Irving Nature Park
Irving Nature Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
765 reviews
Excellent
558
Very good
178
Average
25
Poor
3
Terrible
1
John S
2 contributions
Jun 2021
Road into the park is rough, and road around rougher. Make sure you do not end up going the wrong way. Most trails run atleast partially very close to the road so can be difficult if you are looking for quiet reflection.
Something about Irving Nature Park always keeps me weary. Kinda funny how they spray glyphosate over crown land, but not on their own park.
Frog path was okay, hot and didn't see any frogs. Did see a seal though.
Something about Irving Nature Park always keeps me weary. Kinda funny how they spray glyphosate over crown land, but not on their own park.
Frog path was okay, hot and didn't see any frogs. Did see a seal though.
Written July 28, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna J
3 contributions
Jun 2022
I' ve wanted to visit the Bay of Fundy and walk ocean floor when the tide goes out for years. I finally planned a Road Scholars Bay of Fundy Circle of Tidal Wonders trip for June 2020. Of course, that was cancelled and hasn't been rescheduled thus far. I decided to research options for having the experience I wanted and discovered Irving Nature Park. I was not disappointed! The Park is clean and well maintained. There's even a wheelchair accessible ramp. I walked around the entire park. Sometimes I was on the gravel road other times I was on the trail. There were several lookout points, picnic tables and logs to sit on to view the Bay around the perimeter of the Park. I had lunch and water with me so I took my sweet time walking. The best part was watching the last 90 minutes of the tide go out on the beach and finally walking the ocean floor. Sitting there listening to the rhythm of the waves, hearing the birds in harmony, and smelling the fresh air has a magical calming effect on the body. It was a surreal experience. Afterward I felt spiritually uplifted, at peace and one with nature. Thank you for this "once in a life time" bucket list experience.
Written July 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Green_fam3
St.catharines Ontario, canada93 contributions
Nov 2020
We popped into this park on a whim! It is a huge place! We went to the park, looked at a swim area, camping area.... We walked the trail for a few minutes and checked out some monuments... I look forward to spending a full day here with a picnic and hang out with friends! We envisioned our family from ON and NS coming to visit us and us, taking them here for a day trip! Looking forward to exploring!
Written April 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Happiness55906
4 contributions
Sept 2019 • Friends
Beautiful, scenic place to get a nice walk in. Outer loop is about 7k if I remember correctly. Some pretty spots to see the ocean & lots of shade to beat the summer heat. A must!
Written March 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jodi M
Lethbridge, Canada493 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
This was a beautiful park. We only spent an hour or so there, but the views were amazing, the beaches was beautiful and hedge maze was unique.
Looks like a great place to spend several hours.
Also, cleanest and cutes porto potties.
Looks like a great place to spend several hours.
Also, cleanest and cutes porto potties.
Written November 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine K
Hampton, Canada20 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Irving Nature park is an incredible place to visit - and seems like a new place when the tide goes out or comes in. The long beach is amazing - and never seems busy. The walking trails are well maintained and offer breath taking views along the way. This remains a favourite place for us to visit.
On some clear nights you might be able to check out the planets or the stars with a member of the local astronomer group! So cool!!
On some clear nights you might be able to check out the planets or the stars with a member of the local astronomer group! So cool!!
Written September 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Courtney C
Toronto, Canada41 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
We stopped here for a little over an hour but wish we had a full day here. Instead of hiking, we walked the beach. It’s pretty remarkable that it’s a part of the Fundy coastline. We saw someone moving the Bladderwrack seaweed, searching for small crabs so we tried to find some too. No luck though but it was fun to get our hands dirty nonetheless!
Tips:
- Very bumpy roads at the end where the beach and some trial heads are so drive cautiously.
- Pack bug spray
- Bring a beach blanket and enjoy the views (very close to the parking lot)
Tips:
- Very bumpy roads at the end where the beach and some trial heads are so drive cautiously.
- Pack bug spray
- Bring a beach blanket and enjoy the views (very close to the parking lot)
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pioneer1128
Edinburgh, Scotland1 contribution
The Irving Nature park exceeded our expectations! What a wonderful place to spend an entire day. We arrived early in the morning to do some hiking & as we'd been advised we brought along some food to cook on the Nature Park's many bar-b-que areas. The views alone are worth the trip!
We'd intended to be there only until just after lunch, but as there was so much hiking to do we ended up spending the entire day, and going back 2 days later to pick up where we'd left off!
A great place for people who like to do some light hiking & enjoy some spectacular views without leaving the city!
We'd intended to be there only until just after lunch, but as there was so much hiking to do we ended up spending the entire day, and going back 2 days later to pick up where we'd left off!
A great place for people who like to do some light hiking & enjoy some spectacular views without leaving the city!
Written May 12, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steveh3Texas
Southlake, TX764 contributions
We had Saint John as a cruise stop. We are outdoors people and love to hike. In Acadia, we hiked Cadillac Mountain (up and then back to Bar Harbor). The cabs from the pier are regulated. $10 to drive you to Irving Nature Park. Get a phone # from the cab driver and call the dispatcher to get back - it is no problem. Approx. 5 miles of hiking along the coast. At the observation deck, you will see seals sticking their heads out of the water or on the rocks. The trails are well marked and the area is fairly flat. Easy hiking. We were there on Canada's Thanksgiving Day. We knew we had come to the right place by the # of locals that were there. Maps at the visitor center inside the park.
Written October 19, 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happytorontonian
Toronto37 contributions
It's a beautiful park and the entrance is free. At the entrance you can get a very nice map of the park and plan your time according to what you like to do. There are numerous trails, beaches, lookouts, places where you can walk/climb on volcanic rocks.
This was definitely the best part of our (unfortunately not so pleasant) stay in Saint John (a big part of the city really smells from the paper mill, but not this park).
This was definitely the best part of our (unfortunately not so pleasant) stay in Saint John (a big part of the city really smells from the paper mill, but not this park).
Written September 20, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I checked by sending an email to them because their website only had 2020 information. I can't include the email address here. It's best to go online and check via the Irving Nature Park website.
Written October 3, 2021
how far is the park from where the cruise ships dock? About how much would a taxi be to get there
Written September 13, 2018
Some of the local taxi tours go there - ask at dock. The road is too small for anything bigger than a minibus so bus tours don't go there. Driving around it take as 15-20 min if you don't stop. Wild guess is about $20 one way for a cab. Odd there aren't any cab/tour operators on here?
Written October 2, 2018
Are any of the trails groomed in the winter for cross country skiing?
Written September 5, 2018
I have only walked the road (which is closed to cars) in the winter and worn spikes as it’s icy. Not sure about the trail
Written September 8, 2018
Wondering if I can walk around the park on the trails this coming weekend. Are the trails maintained during winter months? Would I need to use snowshoes?
Thank you
Written March 22, 2017
Have not walked the park lately but previous experience has been that there will be a path created by walkers who use the path every day.
Written April 4, 2017
There is no admission fee, it is free.
Written June 25, 2016
My husband and I are coming to St. John's with Princess Cruises. He needs an electric scooter. Are there taxis from the port that can take us to the park? How long a ride is it? Thank you.
Written May 22, 2016
First, I think the St. John's to Saint John card is sometimes played a little too frequently. I lived in Saint John years ago and am keenly aware of the sensitivity to the subject. That said, Princess Cruises does not travel to St. John's and thus that issue is of no concern. The answers already provided are very accurate andI would suggest there is much beauty in the interior of the circle road of the park but even so , a walk or scoot on the circle road would still be well worth while. Safe travels.
Written May 22, 2016
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