Fundy Footpath Campsites: The Goose River Sites in Fundy National Park

The Goose River sites

Fundy National Park has 8 backcountry campsites, at Goose River, Marven Lake, Foster Brook, Tracey Lake and Chambers Lake. The Goose River sites sit at the park's southwest boundary and are the ones on the Footpath. Sites 4 and 5 are on the cliff top with views of the Bay of Fundy. Site 6 is on the beach next to Goose River, down a very steep descent.

The park's backcountry page says each campsite is for a group of four. The older reservation page lists sites 4 and 5 for 4 people and one tent, and site 6 for 8 people and two tents, so check the site limit when you book. Each designated site has a tent pad, a pit privy, a fire pit and a picnic table. Tents go on the pads only.

Reaching Goose River

From inside the park, the Goose River Trail runs 11.4 km (7.1 mi) one way from the Point Wolfe parking lot, rated difficult, with a very steep first 2 km. Parks Canada says the trail also connects hikers to the Fundy Footpath, a coastal trek to the Big Salmon River near St. Martins, maintained by volunteers of the Fundy Hiking Trail Association.

Registering, water and fires

Permits are issued at the Visitor Reception Centre near the east entrance or the Wolfe Lake Information Centre near the west entrance, before you go into the backcountry. There is no after-hours registration, and the permit must be issued in time for you to reach your site in daylight. Before you leave the park, drop your permit at the Visitor Reception Centre, or call 506-887-6000.

Water is not provided, so carry it in. Parks Canada says a backpacking stove is needed for cooking, fires go only in the designated fireplaces, and all garbage is packed out in the bags given at registration. Cell reception in the backcountry is very poor or none.

Fees, season and cancelling

The Fundy fee page lists a backcountry fee of CA$15.00 for an adult. Adult park entry is CA$10.00 a day. The reservation fee is CA$11.50 online or CA$13.50 by phone, charged per stay and not refundable. The park's backcountry page gives operational dates of May 15 to November 2.

Cancel at least 3 days before arrival and you get a full refund less the reservation fee and a cancellation fee. Cancel later, but before 2 pm on your arrival day, and the first night is kept as well. If you do not check in by 11 am the day after your arrival date and have not called, you are a no-show: call the park within 30 days to claim a refund, less the reservation fee and your first two nights.

What PermitSnag does here

Each permit page says whether you can set a PermitSnag alert for it, and links to the agency that sells it.

Questions