Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park: Sea Stacks, Trails and Tides in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park sits at 131 Discovery Rd in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick, on the Bay of Fundy. It is known for more than twenty sea stacks, nicknamed flowerpots, that the tides have shaped over thousands of years. This guide covers where the park is, its main trails and viewpoints, and its rules. It also explains how visitors use two-day admission to see both high and low tide.

Where the park is and what it is known for

Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is at 131 Discovery Rd in Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick. Here, Bay of Fundy tides have sculpted the shoreline over thousands of years. The result is more than twenty standalone sea stacks, also called flowerpots, along two kilometers of shoreline.

Many of the stacks have nicknames. Visitors look for formations called Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, ET and Mother-in-Law. The water around them is chocolate-brown. This color comes from the tides, which constantly stir up sediment from the mud flats.

Tourism New Brunswick says Bay of Fundy tides can rise 16 meters (52.5 ft). It also says 160 billion tonnes of seawater move in and out of the bay twice a day. That movement shapes how a visit is planned, since the same shoreline looks very different at high tide and at low tide.

Planning around the tides: admission, stairs and the ocean floor

Park admission is valid for two consecutive days. This lets visitors see the shoreline at both high and low tide. Check the tide tables before going. Confirm current operating days and times with the park.

From the Main Deck, a metal staircase goes down 99 stairs to the ocean floor. A ramp with benches near North Beach is an alternative to the stairs. The Ocean Floor Access Trail is an accessible 0.8 km linear gravel trail that takes about 15 minutes. A shuttle also runs from the Interpretive Centre to the top of the stairway.

At low tide, the Ocean Floor walk is a 1.9 km linear, easy route of about 30 minutes. It crosses the ocean floor and coves. The Ledges are slippery and are often used as a turnaround point. Ocean floor access times are at the discretion of park staff, so plan for some flexibility on the day.

Woodland trail, birds and pets

Away from the sea stacks, the Demoiselle Beach Trail is a 0.7 km linear dirt-road trail. It takes about 30 minutes and runs through the woods to Demoiselle Beach. Along the way, there are views of Shepody Mountain, Mary's Point and Grindstone Island.

Birders can watch for a range of species. The park records 35 to 50 bird species each year. A pair of peregrine falcons has nested there since spring 2009.

Leashed pets are allowed in the park. Leashes may be no longer than 3 meters. If you plan to bring a pet down the stairs or onto the ocean floor, confirm any other conditions with the park before your visit. This helps you choose between the stairs, the ramp and the gravel trail.

Kayaking at high tide, park rules and Tidal Bore Park

At high tide, visitors can paddle a kayak around the tops of the sea stacks, according to Tourism New Brunswick. The park does not allow private watercraft to be launched from its property. It recommends a guided tour with its partner Baymount Outdoor Adventures. Confirm tour times and details with the operator.

Several other rules apply. Swimming is not permitted, and personal drones are prohibited in the park. There is no camping or RV option. All visitors must leave before dark, and entering the park outside operating days and times is strictly prohibited.

Because the park has no overnight option, visitors who want to stay in the area book a hotel outside the park. Hotel locations and amenities are shown on the booking site. For another view of the tides, Tourism New Brunswick lists Tidal Bore Park in downtown Moncton as a place to see the power of the Fundy tide.

Key points

• Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is at 131 Discovery Rd, Hopewell Cape, NB, on the Bay of Fundy.
• More than twenty sea stacks, called flowerpots, line two kilometers of shoreline.
• Admission is valid for two consecutive days so visitors can see both high and low tide.
• A 99-step metal staircase, a ramp near North Beach and an accessible gravel trail lead to the ocean floor.
• There is no camping or RV option, and all visitors must leave before dark.

Frequently asked questions