Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Graves Island Park
Overview
Graves Island Provincial Park offers a quintessential coastal Nova Scotia experience for travelers seeking a deep connection to the sea. Situated on a small island connected to the mainland by a short causeway, this park provides a beautiful mix of seaside scenery and wooded privacy. It is a peaceful retreat where the scent of salt air and balsam fir defines the atmosphere. The park is highly regarded for its well-maintained grounds and its status as a favorite jumping-off point for exploring the province's famed South Shore.
Location & Surroundings
The park is located just outside the charming village of Chester, overlooking the calm, island-studded waters of Mahone Bay. The landscape is characterized by rugged shorelines and mature forest canopies that offer shade and wind protection. Because it is an island, many campsites offer glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean through the trees, while a scenic walking trail circles the entire perimeter, providing panoramic views of the surrounding islands and the many sailboats that frequent these waters during the summer months.
Amenities & Park Features
RVers will find a mix of serviced and unserviced sites designed to accommodate various camping styles. The park offers water and 30-amp electrical hookups at many locations, which are suitable for most standard RV rigs. Essential facilities are well-maintained and include:
- Modern comfort station with hot showers and flush toilets.
- A convenient RV dump station and potable water filling areas.
- A boat launch and docking facilities for easy coastal exploration.
- A playground and multiple picnic areas overlooking the water.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
A very short drive brings you into the historic village of Chester, famous for its world-class sailing regattas and vibrant local arts scene. Within an hour's drive, you can visit the iconic lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove or the colorful streets of Lunenburg. For those who prefer staying active, the area offers:
- Cycling and hiking on the Rum Runners Trail which follows an old railway line.
- Sailing and boat tours departing from Chester's historic waterfront.
- The scenic Chester Golf Club, which offers stunning views of the bay.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for RVers who prioritize stunning natural beauty and quiet evenings over high-energy resort-style amenities. It caters well to families looking for a safe, scenic environment where kids can explore the shoreline and couples seeking a romantic coastal escape. If your travel style involves exploring historic maritime towns and artisan shops by day before returning to a tranquil, wooded campsite by night, Graves Island provides the perfect balance of accessibility and seclusion.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Internet
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Michael Frenette
Love the trails in this park. Quiet, peaceful, beautiful and forested! Plus, the chickadees eat seeds right out of your hand! That's why they follow you as you walk along. Be sure to bring some seeds with you!
Donna Brown
We recently had a camping adventure with some of our friends on Graves Island. It was my first time, but my friends knew the place quit well. After setting up camp, we explored the island. It's so beautiful and my new favorite place in Chester. We went paddling around the cove one of the days and also swam a lot. We also managed to be there for the annual car show, which was a bonus surprise. We will definitely come and visit again. The memories we made will always be with us.
Kevin Dunbar
Beautiful spot to go camping. We stayed at a non-electric site and the upkeep to each site was impressive. Lots of room for all your camping needs. The trail that circles the island is easy walking, great views, and has ample loads of blackberry and raspberries to consume. The staff were great and offer really nice dry hardwood and kindling for your fires.
Ricardo VDL
Awesome park! It was our first camping experience and it did not let us down at all! Staff were 100% present and friendly, cleaning the park quite often due to COVID-19. They were accepting card for firewood and ice payments. Only people with reservation could enter the campgrounds (there is a barrier for cars. No barrier or control over people walking inside park, just as a side note). At first we reserved serviced site 23 but, due to lack of privacy (we were there for the nature) we changed, without ANY issues (thanks staff!) to site 84, which was perfect for us. Park has a great infrastructure and it is beautifully maintained, with nice trails and beautiful views. I can only note down the water access: only on the opened area of the park and in the middle of the seaweed and on the reserved area, only water accessible if you'd adventure yourself through the cliffs (I guess you cannot go against mother nature sometimes eh!?).
Andreas Gorbach
Very nice Campground overall. We came with a 30feet RV and had a great spot with power and water and ocean view. Distance to other RVs is rather big. Good opportunity for campfire. The beach is ok but nothing special. We had no bugs and it was quiet.