Hopewell Rocks is a provincial park on the Bay of Fundy where towering sea stacks, carved by the world’s highest tides, rise from the ocean floor at low tide.
This guide was updated in June 2026. The park’s official FAQ states plainly that there’s no advantage to buying tickets in advance, since visitor numbers aren’t capped, which contradicts the usual “book ahead to skip the line” advice you’ll see elsewhere. You can still book in advance through Viator if you’d simply rather have your ticket sorted before you travel.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park quick facts
| Address | 131 Discovery Rd, Hopewell Cape, New Brunswick |
| Opening hours | Currently 8am–8pm (mid-June to late August); shorter hours in spring and autumn |
| Admission | Adult $18.15 · Senior/Student $15.56 · Child (5–18) $10.37 · Family $45.37 (plus 15% tax) |
| Nearest city | About 45 minutes from Moncton |
| Typical visit duration | 3 to 4 hours, ideally spread across two consecutive days |
Why book Hopewell Rocks tickets?
- 🏛️ The world’s highest tides: watch the Bay of Fundy rise and fall by up to 16 metres, all within a single visit.
- 🎟️ Two days included: a single ticket covers entry on two consecutive days, so you can see both high and low tide.
- 🌿 Twenty-plus sea stacks: walk the ocean floor among formations nicknamed Elephant, Bear, and ET.
- 📜 A working tidal ecosystem: spot harbour seals, porpoises, and migratory shorebirds depending on the season.
- 💰 No crowd caps: the park doesn’t limit visitor numbers, so there’s no risk of being turned away.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park opening hours
Hours shift through the season, with the longest days running from late June to late August.
| Dates | Hours |
|---|---|
| 15 May – 20 June 2026 | 9am–5pm |
| 21 June – 29 August 2026 | 8am–8pm |
| 30 August – 26 September 2026 | 8am–6pm |
| 27 September – 25 October 2026 | 9am–5pm |
The park is strictly closed outside these dates and hours. Outside operating hours, safety barriers may be removed and there’s no staff on site, so access is prohibited and genuinely dangerous given how fast the tide rises.
Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park ticket prices
These figures come straight from the park’s official website and exclude 15% sales tax, added at checkout.
| Ticket type | Price (before tax) |
|---|---|
| Adult (19+) | $18.15 |
| Senior (65+) | $15.56 |
| Student (19+, with valid card) | $15.56 |
| Children (5–18) | $10.37 |
| Children 4 and under | Free |
| Family (2 adults + their children 18 and under) | $45.37 |
| Shuttle service (one-way) | $1.74 |
Prices have risen noticeably since 2024, when several travel blogs recorded adult admission at $15.85. Your ticket is valid for two consecutive days, so you can return the following day to catch the opposite tide. Book through Viator if you’d rather have it arranged ahead of your trip.
How to get there
By car: Hopewell Rocks sits about 45 minutes from Moncton via Route 114, and is well signposted from the Trans-Canada Highway.
From Fundy National Park: The park is a short, scenic drive further along Route 114, making it easy to combine both in one Bay of Fundy road trip.
By shuttle within the park: A small fee gets you a shuttle ride from the Interpretive Centre to the top of the stairway leading down to the ocean floor, useful if you’d rather save your energy for exploring.
Parking
Parking at Hopewell Rocks is free and plentiful, and even in the busy summer months the park rarely feels crowded. Drivers should note that the exit point from the ocean floor isn’t always the same as the entrance, so check your bearings before heading down.
How long to spend at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
Most visitors spend 3 to 4 hours in total, ideally split across two days to see both high and low tide. A single visit focused on just the ocean floor walk can be done in under two hours if you’re short on time.
Accessibility
The Ocean Floor Access Trail is an accessible gravel trail, and the network of trails throughout the park is described as wheelchair-friendly. A ramp with benches near North Beach offers an alternative to the 99-step staircase at the Main Deck, though the park is honest that the ocean floor itself, once you’re down, can be too challenging to navigate on wheels due to mud and uneven rock.
What to see at Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park
The Main Deck staircase. A large metal staircase with 99 steps down (and 101 back up, as the park likes to point out) leads to a spacious viewing platform and the ocean floor below.
The sea stacks. Over twenty freestanding formations, nicknamed Elephant, Bear, Dinosaur, ET, and Mother-in-Law among others, dot two kilometres of shoreline and change character completely between high and low tide.
The Ledges. A slippery outcrop of limestone marks the turnaround point for many visitors exploring the shoreline, though more adventurous walkers can clamber over it to keep going.
Demoiselle Beach Trail. This gently descending trail leads south from behind the Interpretive Centre to a quieter cove, with views over Shepody Mountain, Mary’s Point, and Grindstone Island.
The Interpretive Centre. Exhibits here explain the science behind the Bay of Fundy’s record-breaking tides, alongside Mi’kmaq legends connected to the area.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Skip the advance booking stress | The park confirms there’s no benefit to buying ahead, since visitor numbers aren’t capped. |
| Wear proper footwear | The trails slope and the ocean floor rocks are slippery, so good ankle support matters. |
| Check the tide tables first | Times shift daily, so confirm when it’s safe to walk the ocean floor before you go. |
| Stay two days if you can | Your ticket covers both, letting you see the dramatic difference between high and low tide. |
| Leave the drone at home | Personal drones are prohibited throughout the park to protect nesting wildlife. |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Should I book tickets in advance? | Not necessary; booking through Viator is convenient but the park doesn’t cap visitor numbers. |
| Can I swim at Hopewell Rocks? | No, swimming isn’t permitted, though you can wade and dip your feet in the water. |
| Is the park wheelchair accessible? | The main trail to the ocean floor is accessible, though the ocean floor itself is often too muddy and uneven for wheels. |
| Can I bring my dog? | Yes, on a leash no longer than 3 metres, though pets aren’t allowed inside buildings. |
| Can I camp at Hopewell Rocks? | No, the park doesn’t offer camping or RV options, and all guests must leave before dark. |
Things to do nearby
Fundy National Park is a short drive along Route 114, with extensive hiking trails and its own dramatic Fundy coastline.
Cape Enrage offers a lighthouse, zip line, and rappelling activities along the same stretch of Bay of Fundy coast.
The High Tide Restaurant, on site at Hopewell Rocks, serves local New Brunswick flavours with a dining deck overlooking the tidal flats.
Dorchester Cape is a quieter, less-visited spot for spotting the same dramatic tidal range without the crowds.
Albert County Museum, in nearby Hopewell Cape village, covers the area’s local history and heritage.
What to visit tomorrow
These are other dramatic tidal and coastal natural attractions within reach of the Bay of Fundy.
Fundy National Park, New Brunswick. Towering waterfalls and extensive hiking trails along the same coastline, just a short drive from Hopewell Rocks.
Cape Enrage, New Brunswick. A rugged lighthouse-topped headland with adventure activities, about 30 minutes away.
St. Martins Sea Caves, New Brunswick. Sandstone caves accessible only at low tide, around 1.5 hours’ drive along the Fundy coast.
Burntcoat Head Park, Nova Scotia. Home to the official record for the world’s highest tides, on the opposite shore of the Bay of Fundy, about 3 hours away including the ferry or drive around.
Five Islands Provincial Park, Nova Scotia. Another striking tidal landscape with sea stacks and red cliffs, roughly 3 hours from Hopewell Rocks.
More Canada travel
Other Canada travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Practical guide to visiting the Chapel of Tadoussac and the Marine Mammal Interpretation Centre in Tadoussac.
- Try land-based whale-watching at the Cap-de-Bon-Désir Interpretation and Observation Centre or the Pointe-Noire Interpretation and Observation Centre.
- Practical guide to visiting the Fluvarium in St John’s.
- A complete guide to visiting Montmorency Falls near Quebec City.
- Watching black bears in Duchesnay Forest near Quebec City.
