Backcountry camping

Backcountry camping is available from May 20 to October 30, with some limited spring camping available from April to mid-May. Camping is not permitted from November to April.

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.

Reservations

Kejimkujik reservations open on February 17, 2022 at 8 am AST

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

Cost: See prices

 
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.

Be prepared

You are responsible for your own safety. Be prepared for changing weather conditions, be aware of hazards, and have adequate information and equipment to ensure a safe visit.

Current advisories, warnings, and closures Visitor safety Prepare for your activity with AdventureSmart
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, rules, and regulations
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:
  • 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 details about licenses and regulations.
Maps
If your campsite is accessible by hiking

Wilderness hiking on the backcountry trails in Kejimkujik is difficult. There are three backcountry trails: #16 Eel Weir to Fire Tower, #17 Channel Lake, and #18 Liberty Lake.

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.

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

More information about wilderness hiking

If your campsite is accessible by water

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.

Check water levels with visitor centre staff.

We suggest traveling on the lakes in the morning to avoid windy afternoon conditions. 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.

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

More information about wilderness canoeing.

What to bring
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@whynotadventure.ca.
  • Bug spray.
Equipment rentals:

Equipment rentals are available online from Whynot Adventure, the Keji Outfitters. Reservations must be made online in advance. Pick up your rental at Jake’s Landing.

More information
More information:
Safety
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.
  • Swimming suitability varies from site to site, depending on water depth on approach to site.
Resources
Resources
Guides and maps
  • Kejimkujik’s Backcountry Guide and Map ($11.75 at the Visitor Centre)
Websites