Hiking NB

The Most Definitive Guide to Hiking in New Brunswick

Mount Sagamook, Mount Carleton Provincial Park

COVID-19 Updates

Note: This is my attempt to keep everyone up to date but I may have missed something. If you see something that isn't correct or know of a trail that's open and not listed please let me know.

Updated June 6, 2020

Status	Opening Date	Park/Trail	Details
Open		Anchorage Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Beldings Reef Nature Preserve, Chance Harbour	Social distancing required
Open		Blueberry Hill Nature Preserve, Bocabec	Social distancing required
Open		Bouctouche Dunes Boardwalk
Open		Cape Jourimain Nature Centre
Open		Clark Gregory Nature Preserve, Deer Island	Social distancing required
Open		Caughey-Taylor Nature Preserve, Bocabec	Social distancing required
Open		Connors Bros. Nature Preserve, Blacks Harbour	Social distancing required
Open		Daly Point Nature Preserve
Open		Dobson Trail	Social distancing required
Open		Ferris Street Nature Preserve, Fredericton	Social distancing required
Open		Fredericton Trails	Social distancing required
Open		French Fort Cove Trails	Boardwalk is now one way
Open		Fundy Footpath	No access through parks, spring conditions
Partially Open		Fundy National Park	Trails Open: Caribou Plain, Kinnie Brook, East Branch, Upper Salmon River Loop in the Headquarters Area, Black Horse, Maple Grove, Whitetail, and Tippen Lot
Open		Fundy Trail Parkway	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Herring Cove Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Hopewell Rocks Trails	Trails and public washrooms to open. May have limited services.
Open		Hyla Park Nature Preserve, Fredericton	Social distancing required
Open		Irving Nature Park
Partially Open		Kouchibouguac National Park	Trails Open: Kellys Beach Boardwalk, Pines, Mi'gmaq Cedar (one-way), Salt Marsh, Osprey, and Claire-Fontaine
Open		Mactaquac Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Maliseet Trail	Social distancing required
Open		Mapleton Acadian Forest Preserve, Mapleton	Social distancing required
Open		Margaret (Coburn) Cameron Woods Nature Preserve, Keswick Ridge	Social distancing required
Open		Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve, Woodstock	Social distancing required
Open		Minister's Face Nature Preserve, Kingston	Social distancing required
Open		Moncton Trails	Social distancing required, trails posted as one direction
Partially Open		Mount Carleton Provincial Park	Mount Carleton Trail, Pine Point and Williams Falls trails are now open. All other trails remain closed due to spring conditions.
Open		Murray Beach Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Musquash Estuary - Black Beach Trail
Open		Musquash Estuary - Five Fathom Hole Trail
Open		NB Botanical Gardens Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms to open. May have limited services.
Open		New River Beach Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Nepisiguit Mi'gmaq Trail	Social distancing required
Open		Pagan Point Nature Preserve, Saint Andrews	Social distancing required
Open		Parlee Beach Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Sea Dog Cove Nature Preserve, Kingston Peninsula	Social distancing required
Open		Split Rock Trail	Barriers still at parking lot
Open		Sugarloaf Provincial Park	Trails and public washrooms open. May have limited services.
Open		Sussex Bluffs Trail	Private property - tread lightly
Open		White Rock Recreational Area	Social distancing required
Opening soon	June 9, 2020	Village Historique Acadien	Trails and public washrooms to open. May have limited services.

Stay Local - There are many trails all around. If you stay local you won't need to gas up your car as often, limiting your risk at the pumps.
Trails Less Travelled - Spread out. There are lots trails all around so maybe try one of the more obscure ones that you wouldn't normally try. Who knows. You might find something special. If there is not two parking spaces between you and the next car it's probably too busy so move on.
Less features, more views - try to avoid trails that have features where people congregate. Choose something with lots of cool views that you don't have to touch.
Pack a Lunch - This will mean you don't have to stop somewhere to get something to eat, increasing your risk of exposure. And make sure you take everything home with you and leave no trace.
Don't touch - Where you can do so safely don't touch common features such as trail signs, log books, ropes, railings, geocaches, common trees used to help maneuver, picnic tables, benches, etc.
Keep your distance - When you see fellow hikers on the trail give them their distance. The forest is a big space so use it.
Be Extra Careful - remember that parks are closed and emergency staff are stretched. Use Social Media to let people know where you are going and when you will be back and maybe go with someone you have been self-isolating with.
Wash Your Hands - Bet you have heard this one a million times in the last week. When you get back to the car use hand sanitizer and when you first get home wash your hands extensively.

Bonus - slow down, take it all in, appreciate what you have.

Updates

Note: things change daily so check back regularly for more news.

People who are returning to New Brunswick from international travel are required to self-isolate at home for 14 days. That means stay home and plan your summer hikes.

Trail use guidelines for Moncton Parks

Facebook Post - 2020-04-25

☀️ Today is looking like another nice day! If you are outside and enjoying the parks and trails, please remember the...
Posted by Experience Moncton / Découvrez Moncton on Saturday, April 25, 2020

Irving Nature Park Remains closed

Facebook Post - 2020-04-25

Good morning, everyone! I’m sure many of you are aware of the recent relaxation of some of the COVID-19 restrictions -...
Posted by Irving Nature Park on Saturday, April 25, 2020

White Rock Recreation Area to Reopen

Facebook Post - 2020-04-24

The White Rock Recreation Area and Village walking trails are now reopened based on the information provided today by...
Posted by White Rock Recreational Area, Hillsborough N.B. on Friday, April 24, 2020

NB Nature Trust Reopening Trails

Facebook Post - 2020-04-24

In light of the Government of New Brunswick's recent recovery plan announcement, the Nature Trust is pleased to re-open...
Posted by The Nature Trust of New Brunswick on Friday, April 24, 2020

Fundy Hiking Trail Association - Dobson Trail to Reopen

Facebook Post - 2020-04-24

Fundy Trail Parkway to Reopen May 15

Facebook Post - 2020-04-24

We will be opening our gates on May 15th! Safety procedures will be put in place to protect our guests and staff....
Posted by Fundy Trail on Friday, April 24, 2020

Fundy National Park remains closed

Facebook Post - 2020-04-24

Parks Canada is aware of today's announcement by the Government of New Brunswick regarding the opening of parks and...
Posted by Fundy National Park on Friday, April 24, 2020

Government of New Brunswick to Open Outdoor Spaces

Webpage Post - 2020-04-24

As a first step, the following will be allowed effective today:

Outdoor spaces: With physical distancing, people can now enjoy the outdoors including parks and beaches.

Details on what parks and trails will come as individual announcements.

Nature Conservancy of Canada Trail closures

Webpage Post - 2020-04-11

This includes the Musquash Estuary Trails at Black Beach and Five Fathom Hole.

Nature Trust of New Brunswick Trail closures

Facebook Post - 2020-04-03

**UPDATE: As a result of the provincial government’s latest measures and directives to contain the spread of COVID-19,...
Posted by The Nature Trust of New Brunswick on Friday, April 3, 2020

Fundy Hiking Trail Association

Daly Point Park Closure

Facebook Post - 2020-03-31

Posted by Daly Point Nature Reserve / Réserve naturelle de la pointe Daly on Tuesday, March 31, 2020

NB Parks - Trails closure

Irving Parks Closures

Facebook Post - 2020-03-24

In these unprecedented times, we as a community, must come together to ensure the health and safety of everyone is a top...
Posted by Irving Nature Park on Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Social Distancing Interview

Parks Canada Release

2020-03-24

Parks Canada calls on visitors to stay home and implements additional measures, suspending visitor vehicle access to Parks Canada places across the country until further notice

My Interpretation and Comments

In New Brunswick this would include Fundy and Kouchibouguac Parks. You are no longer allowed to hike in either until further notice.

Mount Douglas Bald and Cochrane Lane Cliffs Trail Closures

Facebook Post - 2020-03-22

Hey folks. Be advised that all climbing areas on CFB Gagetown land are closed to the public. Please do not hike or climb...
Posted by Ascent New Brunswick on Sunday, March 22, 2020

Update on COVID-19

“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy the fresh air,” said Russell. “Several things are closed but the outdoors is not one of them! There are many activities that you and your family can do outside that still respect social distancing practices. Go for a walk or hike, do yoga in the backyard or look for signs of spring.”

My Interpretation and Comments

If you can't park with an empty space on either side of your car then it's probably too busy. If too many people are congregating at one trail or park then don't be surpised if the police show up to tell you to go home, or even hand out fines. This will become more likely as cases of Covid-19 increase in the province.

Nature Time during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Irving Nature Park Facebook Post - 2020-03-22

We are aware of the public concern with the park becoming over crowded this weekend.

We also know that during these times, nature is a much needed solace.

This does not take away from the need to keep your friends, family and beyond, safe. This means if the area looks too busy to abide by the proper social distancing required, then the hard decision to find an alternative activity or location has to be made.

It is recommended to avoid the narrow trails and use the roadway instead. The beach at low tide will also allow for more room to distance yourself.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Please stay safe.

My Interpretation and Comments

If you can't park with an empty space on either side of your car then it's probably too busy. Consider choosing a different time of day to avoid too many people. This is probably one of busiest parks in the province so please don't be the cause for it being shut down.

Provincial parks close

CBC Website - 2020-03-19

Following government's decision to shut down all non-essential services, all provincial parks are closed until further notice.

This closure includes the three provincial parks which are usually open during the winter months: Mount Carleton, Mactaquac and Sugarloaf.

My Interpretation and Comments

The closures are for all services within the parks. The trails at this time are still accessible but only if you can safely practice social distancing. If there isn't two parking spots between you and the next car it is probably too busy. There are over 500 trails in the province so go to the page for your region or city/town and find a more obscure trail.

Nova Scotia has similar closures but the Premier has threatened to tow cars at provincial parks. If New Brunswick's cases of Covid-19 to rise

Temporary closure of Parks Canada places

Parks Canada Website - 2020-03-23

Can people still visit national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas during this closure?

Yes. Visitors may use front country and backcountry areas as well as accessible green spaces. Should Canadians decide to visit, they should remember that they are always responsible for their own safety. They should consult Parks Canada’s website to be prepared for their visit and be aware of any area closures. Search and rescue services may be limited. Visitors should exercise additional caution at this time and avoid activities with safety risks.

We ask that visitors exercise additional caution at this time and avoid activities with safety risks in order to minimize pressure on the health care system and Parks Canada search and rescue teams. Visitors should always participate in activities that match their skill level.

My Interpretation and Comments

The closures are for all services within the parks. In New Brunswick this applies to Fundy National Park and Kouchibouguac National Park. If you are not able to practice social distancing go somewhere else. If there isn't two parking spots between you and the next car it is probably too busy.

Feedback Welcome

If you see something that I missed or still have questions please contact me at [email protected] or reach out to me on social media. I want to keep this discussion going as we all learn how to deal with these new realities.

Stay safe and sane everyone!

James Donald