying a day by the water.
Caribou-Munroes Island
Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park offers a long sandy beach and warm saltwater swimming along the Northumberland Strait. With camping and plenty of natural surroundings, it’s an inviting spot for a beach day or a longer outdoor getaway near Pictou.
Fox Harbour
Tucked along the shore near Wallace, Fox Harbour Provincial Park features a sandy beach and warm coastal water. It’s a simple, peaceful place to stop for a swim, beach walk, or quiet time by the water.
Melmerby Beach
One of Nova Scotia’s popular Northumberland Shore beaches, Melmerby Beach features approximately two kilometres of sandy shoreline with plenty of room for swimming, walking, paddling, and enjoying a summer day by the water.
Rushtons Beach
Rushtons Beach is known for the warm saltwater of the Northumberland Strait, broad sandbars that appear at low tide, and a nearby salt marsh that attracts a variety of birds. It’s a beautiful spot for swimming, walking, and exploring the shoreline.
Trails, Parks & Scenic Look-offs
Arisaig
Arisaig Provincial Park combines coastal scenery with fascinating geology and fossils. A 1.5-kilometre walking trail winds through the forest to the shore, while the park can also be explored by snowshoe or cross-country skis in winter.
Balmoral Mills
Located beside the Balmoral Grist Mill Museum, this quiet provincial park offers a peaceful setting for a picnic or leisurely stroll. It makes an easy outdoor stop while exploring the Balmoral Mills area.
Beaver Mountain
Beaver Mountain Provincial Park offers expansive views across Antigonish County and toward Cape Breton Island. Its approximately six-kilometre trail system includes both paved walkways and more challenging unpaved terrain, with opportunities for walking and hiking as well as winter recreation.
Greenhill
Green Hill Provincial Park is a scenic look-off offering sweeping views over the surrounding farmland. Located east of West River, it’s an easy stop for taking in the landscape and enjoying one of the area’s elevated viewpoints.
Find more information on these parks and more at https://parks.novascotia.ca/parks/northumberland/all
