You don’t have to be cold when you camp out in the middle of the woods in winter – at least not at Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. This year Parks Canada is offering a more comfortable winter backcountry camping experience – yurts.
One yurt is located eight kilometers in at Eel Weir and the other is set up 15 kilometres in at Peskowesk Brook. Each yurt is an aluminum or wood-frame structure covered with heavy cotton canvas and a wooden floor and feature a wood stove, firewood, table, chairs, and bunks for four people.
Campers bring their own sleeping mat and bag, cooking utensils, and food. These yurts are a great addition, from January through March, to the current winter camping options available at Kejimkujik which include Mason’s Cabin (27 kilometres one way), backcountry campsites, as well as 58 front country campsites in Jeremys Bay campground.
With over 19 kilometres of trails (40 kilometres return), Parks Canada offers visitors great opportunities for winter hiking, cross-country skiing, skate skiing, or snowshoeing – whether visitors stay overnight or come for the day. There are also enclosed picnic shelters, with firewood provided, where visitors can stop and have a cozy winter picnic.
Additionally, on the weekend, Parks Canada invites visitors to enjoy a complimentary cup of hot apple cider in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site’s visitor centre which is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Kejimkujik’s inland location in western Nova Scotia creates a unique climate, which results in great snowfall accumulation in the winter months. This provides for fabulous snowshoeing, skiing, and winter camping opportunities.
Check out the winter trail map at www.parkscanada.gc.ca/keji. For general information and information on winter camping, visitors can call the main line at Kejimkujik 902-682-2772 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily or email kejimkujik.info@pc.gc.ca.
