Stanhope National Park, Prince Edward Island

Top star rating *****

This is where my story begins. This is the park that I spent every summer in from ages 12-22. My family owned a house keeping cottage business in the park and as soon as school was done in June, I packed my bag and didn’t come home until school started in September. It was an amazing childhood.

This park has everything you could image. Places to stay, hiking trails, biking trails, camping, and most importantly beaches.

Our family business was located between Stanhope Cape Beach and Ross Lane beach. My go to was always Ross Lane. It was close and always had a lifeguard, although my last visit in 2020 I learned that it no longer had a life guard station.

You can easily walk from Stanhope Cape to Dalvay Beach. It would take about 2 hours oneway. You can also continue to walk to the left of Stanhope Cape and come upon the Covehead Lighthouse. I would sometimes take my kids to this area because the sand bar creates a nice area that was the perfect depth for kids to swim in.

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Crossing the Covehead Harbour bridge will then bring you to Brackley beach.

A couple of must sees while visiting this area:

• Dalvay by the Sea – fun fact…. this area was one known as rum runners way. And this historic site was once owned by Captain Dick, who was a notorious rum runner
• Farmlands and bubbling springs trail. When you first enter the springs trail, look for the an old grave yard to your left. Stanhope is the oldest establish Scottish settlement on the Island.
• visit the Covehead Harbour… you can catch a boat to go deep sea fishing, buy live lobster from the lobster lb, or just have a take out at one of the fish shantys.

As mentioned before, the area has a lot of housekeeping cottages to rent from. Some have been established for over 40 years.