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Kejimkujik National Park is the world’s largest only Nature Reserve, which is also a National Historic Landmark, rendering it a unique destination in southwestern Nova Scotia. Keji, as it is known in Nova Scotia, is a gentle wilderness with 381 square kilometers of undulating hills, old-growth hemlocks, and interconnected streams that have attracted generations of canoeing, camping, and reconnecting with nature are all options for families.
The park not only maintains and shows a cultural landscape, celebrating the Mi’kmaq’s presence and conveying stories of their ancestors and history in this area, but it also protects and showcases a rare sample of Acadian woods and diversified biodiversity. Kejimkujik was declared a National Historic Site due to its rich Mi’kmaw legacy, petroglyphs (rock carvings), traditional camp spots, and historic canoe routes.
This great heritage is shared through special programs. Because of the pollution of the low-light condition in this region of the NS, Kejimkujik is a black sky preserve. Even as the sun goes down over the western shores of Kejimkujik Lake, a beautiful vision of thousands or even millions of stars, constellations, and planets emerges.
Kejimkujik National Park has a long history.
Many indigenous populations, especially the Mi’kmaq, have resided in Kejimkujik National Park for over four thousand years.
On slate outcroppings along the shore, several rock engravings (or petroglyphs) could still be visible. They portray images from typical Mi’kmaq life, including hunting, fishing, and animals, across time. Only on an organized walk-in Kejimkujik National Park can they be seen.
Around 1820, Europeans began to arrive in the region, and a variety of businesses formed, including agriculture, forestry, and gold mining. There are several historical places to explore, such as wood products, pits, and mining houses. Due to its old forest, rare creatures, and traditional Mi’kmaq streams, the majority of Kejimkujik was established as a National Park in 1969.
Today’s Kejimkujik National Park
Kejimkujik is becoming a popular destination for travelers seeking an active, outdoorsy experience. Canoes may be used to explore traditional waterways, which have been used by the Native population for centuries.
The hiking trails are extensive, with some lasting up to 16 days and crossing through Acadian woodlands, red maple alluvial plains, sandblasting pine forests, and mature evergreens hemlocks. A lengthy stretch of beach and shoreline is also a hiker’s paradise.
There are, nevertheless, several campgrounds where visitors may pitch their tents among the stunning scenery, a few with power and others lit only by the stars. The Royal Commission of Canada designated the park as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2010, prohibiting its use of fluorescent lights in most of the region.
For those looking for a more substantial experience, there are also glamping options.
Parks, Trails, and Places in Canada
The landscape and the year activity of Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site were amongst Nova Scotia’s best. Any Nova Scotian will tell you that. The park is divided into two sections. Lakes, rivers, marshes, and river valleys constitute the main park, which would be located south of Annapolis Royal.
The sandy beach and lovely marine surroundings of the Kejimkujik region, located east of Port Joli, Nova Scotia, are well-known. The Night Sky Reserve is the best camping, kayaking, and hiking destination in the region.
Why should you go to Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site?
This park provides some of the best kayaking, hiking, so one of the area’s most gorgeous beaches. You may also set up camp and spend as long as you like exploring right now.
When visiting Kejimkujik National Park, what activities, services, and exhibitions can tourists look forward to?
Hiking trails, amphitheaters, shelters, playgrounds, viewing lookouts, interpretive center, information signs, gift shop, red chairs, food vendor, washrooms, campground, wilderness campsites, sandy beach, picnic area, and Mi’kmaq petroglyphs are among the more important characteristics, amenities, services, and exhibits in and around Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site.
There are many things to do in Kejimkujik National Park.
The most popular location activity include hiking and canoeing. Beginning at the visitors center, the two-kilometer Beech Wood Trail travels along the Mersey River before reaching a drumlin hilltop enveloped in a block of almost-pure beech wood.
The Farm fields Trail, another drumlin version, goes to an abandoned farm barely on the peak after a 45-minute journey up a drumlin. Just one Rogers Brook loop, which passes through such a forest of red maple and hemlock trees, has a trailhead located a little further south all along the campground road.
Canoes, small boats, and bikes may be rented at Jakes Landing, on the northeastern corner of massive Kejimkujik Lake ($5 per hour, $24 per day); the nearby Mersey River is tranquil and ideal for first-time paddlers.
There are various lodging and camping options at Kejimkujik National Park.
Jeremy’s Bay Campground (mid-May to mid-October; $27.50-31.50) is located on the north side of Kejimkujik national park Lake and has 360 campsites, some of which have power hookups, public restrooms and showers, campfires, and firewood. ($8), a playground, picnic spaces, and informative programs.
Milford House is located in South Milford, some 20 kilometers north of the park, on the way to Annapolis Royal. The resort is made up of 28 lakeside villas as well as the main lodge that was repaired after a fire in 2014. Each cabin comes with a private guest bedroom, a wood-burning fire pit, and a full bathroom.
The resort features four hiking trails, several of which lead to lakes with complimentary boat rentals. Dinner and breakfast both cost $30 per person per day, which would be a fantastic value.
The Ideal Method to Visit Kejimkujik National Park and historical Landmark
1. Quickie Adventure on the Mersey River
On this expedition, the Mersey River will be examined. There is a large parking lot well before visitors arrive at the riverside location.
They recommend bringing a camera because this trip provides plenty of possibilities for wildlife photography. While floating your canoe or kayak up the river, with intermittent stops to soak in the splendor, you can learn about some of Keji’s mysteries on this guided trip. You might learn about ‘Keji tea’ or Jim Charles Golden tale.
2. Canoeing on the Frozen Ocean
This trip is best for families with young children as well as those searching for a less demanding holiday without compromising adventure.
In Kejimkujik National Park, take a traditional canoe expedition. All through the park’s existence, many individuals have traveled this path, and with good reason! A labyrinth of little attractive lakes and rivers bathed in green connects comfortable campsites. The sites are far separated enough that you’ll often seem like you’re the only one traveling through.
3. Quickie Adventure at Eel Weir
On this trip, we’ll drive you over to Keji Lake from of the Eel Weir, depending on the weather, and share some of our years of experience and tales. You’ll hear about one Keji Lake inhabitant who’s probably better traveled than you (can you guess who?) and scratch your head while attempting to comprehend how long the Mi’kmaq While riding your canoe or kayak across gloomy waterways, you will come across folks who have resided in this region.
A little food and beverage will just be enjoyed on a hidden secret beach before finishing the round trip back to George Lake or where you parked your car.
4. Canoe Trip in the Dark Sky
This trip is better suited for couples with children as young as 10, including those on a strict timeline or wanting a more hands-on experience.
The first solitary canoe excursion was created in honor of the incredible astronomy opportunities available in this area! Interpretation and programming for this trip will focus on the night sky, which might include cultural interpretations of astronomy, the sky at night cinematography, and mythological.
5. Fishing
Fishing has played a major part in Kejimkujik history, from the Mi’kmaq’s usual lunch meetings thru the resort generation’s planned fishing trips.
Parks Canada strives to deliver high-quality fishing experiences that prioritize fish conservation, education, and park enjoyment. The Kejimkujik national park’s fish management program supports biodiversity, habitats, and natural phenomena, as well as study in such areas.
6. Hiking
Hiking is a common hobby in Kejimkujik National Park. Trails take you through a variety of habitats and perspectives, as well as cultural and natural treasures. Trails come in a range of lengths, allowing everybody to appreciate them. Make sure your dogs are chained up to avoid interactions with other animals.
7. Ukme’k Trail
The newest path in Kejimkujik Nature Reserve will also have you walking or biking across the landscape, twisting with Mersey River. Take it leisurely or put your mountain biking skills to the test.
The Ukme’k Trail winds its way through the Mersey River’s forest banks. The trails leading from Viewing Platform to Merrymakedge are practically completely utilized (a distance of almost 14 kilometers). Ukme’k may be accessed from trailheads at the Tourist Office, Flowing Waters, and Mersey River trail parking lots. Ukme’k, which means “twisted” in Mi’kmaq, was inspired by the winding direction this trail takes along the Mersey River.
8. You’ll discover your red chair moment at Kejimkujik National Park.
Including the six sets in Kejimkujik, Parks Canada has almost 200 red Adirondack chairs in tranquil and picturesque locations around the country. Awe-inspiring views. Truly unique discoveries. The surroundings are serene. This may be a lot of joy to spend time with friends and family.
Kejimkujik National Park has your perfect moment waiting for you. Sit in a red chair & spend a bit of time interacting with the individuals and things that are important to you. Explore Kejimkujik’s beautiful hikes, islands, and beaches. Whenever you stumble across such a red chair, take a moment to relax and enjoy the best that life has to offer. Six crimson chairs have been placed in prominent locations.
Who knows, maybe at Kejimkujik, you’ll find your new favorite location!
9. Camping
From front-country camping, trailer, and RV sites to wilderness sites available by hiking, riding, or paddling, Kejimkujik national park has something for everyone. At Jeremy’s Bay, you may learn about Jeremy’s Bay, Jake’s Landing, Jim Charles Point, group, and wilderness camping.
The showers are bigger for additional convenience, and they are placed strategically to minimize the distance among showers.
10. Kejimkujik National Park may only be visited with the assistance of a guide.
The interpreter from Kejimkujik Nature Reserve is eager to share their knowledge and excitement for this stunning location. Let oneself get taken away by one of those adventures they have in store for you.
Discover the local Mi’kmaw culture, explore the tranquil streams, and discover the secrets of the Dark-Sky Preserve with the aid of our translators.
11. Popular water sports include canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP)
Paddling is suitable for individuals of any age & capabilities, even those with no previous experience. Some of the greatest canoeing in Atlantic Canada can be found in Kejimkujik. These rivers have been used by the Mi’kmaq for thousands of years to paddle, kayak, and paddleboard.
12. Learn-to-Do Camp
Do you would like to go camping but aren’t sure how to get started? Learn-to-Camp in Halifax provides local courses, day activities, and overnight events for new Canadians, young families, and members of Halifax’s black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) population.
You may learn much more about the environment and what to anticipate at Parks Canada facilities in Mainland Nova Scotia by watching the Discover road trip video series and listening to the Learn-to-Camp podcast.
13. The Parks Canada Ideal Picnic
According to our definition of “take-out,” nothing tastes much better whenever eaten outside.
Pick up a ready-to-eat dinner and then let nature take care of the rest. Enjoy the beauty of the white sandy beaches and vast ocean in Kejimkujik Seaside, or the peace of the rivers and Acadian woods at Kejimkujik Inland! “Good appetite!”
14. Programs in schools
Parks Canada is pleased to provide a range of educational programs at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site to meet the interests and curricular needs of children of all ages. These programs emphasize the best of Parks Canada, presenting stories of who we are, particularly the history, customs, and achievements of Indigenous Communities.
Programs that may be completed independently
The following are provided free of charge by consultants to school groups that prefer to do things on their own, at their speed, with really no instructors (entry is FREE for youth 17 and under).
It is appropriate for pupils of all ages. Those that accompanied the groups, such as teachers and counselors, are not needed to pay.
15. Visit Kejimkujik National Park to see the beautiful features of the Atlantic seaboard. A different section of the Kejimkujik coast
Kejimkujik national park Seaside is a stunningly beautiful mosaic located 93 kilometers from Kejimkujik’s interior area. On the coastal barrens, which are miniature Acadian forests, a tapestry of maple, spruce, and fir grows over Canada holly, huckleberry, and sheep laurel. The mossy bogs are alive with white-fringed orchids and sweet gale, whereas balsam fir and white spruce islands float in the black river.
Hike the Harbour Rocks Trail to the singing quartzite sands of St. Catherines River Beach, where uniform grains squeak with every foot and the rare piping plover appears every summer. Offshore, eiders and cormorants abound, but it’s the basking harbor and grey seals that catch your eye.
16. Kejimkujik Nature Reserve Volunteering Programme (Southwest Nova Scotia)
The national park of Kejimkujik Southeastern Nova Volunteer Organization is a collaboration of individuals and organizations (including Parks Canada, Friends of Keji, Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, and Bird Canada) working to help endangered animals and boost environmental protection in and around Kejimkujik Nature Reserve and National Historic Site, as well as Kejimkujik Seaside.
Volunteers help the researcher and staff with a range of projects aiming at repairing, safeguarding, monitoring, and maintaining the Kejimkujik ecosystem. You will have a better link with this magnificent natural environment as a participant. At the very same period, you’ll be helping to conserve and preserve flora and fauna that rely on healthy habitats to survive.
Conclusion
What is the meaning of the term Kejimkujik? Fairy Lake was previously known as Kejimkujik National Park Lake, and one of the bays is still called Fairy Bay, derived from the Mi’kmaw phrase Kejimkuji’jk, which means little angels.
On the south shore of Nova Scotia, RV occupants may enjoy winter hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, and winter picnics, making the park as enjoyable in the winter as it is in the summer. The park’s winter activities, on the other hand, are only offered daily. Kejimujik National Park Seaside has white sand beaches and coastal wetland ecosystems. There are additional boulder fields and drumlins created by glacial action.
Although the park has multiple drive-in campgrounds, it is most known because of its backcountry camping, which can only be reached by canoe, bicycle, or walking during the summer. Keji is perfect for canoeing since it has many navigation rivers and streams that form an integrated solution.
The park becomes wilder the further a camper travels from access points, and it is possible to spend several days in the bush without seeing another camper. Along crucial routes, park staff maintains portages.
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