Prince Edward Island National Park
Prince Edward Island National Park strings together some of the most beautiful coastline in Atlantic Canada, red sandstone cliffs, rolling dunes, and long stretches of soft beach along the island’s gentle north shore. Backed by woodland and salt marsh, dotted with iconic lighthouses, and home to the beloved Green Gables of literary fame, it is a classic maritime summer escape.
Fast facts
- Established: 1937
- Size: about 10 square miles (27 km²) along PEI’s north shore
- Coast: red cliffs, dunes and long sand beaches on the Gulf of St. Lawrence
- Culture: includes Green Gables Heritage Place of Anne of Green Gables
- Gateway: Charlottetown / Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
- Managed by: Parks Canada
The landscape
The park protects a narrow ribbon of shore, wind-sculpted sand dunes, warm-water beaches, red sandstone cliffs, salt marshes and pockets of Acadian forest. This dynamic coastal edge is vital habitat for the endangered piping plover and a haven for shorebirds, foxes and great blue herons, with the famous lighthouses and the pastoral island scenery completing the picture.
Best time to go
Summer is the prime season, when the Gulf water warms enough for swimming and all the beaches, trails and services are open. Early fall is quieter and lovely for cycling and walking. Outside the warm months most services close, leaving a windswept, atmospheric coast for off-season strolls.
Getting there and around
The park runs along PEI’s north shore in several sections near Cavendish, Brackley and Greenwich, all a short drive from Charlottetown. A vehicle links the sections and the Green Gables site, but the level Gulf Shore Way is a delight for cycling, and the beaches and boardwalk trails are explored on foot.
Things to do
Swim and relax on the beaches, cycle or walk the scenic Gulf Shore Way, and explore the dunes on the Greenwich boardwalk. Visit Green Gables Heritage Place, watch for piping plovers and shorebirds, tour the lighthouses, and camp within earshot of the surf on a classic maritime holiday.
Top 8 things to do in Prince Edward Island National Park →
Staying safe
The Gulf water, though relatively warm, can still be cold with rip currents, so heed beach guidance and supervise swimmers. Coastal storms blow up quickly, sun on the open dunes and beaches is strong, and ticks are present. Use protection, carry water, and stay off the fragile dunes except on the boardwalks.
Know before you go
A Parks Canada pass is required and camping should be reserved, especially in summer. This page is a general overview, not a live conditions report; always confirm current conditions, reservations and closures with Parks Canada before your trip.
- Coordinates
- 46.4574, -63.0635
- Magnetic declination
- 16.6° W (2026)
Set this declination on your compass, then align it to the map's north lines; it is the angle between true north and magnetic north, refreshed each year.
How declination works, and how to navigate with a map and compass
A spread of the park’s main places shows straight away, and the rest appear as you zoom in. You can also search above, or pick any place from the lists below, and the map will go to it. Places in bold, marked , have a short description.
Getting there 5
Park entrances
Visitor centre
Ranger station
On the trail 8
Route
Campgrounds
Hut or shelter
Sights 29
Viewpoints
Lakes
Beaches
Heritage sites
Point of interest
Island
Map data comes from third-party sources and may be incomplete or out of date, so carry a current official map (terms).
Looking for one of these closer to home?Destinations near me by trip type →
- Best seasons
- Summer, Early fall
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Access / trailheads
- Along the north shore of Prince Edward Island near Cavendish, Brackley and Greenwich, a short drive from Charlottetown via routes 6, 15 and others.
- Water
- Potable water at developed areas; carry water on trails.
- Cell / satellite coverage
- Good cell coverage given the setting.
- Nearest ranger / SAR / emergency
- Parks Canada dispatch: 1-877-852-3100; life-threatening emergencies: 911.
- Permits & regulations
- A Parks Canada pass is required; camping needs a reservation. The park includes the Green Gables Heritage Place (of Anne of Green Gables fame).
- Leave No Trace
- Stay off the fragile dunes except on boardwalks, protect piping plover nesting areas, pack out all waste, and follow Leave No Trace.
January
- Below freezing all day
February
- Below freezing all day
March
- Below-freezing nights
April
- Below-freezing nights
May
June
July
August
September
October This month
November
- Below-freezing nights
December
- Below-freezing nights
What to bring depends on your trip: how long you’re out, where you sleep, and how far you go from the road. The planner builds the list for yours.
Plan a trip here →Averages for 1981–2010 from Environment Canada climate normals, measured at the New Glasgow station, 7 miles (12 km)12 km (7 miles) away at 20 feet (6 m)6 m (20 feet). Higher trails run colder, by about 3.5°F for every 1,000 ft (2°C per 300 m)2°C for every 300 m (3.5°F per 1,000 ft) of climb. Daylight runs from sunrise to sunset on the 15th, on the park’s own clock, for a level horizon. Valleys and slopes facing away from the sun are in shade earlier.
Nearby parks
-
Kouchibouguac National Park
Barrier islands, salt marshes and warm beaches on New Brunswick's Acadian coast, with grey seals, cycling trails and dark-sky stargazing.
-
Fundy National Park
Forested highlands above the Bay of Fundy and the world's highest tides, with waterfalls, the Fundy Circuit and tidal flats at Alma.
-
Cape Chignecto Provincial Park
A 32-mile (51 km) coastal loop over sheer cliffs and deep ravines above the Bay of Fundy and the world's highest tides.
-
Cape Breton Highlands National Park
Highland plateau and sea cliffs on northern Cape Breton Island, with the Cabot Trail, the Skyline Trail and pilot whales offshore.
Straight-line distance between park centres. Road distance is usually longer.
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