TRAVEL
RV Roundup: Top Picks for Parks in Atlantic Canada
Stunning landscapes, wildlife sightings, all-around family fun — here’s where to go for your next RV adventure.
By Briony Smith
The Cabot Trail, in Cape Breton Highlands Park, Nova Scotia, is a popular destination, with trails to hike, shores to explore, mountains to climb and cliff vistas to savour. | PHOTO: CL-MEDIEN/ADOBE STOCK
RVing HAS EXPLODED in popularity over the past decade. RV usage nearly doubled between 2014 and 2023, according to the 2024 KOA Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report, and RV retail sales have grown 18.3 percent since 2013, The Portage Group Inc.’s RVDA Economic Impact Study revealed.
“It really offers that freedom and flexibility. Just get out there and do your thing your way. And if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, just pick up and move,” says Christopher Mahony, Go RVing Canada’s president. “That flexibility is a huge positive.
“With more than 260 campgrounds across the Atlantic region, including those in national and provincial parks, as well as private campgrounds, there are so many options to choose from. Whether you’re interested in staying by the water, hiking on beautiful trails, enjoying delicious food or taking in local culture and visiting quaint local communities, there’s truly something for everyone.”
Mahony shares some of his top insider picks.
Twin Shores Camping Area, in Kensington, Prince Edward Island, is a beachfront location with spectacular ocean views. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF GO RVing CANADA
GREAT VIEWS
Twin Shores Camping Area — Kensington, P.E.I. Mahony touts Twin Shores as Canada’s premier oceanfront camping destination. Its location is ideal — the Twin Shores beachfront, where ocean views take top billing in this amenities-rich modern facility.
WONDERFUL WILDLIFE
Berry Hill Campground, Gros Morne National Park — Rocky Harbour, N.L. Gros Morne National Park is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located within the national park, Berry Hill Campground boasts stunning nature views and opportunities to view wildlife, notes Mahony. Moose are plentiful here and you’re likely to see caribou, Arctic and red foxes, black bears and lynx, and a wide range of bird species. You may even spot seals or whales along the coast.
FABULOUS FOR FAMILIES
Jellystone Park — Pouch Cove, N.L. This sprawling park rents golf carts to facilitate travel across the area. Family-friendly amenities include fishing and paddle boat rentals, a children’s jump pad and a playground. “This is the ultimate family spot because there are so many amenities and activities for the whole family to enjoy,” Mahony notes. “You can choose a new adventure every day.”
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
North Sydney/Cabot Trail KOA — Cape Breton, N.S. The Cabot Trail in Cape Breton Highlands National Park is a top-notch destination, and this RV park offers the perfect entry point. The park is only 35 minutes north of Sydney, Cape Breton’s historic capital, and overlooks scenic Bras D’or Lake with views of Seal Island Bridge and a lighthouse. Its location provides access to the trail, plus shores to explore, mountains to climb and cliff vistas to savour. CAA
Jellystone Park, in Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, is a sprawling park with amenities for the whole family, including fishing and paddle boat rentals, a jumping pad and playground. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF GO RVing CANADA