The best camping in Sable Island National Park, NS
Wander among wild horses, ancient shipwrecks, and life-giving springs.
Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Sable Island National Park adventure.
Top-rated campsites near Sable Island National Park
1. Red Rock Retreat Campground
Sable Island National Park camping guide
Overview
About
Famous for its grey seals, and shaggy wild horses, and Ipswich sparrows, Sable Island is a sandy crescent set 160 kilometres off Nova Scotia’s coast in the North Atlantic Ocean. The tiny, remote island is dominated by roving dunes and windswept grasses, but its life-sustaining freshwater ponds have allowed species to thrive here—many of which exist nowhere else on earth. While overnight camping is prohibited, day trips (via charter plane or private vessel) allow you to explore Sable Island’s unique landscape, along with remnants of ancient shipwrecks and Canada’s first life-saving station, built in 1801.
Tips for Getting There
- The most common way to arrive is by charter plane from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, a trip that takes upwards of 75 minutes, depending on weather. To book a flight, you’ll first need to register your trip with Parks Canada. Once approved and scheduled, you can then contact Sable Aviation to charter a 7-passenger plane.
- Arriving by boat can be cheaper than charter flights, but it’s a bit trickier due to potentially heavy fog, shifting sandbars, and rough seas—with this, only experienced boat captains should attempt a landing. If arriving independently, register in advance and follow Parks Canada’s detailed anchoring instructions.
- Booking transportation through a tour company is also an option; One Ocean Expeditions offers multi-day cruises that stop at the island for a few hours en route to other coastal destinations.
When to go
You can visit this Canadian park from June through October. Fog tends to be thick from late June to early August, so time your trip for later in the season to increase the likelihood of favorable weather conditions. It’s a good idea to keep travel dates flexible, as weather-related delays are common.
Know before you go
- There’s no online registration for Sable Island, but you can contact Parks Canada via email or phone to obtain a registration form.
- Bring enough supplies to last through weather-related delays, which typically last a day or two but can be significantly longer.
- There’s no permanent runway on the island, so planes take off and land on the south beach. As such, storm surges can delay air service for days or even weeks at a time.
- You’re not allowed to get within 20 metres of the wild Sable Island horses, but that’s plenty close to admire the feral horses and their manes.
- The island has a strict leave-no-trace policy—beyond trash, that outfitters typically set up a temporary outhouse on the beach for tour groups.
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