Explore the Outdoors in Queens County Nova Scotia
Queens County Nova Scotia is home to great places to explore outdoors, go hiking, swimming, and enjoy nature. Aside from being partly home to the province’s second largest national park, Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site it is also home to gorgeous beaches, smaller parks and more. Here are a few excellent places to explore outdoors in Queens County this summer.
Kejimkujik National Park and Historic Site
Keji is a fantastic place to get outside and explore. For summer 2026 as part of the Canada Strong Pass it is also free to explore. Otherwise it is only $7.25 per adult / $15.00 per family and free for Youth. People may not realize that you can visit without spending the night camping but you totally can. There are many self guided trails to explore, there are waterfalls to see and lakeside beaches to swim at. Keji is also part of a Dark Sky Preserve and the perfect place to go star gazing.
Pine Grove Park
Located just outside of Liverpool on the other side of the 103 highway is the 54 acre community park, Pine Grove Park. There are several trails throughout the park amongst the tall pine trees all around 1km or so in length. The trails weave throughout the pine grove along the Mersey River, and around a pond. This is the perfect spot for a leisurely walk or run and is a great place to take your dogs for an on leash walk as well.
Explore the Beaches
Queens County Nova Scotia is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the province. The most famously known beach would most likely be Carter’s Beach, a popular spot for many, known for its white sand, tropical looks and many sand dollars. It can be a bit chilly to swim there though. Other great beaches in the area include Summerville Beach perfect for a swim or stroll, and a favourite of locals, Beach Meadows Beach. Beach Meadows beach is also a great spot to catch a wave surfing and also has a mobi-mat making it one of the only accessible beaches in the area.
Bonus area to explore: Cosby’s Concrete Creations
Cosby’s Concrete Creations at the Cosby’s Garden Centre is located in the Brooklyn area of Queens County just outside of Liverpool. This is a privately owned park with free entry and is filled with hundreds of unique concrete sculptures made by the owner and sculptor Ivan Higgins. Follow the trails at the back of the garden centre on a self guided tour through the forest in search of these unique creations. From huge tortoises to acrobats, intricate human sculptures posing in interesting ways, to dragons and more. It is definitely one of the most unique places to visit in the province.
