Is Bathurst, New Brunswick Worth Visiting? Things to Do in 48 Hours

Planning a trip, maybe even an RV adventure, through New Brunswick and wondering: Is Bathurst, New Brunswick worth visiting?

During our 5-week RV trip across New Brunswick, we wanted to cover as much ground as possible and explore both big cities and smaller towns. Bathurst ended up being one of our stops, and we’re glad it was.

We spent 3 days in Bathurst, exploring its parks, coastlines, and cafes, and we’re here to tell you why we believe Bathurst is absolutely worth visiting. 

In this post, we’ll share the best things to do in Bathurst, where to stay, and what to expect, especially if you’re travelling by RV like us.

Is Bathurst, New Brunswick Worth Visiting?

Yes, we think Bathurst is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy nature, time by the ocean, and the calm of a small city.

It’s not packed with tourists, which gives it a slower pace that’s perfect for relaxing, exploring local spots, and enjoying the outdoors.

Whether you’re passing through on a road trip or planning a weekend getaway, Bathurst has enough charm and natural beauty to make it worth your stop.

Where Is Bathurst Located in Canada?

Bathurst is located in northeastern New Brunswick, on the Atlantic Ocean at the edge of the Chaleur Bay. It’s also one of the main access points to the Acadian Peninsula.

Its location makes it a great connection point if you’re travelling between Mount Carleton Provincial Park, the Acadian Peninsula, or Miramichi.

How to Get to Bathurst (RV Travel Routes)

From Mount Carleton Provincial Park

We drove about 1 hour to reach Bathurst from Mount Carleton Provincial Park. The road was mostly in good condition, but as always, it's a good idea to check your route ahead of time, and enjoy the views along the way.

From The Acadian Peninsula

This isn’t the route we took, but it’s still a good option if you’re coming from the Acadian Peninsula, we did it the other way around. If you're driving from Caraquet or Shippagan, it’s a smooth and easy drive west along Route 11.

Curious about this area? Remember to check out: Is the Acadian Peninsula Worth Visiting? Everything You Need to Know and 32 Things to Do in the Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick.

From Miramichi

If for some reason you want to skip the Acadian Peninsula and get to Bathurst faster, you can drive from Miramichi by heading north on Route 8, then connecting to Route 11. The drive takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes, and the roads are RV-friendly.

Learn more about Miramichi by reading 18 Best Things To Do In Miramichi In Summer

Where to Stay in Bathurst, New Brunswick (RV and Hotel Options)

If you’re still wondering is Bathurst, New Brunswick worth visiting?, one of the things that makes it easy to recommend is how convenient it is to find a place to stay, whether you’re traveling by RV or looking for a hotel.

Hotels

If you’re not RVing, here are some well-rated options in Bathurst:

• Best Western Plus Bathurst Hotel & Suites
• Comfort Inn Bathurst
• Atlantic Host Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

These hotels are all comfortable, well-rated, and located near the main attractions, making them great choices for your visit to Bathurst.

Campgrounds

• Camping Youghall
• Camping Malybel

Boondocking

We stayed at the Walmart Supercentre, which is often a go-to for RVers. We parked here for two nights without any issues. It was quiet at night and well-located for driving to downtown and nearby parks.

Things to Do in Bathurst, New Brunswick in 48 Hours

Still asking yourself is Bathurst, New Brunswick worth visiting? Let us show you the things we did and loved during our time here. If you have 48 hours, this is a great way to get a feel for the city.

Visit Daly Point Nature Reserve

This spot is beautiful, with trails through forest and wetland areas, but beware of the mosquitoes. We visited in early July after heavy rain, and they were everywhere.

We forgot our repellent and instantly regretted it. I was almost running through the trail to escape the bites. So yes, visit Daly Point, but don’t be naive like us. Bring repellent, wear long sleeves, and go earlier in the day if possible.

Go to Youghall Beach

We were excited to finally reach the Atlantic Ocean after weeks of travelling from Ontario. It had rained earlier that day, so it wasn’t ideal for swimming, but it was still a perfect spot for a walk and a break from work.

There was plenty of parking, even for our 24-ft RV, and the beach was almost empty (we went on a Monday).

Visit Coronation Park

This was one of our first stops in Bathurst, and we loved it. The park is right by the water, with clean trails and open green space, perfect for a walk, some quiet time, or watching the sunset. It’s also very dog-friendly.

We actually came here twice during our visit because the sunsets were stunning. It was the kind of spot that made us slow down and just enjoy the moment.

There’s also a beautiful church Sacred Heart Cathedral at the park’s entrance. It was closed when we visited, but it adds charm to the area and is worth checking out.

Walk Through Downtown Bathurst

We enjoyed walking around downtown Bathurst, especially along the waterfront boardwalk and the section near the “I ❤️ Bathurst” sign and lighthouse. It was the first lighthouse we saw on our trip so far, and we were excited!

We took photos at the lookout point and enjoyed the views even though many of the small shops were closed when we went.

Grab a coffee at Kaffeine

We needed a place to get some work done and were happy to find Kaffeine Café. It’s cozy, with good Wi-Fi and nice coffee.

Plus, it stayed open until 5 pm, which is later than most cafés in Bathurst (many close around 3–4 pm). That gave us a bit more time to relax and get caught up on work.

Have a Beer at 13 Barrels Brewing

We found this local brewery online and decided to stop by, and we’re so glad we did.

The view of the water from the patio is beautiful, and the beer was refreshing, especially on a hot day. If you enjoy local craft beer, 13 Barrels is worth the visit.

There was food available, but since we’re vegan, we stuck with mini naans, hummus, and some bagged chips. For non-vegans, there were more options.

Is Bathurst French or English?

New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province, with both English and French as official languages. In Bathurst, we mostly heard people speaking French, and according to Statistics Canada, about 85% of residents are Francophone.

We don’t speak French, but we had no issues communicating in English. Everyone we interacted with was kind and helpful. So if you’re wondering is Bathurst, New Brunswick worth visiting if I don’t speak French?, yes, you’ll be just fine.

Is Bathurst safe?

You might also be asking: Is Bathurst a safe place to visit? Based on our experience and the data we’ve read, yes, it is.

We spent two nights in the city and always felt safe, whether we were parked downtown, walking to parks, or stopping at cafés.

The only issue we had was due to road construction. A key road near the train station was closed, and our GPS tried to send us under a bridge with a 2.9 m clearance, too low for our RV! We had to stop abruptly and find a detour manually.

So if you're visiting Bathurst with a tall vehicle, be mindful of detours and low-clearance bridges.

How to Get Around Bathurst

Bathurst is small and easy to explore especially for RV travellers or anyone who enjoys slower, simpler travel.

Car Rental in Bathurst

If you’re not driving your own vehicle, there are rental options like Enterprise and Discount Car & Truck Rentals available in town.

Something that surprised us was that, since it's a small place, we noticed that after a certain hour in the evening the traffic lights switch to flashing red. It works just like a stop sign, so if you're driving, be mindful and slow down.

Walking

Downtown Bathurst is compact and walkable. We parked our RV and explored most of the central area and waterfront on foot, which made it easy to take photos and enjoy the small-town vibe.

How Many Days Do You Need in Bathurst?

If you’re short on time, one full day is enough to get a feel for the city and visit some key spots like Youghall Beach, downtown, and Coronation Park.

But if you’re travelling full-time like us, I recommend staying longer. We spent three days and two nights in Bathurst, and it felt like a good amount of time for a first visit.

Still wondering is Bathurst, New Brunswick worth visiting? We left feeling relaxed, welcomed, and already thinking about what we’d explore next time.

Easy Day Trips from Bathurst

One of the great things about Bathurst is its location. It’s close to other beautiful places that are perfect for short road trips.

Bathurst to Mount Carleton Provincial Park

About 1.5 hours west, this provincial park is ideal if you want to spend time in nature. We stayed two nights there in an unserviced campsite (which you can book online). There’s no cell signal, so it’s perfect if you want to disconnect.

We wrote a full post about it, check out Is Mount Carleton Provincial Park Worth Visiting? Everything You Need to Know

Bathurst to Pokeshaw Rock

Located about 40 minutes east of Bathurst, Pokeshaw Rock is a natural sea stack just off the coast, and it’s a great spot for photos, a short beach walk, or a relaxing picnic by the water.

There’s a small entrance fee: $2 per person, $5 per Family or $25 Season Pass, and you can stay as long as you like. We spent a few hours here. The entrance area is beautifully maintained, with a lookout that's perfect for taking photos.

After that, we headed down to the beach, explored the caves, and even saw people paddleboarding. If you have your own board, definitely bring it! It’s a peaceful, scenic place, and yes, even our cat enjoyed it. We highly recommend stopping here if you’re in the area.

Bathurst to the Acadian Peninsula

It might sound a bit broad to say "the Acadian Peninsula," but that’s exactly where we were headed, and from Bathurst, it made for a great road trip to our next stop: Caraquet.

This coastal region is full of Acadian culture, scenic beaches, and small fishing villages. If you have the time, we highly recommend heading east to explore towns like Caraquet, Shippagan, Lameque Island, and Miscou Island.

If you want to know more about these towns, remember to check out: Is the Acadian Peninsula Worth Visiting? Everything You Need to Know and 32 Things to Do in the Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick.

The drive is beautiful and gives you a chance to experience another side of life in New Brunswick, one that’s deeply connected to the Acadian people and their traditions that are still alive today.

Conclusion: Is Bathurst, New Brunswick Worth Visiting?

Yes, it really is.

Whether you’re passing through on an RV trip like we were, or planning a relaxing weekend by the ocean, Bathurst has a quiet charm that’s easy to enjoy. It’s a lovely place to slow down and take in the beauty of the Chaleur Region.

We felt welcomed and safe everywhere we went. Bathurst also makes a great base for exploring nearby gems like Pokeshaw Rock, Mount Carleton Provincial Park, and the Acadian Peninsula.

So if you're planning a trip through northern New Brunswick and asking yourself Is Bathurst, New Brunswick worth visiting? we hope this guide helps you decide.

And if you’re looking for more ideas for trips from Bathurst, check out the following posts:

And if you’d like to keep exploring New Brunswick, don’t miss these guides:

• Is The Acadian Peninsula Worth Visiting? Everything You Need To Know
• What to Do in Edmundston, New Brunswick
• Where to Stay in New Brunswick, Canada: Best Hotels by area
• Is New Brunswick Worth Visiting? 5 Weeks Exploring The Province
• 50 Best Things to do in New Brunswick (Complete Travel Guide)
• Is Mount Carleton Provincial Park Worth Visiting? Everything You Need to Know.
• Is Bathurst, New Brunswick Worth Visiting? Things To Do In 48 Hours
• 32 Things To Do In The Acadian Peninsula, New Brunswick
• 18 Best Things To Do In Miramichi In Summer
• Is The Acadian Historical Village Worth Visiting? A First-Timer’s Guide
• Is Fredericton Worth Visiting? Reasons You’ll Want To Add It To Your Trip