Nova Scotia National Parks Map

Description:
This map shows cities, towns, rivers, lakes, Trans-Canada highway, major highways, secondary roads, winter roads, railways, and national parks in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia, a maritime province in eastern Canada, is home to two spectacular national parks that showcase the region's diverse landscapes. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, established in 1936, covers an area of 948 square kilometers (366 square miles) on Cape Breton Island. The park is characterized by its dramatic scenery where mountains meet the sea, with 70% of its territory situated on the Cape Breton plateau, part of the ancient Appalachian mountain chain.

The park features 16 major rivers, steep cliffs along the Gulf of St. Lawrence on its western side, and gently sloping terrain leading to sandy Atlantic beaches on the eastern shore. Cape Breton Highlands is renowned for the Cabot Trail, a scenic highway that winds around the northern portion of the island, offering breathtaking vistas. Visitors can explore 26 hiking trails of varying difficulty, six beaches, and numerous waterfalls, rivers, and lakes.

Kejimkujik National Park, established in 1968, is unique as it's the only place in Canada that is simultaneously designated as both a national park and a national historic site. Named after the lake within its boundaries, Kejimkujik preserves both inland forest and coastal wilderness areas. More than 80% of the park is accessible only by canoe or hiking trails. The park protects pristine white sand beaches, turquoise waters, coastal marshes, and lagoons.

Both parks are biodiversity hotspots. Cape Breton Highlands hosts approximately 750 plant species and 40 mammal species, including moose, coyotes, Canadian lynx, and American snowshoe hare. Kejimkujik is home to seals, turtles, moose, porcupines, beavers, martens, deer, and roughly 250 bird species. These protected areas offer visitors authentic wilderness experiences while preserving Nova Scotia's natural heritage.