Backcountry camping

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.

Reservations

Kejimkujik reservations open on April 23, 2021 at 8 am ADT

Parks Canada reservation service
1-877-RESERVE (737-3783)
Outside of North America: 519-826-5391

Camping season
Backcountry camping is available from June 1 to October 30, 2021, with some limited spring camping available from April to mid-May. Camping is not permitted from November to April.

Group camping
Contact Kejimkujik to register: 902-682-2772, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, beginning June 1, 2021

A trip into Kejimkujik's backcountry is your chance to experience the tranquil wilderness and ancestral home of the Mi'kmaq. Relax and slow to the pace of the natural world as you travel by canoe or on foot.

Over 80% of Kejimkujik is accessible by canoe or hiking only. There are 47 backcountry camping sites spread out over 17 lakes and connected by multiple rivers and streams. Campsites, trails, and portages enable you to travel safely without disturbing the land.

 
Two campers enjoy a backcountry campsite surrounded by trees with a view of the lake and another camper tending to a canoe and a kayak. The campsite includes a picnic table and a fire pit.

Tent campsites

  • Each site includes two tent pads (12 ft x 12 ft), a picnic table, a pit privy, a fire pit, and bear cables for hoisting food.
  • Most campsites have a fire box and firewood (with the exception of sites 17, 41, 42, and 43).
  • All sites have some amount of shade.
A sunlit rustic cabin surrounded by trees.

Rustic cabins

  • There are two backcountry cabins: Mason's (W1) and Wil-Bo-Wil (W2).
  • These rustic cabins are very basic so you must bring everything you would need at a normal backcountry site, other than your tents.
Registration, rules, and regulations

Kejimkujik is dedicated to preserving nature and fostering an understanding of sound camping practices. To ensure an enjoyable wilderness experience, now and in the future, please observe the following regulations and practices.

Registration:
  • Even with a reservation, you must register for backcountry camping prior to your trip.
  • Consult with the staff at Kejimkujik in regard to current and long-range weather forecasts, known hazards, policies, regulations, and available safety information.
  • Registration after hours is not available. If you will be arriving when the visitor centre is closed, please have your permit issued in advance by calling 902-682-2770.
     
Permits:
  • Permits must be issued prior to proceeding into the backcountry, even if you have a reservation. Please stop at the kiosk, when entering the park, to receive your permit.
  • If you will be arriving when the Visitor Centre is closed, please call 902-682-2770.
  • Please be sure to display a copy of your entrance permit on your vehicle dash.
Registration kiosk hours:
  • May 21 to June 23, 2021: 9 am to 6 pm, open until 8 pm on Friday and Saturday
  • June 24 to September 6, 2021: 9 am to 9 pm
  • September 7 to October 31: 2021: 9 am to 4:30 pm, open until 6 pm on Friday and Saturday
After hours registration:
  • Registration after hours is not available.
  • If you will be arriving when the visitor centre is closed, please have your permit issued in advance by calling 902-682-2770.
Check in time:
  • Any time on the date of arrival. Please keep in mind that the site may be occupied until 12 pm.
  • Permit must be issued from the visitor centre in time for you to reach your campsite during daylight hours.
Check out time:
  • Before 12 pm.
Quiet hours:
  • No excessive noise at any time
Maximum length of stay:
  • From June 23 to September 4, the maximum length of stay per site is 2 nights.
  • From opening until June 22 and from September 5 until closing, the maximum length of stay per site is 3 nights.
  • Maximum length of stay: 21 nights (total) in the backcountry.
Maximum persons per site:
  • Maximum 6 people per site except sites C (Big Dam Lake), 7 (Frozen Ocean Lake), and 12 (Ritchie Island, Kejimkujik Lake), which are maximum 10 people.
Maximum camping units per site:
  • 2 medium sized tents (4 person), or 4 small tents (2 person) per site (all must fit on tent pads).
  • For sites C, 7, and 12, 3 medium sized tents (4 person), or 6 small tents (2 person) per site (all must fit on tent pads).
Reservations
  • There is no limit on the number of reservations you can make for yourself or others, provided the fees are paid and complete booking information is provided for each.
  • Each reservation must be secured by a NON-REFUNDABLE reservation fee and complete payment of all camping fees.
  • Each reservation includes all sites reserved consecutively for ONE backcountry trip (21 night maximum).
  • Each site may be booked for a maximum of two consecutive nights between the last Friday before Canada Day and Labour Day, and three consecutive nights in other operating seasons.
  • Payments for all reservations must be made with a major credit card.
Changes and cancellations
  • If you cannot make your trip at the time you have reserved, you will be refunded all camping fees (less the reservation fee and a cancellation fee), as long as you notify the Parks Canada Reservation Service no less than three days preceding your reserved date of arrival.
  • If you wish to make a change or an addition to your reservation, you will be required to pay a modification fee.
  • Reservations not claimed on the scheduled date of arrival will be cancelled by noon of the following day.
If there is no vacancy for your dates
  • Kejimkujik does not have backcountry sites available on a first come first served basis. If there are no sites available for the dates selected, you can either select different dates or reserve a site in our front country campground.
Fire policy:
  • 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.
  • Campfires are not permitted at all backcountry locations.
  • Please note: you may only make a fire in the pit provided for this purpose
  • You may not gather any wood, bark, or kindling from the forest. Burn only the firewood provided. Make your kindling from this firewood. Be sure to bring an axe or hatchet.
Alcohol and cannibas policy:
  • Alcohol and cannabis consumption is permitted on registered Parks Canada campsites, but is prohibited in all other campground common areas (including beaches, playgrounds, and other public areas).
Pet policy:
  • Pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Pets must not be left unattended. You must pick up after your pet at all times.
  • Pets are a threat to wildlife and wildlife can hurt pets. We recommend that they not be taken into the backcountry.
Food and garbage:
  • Never store food in your tent. Raccoons, bears, and other animals are attracted to food and food waste. Food should be sealed and stored using the food storage devices on each campsite. Campers must use the supports provided for hanging food and all substances which may attract wildlife.
  • Campers must pack out all garbage. Bags can be provided upon request at registration.
  • Do not dump garbage in the pit privies.
  • Do not burn garbage. You must bring all your waste back out with you. Sorting stations are available at the various backcountry parking areas.
Designated campsites
  • You may camp only on designated campsites, pitching your tent on tent pads provided.
Firearms
  • Firearms are prohibited within Kejimkujik.
Fishing:
Maps of backcountry campsites and firewood drops

Interactive map

Kejimkujik backcountry map 2017

Plan your backcountry trip with this interactive map!

 

Campsites and firewood drops

Map of firewood drops

This downloadable map (PDF, 1 MB) shows the backcountry campsites and firewood drop locations at Kejimkujik.

Legend

Firewood Firewood

Information Visitor Centre

Canoe rental Canoe rental

15 Backcountry camping site

Parking Parking

Hiking trail Hiking trail

Unpaved road Gravel road

Hard surface road Hard surface road

Park boundary Park boundary

Firewood drops – Southern Region

This map shows the backcountry wood drop locations in the southern region at Kejimkujik

Firewood in the southern lake sites (Loon, Cobrielle, Lower Silver, Peskowesk and Peskawa Lakes) will be located in nearby centralized wood piles. This downloadable map (PDF, 622 KB) shows the backcountry wood drop locations in the southern region at Kejimkujik.

Legend

Firewood Firewood

 Parking

15 Backcountry camping site

Hiking trail Hiking trail

Unpaved road Gravel road 

Park boundary Park boundary

Map of navigation buoys

This downloadable map (PDF, 935 KB) shows the backcountry buoy locations in Kejimkujik Lake. 

The map also shows:

  • Kejimkujik Lake and George Lake
  • Mersey River and West River
  • Jake's Landing and Jim Charles Point
  • Meadow Beach and Merrymakedge Beach
  • Jeremys Bay and Minards Bay
  • Big Muise Island, Dukeshire Island, Richie Island, Ell Island, Moose Island, and Peale Island
Map of navigation buoys at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site
Navigation buoys in Kejimkujik Lake
Legend

Red buoy Red buoy

Green buoy Green buoy

Yellow and black cardinal buoy Yellow and black cardinal buoy

Orange buoy Orange buoy

Hiking distances to campsites

Please note: If the site you want to hike to is not on the list below, it is not accessible by hiking or biking.

    Big Dam — One Way Eel Weir — One Way
    Site # Km Hours Km Hours
    A 0.21 5 min 59.2 17
    B 0.42 10 min 59 17
    C 0.52 12 min 58.9 17
    D 0.64 15 min 58.4 16.5
    1 1.3 0.5 58.1 16.5
    3 3.2 1 56.2 16
    5 11.5 3.5 50.9 14.5
    6 13 4 51.2 14.5
    7 12.2 3.5 47.2 14
    17 5 1.5 59.2 17
    22 35.6 12 36.8 13
    25 63.7 18.5 8 3
    W2 (wilbowil) 51 14 8 3
    37 (W1 - Mason's) 41 12 18.4 6
    38 44.8 12.5 18.2 5
    41 34.8 10 23 7
    42 25 7 34 11
    43 17.8 5.5 50 15
    44 14 4.5 45.4 13
    45 11 3 48.4 14
    46 10 3 49.4 14.5
Paddling distances to campsites

Please note: Different distances are given for certain sites as there are different routes to get there depending on the portage chosen. The portage is indicated in (). If the site you wish to stay at is not on the list below, then it is not accessible by canoe. 

    Distances (km) — One way
    Site # Big Dam Jake's Eel Weir
    Y1 n/a 0 n/a
    1 1.5 24  
    2 2.25 23.5  
    3 3 22.5  
    4 4 21  
    5 8.5 16.75  
    6 9 16.5  
    7 9.5 16  
    8 10.5 15  
    9 15.5 9.5  
    10 16 9 13
    11 19 6.5 10
    12 33.25 2 7
    13 33.5 2 7
    14 33.75 2.5 6.5
    15 32.5 3 6.5
    16 33 5.5 6
    17 16 11 16
    18   6.5 3.5
    19   6.5 3
    20   5.5 8.5
    21 23.5 9.5 13
    22 24 10.5 13.5
    23   11 2.5
    24   7 4
    25   9.5 7
    26   11.5 (E) 9.5 (E)
      12 (A) 9 (A)
    27   12.5 (E) 10.5 (E)
      11 (A) 9 (A)
    W2   13.5 11.5
    29   13.5 11.5
    30   15 13
    31    11.5 9
    32   12 9.5
    34   14.5 11
    37 (W1)
    		17 15
    38   17 15
    40
    		20 17.5
    41     17
    44 11 17 21.5
    45 9.5 17.5 22
    46 10 18 22.5
What to bring
Essentials:
  • Water. Please carry in water, or bring a filtration system or purification tablets. Water is not provided. Never assume that any water source in the backcountry is safe to drink.
  • Fuel and a portable camp stove for cooking. Be aware that open fires may be banned in dry conditions. Check important bulletins for updates.
  • An axe to make kindling from the firewood provided on your site. Note: not all backcountry sites will have wood provided. Wood drop maps are available at the visitor center.
  • Topographical map such as Kejimkujik's Backcountry Guide, available for download or for purchase at the visitor centre.
  • A map and compass and know how to use them. A GPS unit is a good additional tool but doesn't take the place of map and compass.
  • A canoe or kayak. Most campsites are only accessible by water. If unsure about the site you are booking, contact the Keji visitor centre at 902-682-2772. If canoe rentals are required, please contact Whynot Adventure at 902-682-2282 or online at info@whynotaventure.ca.
  • Bug spray.
More information:
Equipment rentals:
Things to do
Wilderness canoeing in Keji
  • If travelling on Kejimkujik Lake for the first time, pick up a buoy map at the visitor centre to help with finding your destination as the lake can confuse your sense of direction due to its multiple islands.
  • Travelling on lakes may be difficult during high winds, so it’s always best to get an early start.
  • Rivers and streams are generally lazy and easy to travel on.
  • Check water levels with visitor centre staff.
  • We suggest traveling on the lakes in the morning to avoid windy afternoon conditions.
  • More information.
Wilderness hiking in Keji

The Liberty Lake Loop is an extremely difficult trail to complete, even for experienced hikers, due to the trail passing through some very boggy areas, and the trail being difficult to follow in sections. Before booking this trip, please talk to an attendant at the visitor centre 902-682-2772.

This is a remote wilderness trail with no road access to a large part of it. Be prepared to encounter the following hazards on your trip:

  • Some sections of the trail follow old roads or eskers making for easy hiking, but other sections are rough, narrow, and overgrown with ferns and shrubs. This high vegetation makes following the trail challenging and may also chafe lower legs.
  • Some trail sections can be wet and muddy.
  • You may encounter trees down across the trail, and with rapid fern growth it can be hard to find the trail again should you have to re-route around such obstacles.
  • Although the trail does have trail markers, plan for instances where they may be sparse or missing. Expect that you might lose the trail at some point and might have to find it again by your own means.
  • We recommend you bring a Park topographic map and a compass, or a GPS, and know how to use them.
Swimming
  • Swimming suitability varies from site to site, depending on water depth on approach to site.
Fishing
  • Fishing is permitted from April 1 to August 31
  • A National Park Fishing Permit is required to fish in Kejimkujik. This is completely independent of a provincial fishing license.
  • All non-invasive fish are catch and release only, only barbless hooks are allowed, and no natural bait of any kind is permitted.
  • More information
Safety
Safety:
  • Your own safety is your first responsibility.
  • Be realistic about your abilities. Plan for your least-experienced and least-able group member. Provide for extra time and provisions.
  • Be prepared for emergencies, medical or otherwise.
  • Ensure you have enough daylight time to travel safely to your designated campsite.
  • We suggest traveling on the lakes in the morning to avoid windy afternoon conditions.
  • We recommend you bring a park topographic map and a compass, or a GPS, and know how to use them.
  • Access to drinking water can be sparse along some sections; be prepared to collect water and to carry it with you. Purify all water taken from backcountry water sources.
  • Carrying a cell phone is a good idea but beware that coverage is unpredictable.
Water safety:
  • Travelling on lakes may be difficult during high winds, so it’s always best to get an early start.
  • Rivers and streams are generally lazy and easy to travel on. Check water levels with staff at the visitor centre.
  • If travelling on Kejimkujik Lake for the first time, pick up a buoy map at the visitor centre. The map will help with finding your destination as the lake can confuse your sense of direction due to its multiple islands.
Resources
Guides and maps
  • Kejimkujik’s Backcountry Guide and Map ($11.75 at the Visitor Centre)
Websites