Cape Breton Highlands National Park

Set along the rugged coastline of Cape Breton Island, Cape Breton Highlands National Park protects one of Canada's most spectacular stretches of coastline and interior plateau. This is the park where the Appalachian Mountains run out of room and drop into the Atlantic Ocean, and the world-famous Cabot Trail was built to show it off. Spanning nearly 950 square kilometers of pristine wilderness, the park showcases dramatic coastal cliffs, deep river canyons, and rolling highland plateaus that have captivated travelers for generations. With 26 diverse hiking trails, abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, and some of the most photographed landscapes in Eastern Canada, this national park consistently earns its reputation as a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts, photographers, and nature lovers seeking authentic wilderness adventures.

Practical Information

Address: 37637 Cabot Trail, Ingonish Beach, NS B0C 1L0, Canada
Phone: 902-224-2306 (admin offices, Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-4 p.m., closed holidays)
Email: cbinfo@pc.gc.ca

Hours:

• Park access: Year-round
• Visitor services: Mid-May to mid-October
• Visitor centers (Chéticamp & Ingonish):
• Spring/Fall: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Peak season: 8:30 a.m.–extended evening hours (closing varies)

Admission (2026):

• Adults (18-64): $10.00
• Seniors (65+): $8.75
• Youth (6-17): FREE
• Family/vehicle (up to 7 people): $19.50
• Seasonal Pass: Adult $48.25, Senior $42.50, Family/Group $96.75
• Parks Canada Discovery Pass: Adult $83.50, Senior $71.50, Family/Group $167.50 (all national parks/sites)
• Canada Strong Pass: Free admission June 19 to September 7, 2026.
• Free for Mi'kmaq of NS; special passes for expropriated individuals.

Booking & Policies:

• Camping reservations required for summer (June onward) via gov't system.
• Chéticamp Campground: mid-May–late Oct 2026.
• No timed entry required (as of Oct 2025).

Accessibility:

• Wheelchair-friendly trails: Bog Trail, Middle Head.
• Accessible viewpoints, visitor centers, picnic areas, and rest benches.
• Audio tour (CD) available.

Key Notes:

• Park passes mandatory.
• Drones restricted.
• Fishing rules differ from provincial regulations.
• Full services May-Oct; limited in winter.
• 26 hiking trails (easy to challenging).

Plan around the two practical frictions and the park is straightforward: cell coverage disappears on the west side between Chéticamp and Pleasant Bay, and the popular campgrounds (Broad Cove, Ingonish Beach) need reservations rather than luck once June arrives. Outside those two items, the park asks little of you — pick a trailhead, buy the pass at the gate, and go. The Skyline Trail at sunset and the Franey climb above the canyon are the two walks people remember years later.