Nova Scotia

[Archie]

Planning on a mid June trip to Bar Harbor Maine and to Nova Scotia- any advice would be appreciated ! Campgrounds and routes etc ?

[troutslayer]

Too much info to share but for my money, I would skip Maine and make NS and PEI the trip. Don't miss Cape Breton Highlands NP...Stunning!

[spoon059]

My tip, double the length of your trip! That's a GORGEOUS area. My mom's family is from outside of Halifax. Haven't been up there in close to 30 years, but I remember the amazing sights and beautiful farmland and coast.

You will certainly enjoy the trip!

[Jim Davis]

Agreed that the trip is worth doing. I don't have my campground list handy, but there are quite a few. The one that sticks out in my memory is at the Chamber of Commerce in Lunenburg.

Do a Google search on New Brunswick, PEI and Nova Scotia. Each has a tourist office and they give out excellent guide books for free. Just fill out the form and a week later you will have it.

[Archie]

Thanks everybody !

[Tunce the traveler]

You could do a whole summer up there and it still wouldn't be enough time.

[Jiffy]

We went to the east coast 4 yrs ago and returning this year coming in on north east side NB staying in Shediac to drive into PEI then next stop with be North Sydney Cape Bretan. All our camping spots will be in KOA campgrounds except for Bar Harbour , was already full when we booked.

[Kim Gass]

No idea of your time frame. I can keep you in Maine for six weeks.. ( I live there) or six weeks in Nova Scotia ( done that too)
I don't care for PEI.. too farmy. The Confederation Bridge is one way toll and expensive. Toll is collected westbound.$47 for two axles $8 for each additional axle.
I suppose it was the cheesy outlet mall on arriving at PEI that soured me... We drove from there down the coast and returned on the ferry to NS from Wood Islands PEI. The Round trip on the ferry is over $120 round trip but one way fares are available to Caribou NS from Wood Islands. They do charge by height!

Just an advisory.. We did like the drive down the coast but did not camp on PEI. Lots of red clay and lighthouses.

If you want to skip Maine ( and Bar Harbor in June is not yet jammed) consider the ferry from Portland to Yarmouth NS. https://www.ferries.ca/thecat/fares/

I have a preference for the Cape Breton National Park campgrounds..

[Jiffy]

We are also not camping on pei just a day trip while we are out there. But our trip is in late July early august.

[Kim Gass]

Originally Posted by Jiffy

We are also not camping on pei just a day trip while we are out there. But our trip is in late July early august.

I hope you reserved your spots..Its very busy then.

[geezerbob]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

I hope you reserved your spots..Its very busy then.

How crowded is N.S., N.B. after Labor day into mid October?
We are headed there then

[Kim Gass]

The trouble with independent RV ing in the summer late June-Aug is the Maritimes are booked by RV caravan tours. So you have to hunt around and reserve as early as possible.
They are done in Sept -Oct

Consider Provincial and National Parks. Fewer amenities only Keji is full service.
But the caravans don't go there.

[Jiffy]

Yes all booked most places only open last week to book was close to get spots lol

[geezerbob]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

The trouble with independent RV ing in the summer late June-Aug is the Maritimes are booked by RV caravan tours. So you have to hunt around and reserve as early as possible.
They are done in Sept -Oct

Consider Provincial and National Parks. Fewer amenities only Keji is full service.
But the caravans don't go there.

thanks for the info Kim

[mmacgilli]

Originally Posted by Kim Gass

I don't care for PEI.. too farmy. The Confederation Bridge is one way toll and expensive. Toll is collected westbound.$47 for two axles $8 for each additional axle.

• The charge is only levied when you leave the island

I suppose it was the cheesy outlet mall on arriving at PEI that soured me... We drove from there down the coast and returned on the ferry to NS from Wood Islands PEI.

• Agree with you here, but don't forget the liquor store is there!

The Round trip on the ferry is over $120 round trip but one way fares are available to Caribou NS from Wood Islands. They do charge by height!

• Best to go across the ferry first - its free! and pay coming back on the bridge - its cheaper!

Just an advisory.. We did like the drive down the coast but did not camp on PEI. Lots of red clay and lighthouses.

• That is a beautiful drive. Don't play in the red clay! But the other side of the island has hundreds of miles of sand up and down the cost, all the fishing ports with fresh fish and lobster, camping, cottages and again lobster suppers.

If you want to skip Maine ( and Bar Harbor in June is not yet jammed) consider the ferry from Portland to Yarmouth NS. https://www.ferries.ca/thecat/fares/

I have a preference for the Cape Breton National Park campgrounds..

• Scary turns on mountain sides with a trailer or motorhome. Will fry your brakes. But you gotta see it too!

[Kim Gass]

We never got to the beach side of PEI.. Lobster.. meh.. Its way cheaper at home! But ambiance counts for sure. Shediac is touted as the Lobster Capital of the World.. Its in New Brunswick.

I don't find the climbs out on the Cape to be horrifying for anyone in a motor home or trailer. Gawd knows its a favorite route of RV caravans . If it weren't safe I don't think you'd find them there.

Now Salt River Canyon in AZ was a bit adrenaline pumping with an RV but YES I would do it again!

Now we find ourselves scurrying across the Maritimes to get to the ferry for our first love..
Transmission eating ( talk about mountains and hills) Newfoundland.