Natural Attractions

The diverse landscape of the Sackville area provides many opportunities for nature based activities. Start by visiting some wildlife interpretation centres to discover more about the flora and fauna of the area.

Sackville Waterfowl ParkSackville Waterfowl Park boardwalk

Experience a guided walking tour of the Sackville Waterfowl Park and discover the area's natural and human history while viewing the many species of birds and plants in the Tantramar Marsh eco-system.

Guided tours are available June to September. Contact the Sackville Visitor Information Centre to register for a tour. Click the title link for more information on the Park.

Tantramar Wetlands CentreWetlands Education at Tantramar Regional High School (TRHS)

223 Main St. behind Tantramar Regional High School • Tel. 364-4257

Open Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the months of July and August

This unique indoor and outdoor facility offers you the opportunity to experience wetlands by participating in innovative educational programs or exploring the site's 2.5 km of trail. The centre was established in 1997 to promote wetland conservation through effective public education. The 15 hectare site provides quality habitat for a wide variety of plant and animal species and functions as living laboratory for the study of wetlands. Visit this award-winning project and learn more about our wetland ecosystems. The Wetlands Centre Staff can provide the necessary tools (from hip waders to binoculars) to help you experience all of the excitement that wetlands offer. Features a public exhibit on the rich dyking history of the Tantramar Region.

Walking and Hiking TrailsBicycling in the Sackville Waterfowl Park

Windswept marshes, boreal forests and Acadian dykes make for some good hiking and walking trails in the Sackville area. The following are some of the best:

Tantramar Rail Trail (Trans Canada Trail/Sentier NB Trail)

This trail links Sackville with the village of Port Elgin following the route of the Trans Canada/New Brunswick Trail. The Trail begins at a dyked wetland behind Tantramar Regional High School, then skirts the Tantramar Marsh. The trail crosses several working farms near Midgic, then passes through an isolated stretch of boreal forest, before emerging at Highway 16 near the community of Baie Verte. It ends at a working fishing wharf on the Gaspereau River in Port Elgin.

Moose, deer, fox and other woodland creatures can be observed from the trail route, as well as colourful wildflowers and a variety of songbirds, waterfowl and shorebirds. eagles, osprey, hawks and great blue herons can often be seen feeding on the Baie Verte Marsh and along the Gaspereau River Estuary.

  • Type: Linear
  • Length: 33 km (8 hours one way)
  • Surface: Crushed stone, raised rail bed
  • Difficulty: Moderate (long distance hike)
  • Marking: Follows abandoned railway line; route obvious
  • Access:
    • Tantramar High School (Highway 2, Exit 504)
    • Folkins Drive turn-around (Highway 2, Exit 506)
    • Church Street Middle Sackville
    • Route 940, Midgic
  • Parking:
    • Tantramar High School parking lot
    • Folkins Drive (side of road)
    • Lillas Fawcett Park parking lot

Paunchy Lake Trail

This area is managed by the Canadian Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited. The trail follows dykes, skirts drainage canals, and traverses flat, grassy marshes and forests near Paunchy Lake. Elevated observation platforms allow easy viewing of wildlife. This area is well-known as a nesting area for black ducks. Watch for hunters during fall duck-hunting season (October). A detailed trail description can be found in A Hiking Guide to New Brunswick (Marianne Eiselt and H.A. Eiselt).

  • Type: Linear
  • Length: 14.4 km (4 hour return trip)
  • Surface: Dirt road, dykes; wet in some places
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Marking: Follows roads and path on dykes: route obvious
  • Access: Highway 2, Exit 504, turn north on Main Street towards Middle Sackville. Turn right at Silver Lake (Morice Pond), then left at the T-intersection (next to the Middle Sackville Baptist Church) following Church Street for 1.2 km. Turn right onto High Marsh Road. Follow High Marsh Road for 10.5 km (crossing covered bridge) to Y-intersection. Take smaller road on left to Tintamarre National Wildlife Area.
  • Parking: On side of road