In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Bathurst via Caraquet and the islands of Lamèque and Miscou to Miramichi and Kouchibouguac National Park: around 455 kilometres of Acadian coast in eastern New Brunswick.
The spirit of the route
Here they speak French with a soft Acadian accent, and the flag with the yellow star hangs on every second house. The Acadian Peninsula juts like a thumb into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, flat and windy, with fishing harbours, peat bogs and dunes. From the sliding door you see lobster boats on Chaleur Bay, on the islands of Lamèque and Miscou lighthouses stand above sandy beaches, and in August Caraquet celebrates the Acadian national holiday with noise and drumming. Further south the Miramichi flows lazily through forests where salmon leap. In Kouchibouguac National Park, trails run across salt marshes and endless sandbars where seals lie in summer. The route is flat, easy to drive and suits a slow rhythm with plenty of time by the water.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Bathurst to Caraquet (approx. 85 km)
- The drive
- From Bathurst take Route 11 and the coastal road (Route 134/Route 135) east via Pokeshaw to Caraquet. The road is two-lane and slightly undulating, with frequent views of Chaleur Bay, at 80–100 km/h. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours; with stops, half a day to a full day. Petrol stations and shops in Bathurst, Bertrand and Caraquet.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Pokeshaw Rock: a rock formation in the sea off the village of Pokeshaw, on Chaleur Bay, with a viewpoint on land; in summer seabirds nest on the rock. The viewpoint is right by the road.
- Village Historique Acadien near Bertrand, close to Caraquet: an open-air museum with houses and crafts of the 18th and 19th centuries and costumed interpreters; check opening times and season in advance, and half a day is worthwhile.
- Caraquet: the town is regarded as the centre of Acadian culture; every year around 15 August the Festival acadien celebrates the national holiday, with tintamarre, concerts and street parties.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: On the Acadian Peninsula there are mainly private and municipal campsites, for example near Pokeshaw, Caraquet and Bertrand; check availability, vehicle length and hook-ups with the operators before you arrive. During the Festival acadien (August) the sites are in great demand, so reserve early.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In New Brunswick you may in principle camp on Crown land, but not on private land. On the coast almost everything is privately owned; overnighting in a motorhome at harbours and beaches is not advisable without express permission.
- Insider tip for campers
- During the Festival acadien around 15 August the streets and sites in Caraquet are full; if you want peace, plan your trip for early July or September. Fill up in Bathurst or Caraquet.
2Stage 2: Caraquet to Lamèque and Miscou (approx. 100 km)
- The drive
- From Caraquet take Route 11 and Route 113 to Shippagan, then cross the bridge to Lamèque Island and continue to Miscou Island. The roads are flat, straight and windy; speeds are 80–100 km/h. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours; with stops, a full day. Petrol stations and shops in Shippagan and Lamèque; on Miscou Island only a few, so fill up beforehand.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Shippagan: a fishing harbour with the Aquarium and Marine Centre, which shows the marine fauna of the region; check opening times and season in advance.
- Lamèque: the island is known for the international Baroque music festival in summer; concerts are held in the church. Check dates in advance.
- Miscou Island Lighthouse: a wooden lighthouse at the north-eastern end of the island, with sandy beaches and peat bog landscape nearby; the tower is among the oldest in the province. Check opening times in advance.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: For the islands and the Shippagan area there are mainly private and municipal sites; check availability, vehicle length and hook-ups in advance. They fill up quickly in high summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): On the islands and around Shippagan, free-standing at harbours and beaches is not provided for. On Miscou Island local rules apply; parking overnight at viewpoints is not advisable without permission.
- Insider tip for campers
- The islands are often swept by strong wind, especially on the bridge to Lamèque; drivers of tall motorhomes should take care. Do not forget insect repellent for the peat bogs (mosquitoes and black flies).
3Stage 3: Lamèque and Miscou to Tracadie (approx. 100 km)
- The drive
- Go back via Lamèque and Shippagan, then take Route 11 south via Pokemouche and Tracadie. The stretch is flat and easy to drive; speeds are mostly 100 km/h. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours. Petrol stations in Shippagan, Pokemouche and Tracadie.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Tracadie: the town centre and the historical museum tell of the leprosarium that operated nearby in the 19th century; check opening times in advance.
- Coastal beaches and dunes on the Gulf: short stops for walking and shell hunting.
- Acadian villages: small places with churches and harbours invite short halts.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Around Tracadie there are mainly private campsites; check availability, vehicle length and hook-ups with the operators in advance.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Around Tracadie, free-standing in public car parks is not provided for; stay on campsites at night.
- Insider tip for campers
- Route 11 is the main connection; detours into the coastal villages avoid traffic and offer better views, but cost time.
4Stage 4: Tracadie to Miramichi (approx. 95 km)
- The drive
- From Tracadie take Route 11 south via Neguac to Miramichi. The road is two-lane to four-lane, with speeds of mostly 100 km/h. Pure driving time is around 1.5 hours. Petrol stations and shops in Neguac and Miramichi.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Neguac: a village on the coast with a view of Miramichi Bay; a stop for the fishing harbour and beach.
- Miramichi: a town on the Miramichi River, known for Atlantic salmon and the Miramichi Folksong Festival in August; the town is the focal point of the region.
- Beaubears Island: a National Historic Site on the river that once hosted shipbuilding and the timber trade; access is by boat with a guide, so check dates in advance with Parks Canada.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Around Miramichi there are mainly private campsites on the river; check availability, vehicle length and hook-ups with the operators in advance. They fill up quickly in high summer.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In and around Miramichi most land is privately owned; free-standing in town and by the roadside is not allowed. Crown land begins in the hinterland.
- Insider tip for campers
- Salmon fishing on the Miramichi is strictly regulated; if you want to fish, you need a valid licence and must observe the season and catch rules (check the current rules with the province).
5Stage 5: Miramichi to Kouchibouguac National Park (approx. 75 km)
- The drive
- From Miramichi take Route 11 and Route 117 south and east to Kouchibouguac National Park. The road is two-lane and mostly quiet, at 80–100 km/h. Pure driving time is around 1 hour. Petrol stations and shops in Miramichi and Richibucto; no petrol station in the park itself.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Kellys Beach: a long sandy beach with boardwalks through the dunes; in summer seals lie on the sandbars and Piping Plovers breed on the beach. Keep your distance from the animals; dogs are permitted with restrictions.
- Salt marshes and hiking trails: the park offers trails through salt marsh, forest and peat bog; the routes are flat and easy to walk. Cycle paths run through the park; bicycles can be hired in the park, so check times and prices in advance.
- Boat tours and canoeing: canoe and kayak trips are possible on the lagoons; check hire and tours with Parks Canada.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Kouchibouguac National Park: according to Parks Canada there are South Kouchibouguac (the large campground with 311 sites, showers, a playground and a dump station) and the smaller, simpler Côte-à-Fabien (31 unserviced sites on a lagoon), plus backcountry sites; check electricity, vehicle lengths and season dates at parks.canada.ca. Reserve through the Parks Canada reservation system, well in advance in summer. The usual park admission applies (day pass or Discovery Pass).
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Camping in the park is allowed only on the designated sites. Outside, the forests are mostly privately owned; clarify ownership and fire bans before overnighting.
- Insider tip for campers
- In high summer mosquitoes and black flies are a nuisance, especially in the evening by the salt marshes; plan for insect repellent and long clothing. The best time for a bike ride is early morning, when the wind is still calm.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- In New Brunswick you may in principle camp on Crown land, but not on private land and not in parks outside the campsites. Check the exact rules with the Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development; enforcement is local.
- In dry spells the province imposes fire and access bans on the forest; check the status before every stage at gnb.ca.
- Overnighting in the car parks of supermarkets, harbours and museums is not generally allowed; if in doubt, ask.
- Wildlife: black bears, moose and coyotes occur in New Brunswick; keep food in the vehicle at night. Moose are particularly dangerous on the road at dusk.
- Apps and sites: Campendium, iOverlander, The Dyrt, plus the Parks Canada reservation system (Kouchibouguac).
Waste disposal & supplies
- Dump stations are found on many campsites and at some petrol stations; apps such as Campendium or iOverlander help with the search. In Kouchibouguac National Park, check availability in advance.
- Tap water in the towns is generally drinkable; at some sites there is only well water, in which case follow the signs.
- Do not drain grey water onto the ground or into watercourses; empty chemical toilets only at dump stations.
- Propane: petrol stations and dealers refill bottles; European bottles need an adapter and are mostly not refilled.
- Fuel: petrol stations in Bathurst, Caraquet, Shippagan, Lamèque, Tracadie, Neguac, Miramichi and Richibucto; on Miscou Island and in the park few or none.
- Electricity: serviced sites offer 15, 30 or 50 A; rental motorhomes usually have the matching cable.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits in km/h: Route 11 mostly 100–110 where signed; country roads 80–90; in built-up areas 50.
- Tolls: there are no tolls on the routes described.
- Dimensions and height: in Canada a maximum height of about 4.1 m (13 ft 6 in) generally applies.
- Language: the peninsula is predominantly French-speaking; signs and conversation are often bilingual.
- Traffic law: turning right on red is permitted after a full stop unless a sign prohibits it; open alcohol containers in the vehicle are prohibited; phones at the wheel only hands-free. A German driving licence is generally sufficient, though an international one is recommended.
- Parks: for Kouchibouguac National Park and Beaubears Island, Parks Canada admission and the Discovery Pass apply; check current amounts at parks.canada.ca.
- Weather: mild summers (20–25 °C), cool nights; wind and fog on the coast; remnants of hurricanes are possible in late summer and autumn.
- Emergency: 911; mobile reception is patchy in places in the hinterland.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Bicycles or rental bikes: Kouchibouguac and the coastal paths are flat and ideal for cycling.
- Insect repellent and mosquito net: mosquitoes and black flies by salt marshes and bogs.
- Binoculars for seabirds, seals and Piping Plovers.
- Windproof jacket and warm layers: wind and fog on the coast and on the islands.
- Swimwear: the beaches of Chaleur Bay and the Gulf are warm in summer.
- Copy of the reservations, offline maps and a few scraps of French.
As of 2026-09. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
