Mactaquac Provincial Park – A Campground for the Kids

Source: By Jennifer Kent, AOL Travel

Posted: 08/01/09 2:39PM

Filed Under: Canada Travel Guide

An easy half-hour drive from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Mactaquac Provincial Park is a great place to pitch the family tent for a weekend getaway with the kids.

The 1300-acre Park borders a beautifully blue reservoir lake formed by the construction of the Mactaquac hydro-electric dam. For those die-hard campers who like to “rough it” deep in the Canadian wilderness, Mactaquac is probably not for you...BUT parents with children will greatly appreciate the handily-located amenities and the plethora of activities offered to the prepubescent set.

At the centre of the 300-site campground is a central park area includes a ball diamond, playground, volley-ball nets, basketball nets, tether-ball and a well-stocked rec-centre staffed with patient counsellors to co-ordinate games and crafts for the kids.

During our two-day stay, the dreaded phrase “I’m bored!” never once crossed the lips of either of our two active sons. Indeed, at the risk of sounding like a negligent parent, we barely saw our boys during the daylight hours as they were too busy having the time of their lives with their many new-found friends! Still, the open-concept of the centrally-located park area means it’s easy for parents to (discretely!)keep tabs on their offspring without having to “hover.”

After a hard day of play, the kids can cool off with a dip in the lake. As you stand on the sandy beach looking out over the reservoir (and no doubt you will see a sail boat or two cruising the crystalline waters), the Mactaquac Dam rises against the horizon, creating a dramatic backdrop for this tranquil New Brunswick scene. Finally, it’s back to the camp-site for the obligatory camp-fire with roasted marshmellows (conditional upon the fire index, of course.)

Campground conveniences also include a mini-golf course, a camp store and canteen, bathrooms and showers, laundry facilities, a marina and walking trails. The nature trails are relatively short, well-maintained and non-challenging, making them an easy and do-able jaunt for young children or seniors. At least one trail is wheel-chair accessible. For the grown-ups, Mactaquac is also home to a championship 18-hole golf course that sprawls over 300-acres of lush, rolling Saint John River Valley country-side.

How to get there: Mactaquac Provincial Park is just 30 minutes north-west of Fredericton, via Route #105, 8 kilometres off the Trans Canada Highway.

Good to know: Mactaquac is a popular weekend destination for tourists and locals alike. On a weekend, the campground can fill up quickly so it’s best to get there early or call ahead for reservations. The Park Adminstration Offices are open daily from 8 am-4:30pm.

Traveller’s Tip: Autumn is a great time to visit Mactaquac as the red and gold fall foliage is breathtaking, and summer crowds will have thinned.

Did you know...? Mactaquac is the Maliseet word for “Big Branch,” referring either to the Saint John River itself, or the first major tributary above the tide water.