The best beach camping in Cabot Trail

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Located in northwest Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, the “Trail” (as locals call it) is renowned for its spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged coastlines, and charming fishing villages. You can drive the loop in a day and, for the best possible views, start east in the town of Baddeck and drive west toward Cheticamp. Those who linger in the region a bit longer for a camping road trip can enjoy incredible hiking trails, superb photography opportunities, and excellent golf, fishing, and swimming. Moose, bald eagles, and whales all call the area home.

99% (71)

Top-rated campgrounds near Cabot Trail

1. Live Life In Tents Campground

99%
(61)
15 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Baddeck, NS
This was one of the original homesteads in the Margarees. There was an old sawmill on site which was used to build the house and barn. It was sold to a man who started renovations for a summer house but ended up listing it for sale. I purchased it and completely renovated the 100-year-old house. Shortly after, my brother and I started an outfitting company with no plan of building a campground, but in 2017 we saw a great opportunity for building something unique. We wanted to keep a backwoods camping feel, but yet create it around a hostel-inspired environment. We launched June 1, 2018 and are in full swing now. We look forward to meeting you and will help you out in any way to make your trip here something to remember. Adventure awaits at this eco-camping hostel offering a natural setting, overlooking a picturesque valley. This location offers close to off-grid camping with a twist of comfort; furnished Glamping tents, sleeping up to 4 people per tent on a queen bed with twin camping beds for extra guests. Cooking gear, bedding, and towels are provided. Each tent, located at this eco-hostel, has its own campfire pit, with a solar outdoor shower on site and beautiful views of the river valley.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$35
 / night

2. Great Bras D'Or Waterside Camp

100%
(1)
3 sites · Tents, RVs · Ross Ferry, NS
Nicely treed with grassy clearings, this waterfront property has a pebble beach, with stunning views down the Great Bras D'Or Channel. At the beach, there’s swimming and fishing, shell searching, rock-skipping. Walk 100m down the beach to the Ross Ferry Marine Park where you’ll find shaded walking-trails, an outdoor fitness gym, and a jungle-gym with a slide for kids. Anyone who feels bold enough can jump off the wharf! There is also a boat launch that can be used (for a small donation to the Ross Ferry Marine Park. Guests of all campsites will have communal access to a small cabin close to the road in SUMMER TIMES ONLY. The interior of the cabin and the water are shut down in September. The cabin has power and water (AC cord can be run from the exterior outlet, and a hose can be attached to the exterior tap). Guests are free to use the small basic kitchen, bathroom, large deck and small living room, but the cabin is not for sleeping. There is no regular cleaning service, so guests are responsible for keeping the communal spaces clean.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
CA$35
 / night

5. The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

100%
(3)
4 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS
The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals, (formally the Dancing Moose Cafe) is a beautiful 3.5 acre ocean front, (rock) beach accessible property, located right on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic routes in the world! We are located on the east side (sunrise) on the Cabot Trail, about 15 minutes from Ski Cape Smokey, 25 minutes from the entrance of the Cape Breton Highland National Park with over 35 well maintained hikes. The on site restaurant, The Dancing Moose Cafe, is changing its activity starting this year (2025) and will only be open, serving breakfast for guests that stay on the property. Full a la carte breakfast is available, including our "famoose" Dutch Pannekoek. Breakfast is optional and not included in the rental fee. There are 4 different kind of vacation rentals on the property, The Sleeping Moose Cottage (1x), The Zzzz Moose Camping Cabins (3x) The ZzzzMoose 2.0 Camping Cabin (1x) and the Birch Plain Tower 1x). The Sleeping Moose has a minimum of 2 nights. All other rentals can be booked for 1 night, or more of course. Except for the Birch Plain Tower al our vacation rentals are pet friendly. (as long as you see this message it means we are working on setting up the rental units)
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
CA$91
 / night

Located in northwest Cape Breton Island in the province of Nova Scotia, the “Trail” (as locals call it) is renowned for its spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged coastlines, and charming fishing villages. You can drive the loop in a day and, for the best possible views, start east in the town of Baddeck and drive west toward Cheticamp. Those who linger in the region a bit longer for a camping road trip can enjoy incredible hiking trails, superb photography opportunities, and excellent golf, fishing, and swimming. Moose, bald eagles, and whales all call the area home.

99% (71)

Top-rated campgrounds near Cabot Trail

1. Live Life In Tents Campground

99%
(61)
15 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Baddeck, NS
This was one of the original homesteads in the Margarees. There was an old sawmill on site which was used to build the house and barn. It was sold to a man who started renovations for a summer house but ended up listing it for sale. I purchased it and completely renovated the 100-year-old house. Shortly after, my brother and I started an outfitting company with no plan of building a campground, but in 2017 we saw a great opportunity for building something unique. We wanted to keep a backwoods camping feel, but yet create it around a hostel-inspired environment. We launched June 1, 2018 and are in full swing now. We look forward to meeting you and will help you out in any way to make your trip here something to remember. Adventure awaits at this eco-camping hostel offering a natural setting, overlooking a picturesque valley. This location offers close to off-grid camping with a twist of comfort; furnished Glamping tents, sleeping up to 4 people per tent on a queen bed with twin camping beds for extra guests. Cooking gear, bedding, and towels are provided. Each tent, located at this eco-hostel, has its own campfire pit, with a solar outdoor shower on site and beautiful views of the river valley.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$35
 / night

2. Great Bras D'Or Waterside Camp

100%
(1)
3 sites · Tents, RVs · Ross Ferry, NS
Nicely treed with grassy clearings, this waterfront property has a pebble beach, with stunning views down the Great Bras D'Or Channel. At the beach, there’s swimming and fishing, shell searching, rock-skipping. Walk 100m down the beach to the Ross Ferry Marine Park where you’ll find shaded walking-trails, an outdoor fitness gym, and a jungle-gym with a slide for kids. Anyone who feels bold enough can jump off the wharf! There is also a boat launch that can be used (for a small donation to the Ross Ferry Marine Park. Guests of all campsites will have communal access to a small cabin close to the road in SUMMER TIMES ONLY. The interior of the cabin and the water are shut down in September. The cabin has power and water (AC cord can be run from the exterior outlet, and a hose can be attached to the exterior tap). Guests are free to use the small basic kitchen, bathroom, large deck and small living room, but the cabin is not for sleeping. There is no regular cleaning service, so guests are responsible for keeping the communal spaces clean.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from 
CA$35
 / night

5. The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals

100%
(3)
4 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS
The Dancing Moose Vacation rentals, (formally the Dancing Moose Cafe) is a beautiful 3.5 acre ocean front, (rock) beach accessible property, located right on the Cabot Trail, one of the most scenic routes in the world! We are located on the east side (sunrise) on the Cabot Trail, about 15 minutes from Ski Cape Smokey, 25 minutes from the entrance of the Cape Breton Highland National Park with over 35 well maintained hikes. The on site restaurant, The Dancing Moose Cafe, is changing its activity starting this year (2025) and will only be open, serving breakfast for guests that stay on the property. Full a la carte breakfast is available, including our "famoose" Dutch Pannekoek. Breakfast is optional and not included in the rental fee. There are 4 different kind of vacation rentals on the property, The Sleeping Moose Cottage (1x), The Zzzz Moose Camping Cabins (3x) The ZzzzMoose 2.0 Camping Cabin (1x) and the Birch Plain Tower 1x). The Sleeping Moose has a minimum of 2 nights. All other rentals can be booked for 1 night, or more of course. Except for the Birch Plain Tower al our vacation rentals are pet friendly. (as long as you see this message it means we are working on setting up the rental units)
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from 
CA$91
 / night

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The best beach camping in Cabot Trail guide

Where to go

Baddeck

The gateway to the Cabot Trail, Baddeck offers some of the prettiest scenery in Nova Scotia, thanks to the picturesque Bras d’Or Lakes. The town is full of history, home to the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, the Kidston Lighthouse, and Theatre Baddeck. Look out for tent campsites, RV spots, and glamping sites outside of town.

Cape Breton Highlands National Park

A third of the Cabot Trail winds through this national park, home to 26 hikes, including the renowned Skyline Trail. This five-mile loop is partially covered with a boardwalk (to help protect sensitive plant species). It offers the best views of any spot along the Cabot Trail. If you have a keen eye, you might spy moose, eagles, or even bears from your national park campsite.

Pleasant Bay

If you enjoy whale watching, this is one of the very best spots in the province. You can also check out whales on land with a visit to the excellent Whale Interpretive Centre. Visitors can see a life-size model of a pilot whale, saltwater livestock tanks containing live creatures found in the whale’s habitat, and 16-scale illustrations of whales frequently spotted in the nearby waters.

Cheticamp

The Acadian community of Cheticamp is a significant cultural and linguistic destination in Nova Scotia. Here you’ll learn about the Francophone community’s history, traditions, and culinary heritage. A must-see attraction is Les Trois Pignons. It’s home to Hooked Rug and Home Life Museum and offers demonstrations for the local craft of rug hooking.