Red-sand beaches, pastoral farmland, and warm Gulf waters — PEI is Canada's most intimate camping destination. Discover the Island's best campgrounds, provincial parks, and oceanside sites.
Prince Edward Island is a small island — and that means campsite inventory is genuinely limited. Cavendish Campground, the most sought-after site on the Island, can book out 4 months in advance. The same is true for Brackley Beach and most oceanfront sites.
Northern Stay's private network of campgrounds across Atlantic Canada gives you a guaranteed alternative when Island parks fill up. Flexible cancellation, guaranteed availability, and no last-minute scrambles.
Our Getaway Pass covers 30 nights per season across our full network — perfect for a Maritime road trip that stretches from PEI through Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and beyond.
30 nights across our private campground network. No nightly fees, no surprise charges.
From the national park at Cavendish to quiet coves on the eastern shore, PEI packs remarkable variety into a compact island.
The centrepiece of PEI National Park. Ocean-view sites steps from red-sand dunes, with cycling, beach access, and the Green Gables heritage site nearby.
National Park Ocean Views CyclingA quieter alternative within PEI National Park, Brackley Beach offers tent and RV sites surrounded by dune ecosystems and stunning sunset beaches.
National Park Dunes QuietEastern PEI's premier camping destination on the shores of Brudenell River. Full-service sites, chalets, golf, kayaking, and the province's largest zipline.
Provincial Park Golf KayakingSet on rolling hills in central PEI, Strathgartney offers a quieter experience with wooded sites, stunning harbour views, and access to the Confederation Trail.
Provincial Park Trail Access WoodedLocated on PEI's south shore with access to the warmest waters in the province. Great for families — calm beaches, supervised swimming, and playground facilities.
Provincial Park Family SwimmingA hidden gem on PEI's north shore near Souris. Dramatic red cliffs, uncrowded beaches, and excellent fishing make this one of the Island's best kept secrets.
Provincial Park Hidden Gem FishingPEI's largest private campground near Cavendish, offering full hookups, waterslides, a heated pool, entertainment, and excellent amenities for families.
Private Full Hookup Family ResortLocated on the western tip of the Island near West Point Lighthouse. Oceanfront camping with supervised beaches and the famous candy-striped lighthouse on site.
Provincial Park Lighthouse OceanfrontPrince Edward Island is unlike any other Canadian province. It is the smallest, the flattest, and arguably the most visually distinctive — defined by those famous red iron-oxide cliffs and beaches, rolling green farmland, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence lapping at its shores. Camping here is a genuinely unique experience: you're never far from the ocean, the seafood is extraordinary, and the scale of the Island means you can cover it end to end in a few days while still feeling like you've barely scratched the surface.
The Confederation Bridge is 12.9 kilometres of open road across the Northumberland Strait — one of the engineering marvels of Canada, and your primary route onto the Island with a large rig. The bridge handles RVs of all sizes, though you should be mindful of high-wind advisories that can affect the crossing. Tolls apply westbound only (leaving PEI), currently $20 per vehicle (reduced from ~$50 in August 2025), with additional per-axle charges for trailers. The alternative is the seasonal ferry service operated by Northumberland Ferries between Caribou, NS and Wood Islands, PEI — a 75-minute crossing that operates May through December and offers a scenic approach to the Island's south shore.
PEI National Park stretches along the Island's north shore and contains three campground areas: Cavendish, Brackley Beach, and Stanhope. Cavendish is the most popular, fronting a long stretch of beach with easy access to the legendary Cavendish dunes. Reservations open in January on the Parks Canada reservation system and fill rapidly — prime beach sites with hookups can sell out within days of opening. Plan to book by February for any July or August stay.
Brackley Beach sits in the middle of the national park and offers a quieter atmosphere than Cavendish, with wooded and open sites, less commercial activity, and excellent dune boardwalk access. Stanhope is eastward and slightly more sheltered. All three park campgrounds charge a park entry fee in addition to the campsite fee.
PEI's provincial park system is managed by Island Nature Trust in partnership with the provincial government. The parks are generally smaller than national park campgrounds but well-maintained, and they capture the Island's pastoral character beautifully. Brudenell River Provincial Park is the most developed, with riverside sites, full hookups, a golf course, adventure activities, and chalets for those not camping in their own unit. Cedar Dunes on the western tip and Campbell's Cove on the northeast shore are worth seeking out for their dramatic coastal character.
One of PEI's greatest camping pleasures is the intersection with lobster season. The spring fishery runs roughly May through June, and the fall fishery runs August through October. If you time your visit right — particularly late May or early June — you can buy fresh-off-the-boat lobster from Island wharves at prices that would make mainland grocery shoppers weep. Many campgrounds are within a short drive of working fishing harbours at Malpeque, North Rustico, Covehead, and Souris.
PEI's Confederation Trail runs 449 kilometres across the entire island on a converted rail bed. It's flat, well-maintained, and passes through small towns, farmland, and coastal areas throughout. Several campgrounds have direct access to the trail, making PEI an outstanding destination for cycling campers — particularly at Strathgartney, which offers trail access right from the campground. Bike rentals are available in Charlottetown and several trail towns.
PEI's beaches are among the warmest in Atlantic Canada, but conditions vary significantly by shore. The north shore (Gulf of St. Lawrence) tends to be warmer, calmer, and better for swimming. The south shore (Northumberland Strait) also has warm water but can have more wind. The east end beaches near Souris are rugged and dramatic. Choose your campground based on the beach character you're after. Note that open fires on beaches are generally not permitted — check local regulations before building any fire outside designated fire rings.
The Island's compact size means conditions shift quickly. Here's what to expect each month.
| Month | Conditions | Ocean Temp | Campgrounds | Crowds | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Cool, 10–18°C | Very cold | Some open | Very low | Shoulder |
| June | Warm, 16–22°C | Cool 14°C | All open | Low–medium | Excellent |
| July | Hot, 22–27°C | Warm 20°C | All open, full | Very high | Book Early |
| August | Hot, 22–26°C | Warmest 22°C | All open, full | Peak | Book Early |
| September | Warm, 18–23°C | Warm 19°C | Most open | Low | Best Value |
| October | Cool, 10–17°C | Cool | Some open | Very low | Shoulder |
PEI's three designated scenic drives link the Island's best beaches, towns, and coastal views.
190-kilometre loop through central PEI taking in Cavendish, the north shore beaches, Green Gables, and Charlottetown. The classic PEI road trip and the most visited route.
190 km Central Beach Access375 kilometres of eastern PEI's most dramatic scenery: red cliffs, Basin Head singing sands, working fishing harbours, and the remote eastern tip near North Lake.
375 km East PEI Rugged288 kilometres through western PEI: Acadian culture, West Point Lighthouse, Cedar Dunes, and rolling farmland. Less travelled and more authentic than the north shore.
288 km Western PEI Acadian CultureBase yourself in or near Charlottetown to explore the province's history, dining scene, and Confederation Boulevard — then day-trip in any direction to beaches and parks.
Urban Base History Day TripsNorthern Stay's private network across Atlantic Canada means you always have a backup plan — with the quality and location you expect.
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