Fundy Trail Parkway: 16 Best Stops, Map & Hours (2026 NB Guide)

The Fundy Trail Parkway is a 30-kilometre scenic coastal drive along the Bay of Fundy in southern New Brunswick, connecting the village of St Martins (west) to the eastern gateway at Big Salmon River and onward to the Fundy National Park and Alma. The drive is one of Atlantic Canada’s signature coastal experiences: clifftop lookouts over the world’s highest tides, beach access at multiple stops, a 84-metre suspension bridge across the Big Salmon River, and the dramatic Walton Glen Gorge that locals call the “Grand Canyon of New Brunswick.”

We drove the Fundy Trail Parkway in our converted van Benji during our wider Atlantic Canada road trip, as guests of Tourism New Brunswick. This is our 2026 guide to the parkway: the 16 best stops along the route, when the parkway is open, hours and entrance fees, the route map and layout, and how to plan a visit either as a day trip from Saint John or Moncton or as a multi-day NB road trip stop.

Where Is the Fundy Trail Parkway?

The Fundy Trail Parkway runs along the southern coast of New Brunswick, between the small village of St Martins (about 45 minutes east of Saint John) and the eastern terminus near the Big Salmon River. From there, a connector gravel road continues toward the Fundy National Park and the village of Alma. The parkway sits within the wider Fundy Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-designated zone that includes both the parkway and the adjacent national park.

The drive’s defining feature is the Bay of Fundy tides. the highest tides in the world, with a range of 8 to 14 metres between low and high tide. Many of the parkway’s stops (beaches, sea caves, Flowerpot Rock) are only fully accessible at low tide; the view from clifftop lookouts changes meaningfully throughout the day as the bay fills and drains. Check a daily tide table before driving: it materially affects which stops are at their best when.

Fundy Trail Parkway Map and Route Layout

The parkway is laid out in three roughly equal sections. Western, Central, and Eastern: each with distinct geography and attractions:

Direction: the drive works equally well east-to-west or west-to-east. Most travellers entering from Saint John start at St Martins (west); travellers coming from Moncton or Fundy National Park often enter at the eastern gate. The full end-to-end drive (without major stops) is about 45 minutes; with the main stops it’s 3 to 5 hours. The official parkway map is available at either entrance and on the official Fundy Trail Parkway website.

How to Get to the Fundy Trail Parkway

Two entrances serve the parkway. pick the one that matches the direction of your trip:

Saint Martins. Western Entrance

Saint Martins is a small fishing village at the western entrance, about 45 minutes east of Saint John. The village itself is worth half an hour of your time. the historic covered bridges, the Caves Restaurant at the sea-caves parking lot, and the small artisan boutiques along the harbour. Park at the entrance, pay the daily vehicle fee, and start the drive east.

Alma. Eastern Gateway

The eastern terminus of the parkway connects via a gravel connector road to the wider Fundy National Park system and the village of Alma. Alma is the closest mid-size village base for travellers approaching from Moncton; our Moncton guide covers the practical pre-parkway pre-trip detail.

The 16 Best Stops Along the Fundy Trail Parkway

The parkway has dozens of named lookouts, beach access points, and short walking trails. The 16 we’d prioritise. organised by section, in the order you’ll encounter them driving west-to-east:

How to choose: if you have 3 hours, prioritise Fox Rock (1), Suspension Bridge (10), Long Beach (13), and Walton Glen Gorge (15). the four signature stops. With 5 hours, add Flowerpot Rock (2), Fuller Falls (4), St Martins Sea Caves (6), and the Interpretive Centre (11). Below, the stops in detail by section.

Western Section Stops

Fox Rock Lookout: the first lookout coming from St Martins. The viewpoint takes in Isle Haute (“High Island”) and the dramatic coastal cliffs, with the Quaco Head Lighthouse visible in the distance on clear days. This is the moment most visitors first realise the scale of the Bay of Fundy.

Flowerpot Rock at Fownes Head: a freestanding rock pillar shaped by coastal erosion, with a small tuft of vegetation growing on top (the “flowerpot”). You can view it from observation decks at Fownes Head, or hike the 1.5 km Flowerpot Scenic Footpath for a close-up view. The trail can be muddy and rocky; check the tide schedule because parts may be inaccessible at high tide.

Melvin Beach Lookout: a vantage point over the clay-coloured cliffs between Melvin and Pangburn Beaches. Wooden steps descend toward the Fundy coastline from the lookout, but only at low tide. Photographers love this stop for the colour contrast between the cliffs and the bay.

Fuller Falls: easily the most impressive waterfall along the parkway and one of the top stops by visitor consensus. Reachable on a short walk from the road. The falls are most dramatic in late spring with snowmelt runoff.

Bradshaw Scenic Footpath: a 0.6 km moderate-to-strenuous hike between the Bradshaw lookout and the Fuller Brook walking bridge. Short and rewarding; pair with Fuller Falls.

St Martins Sea Caves: the famous tidal sea caves at the western gateway. Accessible on foot at low tide from the parking lot next to the Caves Restaurant. Bring water shoes. the walk through is wet and rocky. Time it with low tide for full access.

Village of St Martins: established in 1783 as a shipbuilding capital (the second-largest wooden-sailing-vessel producer in NB historically). The harbour, the Quaco Museum & Library, and the historic Vaughan Creek + Hardscrabble Covered Bridges are all walkable. Worth 30-60 minutes before entering or after exiting the parkway.

Other Western lookouts to consider: Pangburn Beach Lookout, Black Point Lookout, Hearst Lookout, Pejepcot Lookout, Davidson Lookout. All similar coastal vantage points; pick one to two depending on time.

Central Section Stops

The Central Section is anchored at the mouth of the Big Salmon River. Two crossings define this part of the drive. the Mitchell Franklin Bridge (vehicle bridge en route) and the Big Salmon River Suspension Footbridge.

Mitchell Franklin Bridge: the vehicle bridge connecting the two sides of the Big Salmon River. You’ll drive across it as part of the parkway route. The view from the bridge of the river meeting the bay is worth slowing down for.

Big Salmon River Suspension Footbridge: an 84-metre (275-foot) suspension footbridge over the Big Salmon River, a 5-minute walk from the Mitchell Franklin Bridge. The bridge sways gently as you cross, and the experience is the parkway’s most-photographed moment. A signature stop.

Interpretive Centre: the historic building (originally housing for single male workers in the Pejepscot Paper Company era) now serves as a visitor centre. Daily talks, original artifacts and photographs, washroom facilities, and souvenirs. The centre tells the story of the Big Salmon River working community.

Long Beach Lookout: the lookout has four picnic tables and is one of the parkway’s classic photo spots. Until 2018, this marked the end of the old Fundy Trail.

Long Beach: one of the best places in Canada to witness the Bay of Fundy’s horizontal tide. At low tide, the beach exposes 2.5 km of shoreline that’s perfect for walking, exploring, and photographing. The tide returns dramatically; do not linger past the turning tide. Allow 60-90 minutes here.

Long Beach Brook Falls: a moderate hike with a few steep sections, leading to a small waterfall. Worth the time if you’ve got the energy after the beach walk.

Seely Beach: a relatively flat cobble beach. At low tide it extends out to meet the bay. Quieter than Long Beach.

Eastern Section Stops

The Eastern Section turns inland from the coast into the UNESCO Fundy Biosphere Reserve. The Walton Glen Gorge is the star.

Walton Glen Gorge: a Protected Natural Area and one of the most dramatic single stops on the parkway. The gorge is a coastal river ravine with steep cliffs and rare provincial flora, sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of New Brunswick.” The lookout at the end of the short walk from the parking lot offers the signature view. Allow 60-90 minutes.

McLeod Brook Falls: starting from the Walton Glen Reception Centre, the trail to McLeod Brook Falls is an easy hike with views of the falls over moss-covered rocks. Good for travellers without time for a longer hike.

McCumber Brook Wetlands: an easy 1.2 km hiking trail starting from the wetlands observation deck. The walk introduces you to the wetlands’ unique soil and vegetation. Good for natural-history-curious visitors and families.

What to Know Before You Go

How Long Does It Take to Drive the Fundy Trail Parkway?

The full end-to-end drive without major stops takes about 45 minutes. With the main stops (Fox Rock, Suspension Bridge, Long Beach, Walton Glen Gorge), allow 3 to 5 hours. A half-day is the comfortable plan; longer if you include the Fundy Trail Footpath hike, all 16 stops, or a sit-down meal at the Cookhouse.

Entrance Fee and Hours

The parkway charges a daily vehicle fee of approximately CA$15 per vehicle (verify current 2026 pricing on the official parkway site). Multi-day passes are available for travellers staying nearby. Hours are typically 8am to 8pm in peak summer with reduced hours at the season’s edges (May, October). Last entry is usually one hour before closing.

Is the Fundy Trail Parkway Paved?

Yes. the entire 30 km drivable parkway is paved and well-maintained. The connector gravel road to Fundy National Park beyond the eastern terminus is unsealed but drivable in any standard vehicle. The Fundy Trail Footpath (the hiking trail that continues from the parkway to the national park) is unpaved wilderness. separate consideration.

What to Bring

Water shoes for the sea-caves and beach walks. Layers: the Bay of Fundy is meaningfully cooler than the inland regions, even in mid-summer. A windbreaker for the lookouts. Snacks and water: there’s only one sit-down food option on the parkway (the Cookhouse) and limited convenience stops. A tide table (downloadable from NB Parks) is genuinely useful for timing the beach stops.

Where to Stay

Saint Martins itself has a handful of small inns and B&Bs for travellers wanting to overnight at the western gateway. Saint John (45 minutes west) has the full range of accommodation options for travellers using the parkway as a day-trip. Moncton or Alma serve travellers approaching from the east.

See Saint John accommodation on Booking.com or Alma accommodation on Booking.com for current rates.

Fundy Trail Parkway: Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to drive the Fundy Trail Parkway?

Allow 3 to 5 hours end-to-end including the main stops. The pure drive time without stops is about 45 minutes. A half-day is the comfortable plan; longer if you include the Fundy Trail Footpath hike or a Cookhouse meal.

When does the Fundy Trail Parkway open in 2026?

The parkway opens for the season mid-to-late May (typically around Victoria Day) and closes mid-to-late October. Exact 2026 opening and closing dates are confirmed by NB Parks closer to the season. The parkway is closed from late October through mid-May each year.

How much is the entrance fee?

Approximately CA$15 per vehicle daily (verify current 2026 pricing on the official site). Multi-day passes are available.

Is the Fundy Trail Parkway paved?

Yes. the entire 30 km drivable parkway is paved. The Fundy Trail Footpath hiking trail beyond is unpaved.

Which entrance should I use?

Saint Martins (western) for travellers coming from Saint John or the south. Big Salmon River area / Alma (eastern) for travellers coming from Moncton or Fundy National Park. Most first-timers do the drive west-to-east starting at Saint Martins.

Is there a map of the parkway?

Yes. the official Fundy Trail Parkway map is available at the entrance booth and on the official parkway site. We’ve covered the route layout in the Map and Route section above.

Can you camp at the Fundy Trail Parkway?

No. the parkway is day-use only. Camping is available at adjacent Fundy National Park (a federal park to the east).

What’s the difference between Fundy Trail Parkway and Fundy National Park?

Different entities. The parkway is a New Brunswick provincial day-use park covering the western coastal drive. Fundy National Park is a separate Parks Canada federal park further east, with camping, more extensive hiking, and overnight accommodation. Both are part of the wider Bay of Fundy ecosystem and can be combined on a multi-day NB road trip.

What is Fox Rock Lookout?

The first lookout on the Western Section of the parkway. Vantage point over Isle Haute and the dramatic Bay of Fundy coastline, with the Quaco Head Lighthouse visible on clear days. One of the most photographed stops on the route.

Where should I stay to visit the Fundy Trail Parkway?

Saint John (~45 min west of the gateway) or Saint Martins (at the gateway) for travellers approaching from the south. Alma or Moncton for travellers approaching from the east. Multi-day visitors often base in Saint John for the parkway plus wider Bay of Fundy and Saint John exploration.

Final Thoughts

The Fundy Trail Parkway is one of those Atlantic Canada drives that pays back the effort to reach it. coastal lookouts, the world’s highest tides, a 30 km drive that stays interesting throughout, and the inland surprise of Walton Glen Gorge as the eastern finale. We’d recommend it as a 4 to 6 hour stop on any wider New Brunswick or Atlantic Canada trip, with Saint John as the natural overnight base and Saint Martins as the gateway charm.

If you’re planning the wider trip, see our New Brunswick travel guide, Saint John guide, and Moncton guide for the city bases. Extend east into Nova Scotia (with the Halifax winter guide and Cabot Trail itinerary), or up to Prince Edward Island. New Brunswick beaches covers the beach side of the province.

Travel essentials: grab a Canada eSIM from Airalo before you fly, and check SafetyWing for travel insurance.

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