1 Easy
Mill Falls Trail
Starts behind the Visitor Centre and follows the Mersey River downstream to the sheer power of Mill Falls - cool and shady in summer, dramatic in spring runoff.
National Park Guide \u2022 Updated August 2026
Kejimkujik National Park
Nova Scotia\u2019s only Dark Sky Preserve \u00b7 Mi\u2019kmaw canoe routes \u00b7 13 frontcountry trails \u00b7 Backcountry lake camping
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site - \u201cKeji\u201d to locals - is Nova Scotia\u2019s quiet showpiece. In the heart of the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, this inland park protects a network of lakes and rivers paddled by the Mi\u2019kmaq for thousands of years, old-growth hemlock forests with trees older than Canada, and some of the darkest night skies in eastern North America. By day you swim, paddle, and hike; by night you watch the Milky Way blaze overhead. This is the complete guide to the inland park at Maitland Bridge - not the separate coastal Kejimkujik Seaside unit near Port Joli.
Kejimkujik at a Glance
Only Dark Sky in NS
Nova Scotia\u2019s sole Dark Sky Preserve - rated Bortle Class 2, with Milky Way detail visible to the naked eye.
UNESCO Biosphere
Sits inside the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, protecting old-growth Wabanaki-Acadian forest and Blanding\u2019s turtles.
Canoe Country
Paddle the same interconnected lakes and rivers the Mi\u2019kmaq have travelled for thousands of years - to backcountry sites.
13 Frontcountry Trails
From the 2 km Mill Falls stroll to the 5 km Hemlocks and Hardwoods boardwalk through 300-year-old trees.
Free Summer 2026
The Canada Strong Pass waives admission Jun 19\u2013Sep 7, 2026 - and takes 25% off camping and roofed stays.
~2 hr from Halifax
165 km west of Halifax, near Caledonia in Annapolis County. Open year-round; full services mid-May to Oct 31.
What Makes Kejimkujik Special
Kejimkujik is one of only a few places in Canada that is both a National Park and a National Historic Site - the dual designation recognises that this land has been a centre of Mi\u2019kmaw life for millennia. The rivers and lakes are more than scenery; they are ancestral travel routes, and the slate shorelines hold one of the largest concentrations of Mi\u2019kmaw petroglyphs in eastern North America. The park is co-managed with the Mi\u2019kmaq of Nova Scotia under the Toqi\u2019maliaptmu\u2019k Arrangement, a formal partnership for stewarding these protected areas.
Layered on top of that cultural significance is exceptional nature. The inland park sits within the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve and shelters some of Nova Scotia\u2019s oldest living trees - roughly 300-year-old hemlocks along the Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail. Rare Blanding\u2019s turtles, barred owls, and pileated woodpeckers are all at home here. And because Keji is far from any city, its night skies are extraordinary: in 2010 the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada designated it a Dark Sky Preserve, and it remains the only one in Nova Scotia.
\u26a0\ufe0f Don\u2019t confuse the two Kejimkujiks
Kejimkujik is a single national park with two distinct units. This guide covers the inland park at Maitland Bridge - the lakes, forest, dark sky, and canoe routes. Kejimkujik National Park Seaside is a separate coastal day-use unit about 25 km southwest of Liverpool, near Port Joli, with white-sand beaches, harbour and grey seals, and the Harbour Rocks and Port Joli Head trails. Many visitors pair both on a Southwest Nova loop.
The Dark Sky Preserve
Kejimkujik\u2019s biggest surprise comes out after sunset. As the only designated Dark Sky Preserve in Nova Scotia, the park has skies rated Bortle Class 2 - on a clear, moonless night the Milky Way isn\u2019t just visible, it casts a faint shadow. You can see the Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye and trace planets, nebulae, and satellites overhead. The park runs interpretive astronomy programs through summer and early fall, and offers telescope lending at the Visitor Centre.
- Best viewing spots: Merrymakedge Beach and the lakeshore at Jeremy\u2019s Cove, where the Milky Way reflects in still water on calm nights.
- Time it around the moon: plan stargazing for the week of the new moon; the full-moon week washes out the sky.
- Protect your night vision: white flashlights and headlights ruin dark-adapted eyes for 20+ minutes. Use a red light.
- Best season: fall (September-October) offers the longest, darkest nights, cooler air, and almost no biting insects - many astrophotographers\u2019 favourite time.
- Stay overnight: the real magic happens after the day-trippers leave. Camp at Jeremy\u2019s Bay or book an Oasis pod and step outside at 11 p.m.
For the wider stargazing picture across the province - including dark-sky sites nearer Halifax - see our UNESCO Sites & Dark Sky Preserves guide, and our Nova Scotia Photography Guide for astrophotography settings.
Canoeing & Paddling
Paddling is the soul of Kejimkujik. The park\u2019s lakes, rivers, and portages form a travel network the Mi\u2019kmaq have used for thousands of years, and many backcountry campsites are reachable only by canoe or kayak. Kejimkujik Lake is the large centrepiece; the Mersey River winds south out of it; and quieter waterways lead deep into the interior. Rentals (canoes, kayaks, and SUPs) are available at Jake\u2019s Landing in season.
\ud83d\uded1 New for 2026: Motorized watercraft are prohibited
As of 2026, Parks Canada prohibits operating motorized watercraft anywhere in Kejimkujik, except with written authorisation from the Superintendent. The park is now paddle-only - which makes the lakes quieter, the wildlife easier to spot, and the dark skies darker. Plan to canoe, kayak, or SUP; leave the motorboat at home. Source: Parks Canada.
New paddlers can stick to the sheltered shoreline of Kejimkujik Lake; experienced canoeists can plan a multi-day backcountry route through the interior, portaging between lakes and sleeping at paddle-in sites. Always check the weather and wind forecast - large lakes can chop up quickly - and wear (don\u2019t just carry) your lifejacket.
Hiking & Trails
Hiking is the most popular way to experience Kejimkujik. The frontcountry network is a web of mostly easy, well-marked trails that can be stitched together for anything from a 20-minute stroll to a half-day walk; beyond that, two serious backcountry routes plunge into the interior. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leash at all times. All distances below are verified from the official Parks Canada trail list (updated August 2026).
Frontcountry Trails
| # | Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mill Falls Trail | Easy | 2 km return | Linear (hike/bike) |
| 2 | Beech Grove Trail | Moderate | 2.2 km | Loop (hike/bike) |
| 3 | Flowing Waters Trail | Easy | 1 km | Loop (hike/bike) |
| 4 | Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail | Easy | 5 km | Loop (hike) |
| 5 | Farmlands Trail | Easy | 1.1 km | Loop (hike) |
| 6 | Rogers Brook Trail | Easy | 1 km | Loop (hike) |
| 7 | Grafton Woods Trail (Upper loop closed until further notice) | Easy | 2 × 1.6 km | Upper & lower loops (hike) |
| 8 | Snake Lake Trail (Closed until further notice) | Easy | 3 km | Loop (hike) |
| 9 | Peter Point Trail | Easy | 1.9 km one way | Linear (hike/bike) |
| 10 | Mersey River Trail | Easy | 3.3 km one way | Linear (hike/bike) |
| 11 | Slapfoot Trail | Easy | 3.7 km one way | Linear (hike/bike) |
| 12 | Merrymakedge Trail | Easy | 2.7 km one way | Linear (hike/bike) |
| 13 | Ukme’k Trail | Moderate | 6.3 km one way | Linear (hike/bike) |
2 Moderate
Beech Grove Trail
Climbs a drumlin topped with beech trees - bright green and full of warblers in spring, soft brown and loaded with beechnuts in fall.
3 Easy
Flowing Waters Trail
Listen to the Mersey River gurgling through wetland and riverbank. Connects to the newer Ukme’k Trail.
4 Easy
Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail
The park’s signature walk. A raised hemlock boardwalk protects the sensitive roots of roughly 300-year-old hemlocks - among the oldest trees in Nova Scotia. Cool, dark, and cathedral-quiet.
5 Easy
Farmlands Trail
Walks an old drumlin farm cleared by 19th-century settlers; search the forest for cellar holes and stone walls from the glacier-shaped terrain.
6 Easy
Rogers Brook Trail
Short but lively - crosses Rogers Brook and follows the Mersey along a red maple floodplain alive with turtles, amphibians, and nesting waterfowl.
Backcountry Trails (experienced only)
| # | Trail | Difficulty | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Channel Lake Trail | Difficult | 24 km | Loop (hike) |
| 15 | Liberty Lake Trail | Difficult | 56 km one way | Linear (hike) |
14 Difficult
Channel Lake Trail
A demanding full-day or overnight loop into Keji’s interior, reaching the remote Channel Lake area. Map-and-compass skills and a heavy-pack tolerance required.
15 Difficult
Liberty Lake Trail
A multi-day wilderness expedition right across the park to Liberty Lake - the longest backcountry route in Kejimkujik and a serious undertaking for experienced hikers.
Trail names, distances, difficulties, and closures are verified from the official Parks Canada Kejimkujik hiking page (last updated August 4, 2026). Always check the Parks Canada Important bulletins page before you go - trails occasionally close for wildlife, weather, or maintenance.
Mi\u2019kmaw Culture & Petroglyphs
Kejimkujik is a cultural landscape as much as a natural one. The park protects one of the largest known concentrations of Mi\u2019kmaw petroglyphs in eastern North America - images of people, animals, canoes, and symbols carved into slate outcrops along the water over many generations. These sites are fragile and sacred, and they are not open to unguided visitation.
- Take a guided petroglyph tour: Petroglyph sites are accessed only through scheduled Parks Canada interpretive programs, often led with Mi\u2019kmaw guides. Check the current program schedule and reserve ahead through the Visitor Centre (902-682-2772) or the Parks Canada reservation system.
- Visit the Visitor Centre: Even if a tour is full, the centre\u2019s exhibits introduce the Mi\u2019kmaw cultural landscape, the park\u2019s archaeology, and the species at risk here.
- Learn about the Toqi\u2019maliaptmu\u2019k Arrangement: Kejimkujik is co-managed with the Mi\u2019kmaq of Nova Scotia - a formal partnership that is reshaping how the park is run. Read more in our Mi\u2019kmaq Cultural Experiences guide.
- Respect the protocol: Never touch or trace petroglyphs, never pick up artefacts, and stay on marked trails. These are living cultural sites, not relics.
Camping & Where to Stay
Staying overnight is the best way to experience Kejimkujik - the dark skies, the loons at dusk, and the stillness of the forest are wasted on a day trip. There are three broad ways to sleep in the park, all booked through the Parks Canada reservation system.
Jeremy’s Bay Campground
Frontcountry (drive-in)
The main frontcountry campground, set in forest along Kejimkujik Lake with multiple loops (Meadow Beach, Jim Charles Point, and others), serviced and unserviced sites, and easy access to trails and the Visitor Centre. Open mid-May through October 31.
oTENTiks & Oasis Pods
Roofed accommodations
Parks Canada canvas-walled oTENTiks and the newer Oasis glazing pods inside the park offer real beds and heating - a comfortable middle ground between tent camping and a hotel, with the Dark Sky overhead.
Backcountry Sites
Canoe-in / hike-in
Kejimkujik’s signature backcountry sites are reached by paddle or long hike across interconnected lakes and rivers - the same travel network the Mi’kmaq have used for thousands of years. Permits required; book through the Parks Canada reservation system.
Outside the park, the nearest towns with accommodation are Annapolis Royal (about 1 hr north) and the South Shore around Lunenburg and Liverpool (about 1 hr south). For the full provincial lodging picture, see our Where to Stay in Nova Scotia guide, and for more on sleeping under canvas, the Nova Scotia Camping Guide.
Entry Fees & the 2026 Canada Strong Pass
The simplest thing to know about 2026 fees: from June 19 to September 7, 2026, admission to Kejimkujik is free for everyone - Canadians, permanent residents, and international visitors alike - under the Canada Strong Pass. There is no pass to order or activate; you walk straight in. The same pass also takes 25% off Parks Canada camping and roofed accommodations (tent/RV sites, backcountry permits, oTENTiks, and cabins) during that window.
- Peak summer (Jun 19\u2013Sep 7, 2026): free admission; 25% off camping. Reserve campsites early - free entry drives very high demand.
- Outside the pass window: normal Parks Canada daily admission applies (youth 17 and under are always free). A Parks Canada Discovery Pass is the best value if you\u2019ll visit multiple parks.
- Reservations: book Jeremy\u2019s Bay, oTENTiks, Oasis pods, and backcountry permits through the Parks Canada reservation system. The system opens in early spring and July-August sells out.
- See the full free-entry list: every Nova Scotia Parks Canada site covered by the pass is in our Free Things to Do guide.
Getting There & Practicalities
Kejimkujik is in inland southwest Nova Scotia, near the village of Caledonia in Annapolis County. The park entrance is at 3005 Main Parkway, Maitland Bridge, NS. There is no public transit to the park - a rental car is the practical option (a summer shuttle from Halifax sometimes runs; check current operators).
| From | Distance | Drive Time | Route Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Halifax | ~165 km | ~2 hr 15 min | Hwy 103 west to Exit 5 (Bridgewater), then Routes 325 \u2192 8 west to the park. |
| Liverpool (South Shore) | ~70 km | ~1 hr | Route 8 north directly into the park - the easiest South Shore approach. |
| Annapolis Royal | ~75 km | ~1 hr 15 min | Route 8 south - pairs well with an Annapolis Valley / Fundy shore itinerary. |
| Yarmouth (CAT ferry) | ~230 km | ~2 hr 45 min | Inland route east on Route 203 from the Acadian Shore. |
- Season: the park is open year-round, but full services (Visitor Centre, camping, rentals, interpretive programs) run mid-May (Victoria Day weekend) to October 31. July-August is full service; September-October is limited service.
- Visitor Centre: 902-682-2772 (mid-May to October). The year-round national information line is 1-888-773-8888.
- Wildlife: black bears and coyotes are present. Store food securely, never feed wildlife, and report bear or coyote sightings to staff. If you encounter one, don\u2019t run - back away slowly, make yourself big, and make noise.
- Ticks: Keji is inland forest and wetland - tick country. Cover up, use repellent, and do a full tick check after every hike.
- Water: tap water in the park is safe to drink unless otherwise signed.
- Gas up beforehand: the nearest services are in Caledonia and nearby towns - fill the tank before you enter the park.
Best Time to Visit
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Best for: Canoeing, swimming, full services
The classic Keji season. Warm days, full visitor services, canoe rentals and interpretive programs running daily, and the Canada Strong Pass in effect (free admission). Book Jeremy’s Bay sites weeks ahead - this is peak season. Expect mosquitoes and black flies; pack DEET.
Fall (Sep–Oct)
Best for: Stargazing, fall color, fewer bugs
Many visitors’ favourite time. Cooler weather, almost no biting insects, hardwood forests turning gold and crimson, and the long, dark nights that make Keji’s Dark Sky Preserve shine. Services taper off after Thanksgiving; some programs end in mid-October.
Spring (mid-May–Jun)
Best for: Waterfalls, solitude, bird migration
The park reopens Victoria Day weekend with limited services. Trails can be wet and flooded, Mill Falls is at its most powerful, and migrating warblers fill the hardwoods. Crowd-free and green - bring layers and waterproof boots.
For most travellers, the sweet spot is September: the Canada Strong Pass is still active through September 7, biting insects are gone, the lakes are still warm enough to swim, hardwood colour begins, and the dark nights are at their longest. For the full month-by-month picture across the province, use our Best Time to Visit Nova Scotia tool.
Keji Questions, Answered
What is Kejimkujik National Park known for? Kejimkujik (called “Keji” by locals) is known for four things: it is Nova Scotia’s only Dark Sky Preserve and one of the darkest places on the eastern seaboard; it protects a Mi’kmaw cultural landscape that has been travelled by canoe for thousands of years (it is a combined National Park and National Historic Site); its backcountry is a paddle-in network of interconnected lakes and rivers; and it lies within the UNESCO Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve, protecting old-growth Wabanaki-Acadian forest and species like the Blanding’s turtle. This guide covers the inland park at Maitland Bridge - the separate Kejimkujik National Park Seaside is a coastal day-use unit near Port Joli.
Is Kejimkujik free to visit in 2026? Yes - from June 19 to September 7, 2026, the Canada Strong Pass grants free admission to Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site (and every other Parks Canada site in Nova Scotia). There is no pass to order and no residency requirement; it applies to Canadians, permanent residents, and international visitors alike. The same pass also takes 25% off Parks Canada camping and roofed accommodations during that window. Outside those dates, a Parks Canada Discovery Pass is the best value for multiple days.
How far is Kejimkujik from Halifax, and how do I get there? Kejimkujik is about 165 km west of Halifax - roughly a 2 hour and 15 minute drive. Take Highway 103 west to Exit 5 (Bridgewater), then follow Route 325 to Route 8 and into the park via the Maitland Bridge entrance. From Liverpool on the South Shore it is about a 1-hour drive, and from Annapolis Royal in the Annapolis Valley it is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. There is no public transit to the park; a rental car (or a summer shuttle from Halifax) is the practical option.
When and where can I stargaze at Kejimkujik? Stargazing is best on clear, moonless nights from spring through fall, when the Milky Way is visible in crisp detail from dedicated dark-sky viewing areas like Merrymakedge Beach. Keji is rated Bortle Class 2 - among the darkest skies in eastern North America. The park runs interpretive astronomy programs and offers telescope lending in summer and early fall. For the darkest skies, plan around the new moon and avoid the full-moon week. Headlights and white flashlights destroy night vision; use a red light.
Do I need a reservation to camp at Kejimkujik? For Jeremy’s Bay frontcountry sites, oTENTiks, and Oasis pods in July and August - yes. These sell out regularly, so book through the Parks Canada reservation system as soon as your dates are set (the system opens in early spring). Backcountry canoe-in and hike-in sites always require a permit, regardless of season. During the Canada Strong Pass window (June 19-September 7, 2026), free admission drives very high demand for in-park sites, so book early.
What are the best hikes at Kejimkujik? The must-do frontcountry walk is the Hemlocks and Hardwoods Trail (5 km loop), where a raised boardwalk protects roughly 300-year-old hemlocks. For a longer day, the Ukeme’k Trail (6.3 km one way, moderate) winds along the Mersey River and doubles as a mountain-bike trail. The Mill Falls Trail (2 km return) is the easy, family-friendly option behind the Visitor Centre. Serious backpackers take on the Channel Lake Trail (24 km loop) or the multi-day Liberty Lake Trail (56 km one way) into the backcountry.
Can I see Mi’kmaw petroglyphs at Kejimkujik? Yes - Kejimkujik protects one of the largest concentrations of Mi’kmaw petroglyphs in eastern North America, carved into slate outcrops along the lakes and rivers. The petroglyph sites are fragile and culturally sensitive, so they are accessed only through scheduled Parks Canada interpretive programs led with Mi’kmaw guides, not on your own. Check the current program schedule and reserve through the Visitor Centre (902-682-2772) or the Parks Canada reservation system. Kejimkujik is co-managed with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia under the Toqi’maliaptmu’k Arrangement.
Is Kejimkujik the same as Kejimkujik Seaside? No. They are two distinct units of the same national park. This guide covers the inland Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site at Maitland Bridge - the lake-and-forest park with camping, canoe routes, dark skies, and petroglyphs. Kejimkujik National Park Seaside is a separate coastal day-use unit about 25 km southwest of Liverpool near Port Joli, known for white-sand beaches, harbour and grey seals, and the Harbour Rocks and Port Joli Head trails. Many visitors pair the two on a Southwest Nova loop.
Plan the Rest of Your Trip
\ud83c\udfdb\ufe0f UNESCO Sites & Dark Sky Preserves
The wider dark-sky and biosphere-reserve picture across Nova Scotia - including stargazing sites nearer Halifax.
\u26fa\ufe0f Nova Scotia Camping Guide
Provincial and national park campsites, reservations, and the 25% Canada Strong Pass camping discount.
\ud83c\udd93 Free Things to Do
Every Nova Scotia Parks Canada site covered by the 2026 Canada Strong Pass - free admission Jun 19-Sep 7.
\ud83c\udfde\ufe0f National Parks in Nova Scotia
All Parks Canada sites in the province compared - Keji beside the Highlands, Sable Island, and the historic sites, with fees and itineraries.
\ud83e\udeb6 Mi\u2019kmaq Cultural Experiences
Authentic Mi\u2019kmaw heritage sites, cultural centres, and guided experiences across Nova Scotia.
\ud83d\udd6b\ufe0f Southwest Nova Scotia Guide
Yarmouth, Digby scallops, Shelburne, and the Acadian Shores - the region surrounding Kejimkujik.
\ud83c\udf41 Fall Foliage Guide
Peak autumn color timing and scenic routes - Keji\u2019s hardwoods turn gold and crimson in mid-October.
\ud83d\udcf7 Photography Guide
Astrophotography settings, dark-sky locations, and gear for Atlantic conditions - shoot the Milky Way at Keji.
\ud83d\udcb0 Trip Cost Calculator
Budget your Keji trip - gas, camping, food, and gear rentals - before you book.