The best camping in St. Peters Canal National Historic Site, NS

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Explore the engineering marvel of St. Peters Canal National Historic Site.  

The best camping near St. Peters Canal National Historic Site, NS

No matching sites in the park — explore these options nearby.
Festival layout during covid (250 max attendence).   Most tenters setup to right of row of cars.

1. Big Belle Farm

97%
(230)
58km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 595 sites · Tents, RVs · Mabou, NS
INSTRUCTIONS When you reserve your tent/rv make sure to select the day you want to check in until the day you are leaving. For example, to stay all weekend, select Friday to Sunday. To stay only Friday night, select Friday to Saturday. Selecting only one date will not reserve the date you want as it expects a start and end date to select any given date or date range. ABOUT Big Belle Farm is surrounded by large hayfields on the front of our property and at the back behind where the concert will take place. Tenters will be camping in the front fields and RVs will behind the concert field. When you come onsite there will be someone to meet you who will point out the locations were you can setup your tent or RV. There will be event Portable Toilets on site and access to water near the concert grounds.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$25
 / night
Great Bras D'Or Waterside Camp

3. Great Bras D'Or Waterside Camp

100%
(1)
59km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 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
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$35
 / night
Fainne Crann Camping

5. Fainne Crann Camping

88%
(4)
60km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 5 sites · Tents, Lodging · Baddeck, NS
Step off the beaten path! Fainne Crann (Celtic Ring of Trees) is a gorgeous, remote 58-acre off-grid destination featuring 25 acres of conserved field and wetland, an apple orchard, and stunning western views—all tucked into the Middle River Wilderness Highlands. Come make this very private and serene property your base camp, surrounded by wild and cultivated beauty. We’re just a 4 km drive up a dirt road from the Cabot Trail, with no nearby neighbors, yet centrally located to explore all the beauty and adventure Cape Breton has to offer—20 minutes from Baddeck and 50 minutes from Inverness. Some locals affectionately call our historic farm “beyond the beyond.” Enjoy a complementary glass of our own farm-pressed apple cider upon arrival! Tent campers can choose their site in mowed areas of the field or apple orchard. Sites are car-accessible. We can currently host up to four groups of campers, with a maximum of 12 campers total at any time. (Coming soon! A glamping option with a 5 m bell tent, queen airbed, and linens.) We provide a hot shower, potable water, outdoor picnic or spindle tables, and an outhouse. Special Feature: Guests also have access to a generous indoor space in the refurbished barn—perfect for inclement weather, shade on a hot day, or evening games. The barn is accessible through the greenhouse and is set up with dining and seating areas plus a selection of games and puzzles. Enjoy a peaceful interlude in the farm’s own Fainne Crann, a Celtic tree circle of massive old maples tied to Cape Breton’s Gaelic history. Or start your morning with a walk along adjacent trails and quiet lanes before heading out to explore the island. If you’re curious about off-grid living, conservation, or agroecology, there’s much to discover here. Nearby (10–15 minutes): Big Spruce Brewery, Dancing Goat Café, Herring Choker Café, Lake O’Law, Margaree River, and access to the Highlands interior and Cape Clear via Hunter Mountain’s Crowdis Mountain Road. Pets are welcome on leash. Follow us on instagram https://www.instagram.com/fainne_crann?igsh=czg1NDB4NjVjZmxm
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$40
 / night
View of the milkyway at night.

6. Live Life In Tents Campground

99%
(61)
79km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 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
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$35
 / night
Sally's Brook Wilderness Cabins

7. Sally's Brook Wilderness Cabins

92%
(13)
76km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 8 sites · Lodging · Baddeck, NS
Sally’s Brook is located in Unama’ki, within the unceded ancestral territory of the Mikmaq people. Sally’s Brook is an Eco-friendly property in the heart of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. We have three wilderness cabins and a yurt available for rent year-round, and three Lotus Belle glamping tents in the warmer weather. We have a wood-fired sauna and communal CookHouse kitchen-dining building for guests. We also have the Hive Dome! This 26 foot year-round space is the perfect place to host your own event with us, gather for our movie nights, board games, playing music, and retreat from bad weather with so much space to move around. Guest Use of the Hive: While you are staying on the property, we welcome guests to reserve time in the Hive for their own private use. Our staff will prepare this space for you by lighting the wood stove, stocking wood and heating it up for your arrival. Stretch, practice yoga, play games or music, or celebrate with your group! $30 + HST for a 3.5 hour reservation to current guests Morning, afternoon or evening (until 10:00pm) reservations are available
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$139
 / night
Where River Eagles Soar

11. Where River Eagles Soar

23km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 1 site · RV · Kempt Road, NS
This property is located on River Inhabitants which is a tidal river going in and out from the North Atlantic 2x a day. We are not set up for tents yet but welcome RV's. A porta- potti and electricity are in place and running water will be available in late August. Located near the village of Cleveland and off Evanston Road. (Not sure why HC states it is near Antigonish?) Great fishing and kayaking but be mindful of the tides. Located nearby is a ranger tower to view the area and the stars above. Best to get all your supplies in Port Hawkesbury if u are just arriving on Cape Breton. Strait Richmond Hospital. is 10 min. away if needed. Please be mindful of our garden and young fruit trees. Please pack out all of you garbage as we do not have local garbage pickup... garbage can be disposed of in local towns. The town of Louisdale offers free potable water and dump station (located next to Babins Yamaha).
Pets
Toilets
from 
CA$30
 / night
Fred's Place

14. Fred's Place

9.7km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 4 sites · Tents · Baddeck, NS
2.3 acres of woodlot at the end of the road. Very rustic. Ideal for campers and bicycle campers. Very few facilities but you can put up a tent and have a fire. It's super quiet and the only sound is the wind and the very occasional car (like one a day). Five minute walk to the ocean. 15 kms to the nearest store. I will be at my cabin but the property is large enuf for you to have total privacy if you want it. I can be reached by email at frederick.gardiner123abc@gmail.com. I'm located at the end of Richard's Pond Lane. To get here, go to South Side Road, South Side River Bourgeois. Turn right on Richard's Pond Lane and follow it to the end. Turn right, go to the first sign that says 7/8 and follow the path up to my cabin. There is red tuck tape to show the way. On the map, I am not The Cuffs, but the location is the same.
Toilets
Campfires
from 
CA$25
 / night
Cabot Cottage and Seaside Cabins

16. Cabot Cottage and Seaside Cabins

69km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 3 sites · Lodging · Englishtown, NS
Enjoy the beauty of both the forest and the ocean on this 4 acre property off the Cabot Trail, where 3 wilderness cabins and a large 2-level home are nestled among the forest which leads down to the waterfront. The space is perfect for those who love nature and rustic vibes. All of the cabins sleep two people, with a personal fire pit, bbq, kitchenette, drinking water (although no running water), and all the amenities needed to spend a few nights in nature. The shared outdoor bathroom has been hand crafted with lots of natural light, a composting toilet (i.e. non-flushing), hot water shower and two sinks. ------- Shared spaces include the trails, washroom, deck overlooking the bay, adirondack chairs at the lookoff, kayaks, hammocks, wood shed, and checkerboard table. There will be up to 12 people on the property - 6 in the cabins, 4 in the main level of the home, and our on-site property managers stay in the walkout basement of the home. ------- The whole property is essentially on a hill. Parking is near the top, followed by the cabins, the shared bathrooms, the 2-story home, and then the waterfront is a few minutes further down. The paths are not suitable for people with mobility issues and potentially seniors. --------------------------------- Registration Number: STR2526T9953
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$103
 / night
Dome Yurt By The Ocean

17. Dome Yurt By The Ocean

9.6km from St. Peters Canal National Historic Site · 2 sites · Lodging · Baddeck, NS
Glamping at its best: Tthe magical cozy River Inhabitants Basin and the breathtaking panoramic view from this elevated dome yurt facing the deep blue glittering ocean is the #1 getaway for affordable, relaxing, peaceful holidays, kayaking, hiking, biking, swimming, reading, writing, loving Rent our dome yurt in high season 2023 for 99 CAD per night with 2 (max 4 if you bring your own sleeping gear), plus final cleaning $80.00 plus 15% tax. As the river mouth and basin with lots of uninhabited islands offers a lot of things to do we suggest you to combine water sports adventure with your stay. An ocean kayak will be provided if you stay for a week or longer. We offer sailing tours, kayaking and fishing. Although we understand the desire to see as many places as possible when on vacation, we highly recommend people to stay with us for several days. Let your mind come to rest and get a good sleep on real good spring mattresses. ! We would love to be the place where you come to rest. Deep dive into nature and forget the day to day hustle for a while! Writers, painters, artists (like your host) find the inspiration and recharging for new productivity. Internal curtains at the huge windows enhance the impression that this has traditional-style solid HydroTex walls yet can be rolled up for views out and to the Milky Way. The front door has a mesh panel behind and low vents aid air flow.
Potable water
Toilets
Showers
from 
CA$80
 / night

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The best camping in St. Peters Canal National Historic Site, NS guide

Overview

About

Built on an isthmus, the 800-metre St. Peters Canal joins the Atlantic Ocean to the sparkling Bras d’Or Lake, meandering along Battery Park, popular for boating, fishing, and picnicking. As the pride of St. Peter’s village, trace the canal’s history back to a fortified 17th century trading post built by French merchants, to its remarkable 15-year construction and evolution as a contemporary waterway, opening up Cape Breton Island development.

When to go

For an ideal visit to St. Peters Canal National Historic Site, plan your adventure between early September and mid-October, when the site is fully operational daily from 8am to 4pm. Outside of these months, services are limited, with scheduled transits only, so be sure to check ahead for availability and access.

Know before you go

  • Check the operational schedule before visiting, as hours and services vary seasonally.
  • Accessibility may be limited during off-peak seasons; contact the site directly for the most current information.
  • Wear appropriate footwear and clothing for an outdoor adventure amid Canada's changing weather.
  • Remember to respect the site's historical significance and natural beauty by following all posted guidelines.
  • Facilities such as restrooms and picnic areas are available, but plan ahead as services may differ with the season.
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