Linwood, Nova Scotia Campground Review

 

We timed our Nova Scotia trip to coincide with the Highland Games, held annually in Antigonish, NS. We were hoping to stay at an RV park right in Antigonish itself, but waited too long to make our reservations and they were full!
Using the Good Sam Club Trip Planner and other resources, we found Linwood Harbour Campground. It is approximately 23 mi. (37 km) east of Antigonish; further away than we had hoped to stay. However, it isn’t too far from the highway and, from their website’s photo gallery, it looked pretty nice.
This is a small park with fewer than 40 sites and the one descriptive word that quickly came to mind is “rustic.” We ended up spending four nights here and went away with decidedly mixed feelings which we’ll share with you in this RV park review.

Where is it? —

Linwood is at the eastern end of the Northumberland Shore region of Nova Scotia. It’s not too far from Cape Breton Island.

Linwood Harbour Campground
11089 Hwy 4, Linwood, Nova Scotia. B0H 1P0
1-866-661-9145
http://linwoodcampground.com

Getting There —

Heading east on Highway 104 (Trans Canada Highway), we took Exit 37 and turned left onto Route 4. We traveled about 3.5 mi. (5.5 km) east on Route 4 – bearing left across the railroad tracks – to the campground entrance on the left.

If you’re headed west on Highway 104 (Trans Canada Highway), you’ll take Exit 38, turn right and then turn left onto Route 4. Travel 4.7 mi. (7.5 km) west. The campground is on the right.

Nearby Attractions —

Within anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour or so, there are lots of things to see and do while staying at Linwood Harbour Campground. In part, there are beaches, golf, walking trails, as well as —

• Festival Antigonish, a few miles to the west in Antigonish, NS
• The Antigonish Highland Games
• The Granville Green Concert Series in Port Hawkesbury, Cape Breton Island
• The Summer Ceilidhs (Celtic music and dance) also in Port Hawkesbury
• The famed Cabot Trail
• Fortress Louisbourg
• The Alexander Graham Bell Museum
• The Cape Breton Miners Museum

The Sites —

Describing the sites is kind of like describing a love/hate relationship! The full hook-up sites were all pull-throughs in the sloping middle section of the campground.

The first site they put us on was — as one of our grandkids might say — “Sooo NOT-level!” We asked if we could have another site, and were told to go ahead and pick one. The sites below us were taken, so we walked uphill and found a site that looked pretty level.

We moved the rig to the new site but found that, while better, it wasn’t as level as we had thought. Rather than try again, we went ahead and got the rig leveled up and the utilities hooked up. The owner’s son was kind enough to bring us a wooden step (see photo inset) so that we could use our rear door.

The sites may not have been level, but they were grassy, clean, and attractive – as was the whole campground. The sites were plenty large, with room for the rig, our tow vehicle, and lots of room for relaxing. The place filled up during our stay, but we didn’t feel crowded the way you do in some parks.

Amenities —

This isn’t the place to go if you want to enjoy a pool, a playground, a well-stocked camp store, or a rec- room. Well, I guess they do have a “camp store” of sorts. The office, located in an old barn, also contains a few items for sale. We noticed quite a few bags of potato chips and snacks lined up on top of an overhead beam. Their bags of ice were kept in the freezer compartment of what appeared to be a residential refrigerator. There were some other things available, but certainly nothing like the stores at most RV parks.

In a side room, there was a small laundry facility. The bathrooms and showers were clean and neat and accessible via a ramp for anyone in a wheelchair.

There was no dumpster for trash. Instead, there were some smaller trash containers, each labeled with the allowed contents. Our impression is that our Northern neighbors are more disciplined about recycling then we are here in the U.S.

There was no fire ring or fireplace at the site, so we asked. Since they sold firewood at the office, we asked how we could have a fire. The owner’s son brought over a metal fire pit – a perforated steel bowl of sorts – that sat up on a pedestal. The whole thing was roughly 2½ – 3 feet high and worked just fine. The fire wasn’t as mesmerizing as usual, because it wasn’t as visible. The toasted marshmallows were just as good though, and we enjoyed our campfire.

I also enjoyed hiking along the nature trail that starts in the campground. It winds through the woods for quite a distance and finally leads across a road and down to the Linwood Harbor shore. Deb didn’t want to brave the bloodthirsty mosquitoes, so I struck out on my own. It was a pretty hike, leading me past what I jokingly named “The Alien Tree” (see the picture). I think these growths are called “galls” and can be caused by insects or fungus. I walked along the rocky shoreline for a bit, then headed back to the campground.

 Rates —

We paid $39.00 per night for our 3-way, 30 amp, pull-through site. This included taxes.

 The People —

This is a family owned and operated campground. I don’t know for sure that there are no non-family employees, but I suspect that the Andrews, Dad, Mom, and Son, do it all themselves. They seemed to be very nice folks and were attentive and helpful.

What We Liked Most —

• Linwood Harbour Campground is a pretty place – neat, clean, wooded, and grassy.
• Fairly easy access from Route 104
• Entry and interior roads are gravel and sufficiently wide and smooth to get in and out with no problem.
• A beautiful view of Linwood Harbor
• It was quiet and peaceful.

What We Liked Least —

• The sites we were on were decidedly NOT level. Yes, we coped, but reasonably level sites make setting up a lot easier.
• The BUGS! If the mosquitoes didn’t carry us off, it wasn’t for lack of trying!
• The lack of a camp store with even basic food items and supplies.
• The water pressure was pretty low.
• Poor WiFi signal strength and/or bandwidth.
• No cable TV and almost no over-the-air reception.

Conclusions —

We rate Linwood Harbour Campground with 2½ out of 5 stars. There are things to recommend the park, and definitely things that are missing. The listing of things we liked most and least pretty much spells it out.

If you’re looking for activities for the kids, or enjoy a dip in the pool, or a camp store where you can pick up bacon, eggs, and milk, you might be a bit disappointed.

I’d categorize this campground as a convenient place to stay while visiting other attractions in the area. Or, if you just want a pretty, quiet place to hang out at your campsite, this may be just what you’re looking for.

We hope this RV park review has been helpful and we’d welcome your comments.