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Camping Guidelines
Alcohol
All Nova Scotia Provincial Parks are alcohol-free from the park opening date until check-out (1 pm) July 3, 2011. Alcohol-free means no alcohol is permitted in the park.
Accessibility
We are commited to providing facilities and services that encourage park use by everyone, and are constantly modifying our parks and developing new facilities to meet that commitment. Over half of our parks offer some facilities for people with disabilities. Our special facilities at Jerry Lawrence Provincial Park, Halifax County include wheelchair-accessible fishing piers, nature trails, picnic sites, and viewing areas. For more information about accessibility, please contact the nearest Department of Natural Resources office or the Parks and Recreation Division at (902) 662-3030.
Booking & Cancelling
Your site will be held until 1:00 pm on the day following your scheduled arrival.
There is a fee of $9.00 for each reservation. There is a $7.00 charge for each change or cancellation. Reservations can be changed or cancelled up to 1:00 pm (AT) on the day of your scheduled date of arrival. Reservations cancelled after 1:00 pm (AT) will be charged the "no show" fee equivalent to one night's camping fee.
If a number of people are travelling together you do not each have to reserve our own site. An individual can reserve several campsites providing: each site is registered in a different name, one credit card will be used to cover the cost of all sites; and there will be no more than six (6) people per site.
Check-in / Check-out
You can check in at any time as long as you reserved site is vacant. If you don't have a reservation, you can check in at any time providing there is a vacant site. Check-out is 1:00 pm. Please ensure your campsite is clean.
Dogs/Pets
Pets are welcome; however, we ask that you keep other campers in mind by keeping your pet leashed and quiet. Barking dogs will not be tolerated and you and your pet may be asked to leave the park if your dog persists in making noise. Pets are not permitted in designated swimming areas or in public structures. Learn more about dogs in the parks.
Fees
Ice is $2.50, Sewage dumping is $5.34, and Wood is $5.00. Also see the Seasons and Fees page.
Fires
If the site you want to reserve does not have a grill you can not have a fire.
A provincial fire ban does not apply to the parks. You may continue to use the grill at your campsite when a fire ban has been instituted. Under certain conditions however, the Chief Caretaker can close some/all grills.
Firewood
It might seem innocent enough, but bringing firewood to or from your campsite has the potential to destroy thousands of trees. Transportation of firewood is a common way insect pests and diseases are spread into our forests. You never know what's hiding under the bark, and once they arrive, invasive species begin consuming the resources native species require.
- Don't pack wood; Buy it at the park.
- Burn it on site
- Leave un-used wood for the next camper
- Never take wood back home
Fireworks
Fireworks and parks aren't always a good mix. Setting off fireworks disturbs other park users, frightens wildlife and camper's pets and there is always the risk of grass and wild fires, as well as burns and injury. As a consequence, the use of fireworks in provincial parks is generally prohibited. On special occasions such as Canada Day we sometimes make exceptions and will allow event leaders to use fireworks. To use fireworks under these circumstances, special permission must be obtained at least one week in advance from the local DNR district office.
The Parks Act and Regulations are enforced at all times. A copy is posted at the office for your reference. Failure to comply with the regulations may result in your being asked to leave the park.
Garbage and Recycling
Campers and park users must practice waste sorting and recycling in accordance with provincial and municipal regulations. Park staff will inform you of the required steps.
Note: We are unable to accept and recycle disposable propane canisters and cylinders. Please take them with you when you leave the park.
Generators (New for 2010!)
Generator use will be permitted only between the hours of 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. This policy will be enforced in all camping parks. Medical use: If you require a generator for medical purposes, please let us know when you make your reservation or immediately upon your arrival, if you choose to register at the park.
Group Camping
A group is defined as more than 6 people.
No more than six people can occupy a campsite unless these people comprise a single-family group of parents and children under the age of 18.
Organized groups will be able to make reservations beginning May 1 by directly contacting the park of their choice from those provincial parks that offer group camping facilities or the local district office.
Please do not call 1-888-544-3434 or 1-519-826-5301 for Group Camping Reservations.
| Blomidon Provincial Park | (902) 582-7319 or (902) 679-6097 |
| Cape Chignecto Provincial Park | (902) 392-2085 or (902) 667-3638 |
| Caribou-Munroes Island Provincial Park | (902) 485-6134 or (902) 922-4020 |
| Dollar Lake Provincial Park | (902) 384-2770 or (902) 384-2290 |
| Five Islands Provincial Park | (902) 254-2980 or (902) 254-3241 |
| Rissers Beach Provincial Park | (902) 688-2034 or (902) 634-7557 |
| Smileys Provincial Park | (902) 757-3131 or (902) 798-2016 |
| Thomas Raddall | (902)683-2664 or (902) 354-3462 |
| Whycocomagh Provincial Park | (902) 756-2448 or (902) 756-2339 |
The fees for group camping permits are as follows:
- $18.36 (including taxes) per day in a park with no flush toilet and showers. If the group exceeds six people, there is an additional charge of $2.17 per person.
- $24.48 (including taxes) per day in a park with flush toilets and showers. If the group exceeds six people, there is an additional charge of $2.17 per person.
Noise
Quiet time is 10:30 pm to sunrise.
If you arrive at the park and don't have a reservation, stop in to the park office to register. You will be assigned a site based on availability and your camping equipment.
Reservations: Policies
A family unit is defined as no more than six people, usually of the same immediate family.
A maximum of six people are permitted per site.
There is a limit of three pieces of equipment per site.
A person must be at least 16 years of age to hold a camping permit.
Someone under 16 years of age can obtain a camping permit provided they are accompanied in the park by a person who is 19 years of age or older who accepts responsibility for the person under 16 years.
Safety in a Natural Environment
Coastal Parks
When visiting coastal parks use caution when walking along the beach as the tide
comes in quickly. Check tide times before you head out.
Cliff edges are constantly eroding. Approach cliff edges only at designated viewing stations. Obey all signs and stay behind barriers.
Beware of currents when swimming in the ocean.
Wildlife Lives Here
Parks are year-round homes for several wildlife species. While you=re in the park,
please respect wildlife and appreciate them from a distance. Most wildlife species
found here have a natural fear of people and usually retreat when they hear people
approaching. Do not tease or chase them.
Never feed wildlife as this can cause them to lose their natural fear of people and they will become dependent on people for food.
If you encounter a large mammal do not approach it. Leave the area at once by slowly backing away in the direction from which you came.
Avoid dune and beach areas where piping plovers may be nesting.
Selling
The selling of crafts or other merchandise in the park is not permitted. Advertising or operating a business within the park is not permitted without a special permit.
Seniors
Seniors (resident and non-resident) discount is given to any customer who can show proof of age 65 years or older.
There is no seniors discount on the purchase of wood, ice or parking an additional vehicle.
Shelter Equipment
Where space permits, you are allowed up to three pieces of shelter equipment.
Traffic Speed
Speed limit within the park is 15 km.
Vehicles
If there is more than one vehicle at your campsite you will need to purchase an additonal "Vehicle Permit". The fee for this is $7.48 per night, payable at the time of registration. The number of additonal vehicles permitted on a campsite is limited by the individual park. Additional vehicles may have to be parked in a separate designated parking lot located away from your campsite for which there is no fee.
Off-highway vehicles are not allowed to be used in the park.
Visitors /Non-Campers
Visitors may enter the park up to 10:00pm. They must leave by 10:30 pm.
You can drive through the park if you are not registered as campers, provided you leave by 10:00 pm.
If you are not a registered camper you may picnic only in the day-use area.
