City Guides: Campobello Island, New Brunswick, Canada
At the mouth of Passamaquoddy Bay, where the waters of the Bay of Fundy meet the coast of Maine, Campobello Island offers an unusually rich combination of maritime scenery, history, wildlife and outdoor adventure. The island is best known for its connection to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, but there is far more to discover beyond the famous summer cottage.
From a lighthouse reached by walking across the ocean floor at low tide to windswept coastal trails and peaceful beaches, here are some sites that make Campobello Island worth exploring, whether you’re visiting from a marina or a private boat lift rental. The island is connected to Lubec, Maine, by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Bridge.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Roosevelt Campobello International Park is one of Campobello’s most famous attractions to visit from any local private boat dock for rent or marina. The 34-room summer cottage where Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt spent many summers has been preserved as the centerpiece of this unusual international memorial. Visitors can tour the house and learn about the Roosevelt family's life on Campobello. But don't stop at the cottage. The park encompasses about 2,800 acres of forests, bogs, beaches, cliffs and coastline, as well as 11 hiking trails and historic carriage roads.
Located within Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Liberty Point features dramatic coastal cliffs and broad views across the surrounding waters. The park notes that visitors can see toward Grand Manan Island and the distinctive West Quoddy Head Lighthouse in Maine. It’s an excellent place for a walk, a picnic or simply watching seabirds and the constantly changing water.
Friar's Head is one of the park's particularly interesting geological and scenic features. The rocky headland rises from the coastline and provides sweeping views over Passamaquoddy Bay and the islands beyond. It’s also one of the park's designated scenic observation points. The combination of exposed rock, forest and ocean gives this part of Campobello a distinctly rugged character.
Head Harbour Lighthouse
Head Harbour Lighthouse, also known as East Quoddy Lighthouse, is one of Campobello's most iconic sights. The historic lighthouse stands on a small tidal island off the northeastern tip of Campobello. Getting there is part of the adventure. At suitable low tides, visitors can make their way across exposed ocean floor, climb stairs and rocky terrain, and reach the lighthouse.
The catch? The tide matters enormously. Conditions can change quickly, so it’s advisable to consult current tide information and allow plenty of time to return before the water rises.
Herring Cove Provincial Park
Herring Cove Provincial Park brings together several classic East Coast pleasures: beach, forest, hiking, camping and golf. The park's roughly one-mile beach is backed by varied coastal landscapes, while its trail network provides opportunities to explore forest and shoreline. Wildlife sightings can include bald eagles, osprey and beavers. There's also a nine-hole seaside golf course, making this a particularly appealing stop for travelers who like combining outdoor recreation with a little relaxation.
Mulholland Point Lighthouse
While smaller than Head Harbour, Mulholland Point Lighthouse has a memorable setting that makes it a terrific spot to visit from private boat slips near me for rent. Built in 1885, the lighthouse stands beside the narrow Lubec Channel separating Campobello from Maine. From here, visitors can look toward the American town, watch boats passing through the channel and potentially spot seals in the surrounding waters.
The lighthouse also provides a convenient introduction to the area's maritime history, with the nearby Marine Life Interpretation Centre focusing on whales and other marine life of the Bay of Fundy.
