Kayaking Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia
If you want to go paddling in Canada, one place that is little known outside of Nova Scotia is Kejimkujik National Park in the southwestern part of the province. Kayaking Kejimkujik or discovering the park by canoe – especially on a longer trip is one of the best ways to experience the park.
There are lots of hiking trails in Kejimkujik – most short and relatively easy but they’re generally in heavily wooded areas. That means birding can be first rate, but for me, I’d rather be kayaking Kejimkujik and exploring the lakes and rivers.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
This post includes some affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you very much for your support.
Kayaking Kejimkujik National Park on the Mersey River
If you’re new to canoeing or kayaking then start with an easy paddle on the Mersey River. Work on your strokes and then head for the bigger water. It’s easy to rent canoes and kayaks for just an hour or two at the dock at Jake’s Landing from Whynot Adventure (though longer term options are also available.)
I spent about an hour and a half paddling and poking about in a kayak on the Mersey River last weekend. It felt more like I was paddling in a swamp in southern Georgia – minus the Spanish moss and alligators.
The Mersey River was a major transportation route for the Mi’Kmaq people for centuries. They’d head to the coast every summer where the river empties and spend the summer fishing and collecting seafood. When you paddle the river you can’t help but wonder about all the people who came before you.
Every year the Mersey River floods – and that flooding feeds a landscape filled with blue-joint grass, red maples and speckled alders. If you’re lucky you might see a white-tailed deer browsing in the maples – or catch some turtles sunning on a log.
One of the people in the photo below unprompted stated that the Mersey River is her favourite place on the planet.
Kayaking Kejimkujik Lake
If you’re more into excitement and waves, big water and wind then head with your canoe or kayak for Kejimkujik Lake.
Kejimkujik Lake is huge. And it’s shallow so whitecaps can form quickly making it a treacherous place to be when the wind picks up. The lake is dotted with islands – many of which boast campsites that can be reserved months in advance.
Backcountry campsites in Kejimkujik National Park
There are 46 backcountry campsites scattered along canoe routes and on hiking trails. Each campsite has a picnic table, a pit privy, two tent pads, firewood (bring an axe though) and a food storage set-up of some sort.
There is a lot more to paddle than just Kejimkujik Lake. It’s really a paddlers dream area Cody Whynot enthusiastically tells me – with all lakes and rivers linked with portages to that it’s possible to create circuits that could take you many weeks if you were so inclined.
That type of trip would include waters that make up part of the Tobeatic Wilderness Area – an area with over 1,000 square kilometres.
After reading the delightful book that has made me smile and chuckle over and over again despite my lack of interest in fishing – The Tent Dwellers: Sports Fishing in Nova Scotia in 1908 by Albert Bigelow Paine – you might just want to set out on a longer canoe trip.
Where is Kejimkujik National Park?
The park is in the southwestern part of the province. From Halifax it’s just a two hour drive via Highway 103, 326, 208 and finally Highway 8. From Bridgewater it’s an hour’s drive away.
For more information on Kejimkujik National Park visit their website.
Further reading on things to do in Nova Scotia
- A Great Stay at the Cape D’Or Lighthouse
- One of Nova Scotia’s Great Day Hikes: The Hike to Cape Split
- A 3 Day Hike on the Cape Chignecto Coastal Trail
- Best Things to Do in and Near Shelburne, Nova Scotia
- Nova Scotia Cycling Itinerary: Mahone Bay-Lunenburg-Bridgewater
Note: Cody at Whynot Adventure kindly comped me a kayak for the few days I was in the area to explore. I did however do all the exploring at my own pace and by myself. The kayak was a fun little thing to paddle – maneuverable and steady but not really designed for more than day trips. Rent a canoe if you want to go further afield or do an overnight trip.
Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.
I remember when I was a teenager, my best friend and I decided to do a backcountry/canoeing trip to Moose Island at Keji. With little experience we took off with her Dad’s canoe tied to the car! We paddled out and spent one night on Moose Island before deciding to head back to camp on the ‘mainland’ the next day due to high winds. There were 2-3 foot swells on the lake that afternoon- which made for an entertaining paddle back to shore! We were lucky we didn’t capsize. That trip is still one of my favourite memories.
Reminds me of canoeing in Quetico. Pretty sweet that they have 46 camping sites and access to even longer trips.
I’d be very tempted to paddle here if I lived in Canada. It looks absolutely beautiful and suitable for a novice! There’s nothing more relaxing than paddling in the silence and taking in your surroundings. We often explore the bays near us on Rottnest Island by paddle board, sometimes trailing a fishing line behind us!
These photos are inviting. I can imagine myself at Jakes landing with the little bridge in the background. I have had a few camping trips in northern Australia where we have used canadian canoes for short distance trips, but I do not think I would be game to do so in Canada. I would be worried about falling into the cold water 🙂
@Jan It was hot and sunny when I was there and swimming actually sounded very appealing!! Really the water would be refreshing rather than cold.
The Friends of Keji website has lots of info on hiking and canoeing distances in Keji. The Big Dam / Frozen Ocean loop is a good trip.
Thanks Barry. That’s good info.
Leigh, this is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. I’m surprised there weren’t more people. Maybe it was the time of day you were there.
@Marcia I was surprised too especially considering how nice it was. I think it’s most popular in July and August. No bugs on the lake with the wind blowing!!
Kejimkujik National Park canoe route looks absolutely beautiful. Looks very calm and quiet. Great photos, Leigh!
@Salika The Mersey River is very calm and quiet and absolutely lovely. The lake can send all kinds of waves ones way – but it’s very beautiful too — just a little wilder.
I have never canoed in Kejimkujik National Park but I have heard of it. It looks like such a beautiful, peaceful place to paddle and I love the water lilies! You seem to be having an incredibly adventurous summer so far! I hope all is well at your home in Calgary too.
@Lisa The Mersey River would definitely be right up your alley. I am having an extremely adventurous summer so far – all in the name of research for my book. We were high and dry in the flood but 5 days without power as just 2 blocks away was underwater.
What a beautiful destination. It looks so tranquil.
@Andrew The Mersey River is totally tranquil – the lake not so much at least mid day. But there is certainly something for everyone there.