Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is among the hottest points of interest in New Brunswick, Canada — particularly the photogenic Flower Pot Rocks. In reality, over 1 / 4 of one million individuals flock to this park annually to see the dramatic tides of the Bay of Fundy.
However, getting probably the most out of your go to to Hopewell Rocks actually requires a little bit of planning as you’ll be able to have a really completely different expertise if you happen to go to at excessive tide versus low tide. Whether you’re visiting Hopewell Rocks as a part of a New Brunswick street journey or taking a day journey from Moncton, be sure you comply with these tricks to plan your go to to Hopewell Rocks.
About Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park is open from late May by mid-October. Entrance charges are presently $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $8 for kids 5-18, and kids underneath 5 are free. Tickets are legitimate for 2 consecutive days, making it potential to simply go to Hopewell Rocks at each excessive tide and low tide. There are additionally household tickets obtainable and non-obligatory shuttle service charges of $1.74 per particular person.
There is plentiful free parking at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park and, even in mid-summer, the park doesn’t really feel crowded. That stated, it is going to be busier on the weekends so go to in the course of the mid-week if you’re ready.
At Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park there’s a customer interpretive heart and a half-mile-long path by the woods supplies scenic overlooks to the Bay of Fundy. On the ocean ground, there are twenty sea stacks of quite a lot of dimensions and shapes alongside a two-kilometer stretch of shoreline. Many have been given whimsical names reminiscent of Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, and ET. The most well-known of the ocean stacks are the Flower Pot rocks.
There are three entry factors to the ocean ground which are accessible when it isn’t excessive tide. The main entry level is a steel staircase of 99 steps that descends right down to the Flower Pot rocks. You can both stroll alongside the trail to succeed in the staircase or take a shuttle tram in case you have mobility considerations.
Those with mobility points can proceed a bit additional to North Beach, which has a ramp to the seaside that’s appropriate for wheelchairs (though wheelchairs may have a troublesome time navigating the seaside.) The third possibility might be reached by following a path to the south of the Interpretive Centre, the place the path gently descends to sea degree.
It is straightforward to spend a full day at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park as there’s a cafe on-site, in addition to many picnic areas and even a playground. You can take a self-guided tour of the multi-media reveals within the Interpretive Centre that explains the science of the park and what you’ll be able to count on when visiting the ocean ground. It can be potential to hitch a guided tour with an interpretive information.
A couple of info concerning the Hopewell Rocks:
- The Bay of Fundy tides rise as much as 13 vertical toes per hour
- High tide can attain a peak of as much as 46 toes (that’s as excessive as a four-story constructing)
- During a full moon, there are increased than regular tides because of the gravitational pull of the moon
- Each summer time starting in July and lasting 4-6 weeks, a whole bunch of hundreds of shorebirds make a migratory cease at Hopewell Rocks
Tips for Visiting Hopewell Rocks
1. Visit at each excessive tide and low tide
To get the complete impression of the Bay of Fundy tides, it’s best to go to Hopewell Rocks at each excessive tide and low tide, they usually make it straightforward by making the ticket legitimate for 2 consecutive days. Some individuals will say it’s best to go to at low tide first after which return later at excessive tide to see the dramatic distinction within the water ranges.
However, I don’t assume it actually issues if you go to first, so long as you get an opportunity to see the Rocks at each excessive and low tide. Just take into account that as a result of the tide is available in so rapidly or recedes so quick, you actually ought to attempt to get there proper at excessive and low tide to see the largest adjustments. When I first visited I obtained there about 45 minutes after excessive tide and already the water was now not underneath the Flower Pot rocks.
2. Pay consideration to the tide desk
Before you go, be sure you verify the Hopewell Rocks tide desk to plan your go to. At the primary deck and stairs, the tide instances will probably be posted and also you need to regulate your watch to be sure to start working your method again alongside the coast to the exit level an hour or so earlier than excessive tide.
The employees does an excellent job of sweeping the seaside to herd guests again to the entry factors previous to excessive tide and if there was an emergency, there are a number of spots the place you’ll be able to wait out the tide however I don’t assume you need to be caught on a platform for hours till the tide goes out once more.
3. Dress Appropriately
If you need to discover the shoreline at low tide, it’s best to put on sturdy, protecting footwear reminiscent of waterproof climbing boots or water sneakers with good grip. When the tide goes out, the ocean ground can be fairly muddy (you will note why this a part of the Bay of Fundy is known as a chocolate river.)
It is just not a day to put on your nicest outfits as a result of likelihood is you’re going to get muddy. In reality, many youngsters love slippy and sliding within the mud and should find yourself lined in it. Luckily, there are benches with hoses to scrub your toes positioned close to the primary stairs on the Flower Pot rocks.
You might need to pack an additional towel to wash up and dry off after washing off the mud.
4. Stay for Lunch or Dinner
If you need to catch each tides in at some point, plan to pack a picnic to take pleasure in at one of many picnic areas within the park, or take pleasure in a meal on the full-service on-site restaurant. Otherwise, your choices are considerably restricted within the space. Dinner is served on the Hopewell Rocks Motel & Restaurant, proper on the entrance of the park. Otherwise, about 10-Quarter-hour away you may get a sandwich or noodle bowl on the Cinnamon Soul Cafe, however service is sluggish.
5. Go Beyond the Flower pot Rocks
Many those that go to Hopewell Rocks take the steps to see the Flower Pot Rocks and don’t enterprise a lot past that space. However, if you wish to get away from individuals and see among the different cool sea stacks, be sure you stroll down the seaside in each instructions from the Flower Pot Rocks. There is extra to see if you happen to stroll to the proper of the stacks than the left however it’s price doing each.
6. Don’t Cross the Caution Boundaries
Each yr earlier than the park opens for the season, security specialists go alongside the shoreline and cord off sure areas with warning tape which are in danger for falling rocks or different security considerations. With an ever-changing shoreline and erosion, it is very important take note of these warnings and keep out of those areas.
7. Explore the Coast from the Water
Walking on the ocean ground is a enjoyable expertise at Hopewell Rocks however one other nice solution to see the shoreline is by kayak. Baymount Outdoor Adventures gives each daytime and after-dark kayaking excursions at Hopewell Rocks. I used to be signed as much as attempt to the evening kayaking tour however sadly, the climate didn’t cooperate and my tour was canceled because of excessive winds that created harmful circumstances.
Hopewell Rocks is a must-see if you go to New Brunswick and the Bay of Fundy! I’ve heard of those that deliberate cruises to this space particularly to see the Bay of Fundy tides at Hopewell Rocks however they solely obtained to see it at excessive tide due to the timing of the cruise tour. If you’re visiting throughout a cruise, verify the tide tables for the tour to have the proper expectations. However, hopefully, you’ll be able to spend extra time on land and get the complete Hopewell Rocks expertise.
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