Beaubears Island Loop
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Quick Facts
| Features | island, historic site |
| Access | dock |
| Route Difficulty | moderate |
| Water Body Type | tidal river |
| Current Type | variable |
| Route Type | loop |
| Route Distance | 5.2 km |
| Portage Distance | none |
| Estimated Time | 3 hours return |
| Elevation Change | none |
| Scenery Rating | beautiful |
| Cell Reception | strong |
| Fees | none |
Description
Note: The river is tidal around the island due to its proximity to Miramichi Bay. If possible, plan your paddle with the tides and it will make your experience more enjoyable. You can find tide forecasts here.
Beaubears Island is a national historic site at the point where the northwest and southwest branches of the Miramichi come together. The island is long and narrow, and is separated from the mainland at Wilsons Point by a narrow channel called the Tickle. Depending on the tides there is sometimes a sandbar on the northwest side of Wilsons Point. Local motorboats sometimes hang out on this intermittent beach.
We started our paddle by crossing over the Tickle and turning right, to head along the northwest side of the island. The island has many large pine trees that are indicative of the island's ship building past. A shipyard was active on the island in the last 1700's, using the large pines for masts. You can still see remnants of this settlement on the island today. The First Nations called the island Quoomeneegook, which meant Island of Pines. For more details on the many layers of history on the island check out the Beaubears Island website. The large pines also make an ideal place for bald eagles. We saw a few near the northeast tip.
On the northwest side of the island there are small cliffs. When you get to the other end of the island you will be looking across the river (on the left) towards Strawberry Marsh. Strawberry Marsh is a wetland that provides lots of duck habitat so you will probably see ducks in this area. When you start to come around the island look on your right. You should see a couple of National Park red chairs in a small clearing among the pines. This was and is the active end of the island. A leaning pine next to the chairs has become a icon of the island.
Once you go around the gravel point of the island, the village of Nelson comes into view. You will see the dock at the interpretive centre, the school, and St. Patrick's Church. Keep an eye out for the tour boat that takes visitors to the island and use caution in this area. The tour boat takes people to a dock on the island. This dock accesses small clearings with depressions that mark the remains of buildings that used to be onsite. There is also an old stone structure that looks like a small shed with no door, no roof and only a small opening with bars for a window. This structure is actually a grave for a couple of children of one of the islands owners. There are also picnic tables if you wanted to stop and have lunch.
The southeast side of the island has more beach and more large white pine. Across the river is an old mill site and in the distance you will see a train bridge crossing the river. This is the same train tracks that you crossed over (small, single lane bridge) on your way to Wilsons Point. On our trip it was a bit windy on this side of the island and we were fighting against the tides so it was a good workout to get back to Wilsons Point.
Beaubears Island, Wilsons Point, and Strawberry Marsh all have hiking trails. Make sure you check them out while you are in the area.
Map
Directions
When coming into the Miramichi from the south (Fredericton direction) take exit 163. When coming from the north on route 8 continue through the Miramichi, cross the Anderson bridge, and take exit 163.
Turn right towards Millerton and then at the next intersection (within sight of the exit), continue straight over a single lane steel bridge towards Wilsons Point. Just past the bridge, turn right towards Wilsons Point. Continue on this road for a little more than 1 kilometre and you will come to a parking lot by a historic church. Park in the parking lot. At the far end of the parking lot you will see a path that accesses the dock.
Another way to access the island is from the dock at the Beaubears Island Interpretive Centre. From the roundabout on route 8 and Water Street/Route 126 turn towards Rogersville. In a short distance turn right onto Dollard Street. At the next intersection turn left onto St. Patrick's Drive. Continue on St. Patrick's Drive for 1.5 kilometres and you will find Beaubears Island Interpretive Centre on the right. Just past the interpretive centre you will find a boat launch on the right. Once you drop off your boats you can park in front of the visitors centre or if its not a week day you can park across the road at the school.
Route Last Paddled: August 28, 2022.
Page Last Updated: September 27, 2023.