Hopewell Rocks

When Is the Best Time

The park is open from mid-May until mid-October but is still accessible in the off-season (see main text below) and is an amazing experience. However, the place is usually swarmed with tourists.

Tip: We have visited Hopewell Rocks many times, so make sure to check our ’17 Must-Know Tips for Hopewell Rocks’ at the end of this article!

Avoiding Tourist Crowds

Time of Day: Go very early at sunrise. It’s even quieter before they open (9 am / 8 am) or visit after the park is closed. Check the tide table first: Hopewell Rocks Tide Tables Please be careful: Outside of operating hours, there is no staff to advise you regarding safety, and you visit at your own risk.

However, all other safety measures like cables and signs are in place regardless of the time of day. The only exception is during the off-season from mid-October until mid-May: The safety measures are not in place during these months.

Season/Months: Peak tourist season with heavy crowds is from mid-June/July till August. In September, it thins out a little but still can be busy as it is the preferred travel month for seniors. SWEET SPOT months with mild weather and fewer crowds are the END OF MAY, the BEGINNING OF JUNE, and the END OF SEPTEMBER until OCTOBER.

You might even visit in the winter and enjoy real solitude. But please keep in mind that a walk can be very slippery and icy. Plus, the safety measures are not in place and it can become dangerous.

Official Opening Hours 2022

May 20 – June 24: From 9:00 – 17:00 (9 am – 5 pm)
June 25 – August 20: 8:00 – 20:00 (8 am – 8 pm)
August 21 – September 17: 8:00 – 18:00 (8 am – 6 pm)
September 18 – October 10: 9:00 – 17:00 (9 am – 5 pm)

*You may also enter the park outside opening hours (read above and below)

Our Hotel Tips (Staying Nearby)

Important: Select a hotel nearby and stay at least one night. Many accommodations are within a 5-20 minutes driving distance. Otherwise, you can’t get there early (or stay late easily) and will face massive tourist crowds during the day!

Also, you’ll want to experience this unique place during high tide as well as low tide. Especially to see the tide coming in and going out. Staying overnight in a nearby hotel is the way to do it. See our tips above.

Personal Tip (Nearby): Our absolute favorite place we stayed at is the Artisan Suites (via booking.com with price match. Save the link for later). Only 2 km (1.2 miles) from Hopewell Rocks. You arrive there, and you receive the warmest welcome ever. Then you’re stunned by the gorgeous view, the beautiful room, and everything else! A spa tub, extremely comfortable beds, super clean. You can even watch the tide coming in and going out from sitting at a picnic table outside.

Stay one night at least and visit Hopewell Rocks at low tide and high tide by just driving a few minutes! The downside: You have to book well in advance.

💡 If you rather like to book via Expedia – Check their hotel deals near Hopewell Rocks from $50

Looking for something else? Check more hotel deals via this link: Hopewell Cape Hotels via booking.com (price match)

Tourist Calendar

The highest tides on our planet with 15 meters and more and some gorgeous rock formations. You should watch the tide go out and come in as well. That means visiting at low tide and at high tide is highly recommended.

You may also stay throughout the day to watch both events on the same day as we did. However, your entrance pass is valid for 2 days. That means you can come back another day if you don’t want to stay long enough to see the tide coming back in one day.

At low tide: You can walk the ocean floor.

At high tide: You can do a kayaking tour exactly where you walked before.

17 Hopewell Rocks Must-Know Facts and Tips

Tide Times: The tide times change daily! Always check the tide schedule ahead of your visit.
From Parking to Ocean Floor: It takes about 10-15 minutes of walking from the main parking lot to the staircase leading to the ocean floor.
Shuttle Service: There is also a shuttle service: It’s a 7-passenger limousine-type golf cart that takes visitors from the Interpretive Centre (near the main parking area) to the top of the stairs, that gives access to the ocean floor. The cost is $2 each way
Beautiful Walk: If you can walk, do it, instead of using the shuttle. It’s much more enjoyable. There are even bathrooms along the way.
Scenery While Walking: Take some time and stop at the viewpoints along the trail, which offer different views of the rocks.
Back with Shuttle: Some visitors walk down and then ride back uphill with the shuttle.
Interpretive Centre: Most other visitors and we liked the Interpretive Centre at the large parking lot. We recommend checking it out.
Time on Ocean Floor: You can walk around on 80% of the ocean floor area up until 7 hours. The complete ocean floor is accessible for about 5 hours.
Shoes: Wear good walking shoes, not flip-flops or high heels. Additionally, every time we visited, our shoes got quite dirty/muddy. Keep that in mind.
Be Careful: Try not to step on the seaweed-covered rocks, as they are very slippery!
Stay Long Enough: Experts say it’s disappointing only to be there either at high tide or at low tide. Seeing the unique area at both low and high tide and especially watching the tide coming in and going out is amazing.
Visit Late: You may also visit after the park closes at night, it’s allowed. However, no staff is there, and you should always bring a flashlight and a cell phone. You can park outside when arriving late. We did that multiple times and it was a great experience!
New Moon: The highest tides are during the new moon and full moon. Only then, they reach up to 14 meters (46 ft).
Second Parking Lot: There are two parking lots: The big one (via Discovery Rd) and a smaller one in the north (via Rocks Rd): Hopewell Rocks Area – Google Maps. You can try the smaller one first since it’s a lot closer to the stairs. However, the walk from the big one to the stairs is really worth it.
Helpful Staff: Talk to interpretive staff who are located at different spots regarding the history and background of the Hopewell Rocks. Most of them are really great!
Stay 2 Days: The entrance fee is valid for two consecutive days. Staying 2 days is highly recommended for this once-in-a-lifetime tide experience.
Official FAQ: Check this huge official FAQ for more questions and answers: The Hopewell Rocks FAQ

Safety Measures: All safety measures are up during the season (mid-May to mid-October): Cables to block off dangerous areas, markings for dangerous caves and cliffs, as well as staff to advise you on safety issues on the beaches.

During the off-season, none of these safety measures are in place. However, the beach is accessible during that time. Especially caves and cliffs can be extremely dangerous and fatal because of rock falls. Please check out the official guide for visits during off-season: The Hopewell Rocks – Winter Visit

Parking tip: In case you are staying outside operating hours you either have to park outside the gates or move your vehicle from the parking lot to the outside. Helpful leaflet of the Bay of Fundy, maps included, on the right.