Fundy National Park 'glamping' and camping

Fundy National Park offers the extremes of 'glamping' and camping and Information Morning's outdoor adventure columnist Calixte LeBlanc found both to his liking.

The oTENTiks at Fundy National Park areablend of tent and rustic cabin equipped with beds and furniture on a raised floor.

LeBlanc says the structures are large enough to accommodateeight adults.

AlloTENTiksare equipped withwithmattresses,atable[inside andout],a bench andapropane fireplace for a warm retreatafteraday of adventure astheweather growscooler. Either abarbequeorfirepitisalsoprovided.Campers need only bringbeddingandcookinggear, including a lighter or matches.

Never been "glamping" before

LeBlancsays he's never been "glamping" before, but he admits he enjoyed the hassle-free camping.

"I have to tell you, I want to go back," said LeBlanc.

"It puts a whole new twist on camping. It's prettyrelaxing. You just show up and bring your sleeping bag and your food and you're pretty much ready to go."

Roughing it

LeBlanc also hiked to Foster Brook for some backcountry camping. He calls the trail somewhat challenging, but easy to follow. Bring proper gear and clothing and make sure to bring bags and a rope for food and garbage.

"Because you have to tie anything that you have scented into a bag, and then you have to put the rope above a tree and then pull your food above so that your food's not close to where you're sleeping in the tent because it attracts animals," said LeBlanc.

Next:CalixteLeBlanc will check out the Atlantic Balloon Festival in Sussex. You can hear about hisadventures Wednesdayat7:40 a.m.on Information Morning Moncton 106.1 FM and8:15 a.m.on Information Morning Fredericton 99.5 FM

Information Morning - Moncton6:09Camping and glamping

Outdoor Adventure columnist Calixte LeBlanc explores Fundy National Park.

Fundy National Park

For65years,Fundy National Park has been offering nature enthusiasts the opportunity to explore the great outdoors in a variety of ways, at various levels of difficulty.Thereistruly something foreveryone within this protectedarea. To plan an adventure tailored to your interests, call1-506-887-6000 or visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/nb/fundy/visit.aspx.

BackcountryCamping FosterBrook Trail

Length:4.4 km(oneway)

Rating:DifficultHiking

Time: 1.5 2 hours oneway

TrailCondition:wellgroomed,steep insome sections(ascent:150m), brook crossing, rocky androoty.Thistrail is somewhat challengingduetotheelevation gain and thendescentintothePointWolfeRiverValleybut it is easyto followandofferstwo spectacular, shadedcampingsites beside the PointWolfeRiver. Remember,when planning anyhikingtrip, but especially whenit involvesbackcountrycamping, makesuretobe physicallyuptothe challenge, will bewell equippedwith thepropergear,alwaysbring amapoftheareaandheedanywarnings oradvisoriesfrom the park staff. It is also important to keep any food or scented productswell above groundleveland away from the camping site, as to not attract any animals. Also, make sure to bring out everything thatwas brought in, even the garbage.

DicksonFalls Trail

Length: 1.5km loop

Rating: Moderate hiking

Time: 30 minutes

Trail condition: very well-groomed,several boardwalks andstaircases inmoresteepareas. Themostpopulartrailin the park,DicksonFalls issuretoimpressall visitors andiseasilyaccessible.Thetrailleads down intoamossyvalley, asDicksonBrookwindsalongbesideand undertheboardwalks,offering beautiful views of this lushforest.

HerringCoveBeach Trail

Length: 1km(return)

Rating:Easy hiking

Time:30 Minutes

Trail Condition: Steep staircase

Astair casehasbeenbuilt overmuchof thistrailtomakeHerring Coveeasilyaccessible, howeveritisquitesteep sobepreparedto climbbackupafterexperiencing the beach and the climbing hills on either side. At low tide, one can walk out to the rockyheadland at the edge of the cove to view a small sea cave carved by the tides and experience the Bay ofFundyup closeandpersonal.

FrontCountry Camping PointWolfe

This campground offers 160 serviced andunserviced, open and shaded sites. Campers must cross a covered bridge to access the campground and several trails can be accessed from here including PointWolfeBeachTrail. Thistrail allows visitors to experience thetide-carvedFundyshoreline.