Nova Scotia Reports Record-Breaking Camping Year

Nova Scotia is reporting a record-breaking year for camping, with thousands of people camping and visiting day-use parks over the summer.

In a press release, the Department of Natural Resources said that provincial campgrounds recorded the number of overnight stays at 91,262, an increase of 13 percent over last year, which was limited because of COVID-19.

It was estimated that around 86 percent of campers were from Nova Scotia, and 13 percent were from other regions of Canada. One percent of them came from the United States.

“Nova Scotians and others value provincial parks and the many ways they enable us to enjoy the social, mental, and physical health benefits of being in nature,” said Natural Resources and Renewables Minister Tory Rushton in the release.

“We will continue improving the visitor experience and making sure programs and services are more accessible to everyone.”

Enhancements to several campsites‘ infrastructure and improved visitor experience were made this year.

The provincial government provided electricity and water services to several campsites in Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park, located in Pictou County. A new looped trail system was also built at Cape Split Provincial Park in Kings County.

All indications pointed towards a busy camping season from the beginning. When reservations first opened for bookings in April, thousands of campers reserved on the first day.

Nova Scotia claims to have 20 camping parks and 109 day-use beach parks.

All provincial campgrounds, beaches, and parks are closed for the season.