Louisbourg Lighthouse

Highlights

Note: Due to COVID-19, the visitor experience at Parks Canada places will be different than it has been in the past. The health and safety of visitors, employees and all Canadians is of the utmost importance.

Parks Canada is asking visitors to comply with recommendations from Nova Scotia public health authorities by wearing a mask in indoor public spaces, and by respecting recommended social distancing measures at all times.

Parks Canada’s network of protected places is large and diverse. Visitor access, services, and even opening dates may vary across Cape Breton Island and Canso depending on local circumstances. Please visit pc.gc.ca/ns and follow Parks Canada’s social media channels for information and updates on the status of all Parks Canada places. 

Overview

Admire the natural beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and gaze upon the red-and-white beacon that watches over the bay. Lighthouse Point is the site of the first lighthouse in Canada, which was built in 1734. The lighthouse that looks out over the Louisbourg harbour these days is the fourth one built on the site and is nearly 100 years old.

Pause for a moment to smell the salty air, watch for fishing boats, and listen to the sound of waves crashing – or is that the thunder of cannons echoing from the past? Travel back to a time when Louisbourg was a bustling port and the lighthouse provided guidance for travelling vessels in the night.

Enjoy a gentle 2-kilometre walk along the Louisbourg Lighthouse Trail – a coastal looped trail with unsurpassed vistas and interpretive panels explaining the area’s significance, including its flora and fauna. The lighthouse is located at the trailhead, and you can spot it from various lookoff points along the path.

Stop for lunch at Kennelly’s Day Use Area as you head out. This perfect picnic spot has breathtaking coastal views which makes it a great spot for bird watching. Bring your binoculars to see if you can spot common eider, black scoter, bald eagles, or harlequin ducks. Pit privies are also available on site. Look across the water and cherish the view of the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site – the largest historical reconstruction in North America. 

Travelling with a beloved pet? Dogs on leash are permitted on the Old Town Trail, the Lighthouse Trail, and at Kennington Cove Beach. Thank you for cleaning up after your pet. Pick up droppings and place them in appropriate refuse containers. 

#KeepitWild

Please be responsible and join with us in caring for our environment. Take your garbage with you, keep wildlife at a safe distance, and stay on designated trails to protect fragile plant life. 

Nature, other visitors, and future generations will be thankful for your stewardship.