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| Best of the Maritimes' Provincial Parks |  |
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While the Maritimes boasts a bounty of provincial parks, a certain few stand out of the crowd for their unique beauty and appeal. THE BEST BEACH: PARLEE BEACH PROVINCIAL PARK Located in the charming sea-side town of Shediac, New Brunswick, Parlee Beach Provincial Park is a must-do for sun worshippers, sandcastle enthusiasts and those seeking an authentic beach experience. Offering some of the warmest salt waters north of Virginia, the supervised beach is ideal for swimming and offers safe, shallow-water fun for children. During the summer season, which runs from mid-June to the end of August, the popular park has been known to draw upward of 25,000 visitors.
Runner Up: Panmure Island Provincial Park Also worth a mention for its white-sand beach and sheltered, secluded sand dunes is Panmure Island Provincial Park on Prince Edward Island. Located 15 km (9 mi) east of Montague, the unique park was created by the formation of a natural tidal sandbar, or artificial causeway, which was made permanent in the 1960s. The park is home to interpretive displays on local ecology, an annual First Nations Pow Wow and features tour opportunities of the historic Panmure Island Lighthouse, which is located on the north end of the causeway. THE BEST BACK-COUNTRY CAMPING: CAPE CHIGNECTO PROVINCIAL PARK Carved by the majestic Bay of Fundy, the towering cliffs of Nova Scotia's Cape Chignecto Provincial Park make for a dramatic backdrop for those seeking a unique and rustic camping adventure. The refuge, open mid-may to the end of October, prohibits all motor vehicles and bicycling, so feeling at one with nature is guaranteed. A number of back-country tenting options are available at seven hike-in campsites, all accessible by a challenging coastal trail which departs at the Red Rocks trailhead. For those seeking secure and dry overnight lodging, the park also offers rustic wilderness cabins and a communal bunk house. Boasting over 40 km (25 mi) of hiking trails and 29 km (18 mi) of unspoiled coastline, this wilderness park caters to experienced hikers and offers a true outdoor escape like no other. THE BEST FAMILY CAMPING: MILL RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK Plenty of family-friendly fun waits at Mill River Provincial Park, located along the North Cape Coastal Drive in western Prince Edward Island. Highlights of the park include walking trails, playgrounds, wagon rides and an array of scheduled children's activities during July and August. The campground is situated adjacent to the Mill River Fun Park, which features water slides, a swimming pool and other family amusements such as miniature golf and bumper boats. The park is also home to the Rodd Mill River Resort, the Mill River Golf Course and the Mill River Marina.
Encompassing 62 km (39 mi) of trails through Acadian forests and over Appalachian mountain peaks, Mount Carleton Provincial Park is a hiker's dream. Located west of Bathurst and just east of Saint-Quentin in New Brunswick, the park features 11 trails offering a mix of easy, moderate and challenging terrain for short jaunts and full-day excursions. Standing tall as the highest peak in the Maritimes at 820 m (2,690 ft), Mount Carleton offers a linear trail with moderate to challenging terrain and spectacular 360° views from the summit. The most strenuous of Mount Carleton Provincial Park's hikes is the Mount Sagamook Trail Loop, which is 8 km (5 mi) in length and demanding even for the experienced hiker. Another challenging hike is the Big Brook/Dry Brook Loop which is approximately 20 km (12 mi) in length and passes through white birch forests and alongside waterfalls and beaver ponds. Pine Point Loop and Williams Falls Trail are two easier options, with the latter featuring an impressive 3-m (10-ft) waterfall. THE BEST WILDLIFE REFUGE: SHUBENACADIE PROVINCIAL WILDLIFE PARK Located near Stewiacke and just 40 minutes from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park is a 16-ha (40-acre) nature sanctuary operated by the provincial Department of Natural Resources. Over 26 species of mammals and 65 bird species live in the natural surroundings of the park, including moose, cougar, wolves, birds of prey and the protected Sable Island horse. The park is an ideal destination for families with its numerous educational programs, guided tours and an adjacent 10-ha (25-acre) picnic and playground area. The refuge is open to the public daily from mid-May to mid-October and on weekends during the winter season.
Outdoor enthusiasts will delight at the opportunities available at New Brunswick's Sugarloaf Provincial Park recreation area, located just outside the city of Campbellton. During summer, hikers can take in panoramic views of the city from the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, which stands sentinel over the Restigouche River valley at 305 m (1,001 ft). Over 25 km (16 mi) of hiking and biking trails are available, including a range of professionally-made mountain biking trails accessible via lift service. In addition to offering a full-service seasonal campground, the park features tennis and beach volleyball courts and paddle boating. A full-service downhill ski centre is in operation from mid-December to mid-April and features 12 alpine trails, a terrain park, 22 km (14 mi) of groomed cross-country skiing trails, a tobogganing hill and ice skating. Snowmobile enthusiasts have access to 32 km (20 mi) of groomed trails which connect directly to the province-wide system. THE BEST GOLF DESTINATION: BRUDENELL RIVER PROVINCIAL PARK Prince Edward Island has long been recognized as a premiere golf destination, so it's no surprise that Brudenell River Provincial Park is a standout with its 45-hole complex. Part of the Rodd Brudenell River Resort, the complex features two 18-hole, par 72 championship courses: Brudenell River Golf Course and Dundarave. The links offer expansive fairways that are highlighted by the meandering Brudenell River and exquisitely manicured greens. The nine-hole, par 30 Callaway Golf Divine Nine is also located within the complex and features bent grass tees, greens and fairways. Golfers can cap off their day with a meal at the resort's Club 19 lounge and Stillwaters Fine Foods & Spirits bistro, both of which overlook the Brudenell River. If you enjoyed this feature, take a look at these great WorldWeb.com articles: • Experiencing the Canadian Wild: The Best of Northern BC's Provincial Parks • The Top 10 National Parks in Canada PHOTOS COURTESY OF:
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