Cape Chignecto Provincial Park*

Overview

Provincially significant park with towering 185-metre cliffs, sheltered coves, rare plants and old growth forest.  Visitor services include backcountry and walk-in camping, 51 kilometres of backcountry hiking and front country walking trails, day-use areas, coastal kayaking, and an interpretive centre.

85 tent-only campsites, 3 cabins/bunkhouses. Open for camping from May to October.

Protection Values

A large, relatively undisturbed coastal area that contributes to the Province’s goal of protecting 12 % of its land base by 2015.  The park is home to five critically imperiled vascular plant species, six imperiled vascular plant species and five vascular plant species that are vulnerable to extirpation or extinction.  The park also contains three non-vascular plant species that are critically imperiled, one that is imperiled and one which is vulnerable to extirpation or extinction.  Cape Chignecto is home to one bird species that is critically imperiled, four that are imperiled and 18 that are vulnerable to extirpation or extinction.  Proposed inclusion of free-hold Crown lands in the centre of park would further enhance the parks’s protection and recreation values. Coastal fog forest rich in bryophytes and lichens. Remnant stands of old red spruce and tolerant hardwood forest. Important habitat for endangered mainland moose. Additional cultural and

Education Values

Regionally significant opportunities to interpret a wide range of heritage values, including geology, flora, fauna and human history.

Tourism Values

Provincially significant landmark and major regional tourism “nodal” attraction, providing unique and high quality back country and front country hiking, camping, coastal access.  Complements other regional attractions including the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Joggins Fossil Cliffs and nearby Cape d’Or.

Outdoor Recreation Values

Backcountry and walk-in camping, backcountry cabins, over 51 km of coastal and inland hiking, coastal kayaking.

Annual Visitation

Approx. 5,000

Other Site Considerations

Spruce Bark beetle damage may require restoration program to remove dead and dying trees in public use areas and to re-establish a more suitable forest cover. Operated under a Management Agreement.