After days of bustling from town to town across the Maritimes, this part of our adventure promised something different—a chance to slow down and let nature set the pace in one of New Brunswick’s crown jewels: Fundy National Park.
Following the Call of Dickson Falls
Before even reaching the trail there is a stunning overlook for the Bay of Fundy. From there there’s a choice of a quick 15-minute jaunt or a more leisurely 30-minute loop covering 1.3 kilometers. We opted for the longer route, that started out on a short boardwalk before transitions to a well-maintained gravel and dirt trail. The trail brought us to wooden stairs that disappear into the forest depths below us.
Then we heard it—the gentle roar that signals you’re close. Rounding a bend, Dickson Falls revealed itself in all its pristine glory. The water tumbled down the moss-covered rock face with crystalline clarity, creating what looked almost like a perfectly crafted garden waterfall. This is one of the most popular hikes within Fundy National Park and it was easy to see why.
Coastal Winds and Herring Cove Discoveries
After our waterfall hike, we found ourselves drawn to the coast at Herring Cove Beach Trail. The temperature shift was immediate and dramatic—from the mild 70s in the forest canopy to the brisk 60s as Maritime nature’s air conditioning kicked in off the cold Bay of Fundy waters. The trail from the parking lot lead us down to a viewing platform with a set of stairs that took us down to the beach. As we walked down to the beach, the Bay of Fundy coastline stretched before us. Ancient rock formations stood like nature’s brick walls, weathered by countless tidal cycles into perfectly stacked formations.
After taking some time to enjoy the quiet beauty of the beach we took the longer trail through the forest back to the parking lot. The site has a large picnic area so be sure to pack a picnic if you’ll be there around lunch.
Alma: A Maritime Gem
Our afternoon stroll through the town of Alma felt like stepping into a postcard. This charming harbor community sits just down the hill from Fundy National Park, offering that perfect blend of small-town Maritime hospitality and outdoor adventure access that makes the region so special.
The real magic happened when we walked the boardwalk during low tide. At 2 PM, the Bay of Fundy had retreated, leaving fishing boats sitting peacefully on the ocean floor. Watching the harbor with its exposed bottom, seeing how the locals have adapted their boat lines and dock systems to accommodate the world’s most extreme tides. In a few hours, this same harbor floor would be under dozens of feet of water.
The park and Alma reminded us of Acadia and the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. There’s something about these Maritime coastal towns that carries that same enchanting energy—small communities nestled against the backdrop of pristine national parkland, where the boundary between civilization and wilderness feels beautifully blurred.
The Epic Fundy Trail Parkway
The following morning, we embarked on the 19-mile Fundy Trail Parkway—a scenic drive that proved to be worth every penny of the admission fee (and every lost hour of sleep). This New Brunswick provincial park offers multiple lookout points, hiking opportunities, and waterfall discoveries along one of Canada’s most spectacular coastal drives.
Our first major stop was Walton Glen Gorge, dramatically billed as “the Grand Canyon of Canada.” While that might be tourism marketing at its finest, the gorge genuinely impressed us. The 1.1-kilometer gravel path led us to the overlook platform where we could take in the landscape carved by millennia of water flow—what geologists call fluvial geomorphology or water’s ability to shape the land. If you’re interested in a more adventurous hike there are multiple trails you can take down to the gorge floor.
Our next scenic stop on the trail was Long Beach. The pristine shoreline stretched toward dramatic cliffs, offering those quintessential Maritime Canada coastal views that make you understand why people fall in love with the region.
At Big Salmon River, we discovered the remnants of old sawmill operations, complete with a three-masted steamer that once transported lumber downstream. We were hoping to walk across the suspension bridge over the river, but it was closed in 2025 for restoration. We were able to explore the riverside area, finding old lumber remnants that spoke to the region’s logging and sawmill heritage.
There are not a lot of food options along the trail but there is a small restaurant located at Big Salmon River or a small food truck at Long Beach. Since we were traveling with our house and kitchen we opted to have a quick picnic lunch at Big Salmon River overlooking the Bay of Fundy.
Fuller Falls: Nature’s Floating Stairway
Our final waterfall discovery of the day proved to be one of the most unique. Fuller Falls required navigating what we dubbed “stairs for giants”—floating wooden platforms suspended on cables that swayed gently with each step. Halfway down, a rest bench provided a moment to appreciate the engineering that makes these remote natural wonders accessible.
The falls themselves cascaded in what’s called a “horsetail” formation—a term that sent us into one of our research spirals (facts are important!). The thin stream fans out as it descends, creating that distinctive shape that gives horsetail waterfalls their name.
A Harvest Host Evening
Our day concluded at Ole Foggy Distillery, our Harvest Host location for the evening. We enjoyed a cold drink while we reflected on how this slower-paced day had been exactly what we needed.
Sometimes the best travel days aren’t about covering massive distances or checking off bucket list items—they’re about allowing yourself to fully immerse in a single region and discover its hidden treasures at a pace that lets you absorb them.
Ready to experience Fundy National Park through our eyes? Our YouTube video captures all the sights, sounds, and spontaneous moments that make this region so special—from the crystal-clear pools at Dickson Falls to the dramatic tidal exposures in Alma harbor. You’ll get to see the coastal drive scenery, hear the rushing waterfalls, and feel the Maritime wind that makes this corner of Canada unforgettable.
This is Part 8 of our comprehensive Maritime Canada adventure series. Experience our complete journey from the beginning or catch up on any parts you’ve missed.
Coming up in Part 9: We’re heading to St. John, New Brunswick, for our exploration of the historic port city before discovering the fascinating history at St. Croix Island International Historic Site. Then, we’ll cross into Maine for our final camping adventure in the legendary Acadia National Park. It’s going to be an incredible finale to our Maritime adventure—you won’t want to miss how this epic journey concludes!
