Five Islands Provincial Park: Cliffs, Tides & Camping
Ninety-metre red sandstone cliffs over the Minas Basin, five offshore islands from a Glooscap legend, the Old Wife sea stack, Red Head and Economy Mountain trails, and 92 campsites on the world's highest tides - the complete park guide.
Five Islands Provincial Park is a 1,000-hectare Nova Scotia provincial park on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy's Minas Basin, named for the five offshore islands - Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg, and Pinnacle - that rise from the water right off the red sandstone coast. The park's signature feature is the 90-metre cliff-top lookoff over the Old Wife sea stack and the islands, one of the best places on Earth to watch the world's highest tides race in and out from above. Inside the gates you'll find three marked trails, 92 campsites, a tidal beach, and direct access to the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark shoreline. This guide covers the geology, the trails, 2026 camping fees and season, tide safety, and a Parrsboro-and-Burntcoat Head day-trip loop. Day use is free - there is no vehicle entry fee, unlike Canada's national parks.
In This Guide
Park Overview
A 1,000-hectare park on the Minas Basin's north shore - the Bay of Fundy's most dramatic cliff-and-island viewpoint.
Five Islands Provincial Park sits on Route 2 (the Glooscap Trail) in Colchester County, roughly 1 hour 45 minutes from Halifax and 40 minutes from Parrsboro. The park's red sandstone cliffs - some of the tallest on the Minas Basin - drop 90 metres to a tidal beach, and from the cliff-top lookoff you can see all five namesake islands, the Old Wife sea stack, and straight across the basin to Cape Split. The park combines a saltwater tidal beach, three hiking trails, and a 92-site campground, making it one of the few Bay of Fundy destinations where you can wake up on the cliff edge and walk the ocean floor before breakfast. It is a signature stop inside the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Address | 618 Bentley Branch Road (Hwy 2), Five Islands, NS B0M 1K0 |
| Phone | (902) 254-2980 |
| Website | parks.novascotia.ca/park/five-islands |
| Park size | 1,000 hectares (2,470 acres) |
| Region | Colchester County, Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy |
| Day-use fee | Free - no vehicle or entry fee |
| Camping season 2026 | June 5 to October 12 |
| Campsites | 92 campsites (46 unserviced, 36 serviced, 10 walk-in) + 1 group site |
The Five Islands & the Old Wife
Two hundred million years of geology and a Mi'kmaw origin story, anchored by a single sea stack.
The park takes its name from five offshore islands rising from the Minas Basin in a chain - Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg, and Pinnacle - each with its own character and legends rooted in Mi'kmaq folklore. (For the full Glooscap cultural context, the Mi'kmaq Cultural Experiences guide covers the Millbrook Cultural & Heritage Centre near Truro, the Glooscap Heritage Centre, and the wider Glooscap Trail.) At low tide the ocean floor drops out from beneath the islands and you can sometimes walk toward them across the exposed seabed; at high tide they look like a string of ships at anchor.
Triassic red sandstone
The cliffs and islands expose late-Triassic rocks roughly 200 million years old - laid down as the supercontinent Pangea began to rift apart and the Atlantic Ocean was born. The same formation holds some of Canada's oldest dinosaur footprints.
The Old Wife
The Old Wife is a sea stack at the foot of the park's main cliff, best viewed from the Coastal Trail lookoff 90 metres above. Old Wife Point is the cliff-top viewpoint itself - the single most photographed spot in the park.
200-million-year-old fossils
At nearby Wasson Bluff, geologists have found Canada's oldest dinosaur footprints along with fossil fish and early reptile bones from the dawn of the age of dinosaurs. Five Islands sits inside the geopark that protects this coastline.
Mi'kmaw heritage
The islands and the Old Wife are tied to Glooscap legends in Mi'kmaq folklore. The Mi'kmaq have lived along these shores for millennia - the Millbrook and Glooscap Heritage Centres tell the full story.
UNESCO Geopark
Five Islands is a flagship stop in the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark - 165 km of shoreline telling 300 million years of Earth history.
Best photo angle
The cliff-top lookoff captures the Old Wife, all five islands, and Cape Split across the basin in one frame - especially dramatic at sunrise or when the tide is mid-transition.
Hiking Trails
Three trails - one short cliff-edge must-do, one panorama loop, and one strenuous climb.
| Trail | Distance | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Trail | Short walk (lookoff) | The signature view - 90 m cliff-top lookoff over the Old Wife sea stack, all five islands, and Cape Split across the basin |
| Red Head Trail | 2.2 km loop | Renewed in 2012; the four best viewpoints of the islands and the Minas Basin, through Acadian forest to a headland |
| Economy Mountain Trail | 3.8 km one way | The strenuous option on the west side of Economy Mountain - a 360-degree view over Five Islands, Cobequid Bay, and beyond |
The Coastal Trail to the cliff-top lookoff is the one walk every visitor should do - it is short, accessible to most fitness levels, and delivers the postcard view of the Old Wife and the islands. The Red Head Trail (2.2 km loop, renewed in 2012) is the sweet spot if you want a proper hike with four of the best viewpoints in the park. The Economy Mountain Trail (3.8 km one way) is the choice for serious hikers - there are roughly 5.2 km of tracked trails on the west side of Economy Mountain in total, also used for skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Check current trail conditions at the park office before setting out, as coastal trails can wash out after storms.
Bay of Fundy Tides & Tidal Flats
The world's highest tides, measured a short sail from these cliffs - and a beach that empties and fills twice a day.
The Minas Basin holds the Guinness World Record for the highest tides on Earth - up to 16.3 metres (53.5 feet) recorded at Burntcoat Head, directly across the water from Five Islands. At the park's beach the tide drops dramatically twice a day, exposing red mud flats, tidal pools, and a strand you can walk for hundreds of metres. Roughly 160 billion tonnes of water flows in and out of the Bay of Fundy every six hours and 13 minutes, and from the Coastal Trail lookoff you can watch it happen in fast-forward. Plan your visit around the tide table, not the clock - the flats are at their best two hours either side of low tide, and high tide shifts about 50 minutes later each day. For tide times and the full coastal picture, see the complete Bay of Fundy guide.
World-record tides
Up to 16.3 m (53.5 ft) at Burntcoat Head across the basin - the highest tides on the planet, confirmed by Guinness World Records.
Walk the flats
At low tide the beach extends hundreds of metres toward the islands. Wear sturdy washable footwear - the mud and cobble are slick and uneven.
Rip current warning
The tidal beach is unsupervised and rip currents are possible. Swimming is at your own risk - stay close to shore and never swim alone.
Never get cut off
The tide returns fast. Never round a headland as the water is rising, and keep the cliff access in sight. Allow twice the time you think you need to get back.
Spring tides are biggest
The most dramatic empty-and-fill happens right after full and new moons. For the best show, visit within two days of a spring tide.
Two cycles a day
Two high and two low tides occur roughly every 25 hours - so you almost always get a walkable low tide somewhere in the daylight window.
Camping - 2026 Fees & Season
92 sites on a cliff-and-forest edge over the Minas Basin, open June 5 to October 12, 2026.
Camping at Five Islands runs June 5 to October 12, 2026, with 92 campsites across open and wooded loops: 46 unserviced, 36 serviced (30 amp electrical + water, 17 of them pull-through), and 10 walk-in (3 wooded, 7 open), plus 1 group campsite. (Note: sites 44, 69, and 71 are closed.) Reservations open through the province-wide system at novascotia.goingtocamp.com - book early for July and August weekends and the September fall-color stretch, when the park fills fast.
| Site type | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Unserviced (open + wooded) | $26.50 / night | 46 sites - tent and RV, no hookups |
| Serviced (30 amp + water) | $35.30 / night | 36 sites, 17 pull-through |
| Walk-in | $26.50 / night | 10 sites (3 wooded, 7 open) - tents only |
| Group site | By reservation | 1 site - contact the park |
| Reservation fee | $8.95 | Per booking, via goingtocamp.com |
| Cancel / change fee | $6.95 | Per change |
| Additional vehicle | $8.25 / night | Beyond one vehicle per site |
| Senior (65+) / Veteran | -$2.35 / night | Discount on the site rate |
| Firewood | $5.00 / bundle | Ice $2.50 / bag - both at the park office |
Day-Use & Facilities
Free entry, a tidal beach, and full facilities - the easiest way to see the park without staying overnight.
Day use at Five Islands is free - Nova Scotia provincial parks do not charge a vehicle or day-use entry fee, unlike the national parks. You can drive in, park, walk the Coastal Trail to the cliff lookoff, hike Red Head or Economy Mountain, picnic, and walk the tidal beach without paying anything. Facilities include restrooms with showers, vault toilets, drinking water, a dishwashing station, and a trailer dump; firewood and ice are sold at the park office. The park office, restrooms with showers, and some routes are accessible features.
Free entry
No vehicle or day-use fee at any Nova Scotia provincial park. You only pay to camp overnight.
Tidal beach
Unsupervised saltwater swimming. Rip currents are possible - swim with caution, never alone, and mind the incoming tide.
Facilities
Restrooms with showers, vault toilets, drinking water, dishwashing station, trailer dump, firewood and ice at the office.
Accessibility
The park office, restrooms with showers, and some routes are accessible. The cliff lookoff is a short, mostly level walk.
Picnicking
Picnic tables and grass areas make a natural lunch stop between the cliff lookoff and the beach. Pack out everything.
Playground (2026)
The playground is under construction this season - confirm current status with the park office before counting on it.
A Five Islands + Parrsboro + Burntcoat Head Day Trip
The Minas Basin is compact - you can pair Five Islands with fossils and the world-record tide in a single loop.
Half-day: cliffs & islands
Arrive at Five Islands for the cliff-top lookoff (Coastal Trail) and the 2.2 km Red Head Trail, timed so low tide falls mid-visit so you can walk the flats. Coffee and a picnic at the park. Allow 3-4 hours.
Full day: add Parrsboro
Drive 40 minutes west to Parrsboro for the Fundy Geological Museum (dinosaur fossils, minerals), the Ottawa House Museum, harbour galleries, and lunch. Loop home via the Glooscap Trail shore road.
Full day: add Burntcoat Head
For the world-record tide, pair Five Islands with Burntcoat Head Park across the basin - walk the ocean floor at low tide, then time the cliff lookoff at Five Islands for the flood tide. About 1.5 hours between them.
Weekend: camp & explore
Book a serviced site at Five Islands for the night. Day 1: park trails and beach. Day 2: Parrsboro and the Cliffs of Fundy Geopark shoreline. See Where to Stay for backup lodging.
From Halifax
Roughly 1 hour 45 minutes each way via Hwy 102 and Route 2 (Glooscap Trail). A long but very doable day trip - leave early to catch the right tide window.
Pair with the Geopark
Five Islands is a flagship stop in the Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark - use the geopark guide to string together Wasson Bluff, Cape d'Or, and Joggins for a full geology road trip.
When to Go
The park is best May through October - but the right day is really the right tide.
Camping and full facilities run June 5 to October 12, 2026, and July and August are peak season - the warmest swimming, the longest days, and the busiest campground, so reserve well ahead. September and early October are the local favourite: smaller crowds, fall colour on the Economy Mountain Trail, crisp clear cliff-top views, and the same dramatic tides. Late May and June are quiet and green, with good birding on the flats, though the water is cold. Outside the camping season the cliff lookoff and trails remain walkable for hardier visitors, but facilities are closed and the trails are unmaintained - check conditions and go prepared. Whatever the month, the single most important timing is the tide table: aim for a low tide in the middle of the day for the flats, then stay to watch the basin fill.
Five Islands Provincial Park - FAQ
- Where is Five Islands Provincial Park?
- Five Islands Provincial Park is in Colchester County on the north shore of the Minas Basin (Bay of Fundy), about 1 hour 45 minutes from Halifax via Highway 102 and Route 2. The address is 618 Bentley Branch Road (Hwy 2), Five Islands, NS B0M 1K0. It sits roughly 25 minutes west of Economy and 40 minutes from Parrsboro.
- Is there an entry fee for Five Islands Provincial Park?
- No. Like all Nova Scotia provincial parks, Five Islands charges no vehicle or day-use entry fee - day use is free. You only pay if you camp overnight. (This is different from Canada's national parks, which charge a daily entrance fee.)
- How much does camping cost at Five Islands Provincial Park in 2026?
- For the 2026 season (June 5 to October 12), unserviced sites are $26.50 per night and serviced sites (30 amp electrical + water) are $35.30 per night, plus an $8.95 reservation fee. There is a $2.35 per night discount for seniors (65+) and veterans, and an additional vehicle is $8.25 per night. Book at novascotia.goingtocamp.com.
- What are the five islands called?
- The park is named for five offshore islands in the Minas Basin - Moose, Diamond, Long, Egg, and Pinnacle - each with its own character and legends rooted in Mi'kmaq folklore. The Old Wife, a sea stack and cliff-top viewpoint at the park's lookoff, is the most photographed feature.
- Which hiking trail is best at Five Islands?
- The Coastal Trail leads to the signature 90-metre cliff-top lookoff over the islands and the Minas Basin - the park's must-do short walk. The 2.2 km Red Head Trail offers four of the best panoramic viewpoints, and the 3.8 km Economy Mountain Trail is the strenuous option with a 360-degree view over the bay.
- Is it safe to walk on the tidal flats at Five Islands?
- The flats open up at low tide and are unforgettable, but the Bay of Fundy has the world's highest tides and the water returns fast. Check a tide table, never round a headland as the tide is rising, and allow time to walk back. The beach is unsupervised and rip currents are possible - swim only with caution and never get cut off by the incoming tide.