Camping in D’Anville’s Encampment National Historic Site

Discover the historic allure of D’Anville’s Encampment in Halifax.  

Top camping near D’Anville’s Encampment National Historic Site

No matching sites in the park — explore these options nearby.
Murphy's Camping on the Ocean

1. Murphy's Camping on the Ocean

99%
(66)
35 sites · RVs, Tents · Tangier, NS
The Wild Islands, 100 Wild Islands, Wild Islands Coast. Regardless of the name, we couldn’t be more lucky to have this pristine wilderness at our fingertips. Considered to be “The most valuable islands you’ve never heard of”, the archipelago is one of the last remaining intact and ecologically rich island groups of its size in North America. We want to share it with you… responsibly. As members of 1% for the Planet and Leave No Trace Canada, we’re committed to conserving the islands and helping others to do the same. We believe that people can only fully appreciate the islands’ unmatched beauty and conservation value by experiencing them firsthand. Murphy’s Camping on the Ocean has been operating on Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore for over 60 years! This makes Murphy’s Camping one of the longest-running campgrounds in Nova Scotia. Our campground lands began as a coastal fishing settlement where you’ll still find a fisherman’s wharf and the old salt fish tanks from years past when schooners would load this cargo bound for the New England market. Over the years the Murphys have provided services such as schooner supply runs, rum running, moon shining, boat building, blacksmith services, farm produce, and sport fishing.
Pets
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from 
CA$39
 / night
Wildflowers at the waterfront just near the site

2. Off the Beaten Trail Eco Lodging

98%
(53)
12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents · Rose Bay, NS
Welcome to Off the Beaten Trail. Found on the beautiful South Shore of Nova Scotia, near the famous U.N.E.S.C.O Town of Lunenburg, making us a great central location. We offer a glamping experience that will be hard to beat. Offering unique full service units, Tent and RV sites. Recognized Superhost with Airbnb and voted #3 in Nova Scotia for Best Hipcamp in 2022 Open year round, for those who enjoy winter camping. Near by you’ll find Sea Glass beach (aka Spindlers Beach), The Ovens Natural Park, Sand Dollar Beach, Hirtles Beach, Oxners Beach (usually peaceful), Gaff Point Hiking Trail, Indian Path Common Trails, and Kingburg beach to name a few. For shopping locally we have The Rose Bay General Store and Bistro with NSLC Outlet. You’ll find convenience items, seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, take out and dine in eating, a great selection of imported Specialty items, and authentic Nova Scotian products. A great spot to stop on the way back from the beach for a bite to eat and supplies. We also have the Bayport Pub at the beginning of Feltzen South Road. With Great pub classics and fresh hot fish and chips, you’ll want to let them handle the cooking for a night, but make sure to leave room for the best Ice Cream around. Get the Scoop located in Feltzen South, just a short distance from us here at Off the Beaten Trail. Look up these great places and more online for hours and specials.
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CA$47.50
 / night
LaHave River Campground

4. LaHave River Campground

38 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents · Barss Corner, NS
Find our quaint family-owned-and-operated campground in Lunenburg County, nestled in a forested area along a subset of the LaHave River. Although only a half hour from world-renowned tourist towns and stunning Atlantic beaches, your drive will bring you into rural Nova Scotia, where you will feel like you are a million miles away! Enjoy the sights and sounds of nature on our riverside property, where we host Unserviced Tent Sites, Serviced Campsites for tents and trailers, Tiny Cabins, and Rental Trailers - we offer something for every style of camper! The whole family is sure to have fun at LaHave! Our 15 acre grounds host a general store with sweet treats, a community building with communal firepit, swimming holes and a dock, a playground, off-leash dog run, basketball nets, darts, horseshoe pits, washer toss, and so much more! We look forward to hosting you at LaHave! Jamie Lee, Kalen and Tundra Campground Rules & Regulations ● Campsites are modest, intended for 1 RV, trailer or tent, and 1 vehicle. ● Rates are for up to 4 individuals, with a $5 surcharge for additional guests per night. ● Visitors are to check in at the office, arriving before 9pm, exiting by 11pm. ● Speed limit is 10 km/hr. ● Children are not to be unsupervised in the park and on a site by 11pm. Children on bikes require helmets, and no bikes or playground after dark. ● Midnight is quiet time, and no excessive noise ever please. ● Dogs are to be in your control, leashed and picked up after, with no excessive barking. ● Campfires are subject to Nova Scotia burn ban restrictions – no burning 8am-2pm ever. Check Burn Safe website at 2pm daily to see if 2pm or 7pm fires or permitted, or no fires at all. We sell firewood or you can bring your own. Do not move the firepit, and pits or campsites left littered will be a $10 cleaning fee. ● Recycling is mandatory, with garbage, recycling, cardboard, compost and empties bins on site. ● Campers must adhere to the rules for themselves, their family and visitors. Failure to do so will result in notice to leave. Campers are to pay for any property damage caused. No refunds will be granted, including for early departure. Tourism Nova Scotia Registration #: RYA-2023-24-03031459421598980-1781
Pets
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CA$55
 / night
Gaspereau River Hipcamp

5. Gaspereau River Hipcamp

100%
(9)
5 sites · RVs, Tents · Windsor, NS
Welcome to the Gaspereau River Hipcamp! Formerly a baseball field, nestled within the trees by the shore of the Gaspereau River, this Hipcamp provides serenity and privacy. A perfect base camp for tubing along the river or visiting the many vineyards and farm markets. Wolfville is only a 7 minute drive away, offering an abundance of amenities and dining experiences. If you are interested in exploring nearby Lumsden or White Rock Pond, a kayak and standup paddle board are available for 30$ each per day. Complementary fire wood is provided. The property features a half kilometre trail along the river which meanders through Acadian old growth forrest which includes oak, maple, birch, ironwood and hemlock, just to name a few. Whether you want to stay by the river or venture out to see all that the valley has to offer, this spot provides it all!
Pets
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CA$35
 / night
Blueberry Run Trail RV Site

6. Blueberry Run Trail RV Site

99%
(57)
1 site · RV · Grand Desert, NS
Only 1 RV site on our 11 acre property located on a dead-end road within a small residential community. Newly groomed trail is located 20 feet East of the site so you can walk, run, bike, ATV or hike the trail. (No Tenting Permitted.) Site Features: (RV Pad is 65' long by 20' wide with room for slides) - 20 AMP electrical (not recommended for RVs that require 50 AMPs unless you have generator power to supplement demand.) - Bell fibre high-speed Wi-Fi included on-site. - Gray water hookup on-site so you don't need to worry about filling your tank. - Portable black water tank rental available (Must be added to booking for additional fee). - Wood deck with covered gazebo, privacy walls and bug netting for extra comfort. - Fire pit provided (additional fee for firewood). Check Burn ban updated 2pm daily at https://novascotia.ca/burnsafe/ - Propane fire pit and propane tank available to rent. (OK to use during fire bans) - 20 to 40 minutes to Dartmouth and Halifax City via Hwy #107 or #207. - 5 to 15 minutes to many popular ocean beaches and surfing. - Full shopping centre within 10 minutes in Porters Lake. (Fuel, grocery, liquor, pharmacy, vet, restaurants, hardware store, bank, pizza shops, cheesecake and more) - 7 km long newly groomed trail for biking, running, walking and ATVs. (4.6 miles) Self-check-in time is 2pm and checkout is no later than 11am. We hope you enjoy your stay and if you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're open now until Sun Nov 2nd, 2025.
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CA$49.50
 / night
Porters Peak

7. Porters Peak

97%
(15)
13 sites · Lodging · Halifax, NS
Breathe in the fresh air, unwind, reconnect, and recharge as you escape in the great outdoors. Porters Peak is an adventure getaway located in Porters Lake, only 40 minutes from Halifax. We offer over 250 acres of rolling hills, adventure activities and 2 unique types of accommodations; Safari Tents and Cozy Cabins. Built by Canadian adventurers, for adventurers of all types. Enjoy Luxurious Glamping Tents for Your Next Adventure. Relax in style with our luxurious glamping tents featuring plush bedding for a comfortable night's sleep. Enjoy cooking in our fully equipped outdoor kitchen and seating area, surrounded by beautifully landscaped surroundings. As the sun sets, cozy up around your personal fire pit and soak up the ambiance with solar lights illuminating your tent, or grill up some delicious food on your personal BBQ. Our glamping tents offer the perfect blend of comfort and nature for an unforgettable outdoor experience. Experience the magic of the great outdoors!
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CA$70
 / night
Lusty Lagoon

8. Lusty Lagoon

100%
(3)
1 site · RV, Tent · Blockhouse, NS
Location, Location, Location! Looking for a convenient place to pitch a tent while enjoying the sites and sounds of Lunenburg, Mahone Bay, Bridgewater or the Bern art maze? Just want quick access onto Rails to Trails? Not to mention a minute away from an incredible coffee shop, Chicory Blue, amazing French bakery, Boulangerie, one of a kind vintage stop, the four points vintage market, and be sure to stop into The Barn for Sunday Bun day, definitely the best cinnamon bun you’ll ever have. This old park turned huge single private campsite is nestled smack dab in the middle of all these popular destinations, and has direct access to endless kilometres of trail. Bring the dogs for walks through quiet trails, while picking fresh blackberries. Enjoy a complimentary tent and fire wood! Conveniently located right off the old highway, this site gives you quick access to some of the best of what Nova Scotia has to offer! It’s well protected by trees, it’s private, dry, could fit multiple vehicles if need be! So stop in, pitch a tent, have a fire (restrictions permitting), watch the stars and enjoy Lusty Lagoon as a wonderful memory as you travel across this beautiful province.
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from 
CA$20
 / night
Tent/Camper Camping by the Ocean!

10. Tent/Camper Camping by the Ocean!

100%
(45)
2 sites · RVs, Tents · Head Of Jeddore, NS
Nestled in a quaint old Fishing Town is a 4-Acre Forest property, that hadn’t been touched since 1885! This land overlooks the North Atlantic Ocean, with a 25ft bank at the edge of the property, and almost 200ft of stone beach! No potable water on this property (well water is available by hose for cooking/cleaning/showering), but 10 minutes by car you’ll find a Sobeys, a liquor store, a laundromat/cafe, a pub, a Home Hardware, and small local shops that carry camping supplies and so much more! There should be a grey plastic rounded table available (just pop in the 4 peg legs), and 2 matching grey small coffee side tables you can use positioned under the Tiny Home. Please return them somewhere underneath the Tiny Home when you are done using them so that other campers may use them :) 30 min drive away is the infamous Martinique Beach, a very popular surfing spot! Lots of hiking and site seeing available nearby as well. A long drive way is the entry point to the camping site. All I ask is that each camper leaves the property better than you found it. As you depart, another camper is most likely arriving so please keep that in mind. Enjoy the peace and quiet under the stars, and fall asleep to the sounds of the waves breaking against the shore, and the leaves rustling in the breeze! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There is currently a Tiny Home on the property being built, and it is currently occupied by the property owner full-time. Garbage pick-up in this area only allows one black plastic bag to be removed every 2 weeks. If your garbage is in a clear bag the city will take it and you can put your sealed garbage in a clear bag in the wood box at the end of the driveway. The city ONLY takes clear bags. Recycling is allowed in blue bags. Due to this restriction, I am not able to handle all the campers garbage -- please take any that you create with you if you do not have clear bags. If any camper is found to have stayed past the check out time, they will be charged for another nights stay. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you and I hope you enjoy your stay!
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from 
CA$35
 / night
Ninestone Retreat

14. Ninestone Retreat

100%
(5)
3 sites · RVs, Tents · Princeport, NS
Discover 90 acres of secluded heaven nestled high above the Shubenacadie River. Wander along our 2 km of groomed trails or forge your own path through the enchanting woods. Witness the ebb and flow of the tide every 12 hours and marvel at the river rafters as they glide by. Befriend our two majestic horses and, during the seasonal apple harvest, indulge in picking ripe fruits straight from the trees. Delight in the spectacle of bald eagles gracefully soaring above the cliffside, or lose yourself in the mesmerizing expanse of stars overhead. For the adventurous spirits, set off on your bike or ATV to explore the rugged terrain. Just 15 minutes away lies the historical town of Maitland, waiting to be explored. This is an experience unlike any other in Nova Scotia — secluded, private, and simply stunning. With several different sites available, some equipped with wifi while others offer greater seclusion, riverfront access, or tranquil wooded areas, there's something to suit every preference. Surrounded on three sides by the river, immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty of our secluded sanctuary.
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CA$40
 / night
Camp Croft

17. Camp Croft

100%
(8)
1 site · RV · Windsor, NS
Come enjoy our boondocking site located in Chester Basin on Nova Scotia’s South Shore. Close to Chester, Mahone Bay and Lunenberg. Just a short drive off of the 103 brings you to our secluded 2 acre wooded property suitable for trailers or RV’s up to 30 feet. We provide a level trailer pad with 8x16 deck and picnic table. Your site is exclusive and overlooks a small lake with access for canoes or kayaks. The lake has trout and bass in it and abundant wildlife including a couple of beavers. You are not far from the Rail Trail which is great for cycling or hiking. Some great restaurants are close by such as the Seaside Shanty. Book a visit to the Sensea Nordic Spa in Chester while you are here or just enjoy the serenity of your own little paradise. There is a fire pit but please bring your own wood or purchase nearby. No water or toilet facilities provided. Pump out and fresh water can be provided by a business close by if needed.
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CA$55
 / night
Lunenburg Bay with Lunenburg in the back

19. Fire Cove Cabins

75%
(4)
12 sites · RVs · Feltzen South, NS
Fire Cove Cabin grounds are right at the ocean front of this rugged shale coast. The whole area is prepared for the building of 12 Cabins in 2023 and can be used for self contained campers till then. The pads are perfectly leveled in different elevations for the perfect view of the Bay of Lunenburg. Watch the Bluenose sailing by on her daily turns and many other boats and ships. We have our own little private horseshoe beach and the large Spindlers Beach is 5 walking minutes away. 20 Minutes to beautiful Lunenburg and 30 Minutes to Bridgewater, Ovens Park, and Rose bay are just around the corner. This is the perfect spot for the individual camper who does not want to be on a crowded Campground and does not need any further services, but wants fantastic views and sunsets on the Atlantic ocean. Easy in and out driving and ample room for you and your camper limited to 12 spots only.
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CA$48
 / night
Moo Nay Farms

20. Moo Nay Farms

100%
(3)
15 sites · Tents · Cooks Brook, NS
Moo Nay Farms is a located in Cooks Brook, Nova Scotia, about an hour from Halifax and 20 minutes from our local airport. We are a 100 acre free range beef, pig and rabbit farm, and horse boarding facility on a corner bordering on 2 rivers, a running brook and a sitting on a huge pile of sand. We encourage our campers to also be free range and choose any nice quiet spot they find, a wide open sand lot, along the river, or deep in the woods. Campers are free to set up tents and sites on either side of the pasture, I don't allow trailer campers in the pastures as the cows tend to like to use them as scratching posts and can damage units. You never know when a litter of piglets is going to be born, a new calf arrives, or when the cows will skip the fence and we call on ya for a cattle drive, but always guaranteed something interesting is going to happen on the farm. We welcome campers to bring their pets responsibly, please be aware it is a livestock farm. For people vacationing or travelling with horses, we have stalls and paddocks available and plenty of sand arenas and trails to ride in. Key features of the property are definitely the livestock, horses, a beautiful swimming or fishing hole at the corner of the property tons of walking or biking trails, a beach volleyball court, huge bbq pit, firepit area complete with seating, bbq capable of roasting whole hogs if you're planning a party event or gathering. With 100, very accessible acres, so many things to do, to learn about free range farming, and country life, we're sure you will find a beautiful location to enjoy nature on our farm, and lots of fun for the kids.
Pets
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from 
CA$30
 / night

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Camping in D’Anville’s Encampment National Historic Site guide

Overview

About

D’Anville’s Encampment National Historic Site is located on a small plot of land in Centennial Park in Bedford Basin, Halifax, Nova Scotia. It was in this area, in 1746, that Duc d’Anville camped along the shore on a failed expedition from France to recover Acadia. The site consists of a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) plaque and cairn surrounded by a five-metre radius in Centennial Park. There are no known extant remains associated with Duc d’Anville’s 1746 encampment, and its precise location remains unknown. Official recognition refers to the five-metre radius surrounding the HSMBC plaque and cairn. Visit historicplaces.ca for more information.

When to go

The best time to visit D’Anville’s Encampment National Historic Site is during the warmer months, from late spring to early autumn, when the weather is pleasant for outdoor exploration. Winter visits offer a stark, serene beauty, but be prepared for cold temperatures and limited access due to snow.

Know before you go

  • Check the weather forecast before your visit to ensure a safe and comfortable experience.
  • Remember that the site is open year-round, but accessibility may vary with seasonal conditions.
  • While there are no amenities on-site, nearby facilities in Centennial Park cater to visitor needs.
  • Respect the historic nature of the site and refrain from disturbing the plaque and cairn.
  • For more information, contact Parks Canada at 902-426-5080.
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