Roosevelt Campobello International Park is on Campobello Island, New Brunswick, at the edge of Passamaquoddy Bay, and it is one of the few parks in the world run jointly by two countries. The park preserves the summer home where Franklin D. Roosevelt spent holidays as a boy and as an adult, and its centrepiece is Roosevelt Cottage, a 34-room indoor museum. Outdoors the park has 11 hiking trails, coastal vistas and historic forest carriage drives, so a visit can combine a tour of the house with a walk by the sea. When the park is open, hours are daily from 10 am to 6 pm Atlantic Time (9 am to 5 pm Eastern), and some programs, such as the Prince Cafe, may keep different hours. Admission is free, and donations are accepted. The park recommends allowing at least three to four hours. It is a quiet place, far from the main Fundy tourist routes, and it appeals to history fans, hikers and anyone who likes a long day on a small island.
What to do
Start in Roosevelt Cottage, where the rooms are set out as the family lived in them and the staff and displays explain the Roosevelts' summers on the island. Then walk one or two of the park's 11 trails to the shore, or drive the historic forest carriage drives for coastal views. The trails range from short strolls to longer walks, and the wind off the bay can be strong, so bring a layer. The Prince Cafe is a pleasant stop, though its hours may differ from the park's.
Getting there and the border
The island is reached by driving across the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge from Lubec, Maine, or by taking a ferry to Deer Island, New Brunswick, and on to Campobello. A passport is required, and the route through Maine means you will cross the international border on the way.
Campobello is on Atlantic Time, one hour ahead of Maine's Eastern Time, so check the clocks when you plan your day. From St. Andrews, the journey is a long outing that is best treated as a full day, and the ferry timetables are seasonal.
Seasons and planning
The park is seasonal and closes for the winter, so check the park's plan-your-visit page for the current season and hours before you set out. When it is open the park is free to enter. Head Harbour Lighthouse, at the island's northern tip, is a well-known landmark that is reached at low tide, which makes the tide table useful again here, and whale-watching boats operate around the island in summer. Services on the island are limited, so carry food and fuel.
Fitting it in
Campobello is a long way from Saint John, and it makes the most sense as a day or overnight from St. Andrews, perhaps combined with a stay on Deer Island or in Lubec. Allow three to four hours in the park itself and extra time for the border and ferries.
If you are coming from the Algonquin Resort or the Treadwell Inn in St. Andrews, leave early and take your passport. It is a rewarding extension for travellers with a day to spare and an interest in history, quiet trails and the far end of the Fundy coast.
What to expect
The experience
An international park with a 34-room cottage museum, 11 hiking trails and coastal carriage drives, free to enter.
Best time
Summer and early autumn, when the park is open daily, timed around the ferry or bridge route.
How long
Allow at least three to four hours in the park, plus travel time and the border.
Tips
Carry a passport, remember Atlantic Time is an hour ahead of Maine, check the season before you travel and bring food and fuel.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and hikers who want a quiet, far-flung corner of the Fundy coast.
- Families
- The trails and the shoreline give children room to roam, and the cottage tour suits older children best.
- Couples
- Walk a coastal trail, tour the cottage, then dine in St. Andrews.
- Pair with
- St. Andrews, whale watching and Kingsbrae Garden make a natural stay around it.
- Time needed
- Three to four hours in the park, plus a long travel day.
Good questions
Is admission free?+
Yes, the park says admission is free, and donations are accepted.
When is the park open?+
It is seasonal. When open, hours are daily from 10 am to 6 pm Atlantic Time (9 am to 5 pm Eastern). Check the plan-your-visit page for the current season.
Do I need a passport?+
Yes. The park says a passport is required, and the bridge route from Lubec, Maine crosses the international border.
How do I get to Campobello Island?+
Drive across the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Bridge from Lubec, Maine, or take a ferry to Deer Island, New Brunswick, and on to the island.
How long should I allow?+
The park recommends at least three to four hours. Add travel time and the border crossing.
