7 great things to do in Cape Breton Highlands National Park

If you’re planning a road trip to Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail, you’re sure to visit Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The park is a crown jewel of Cape Breton Island, and roughly one third of the famous Cabot Trail lies within its boundaries. With outdoor experiences for visitors of all ages and interests, there are so many amazing things to do in Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Take a look at these essential experiences that will help you make the most of your time in the park as you drive the Cabot Trail. Each one highlights a different and unique aspect of this park’s fascinating history and geography. From spectacular vistas to friendly surrounds, there’s plenty to explore!

The information in this article has been gathered over multiple visits to Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Some of these visits were hosted by Tourism Nova Scotia. Have questions about planning your own visit to the park? Join our Facebook community!

Cape Breton Highlands National Park is an essential part of a Cabot Trail road trip >

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Hike Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s spectacular Skyline Trail

Cape Breton Highlands National Park has many fabulous hiking trails. The most popular and best-known is the Skyline Trail, a relatively easy gravel and boardwalk path takes roughly an hour to complete in each direction. When you arrive at the clifftop lookout at the end of the Skyline Trail, you’ll be met with jaw-dropping panoramic views over the Gulf of St. Lawrence!

This hike is very approachable and family friendly. As you walk, be sure to stay on the marked trail and boardwalk to protect the fragile environment that surrounds it. If you look closely off the sides during your hike, you’ll spot many types of birds, signs of moose activity, and some of the rarest plant species anywhere in Nova Scotia.

Camp at Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or just willing to give it a try, check out Parks Canada’s Mkwesaqtuk/Cap-Rouge Campground. This relatively new campground is located 15 kilometres north of Chéticamp on the west side of Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

In addition to 42 unserviced campsites, there are five Parks Canada oTENTiks available here. These permanent structures make it easier to enjoy camping since you can travel with less gear and won’t need as much setup time. From our oTENTik, we watched a spectacular ocean sunset and then fell asleep to the soothing sounds of a babbling brook.

Explore Cape Breton Highlands National Park’s many scenic lookouts

As you drive around the Cabot Trail, you’ll encounter many designated areas where you can pull off the road and take in the spectacular scenery. Many of the most scenic views are located within the boundaries of Cape Breton Highlands National Park.

Be sure to keep an eye out even outside the seaside sections. In the inland section of the Cabot Trail between Neils Harbour and Pleasant Bay, there are some spectacular views at lookouts along the Aspy Fault and the Grand Anse River valley.

Encourage kids to become Parks Canada Xplorers

If you have young explorers with you, stop at any of the Parks Canada visitor centres within Cape Breton Highlands National Park to pick up an activity booklet for the Parks Canada Xplorers program. It’s designed to help kids and their families explore more while visiting Parks Canada places. We’ve found the activities so inspirational during our travels!

The Xplorers program at Cape Breton Highlands National Park is especially well done. As you visit locations around the park, you’ll see posts where kids can add pencil rubbings to their booklets to commemorate their travels. Take the completed booklet to a visitor centre or campground office, and you’ll receive a collectible medallion to take home!

Stop at Green Cove to spot sea views and wildlife

Green Cove is one of the recommended stops in the Parks Canada Xplorers booklet for Cape Breton Highlands National Park. It’s located roughly 20 kilometres north of Ingonish. If you’re visiting on a sunny summer morning, be sure to pull in. You’re likely to see large groups of seals barking, playing, and basking on the rocks!

Explore an ancient forest on the Lone Shieling Trail

The seaside sections attract most visitors to Cape Breton Highlands National Park. But don’t skip the inland section — it houses some beautiful natural treasures, too!

Much of the northern half of Cape Breton Highlands National Park protects the largest undisturbed tract of old growth Acadian forest in the Maritimes. Here, some trees are more than 350 years old! Most of this forest is protected and therefore off-limits to visitors. However, there is one spot along the Cabot Trail where you can stop to explore it.

The Lone Shieling trail is a short 15-minute hike along the Grand Anse River. You’ll notice the forest here is quite different from elsewhere in the park as you walk beneath towering maple and beech trees. This trial is home to the Lone Shieling, a small Scottish-style hut that’s one of the park’s key historic landmarks.

Stay at the Keltic Lodge at the Highlands

The Keltic Lodge at the Highlands is a historic property along the Cabot Trail. The iconic experience here starts even before you check in: you’re likely to see a bagpiper in traditional regalia playing on the lawn as you arrive.

Tee up at the resort’s famous golf course, enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants, take a breather at the spa, or just wait for nightfall and stargaze under the wide open skies of Ingonish.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Cape Breton Highlands National Park:

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