Murray Beach

Murray Beach Provincial Park is a provincial park in southeastern New Brunswick, located just a short distance from the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island and roughly 70 kilometers from Moncton. The park offers stunning vistas of the Confederation Bridge and warm, sandy saltwater beaches along the Northumberland Strait. Established as an ideal spot for relaxation along New Brunswick's Acadian Coastal Drive, the park features 125 campsites, cabins, change houses, washrooms, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The unsupervised beach is perfect for beachcombing, swimming, and searching for crabs, periwinkles, and starfish. Two trails including the 1.3-kilometer Murray Beach trail and 2-kilometer Perimeter Trail provide hiking opportunities through coastal and forest environments. The park operates from May 16 to September 14, 2025, serving families seeking beach-based recreation in southeastern New Brunswick.

Murray Beach Provincial Park's diverse habitats including Northumberland Strait shoreline, sandy beaches, coastal dunes, mixed forests, and wetlands support varied wildlife. The beach and intertidal zones host invertebrates including periwinkles, hermit crabs, green crabs, and starfish that children delight in discovering. Shorebirds including sandpipers, plovers, and sanderlings feed along the beach during migration periods, while gulls, terns, and cormorants are common year-round. The area is recognized as excellent for birdwatching, with nearby Cape Jourimain Nature Centre providing additional opportunities to observe coastal bird species. Waterfowl including black ducks, Canada geese, and various diving ducks utilize coastal waters. Land mammals include white-tailed deer, red foxes, raccoons, porcupines, and snowshoe hares in forested areas. Small mammals such as meadow voles and deer mice inhabit grassland and edge habitats. Bald eagles occasionally soar overhead, while ospreys fish in coastal waters during warmer months. The warm waters of Northumberland Strait support fish populations including mackerel, flounder, and various baitfish species.

The park's vegetation reflects coastal Acadian forest communities transitioning to beach and dune habitats. The Perimeter Trail passes through pine-dominated forests including red pine, white pine, and jack pine, with red spruce and white spruce providing additional coniferous components. Paper birch, trembling aspen, and red maple add deciduous diversity. The understory features bunchberry, wild sarsaparilla, blueberry, and various ferns typical of Acadian forests. Coastal areas near the beach support specialized dune vegetation including American beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata), which stabilizes shifting sands, along with seaside goldenrod, beach pea, and rugosa rose. Salt-tolerant species occupy areas with salt spray exposure. Wetland areas along trails feature cattails, sedges, and alders. The Murray Beach trail traverses varied habitats including large rocks, red soil, and beaches, with vegetation adapted to each microenvironment. Wildflowers add seasonal color including lupine, asters, and fireweed. Invasive species management focuses on preventing spread of non-natives that could threaten native coastal plant communities.

Murray Beach Provincial Park lies within the Gulf of St. Lawrence lowlands, characterized by gently rolling terrain underlain by sedimentary rocks including red sandstone, shale, and conglomerate of Carboniferous and Permian age. The distinctive red soil visible along the Murray Beach trail reflects iron-rich sediments deposited in ancient river systems approximately 300 million years ago. Glacial processes during the Pleistocene epoch shaped the current landscape, with continental ice sheets advancing and retreating across the region. As glaciers melted approximately 12,000 years ago, sea levels rose, inundating low-lying areas and creating the current coastline configuration. Post-glacial marine sediments including sand and gravel deposited by waves and currents form the beach and nearshore areas. The warm, shallow waters of Northumberland Strait result from solar heating of the relatively shallow, enclosed water body. Ongoing coastal processes including wave action, tidal currents, and seasonal ice scouring continue reshaping the beach and shoreline. Large rocks and boulders along the beach represent glacial erratics or bedrock outcrops exposed by erosion.

Murray Beach Provincial Park experiences a maritime climate influenced by the Northumberland Strait, with warm summers and moderate winters compared to inland locations. Summer temperatures typically range from 20 to 28 degrees Celsius, with the Northumberland Strait's warm waters creating ideal beach conditions. The park's operating season from May 16 to September 14 captures the warmest months when swimming and beach activities are most enjoyable. Water temperatures can reach 20 degrees Celsius or higher during summer, among the warmest in Atlantic Canada. Precipitation is distributed throughout the year, averaging 1,000-1,100 millimeters annually, with summer thunderstorms providing brief but intense rainfall. Fog is less common than along the Bay of Fundy coast due to warmer water temperatures. Prevailing southwest winds during summer create pleasant beach conditions, while fall and winter storms can bring strong winds and rough seas. The park captures spectacular sunrises and sunsets over the Northumberland Strait, with clear skies common during summer months. Fall brings cooler temperatures and changing foliage colors before the park closes in mid-September.

The Murray Beach area lies within the traditional territories of the Mi'kmaq people, who utilized coastal resources for thousands of years including fishing, shellfish harvesting, and seasonal camps. European settlement in southeastern New Brunswick began with Acadian colonists in the 1600s and 1700s, followed by Loyalist settlers after the American Revolution. The area developed as agricultural land with small farms and fishing communities dotting the coastline. The Village of Murray Corner, located nearby, was named after early settlers. The construction of the Confederation Bridge connecting New Brunswick to Prince Edward Island between 1993 and 1997 transformed the region, with the 12.9-kilometer bridge opening in 1997 and becoming a major tourist attraction. Murray Beach Provincial Park's location near the bridge approach makes it an ideal stopping point for travelers to and from Prince Edward Island. The park's development reflected New Brunswick's expansion of provincial park system to serve recreation needs along the Acadian Coastal Drive.

Murray Beach Provincial Park was established as part of New Brunswick's provincial park system to provide beach-based recreation along the southeastern coastline. The park's development included 125 campsites to accommodate families seeking beach vacations along the Northumberland Strait. Cabin accommodations were added to serve visitors without camping equipment, expanding accessibility. The construction of change houses, washrooms, playgrounds, and picnic areas created a family-friendly destination. Two trail systems were developed: the 1.3-kilometer Murray Beach trail exploring coastal environments and the 2-kilometer Perimeter Trail through pine forests. The park's location near the Confederation Bridge, which opened in 1997, increased visitation as travelers discovered its convenient location and warm beach conditions. The adjacent Cape Jourimain Nature Centre, operated by the Canadian Wildlife Service, complements the park with interpretation about coastal ecosystems and bird conservation. The park maintains its focus on beach-based family recreation while protecting coastal habitats.

The unsupervised, warm saltwater beach is the primary attraction, offering excellent swimming conditions in the Northumberland Strait's famously warm waters. The sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, beachcombing, and building sandcastles, with children enjoying searching for crabs, periwinkles, and starfish in tidal pools and along the shore. The 1.3-kilometer Murray Beach trail explores coastal environments including large rocks, red soil formations, waterfalls, and beaches, taking approximately 30 minutes one-way with opportunities for birdwatching and swimming. The 2-kilometer Perimeter Trail loop through pine-lined woods takes 45 minutes to complete, providing forest hiking experiences. The park offers breathtaking views of sunrises and sunsets over the Northumberland Strait. The world-famous Confederation Bridge is visible from the park, spanning 12.9 kilometers to Prince Edward Island. The nearby Cape Jourimain Nature Centre provides additional interpretation about coastal ecosystems and bird conservation. Playgrounds entertain children, while picnic areas accommodate family gatherings. Numerous activities and attractions nearby include sea kayaking, farmers markets, lighthouses, covered bridges, festivals, and historic sites along the Acadian Coastal Drive.

Murray Beach Provincial Park offers 125 comfy campsites accommodating tents and RVs, with some sites offering electrical hookups and others remaining unserviced. Several cabins provide roofed accommodations for visitors without camping equipment. Modern amenities include change houses, flush toilets, showers, and washrooms. A playground keeps children entertained, while picnic areas with tables serve day-use visitors. The park is located in southeastern New Brunswick, roughly 70 kilometers from Moncton. From Shediac, follow Route 15 for 32 kilometers and turn left onto Route 955 toward Murray Corner, then continue 15 kilometers to the park on the left. From Prince Edward Island, take exit 47 just past Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area and turn right onto Route 955 toward Murray Corner, traveling 12 kilometers to the park on the right. The 2025 season runs from May 16 to September 14. Pets are allowed on leash throughout the park but are prohibited on the beach. The park is rated 9.6 of 10 at RV LIFE Campground Reviews. Reservations are recommended for summer weekends and July-August peak season. Nearby communities provide supplies, restaurants, and services.

Murray Beach Provincial Park balances high visitation with protection of coastal ecosystems including sandy beaches, dunes, forests, and nearshore habitats. Management efforts focus on protecting beach and dune vegetation that stabilizes sandy substrates and prevents erosion. Boardwalks and designated access points concentrate visitor traffic while protecting sensitive dune areas. The prohibition on pets on the beach helps protect nesting shorebirds and maintains sanitary conditions. Trail systems provide access to forested areas while managing impacts through maintained paths. The park works cooperatively with the adjacent Cape Jourimain Nature Centre on conservation education and bird monitoring programs. Water quality monitoring in the Northumberland Strait tracks conditions to maintain safe swimming. Interpretation about coastal ecosystems, tidal processes, and marine life builds visitor appreciation for the natural environment. Camping education promotes leave-no-trace principles, proper waste disposal, and wildlife-safe food storage. Climate change impacts including sea level rise, increased storm intensity, beach erosion, and changing water temperatures require ongoing monitoring and may necessitate adaptive management approaches to maintain both recreational opportunities and coastal habitat protection. The park's role in providing accessible coastal recreation helps build public support for broader marine and coastal conservation efforts.