Long Lake Provincial Park

If you are looking for a place where nature meets urban accessibility, then Long Lake Provincial Park will be a real discovery for you. Located in the city of Halifax, this vast natural reserve of over 2,000 hectares is one of the most popular vacation spots in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada.

The park is a harmonious blend of dense forests and pristine lake waters. There are three large lakes here that served as the city's drinking water source for a long time, which allowed the landscape to be preserved in an almost untouched state. This is an ideal space for those who appreciate natural beauty and silence without traveling far from civilization.

In addition to its natural value, the park is interesting for its cultural and historical sites: from old quarries to military fortifications. Today, it is a major recreational hub for the region, attracting both active sports enthusiasts and those who just want to stroll in the shade of ancient trees.

To contact the park administration or clarify current visiting rules, you can use the following contact details. It is recommended to check the official website before your trip for news on trail conditions.

The park offers excellent conditions for outdoor activities. The main magnet for visitors is the extensive network of hiking trails. You can find both wide gravel paths suitable for strollers and more rugged routes for experienced hikers. Be sure to walk along the historic Old Bay Road, which immerses you in the atmosphere of old Canada.

For mountain biking fans, special trails have been laid out in the park, which have been actively developing since the 1990s. The terrain allows you to enjoy both easy riding and more challenging sections. And the park's three pristine lakes are a real paradise for anglers, where you can try your luck and enjoy the calm waters in a peaceful setting.

For lovers of history and unusual finds, the park offers outdoor quests. In the forested areas, you can find 19th-century granite quarries, where traces of ancient tools are still visible, as well as abandoned military positions from World War I. This is a place where every step can open a new page of the past against the backdrop of picturesque Canadian landscapes.

Long Lake Provincial Park is located in the Harrietsfield-Goodwood area, just a few minutes' drive from the busy city center. The main entrance and parking are located at 10 Dunbrack St. The park is easily accessible by car via Northwest Arm Drive — this is the most convenient way for those who want to bring fishing gear or bicycles.

If you prefer public transport, the park entrances on Dunbrack St or Cowie Hill Rd can be reached by Halifax city buses. From the central part of the city, a taxi ride will take about 10–15 minutes, making the park an excellent option for a spontaneous escape to nature without the need for extensive planning.

For visitors' convenience, the park is equipped with several entrance points, each leading to different sections of the trails and shoreline. The coordinates of the main entrance ensure a quick route search in navigators, and the proximity to city highways allows you to easily combine a walk in the forest with a visit to other attractions in the region.

The history of this territory is inextricably linked with the development of Halifax itself. From 1848 to 1976, Long Lake served as the city's primary water supply source. The lake in its current form is the result of 19th-century engineering: a wooden dam was built on the McIntosh Run stream, which merged two smaller lakes, raising the water level by 7.5 meters.

In the early 20th century, these lands were actively used for industrial needs. Logging was carried out here, and granite quarries were operational. Interestingly, the stone extracted from these places served as material for many historic buildings and monuments in the city center. To this day, in the deep forest, you can find traces of stonemasons' work — characteristic grooves on boulders left by the ancient method of splitting stone.

The park also holds military secrets. During World War I, the Chain Lake position — a complex of barracks, trenches, and defensive structures — was located on the northeastern shore of the lake. Today, history buffs can find the remains of these fortifications, which once protected the approaches to the important port city.

When the city switched to a new water supply system in the 1970s, there was a risk of development in these picturesque forests. However, thanks to public efforts, the province purchased the land in 1981, and in 1984, the provincial park was officially established, preserving 2,095 hectares of wilderness for future generations.

To simply breathe some fresh air and walk along one of the main well-maintained trails, 1–2 hours will be quite enough. This is a great option for a morning run or a short family walk after lunch.

If your goal is to explore historical corners, see the old granite quarries, or walk the famous Old Bay Road route (about 8 km long), you should allocate half a day (3–4 hours). For fishing enthusiasts or birdwatchers, you can spend the whole day here, enjoying the peace and quiet away from the city noise.

The park is hospitably open to visitors daily. You can come here early in the morning to watch the sunrise by the lake, or in the evening for a peaceful walk before sunset.

Operating hours from Monday to Sunday inclusive: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. A consistent schedule throughout the week makes it easy to plan a visit at any time convenient for you.

The park's convenient location allows tourists not to limit themselves to walks in the forest but to easily continue their journey to key sites in Nova Scotia. Exploring the surroundings will help you gain a deeper understanding of the region's history and enjoy the seaside landscapes.