Facilities and services
Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Enjoy a variety of facilities and services during your visit to Kejimkujik and Kejimkujik Seaside, including new accessible and inclusive washroom and shower facilities located in Jeremy’s Bay Campground. Availability changes by season. Some facilities are open year-round.
Most requested
Camping reservation launch dates
Kejimkujik 2025 reservation launch (including reservations for backcountry and group camping at Jim Charles Point): Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 8 am AT
The process will be a little different than in the last few years. There will be no queuing system and reservations will be taken on a first come, first served basis.
Reservation launch dates and times
Reserve online | 1-877-RESERVE (737-3783) | Outside of North America: 519-826-5391
Backcountry firewood changes
Beginning in 2025, free and unlimited firewood will no longer be provided for backcountry campsites. Campers who choose to have a campfire must purchase firewood at the Visitor Centre or Campground Kiosk and transport it to their campsite. Campers will otherwise rely on the appliances they bring with them for their cooking, heating, and entertainment needs. More information
Closures and changes affecting accessible showers
Due to a serious safety issue, the accessible showers at Meadow Beach and sites 293/296 in Jim Charles are currently closed. Modifications were made to the other accessible showers.
Parks Canada is working to improve accessibility to facilities and services for all visitors. While we make changes in Kejimkujik, our web pages will help visitors know what to expect.
Kejimkujik (inland)
Open year-round
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
The public can now access an Automated External Defibrillator (AED, used for cardiac emergencies) day or night at the Kejimkujik Visitor Centre, thanks to The Jordan Boyd Foundation and Emergency Health Services - EHS.
Civic address: Kejimkujik Visitor Centre
The civic address is 3005 Main Parkway, Maitland Bridge NS B0T 1B0.
Electric vehicle charging stations
Visitor Centre parking lot
Dates of operation: Open 24 hours/day year-round
Two stations:
- one plug for Tesla vehicles only
- one plug for all other EVs
Cost: Free with admission
Accessibility:
- The plugs are located in an area of mulch, about 5 feet from the edge of the pavement. The access is level.
- The area can become very wet and muddy.
- The height of the plug is 100 cm.
Lakeview Café & Eatery, Merrymakedge
Dates of operation: Open from Victoria Day weekend to October 31:
One station with one plug
Cost: $1.50 per hour
Accessibility: The EV charging station is located on the side of the building next to a gravel path.
Near the Tuck Shoppe
Dates of operation: Open from Victoria Day weekend to October 31:
Two stations with one plug each
Cost: $1.50 per hour
Accessibility: The EV charging stations are located on the side of the building next to a gravel parking lot.
Firewood
Fire bans and temporary closures
Check the important bulletins to see if there is a fire ban or temporary closure in place.
Be prepared for a fire ban at any time. Please plan ahead and bring a camp stove.
Charcoal is permitted but it is considered an open fire which may be banned in dry conditions. Gas camp stoves are always permitted.
Dates of operation
From Victoria Day Weekend to October 31:
- Firewood is available for purchase at the Jeremy's Bay Campground.
- Wood supply may vary through the year and visitors should be prepared to cook on a camp stove.
Fall and winter:
- Firewood for the wood stove is available at the Mill Falls shelter by donation to the Friends of Keji.
- Note that kindling, matches, paper, and an axe are not provided. Please bring what you need to start a fire.
Firewood Policy
To prevent the spread of invasive pests, bringing in firewood or kindling from outside of Kejimkujik is prohibited, except kiln dried wood in a sealed plastic bag.
Firewood purchased in Kejimkujik is heat-treated and bug free. More information.
Firewood permit
Visitors require a Firewood Permit from the Campground Kiosk.
Campsite fireplaces
A fireplace is provided for evening fires at each campsite. Open fires may be built in these fireplaces only.
Please build small fires to conserve firewood.
Roofed accommodations
No open flames or cooking is permitted inside the roofed accommodations.
Fires are allowed outside the roofed accommodations, using the fire pit provided. Please build small fires to conserve firewood.
Backcountry camping
Parking
Parking is available at the following locations:
- Visitor Centre (accessible parking is available)
- Jake’s Landing (accessible parking is available)
- Jim Charles Point (accessible parking is available)
- Kedge Beach (accessible parking is available)
- Merrymakedge (P1) (accessible parking is available)
- Merrymakedge (P2)
- Merrymakedge (P3)
- Merrymakedge (P4) (accessible parking is available)
- Mill Falls
- Mersey River Trail
- Farmlands Trail
- Rogers Brook Trail
- Grafton Woods Trail
- Eel Weir
- Big Dam
- Flowing Waters
- Peter Point
Jeremy's Bay Campground: Parking is available for two cars at each campsite.
Fall, winter, spring
The Big Dam Road (to the north) and the Eel Weir Road (to the south) are gated, which affects distance to access the trails. These gates will be locked until the spring.
Picnic tables and shelters
Dates of operation
Year-round: Mill Falls and Merrymakedge (P1) picnic shelters are available for day use year-round. In the winter, road access to Merrymakedge (P1) is limited.
Victoria Day Weekend to October 31: Kedge Beach picnic shelter is open.
Fall and winter: There is no electricity in the shelters.
Great picnic spots
Quiet dining retreats along the Mersey River at places like Mill Falls, Mersey River trailhead, or Jake's Landing.
Pleasant shady spots right next to the river off of the main park road.
If you are out for a paddle there are picnic sites with tables and privies at Luxie Cove and Nancy Cove on Kejimkujik Lake. These picnic sites do not have fireplaces so you will have to bring a portable stove if you wish to cook food.
Map of picnic spots in day-use areas
The Parks Canada Perfect Picnic
Available from July to October 31.
Pick up a perfect picnic lunch on your way to Kejimkujik and Kejimkujik Seaside!
Accessibility
What to expect:
- extended picnic tables outside all shelters and day-use areas
- door width into the shelters is 32 inches
- doorway into the shelter is not barrier free and has a slightly raised threshold (sill)
Picnic shelter photos
Pit privies (outhouses)
Dates of operation
Open year-round
Locations
Pit privies are available at the following locations:
- Mill Falls Trail
- Big Dam Road parking lot
- Mersey River trailhead (accessible)
- Jim Charles Point (accessible)
- Jake’s Landing
- Merrymakedge P1 (accessible) and P4
- Sky Circle (accessible)
- Eel Weir
Fall, winter, and spring
Not all pit privies are serviced during the winter months, so please bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
Accessible pit privies (outhouses)
Accessible pit privies located at:
- Jim Charles Point
- Merrymakedge P1
- Mersey River trailhead
- Sky Circle
What to expect:
- crushed stone path, level with the door entrance
- hand rails in the pit privies
Merrymakedge pit privy:
- doorway is 34.5 inches wide
- threshold has a small 1 inch lip
- door handle is 41 inches from the ground
Trails
Enjoy trails of varying length and difficulty by walking, hiking, biking, skiing, or snowshoeing. Trail descriptions
Dates of operation
Open year-round, weather permitting.
Fall, winter, and spring conditions
Note that trails are not maintained or patrolled between November 1 and Victoria Day weekend.
You may encounter washed out or flooded sections and/or downed trees.
Emergencies: Call 911 and prepare to wait for help to arrive.
Accessibility
What to expect:
Kejimkujik’s front-country trails are designed to be relatively flat and are mostly less than < 8% grade, except in large elevation gain areas (e.g., Beech Grove).
They offer a 4-feet wide, mixed-terrain surface (mostly Class A gravel and boardwalk).
Trail surfaces vary; exposed rocks and tree roots should be expected, with some sections of the Ukme’k trail composed of cobble and coarse gravel.
Open seasonally from Victoria Day long weekend into October
Hippocampe all-terrain wheelchair
Available for free to allow visitors with reduced mobility to access beaches and trails.
Our model is intended for people between 4’7” and 5’5” and has a maximum weight capacity of 286 lb.
It can easily be disassembled for transportation by van.
Dates of operation
Victoria Day weekend to October 31: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
To borrow the chair
To borrow the chair, inquire at the Visitor Centre or call ahead 902-682-2772
Beaches
All beaches at Kejimkujik are unsupervised.
Enjoy beautiful sandy beaches in the campground and at Merrymakedge beach on the shores of Kejimkujik Lake.
Meadow Beach, Slapfoot Beach, and Kedge Beach offer excellent swimming. They are close to the campsites, connected by the Slapfoot Trail, and have beautiful views of Kejimkujik Lake.
Pets are welcome at the pet-friendly area at Merrymakedge Beach. Pets are not allowed on all other public beaches.
Map of beaches and day-use areas.
Dates of operation
From Victoria Day Weekend to October 31
Accessibility at Kejimkujik Lake
What to expect:
- wheelchair access to the edge of the sand
- no mobi-mat for the sandy area of the beach
Accessibility at Merrymakedge Beach
What to expect:
- paved path from parking lot to beach with clearly marked accessibility parking
- charcoal BBQ available from paved path
- wheel-chair accessible picnic tables by the path on the beach
- paved path and ramp to canteen
- extended picnic table
- wheel-chair accessible change room, with a ramp
Campfire circle
Dates of operation
Open from Victoria Day Weekend to October 31
Accessibility
What to expect:
- path is mulch, not granular compact
Guided experiences
Guided experiences are offered from July until September. Schedule
Campsites and roofed accommodations
Kejimkujik offers a variety of camping experiences:
- campsites for tents, trailers, and RVs – some sites are serviced with electricity
- backcountry camping
- roofed accommodations: oTENTik, Ôasis, rustic cabin
- group camping
Dates of operation
From Victoria Day Weekend to October 31
Accessible campsites
Four accessible campsites in Meadow Loop:
- with electricity
- wheel-chair accessible terrain and washrooms
Two accessible oTENTik at Jim Charles Point (#401 and #402):
- doorway width: 830 mm
- ramps
- extended picnic tables
- parking next to units and is accessible by car for passenger/gear drop-off
- a pit toilet with ramp, approximately 30 m away
- an accessible flushable toilet and shower located 70 m away on a gravel roadway
One accessible oTENTik at Jim Charles Loop (#335):
- ramp
- extended picnic table
- parking for one vehicle next to the unit
- flushable toilet located 60 metres away on a gravel roadway
Device charging stations
Two three-pronged power outlets are available in the common area of the accessible washrooms in Jeremy's Bay Campground.
Dates of operation: From Victoria Day Weekend to October 31
Drinking water
Campground
Washrooms have water taps and tap water is tested regularly to ensure it is safe for drinking.
Backcountry
Never assume that any water source in the backcountry is safe to drink.
Always bring drinking water or water purification (tablets, pump filter) into the backcountry with you.
Wireless (Wi-Fi) internet access
Available in the campground by the Tuck Shoppe, Visitor Centre, and Merrymakedge Eatery.
Please note that bandwidth is limited given Kejimkujik's remote location.
Sky Circle
Dates of operation
Open year-round, weather permitting
Accessibility
What to expect:
- accessible by a compacted granular gravel trail to the ramp
Guided experiences
Guided experiences are offered from July until September. Schedule
Visitor Centre
Begin your visit at the Visitor Centre! Talk with staff about what to see and do. Find a special keepsake at the By the Mersey Gift Shop, operated by the Friends of Keji.
Explore Mill Falls Trail that begins right outside the doors and leads to the Ukme'k Trail. More information.
Dates of operation
May 17 to October 31, 2024
8:30 am to 4:30 pm (Sunday to Saturday)
Phone: 902-682-2772
Automated External Defibrillator (AED)
The public can now access an Automated External Defibrillator (AED, used for cardiac emergencies) day or night at the Kejimkujik Visitor Centre, thanks to The Jordan Boyd Foundation and Emergency Health Services - EHS.
Accessibility
What to expect:
- wheel-chair accessible parking lot
- button-operated exterior doors to Visitor Centre
- male and female washrooms with hand rails and motion-sensor lights
- water fountains in each washroom
- free WiFi
Washrooms with flush toilets
Flush toilets are available at the following locations:
Open: May 17 to October 31, 2024
- the Visitor Centre
- Mill Falls
- Kedge Beach
Open: Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend
- Jakes Landing
- Merrymakedge Beach (P4)
- Merrymakedge (P1) (accessible)
Mill Falls and Merrymakedge
What to expect:
- concrete walkway to the washroom
- Larger washrooms and hand rails
- stall doorways are 32 inches wide
Washrooms with flush toilets and showers at Jeremy's Bay Campground
Temporary washroom closures
The following washrooms will be closed on the following dates, to align with shoulder season loop closures:
Dates:
- Tuesday, May 20, 2025, to Wednesday, June 18, 2025
- Monday, September 15, 2025, to Wednesday, October 8, 2025
- Wednesday, October 15, 2025 to Thursday, October 30, 2025
Washrooms:
- Upper Meadow Loop washrooms (near sites 61-154) will be closed
- Jim Charles Loop washrooms (near sites 255-360) will be closed on Monday morning to Friday afternoon (open on Friday afternoon to Monday morning)
Each of the facilities at Jeremy’s Bay campground has:
Washrooms (gender inclusive):
two accessible family washrooms (only 1 family accessible washroom at Jim Charles Point)
Each accessible washroom at Jeremy’s Bay campground has:
- push-button operated door and lock
- accessible flush toilet
- hand rails at the toilet
- baby change table
- motion-activated interior lights
- universal symbol and braille labeling on the door
- electrical outlet
Showers (gender inclusive):
one accessible shower
Closures and changes affecting accessible showers
Closures
Two accessible showers are currently closed due to a serious safety issue:
- accessible shower at Meadow Beach
- accessible shower opposite sites 293/296 in Jim Charles loop
Changes
The following changes were made to mitigate this issue as we plan for a permanent solution:
- All accessible showers: The fixed shower seats have been removed and replaced with moveable bariatric transfer benches.
- Accessible shower near site M11: both grab bars were removed.
- Accessible shower opposite site 233: The L-shaped grab bar was removed.
- Accessible shower opposite site 337 in Jim Charles loop: The side grab bar (previously beside the bench) was removed.
If you are camping by these washroom buildings and would prefer to use a different accessible shower, please note the one located at Kedge Beach has parking available nearby.
These measures are necessary to ensure the safety of visitors, which is of the utmost importance to Parks Canada. We are working diligently to address the issue and apologize for the inconvenience. Thank you for your understanding and your patience.
Each accessible shower at Jeremy’s Bay campground has:
- push-button operated door and lock
- accessible shower fixtures including grab bars and height adjustable controls with a detachable wand
- bench in changing area
- motion-activated lights and exhaust fan
- universal symbol and Braille labelling on the door
two standard showers
Common area with:
- accessible water fountain
- sitting bench
- charging station
Accessibility features of the building include:
- level and barrier-free concrete walkways to the washrooms
- push-button operated interior and exterior doors
- motion activated interior lights
- exterior lights
Services (open seasonally)
By the Mersey gift shop
Find books about Kejimkujik, field guides, souvenirs and keepsakes, children’s books, clothes, warm jackets, and something fun to do on a rainy day.
Operated by the Friends of Keji Cooperating Association. All profits support programs and amenities at Kejimkujik.
Located at the Visitor Centre.
Hours of operation:
- May 17 to June 27, 2024: 10 am to 4 pm
- June 28 to September 1, 2024: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
- September 2 to October 14, 2024: 10 am to 4 pm
- October 15 to October 31, 2024: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm
Accessibility:
There is a small ramp to the entrance.
Lakeview Café & Eatery
Treat yourself to a coffee, espresso drink, soft serve ice cream, pizza, fish and chips, burger, chicken fingers, nachos, or wrap.
Located at Merrymakedge Beach (P4)
902-809-0359
Hours of operation: Please check Facebook
- Open May 17, 2024 to June 20, 2024, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only
- Open June 21, 2024 to September 30, 2024, daily
Accessibility:
Lakeview Café & Eatery has an order window with a counter height of 770 mm.
Various seating options are available on the wooden deck, including a picnic table with an extended tabletop.
Tuck Shoppe
Enjoy ice cream, drinks, and slushies.
Located in Jeremy's Bay campground.
Operated by the Friends of Keji Co-operating Association. All profits support programs and amenities at Kejimkujik.
Hours of operation:
- June 28 to September 1, 2024, from 1 pm to 8 pm
Accessibility:
There is a small wooden deck beside the Tuck Shoppe order window.
The wooden deck is 7" high and 48.5" wide.
Whynot Adventure, The Keji Outfitters – Equipment rentals and guided tours
Whynot Adventure, The Keji Outfitters offers everything you need for your adventure at Kejimkujik, from equipment rentals to guided canoe tours.
Reservations
Make a reservation online and pick up at Jake's Landing at Kejimkujik.
Online reservations 24 hours in advance are recommended: whynotadventure.ca.
Dates of operation
From Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend: May 16 to October 13, 2025
Location
Located at Jake's Landing, Kejimkujik
Services offered
- Equipment rentals
Canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and bicycles.
Camping equipment and gear, including tents, sleeping bags, stoves, mess kits, waterproof bags, barrel packs, and backpacks.
- Guided tours
Hourly tours and multi-day tours, by advance reservation.
- Shuttle service
Shuttles are available and should be reserved no later than the day prior. Due to limited availability, advance reservation is recommended. Prices vary depending on the point of departure and arrival.
Rental information
A release of liability document must be agreed to and signed by each participant (19 years old) prior to participating in tours or renting boats or gear.
Underage participants must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian (this can be done in advance of arrival, online).
Accessibility
What to expect:
- paved access to the canoe-rental building at Jake's Landing
- paved access near (within 10 m) the docks
- unpaved path to the washrooms
Kejimkujik Seaside
Open year-round
Beaches
White sand beaches stretch along the Atlantic coastline at Kejimkujik Seaside. This beautiful beach makes for a great walk, reached by hiking a 2.2 km trail.
St. Catherines' River Beach
One of the Kejimkujik Seaside’s residents is the endangered piping plover. During the April to August nesting period, part of St. Catherine’s River Beach is closed to public access.
No swimming
Swimming is not recommended due to dangerous currents, strong undertows, and cold water temperatures.
No camping
Due to its small size and sensitive habitats, the Seaside is a day-use park so camping and open fires are not permitted.
No camping
There is no camping at Kejimkujik National Park Seaside. Due to its small size and sensitive habitats, the Seaside is a day-use park so camping and open fires are not permitted.
There is camping at nearby Thomas Raddall Provincial Park. Tourism Nova Scotia offers information about other places to stay. Call 902-742-0511 or 1-800-565-0000 (toll free in North America).
Parking area and trailhead
Adjacent to the parking area, at the trailhead, you will find
- wheelchair accessible washroom facilities,
- a pay phone,
- a trail map, and
- around the corner, a picnic shelter.
Due to its small size and sensitive habitats, the Seaside is a day-use park so camping and open fires are not permitted.
See the Kejimkujik Seaside page for more information.
Picnic tables and shelter
At Kejimkujik Seaside, there are sheltered picnic tables near the trailhead.
You may also stop to eat along the trail or on the beach; just remember to pack out everything you bring in with you.
No open fires are permitted at the Seaside, so if you wish to cook a meal you will need to bring a portable stove.
Learn more about Leave No Trace principles.
Open seasonally
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