Mactaquac Provincial Park

Mactaquac Provincial Park sits along the Saint John River and features beaches, hiking trails, and dense forest areas spread across the landscape. A large dam creates a reservoir that reshapes how visitors experience the terrain, with open shorelines and wooded slopes forming the main geography.

The park was created in the 1960s when a major dam was built, transforming the regional landscape and creating the reservoir seen today. This project made the riverfront accessible for recreation and shaped how the area developed into a public destination.

The name comes from the Mi'kmaq language, meaning good fishing waters, reflecting the river's historical importance to Indigenous peoples. Visitors notice how the landscape tells this story through signage and the way trails follow the natural waterways that shaped local life.

The site offers year-round camping with spots in both wooded and open areas, equipped with hot showers and kitchen facilities for campers. Winter brings groomed slopes for sliding and access to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, making the location enjoyable in every season.

Visitors can explore maple sugar forest ecosystems along the river through interpretive displays that explain local hardwood species and regional wildlife. These educational markers reveal how the forests here hold both economic and natural importance.

Location: Bright Parish

GPS coordinates: 45.95874,-66.89834

Latest update: December 13, 2025 12:24