Campgrounds and RV parks near Saint-Charles, NB

Kouchibouguac National Park anchors most itineraries. Kellys Beach forms part of about 25 km of rolling sand dunes, and the park offers cycling on an extensive bike trail network of more than 60 kilometres, along with canoe and kayak routes through lagoons and salt marshes and boardwalks over the dune system. Canoe, kayak, and cycling rentals are available within the park seasonally. Wildlife viewing is a regular part of a visit. Black bears, moose, coyotes, and lynx inhabit the coastal Acadian forest interior, and seals are often seen from the dune boardwalk. The park sits under the serene skies of a Dark Sky Preserve, and the low-light conditions over the Gulf of St. Lawrence make clear summer nights a strong stargazing draw. South of the village, the Bouctouche dune, Le Pays de la Sagouine, and local seafood shacks round out a family trip.

The main RV season runs from late spring through early fall. Kouchibouguac National Park is open year-round, with visitor services available from January to October. July and August bring the warmest ocean temperatures and the busiest campgrounds. Kouchibouguac is busiest in July and August when summer visitors swim and sun at the park's beaches, and the long weekends in May (Victoria Day), July (Canada Day), August (New Brunswick Day), and September (Labour Day) are always the most crowded. Early summer travellers should be aware of beach closures for wildlife protection. Endangered piping plovers nest on the beach in early summer, and posted closures protect nesting areas during the season. Water at Kellys Beach reaches its warmest in July and August but remains bracing earlier in summer. Fall shifts the focus to foliage and quieter trails. Autumn is popular for hiking and cycling as the forests take on their fall colours, and once the snow falls, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing take over.

Sites range from rustic to fully serviced. South Kouchibouguac Campground offers fully serviced and partially serviced sites suited to RV travel, and Wi-Fi is available in open areas and at kitchen shelters. Côte-à-Fabien is a smaller, quieter campground with no Wi-Fi, which appeals to travellers wanting a more rustic setting. Alternative accommodations are available for renters travelling light. Kouchibouguac also offers oTENTiks and other equipped campsites, a cross between a rustic cabin and a tent with a wooden frame, canvas covering, and wood floor. Côte-à-Fabien offers Ôasis units, teardrop-shaped shelters with a small interior area. Firewood rules matter: importing firewood into the park is prohibited due to the risk of the brown spruce longhorn beetle, and firewood can be purchased at the campground kiosk.