Is Edmundston Worth Visiting on Your RV trip Through New Brunswick?
Planning your RV adventure through New Brunswick and wondering, is Edmundston worth visiting?
We had the same question on our East Coast road trip, and now that we’ve been there, we can honestly say: yes, it is!
As a vegan couple travelling full-time in an RV, Edmundston was our first stop after leaving Quebec, and it surprised us in the best ways. We explored it by foot, bike, and RV, and in this post, we’ll tell you why we believe Edmundston is absolutely worth visiting.
Is Edmundston Worth Visiting?
Yes, Edmundston is definitely worth visiting, especially if you enjoy nature, local culture, and the convenience of an easy stop between Quebec and the Maritimes. It’s a great place to take a break, explore a bit, and recharge before continuing your trip.
Where is Edmundston Located?
Edmundston is located in northwestern New Brunswick, Canada, right on the border with Quebec and across the river from the U.S. state of Maine. It’s just about 15 minutes from the Quebec border and sits along the scenic Madawaska River.
Its location makes it a perfect stop if you’re driving from Quebec into the Atlantic provinces.
As of the 2021 census, Edmundston has a population of about 16,437 people.
What is Special About Edmundston? What is Edmundston Known For?
If you’re driving from Quebec, Edmundston is a natural and easy stop. We drove about one hour from Rivière-du-Loup and entered New Brunswick from that side. Just a few minutes after crossing the border, our phones updated automatically to the new time zone: Atlantic Standard Time.
Some of the things that made Edmundston special for us were:
- The outdoor activities, like biking and walking trails
- The Madawaska trails, which are great for mountain biking
- The Grey Rock Casino, which also welcomes RVs for overnight stays
- The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, a beautiful building in the middle of the city
- And of course, just strolling around town to get a feel for local life
If you’re still asking yourself is Edmundston worth visiting, we hope our experience helps you decide. Whether you’re stopping for the night or staying a few days, it’s a small town that can offer more than you expect.
You can find more details in our post: What to Do in Edmundston, New Brunswick.
Where to Stay in Edmundston, New Brunswick (RV and Hotel Options)
If you’re still wondering is Edmundston worth visiting?, part of what makes it a great stop is how easy it is to find a place to stay, whether you travel in an RV or prefer a hotel.
Hotels
You can find hotels like:
These are comfortable and well-rated options, located close to the main attractions.
Campgrounds
- République Provincial Park: This campground has full amenities for your RV, plus access to trails and bike paths. You can make your reservation online ahead of time, especially in the summer season.
Boondocking
We stayed in two different spots for free:
- Walmart Supercentre: In the RV world, this is always a convenient option. We stayed here two nights with no issues.
- Grey Rock Casino : We stayed one night here using our Harvest Hosts membership. It was quiet and safe, and the casino has some great surprises (keep reading for more on that!).
If you want to learn more about Harvest Hosts, you can check them out here. In our experience, they’ve given us great overnight spots with lovely views and friendly hosts. We highly recommend it.
Where to Eat Vegan in Edmundston
If you’re vegan like us and wondering is Edmundston worth visiting, the answer is still yes, even if vegan options are a bit limited. We usually cook in the RV, but we love checking out local spots too. Here are the places we tried (or planned to):
- Tim Hortons: A classic stop for us. You can ask for coffee with oat, almond milk or other alternatives. We also like to use their free Wi-Fi to get some work done.
- Café Bistro Lotus Bleu: We didn’t get the chance to visit, but it was on our list! They offer some vegan-friendly items, so it might be worth checking out.
- Brasseurs du Petit-Sault: This isn’t really a food spot (they only had chips when we went), but if you enjoy tasting local beers, it’s a fun and friendly place.
- Grey Rock Casino: This was our best vegan surprise! I had a fresh salad, and Aldo got a tasty noodle dish with tofu. We didn’t expect to find vegan options at a casino, so this made our stay even better.
Grey Rock Casino
Brasseurs du Petit-Sault
Tim Hortons
How to Get to Edmundston (RV Travel Routes)
From Quebec
We drove about 2 hours to Rivière-du-Loup, where we spent the night boondocking at Walmart. The next morning, we visited Rivière-du-Loup Falls and then continued driving about 1 hour to Edmundston.
Most of the trip is along the Trans-Canada Highway (Autoroute 85), which is in great condition.
Trans-Canada Highway
From Maine
You can enter Canada through the new Madawaska-Edmundston International Bridge, officially opened in August 2024. It’s a quick and direct way to cross into New Brunswick. Make sure to check road conditions and border crossing info before your trip.
Important Things to Know Before Visiting Edmundston
Time Zone Change
As soon as you cross the border from Quebec, your phone and watch may update automatically (if your settings allow it) to one hour ahead. Quebec is in Eastern Standard Time (EST) and New Brunswick is in Atlantic Standard Time (AST).
Wildlife Caution
There were many informative and warning signs on the way indicating that we needed We saw several moose warning signs along the road, some with flashing lights.
Be extra careful, especially if you’re driving early in the morning or after sunset. Stick to the speed limits and try not to drive at night if you can avoid it.
Daylight Travel Recommended
We left Quebec around 7 PM, thinking we’d arrive in time to enjoy the views. But because of the time change and the fading light, we arrived in the dark and missed some beautiful scenery. If you can, plan to drive during daylight to really enjoy the landscape.
Is Edmundston French or English?
New Brunswick is Canada’s only officially bilingual province, with both English and French as official languages. That said, in Edmundston, most people speak French, about 93%, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada.
We don’t speak French, but we had no issues communicating in English. Everyone we met was kind and helpful. So if you’re wondering is Edmundston worth visiting if I don’t speak French, the answer is yes, you’ll be just fine.
Is Edmundston safe?
You might also be asking, is Edmundston safe? Based on our experience and what we’ve read, yes, it is.
According to the most recent data from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Statistics Canada, Edmundston has one of the lowest crime rates compared to the New Brunswick average.
During our 3-day stay, we never felt unsafe, whether we were walking downtown, boondocking at Walmart, or biking through trails.
How to Get Around Edmundston
Edmundston is a small and easy-to-navigate city, which makes it extra convenient for RV travelers. This also adds another reason why the answer to is Edmundston worth visiting is a solid yes, especially if you enjoy a slower pace of travel.
Public Transportation in Edmundston (Flex Go)
FlexGo is the local transit system with on-demand bus service. It’s a small but handy option for getting around if you’re not driving.
There are 3 types FlexGo: FlexGo Bus, FlexGo TaxiBus and FlexGo Plus.
FlexGo Bus: Fixed-route public bus, no reservation needed. It has regular scheduled rides between Edmundston and Haut-Madawaska. This mode is best for daily commuters and budget-friendly transport.
FlexGo TaxiBus: On-demand shared shuttle, requires booking at least 1 hour in advance (app, website, or phone). It offers more flexible routes in Edmundston, St-Basile, and Rivière-Verte. This mode is best for riders needing flexible pickups.
FlexGo Plus: On-demand adapted shared transit, requires booking at least 1 hour in advance. It is used for people with reduced mobility or special transport needs. This service is best for accessible transportation users.
You can find more information, rates, schedules and service zones on the Official website FlexGo.
Car rental in Edmundston
There are a few rental car options, including Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Discount Car and Truck Rentals, in case you need a vehicle while your RV is parked.
Biking in Edmundston
This was one of Aldo’s favorite parts! He biked from Parc de la République into downtown using dedicated bike paths. The Madawaska Trails are also a great option for biking and nature walks. Everything felt safe and peaceful.
Walking
Downtown Edmundston is compact and easy to explore on foot. We parked the RV and walked through the town center, including some nice green areas by the river.
When is the Best Time to Visit Edmundston?
Edmundston has something to offer in every season. We visited during the summer, which I’d definitely recommend if you enjoy outdoor activities, events, and festivals. Everything feels more alive, and it’s easier to bike or walk around town.
That said, I’ve read that winter also brings charm, especially with skiing and snowy landscapes nearby. Fall is known for its colourful foliage, and spring is quieter but still beautiful.
How Many Days Do You Need in Edmundston?
If you’re short on time, a one-day stop gives you a good feel for the city. But if you’re travelling full-time like us, I suggest staying longer. We spent 4 days and 3 nights in Edmundston and still didn’t see it all.
If you’re still asking is Edmundston worth visiting, just know that we left feeling relaxed, welcomed, and already thinking about what to explore next time.
Easy Day Trips from Edmundston
One of the best things about staying in Edmundston is its location. It’s close to other beautiful destinations, which makes it easy to add more stops to your trip without driving too far. These are two great day trips we did from Edmundston:
Edmundston to Rivière-du-Loup (Quebec)
If you’re curious to explore more around the area, Rivière-du-Loup is about one hour north by car. It’s a charming Quebec town known for its peaceful vibe, nature, and cozy cafés.
You can:
- Visit the Rivière-du-Loup Falls
- Walk the trails
- Enjoy the cafés and shops along the main street
Make sure to check the town on Tourisme Rivière du Loup website for open hours, local events, things to do, eat, and more.
Edmundston to Mount Carleton Provincial Park
This was a highlight for us! About 1.5 hours east, you’ll find Mount Carleton Provincial Park, a remote, peaceful place with stunning nature.
- We stayed 2 nights with our RV on unserviced campsites (which you can reserve online here).
- There’s no cell signal, so it’s the perfect place to disconnect.
- If you need to work or check your phone, there’s a Lodge Café inside the park with free Wi-Fi. We used it for a few hours and had no issues.
Whether you’re headed to Rivière-du-Loup or Mount Carleton, planning ahead helps. Check online for entry fees, seasonal hours, or any closures.
Conclusion: Is Edmunston worth visiting?
Absolutely! If you’ve been asking yourself is Edmundston worth visiting, we hope this post helped you find your answer.
Whether it’s the relaxing parks, access to nature, easy day trips, or just a great overnight stop on your RV journey, Edmundston is worth exploring.
As a vegan couple living full-time in an RV, we felt welcome, safe, and able to enjoy what the city had to offer. We found plant-based food, nice places to stay, quiet trails, and more.
So go ahead, add Edmundston to your East Coast Canada itinerary. We’re glad we did.
And if you want more tips, check out our What to Do in Edmundston, New Brunswick post.