
© Susan Riehl/Friends of Keji
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

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.

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 AdventureSmartRegistration, 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.
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Designated campsites |
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Firearms |
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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 | |||
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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 |
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 | ||||
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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
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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. |
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Safety
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Resources
Guides and maps |
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