Grand Étang Coast | Wild Camping

October 6th, 2024 by 2docsinabox

Pass along 5309 Road, also known as the Old Cabot Trail. Half way along on the cliff edge is an area of mown grass with space for plenty of campers. Only restriction would be width, no wider than 2.5m due to boulders.

Access to the beach for swimming. Keep an eye out for the Bald Eagles

August 8th, 2023 by barnold

please always check the weather for this site. There is a high wind warning for tonight called Les Suetes. The wind comes fom the Southeast and can reach 100+ KMH. Tonight thru tomorrow it is forecast heavy rain and winds gusting to 90+ kmh.

July 31st, 2023 by marie_cloutier

Amazing! Great view on the sunset and the water. Just by a pebble beach. Calm and can fit many car/campers/tents. Would 100% recommend

July 5th, 2023 by St-Arnaud

Even with rain and fog, it was very beautiful!
There was me with my tent, then came a van. Very quiet spot!
No one came to see us.

I recommend!

July 3rd, 2023 by vananhthai

This place is actually not public. it is a private property owned by Russ, who is also the owner of the weekly rental house down by the road. He lives in Boston, and only comes up here occasionally. He is super friendly and have no problem with campers staying here. That's why you see the grass is nicely mowed. One of the nights I stayed here, he came to visit and introduced himself to everyone here, there were like 5 vehicles. He just let everyone knows he owns this land and welcome everyone to stay. Most of the land here is owned by Acadian families for generations. When Russ is not here, Roland, his cousin helps to look after the place. He is also super friendly. He owns the Germains vacation house by end of the road. So all the marked places for parking in Cheticamp that you find on this app are actually private land, except the one by Gypsum lake. They also don't mind if you park there overnight. It shows how friendly and kind the Acadians are. Someone is taking care of this land here since it's not public, so be respectful and appreciative of the place, don't overuse it, leave no trace of trash, talk to the locals here, and let them know who you are, share your travel stories, get to know their Acadian history, they really love talking to travellers here.

July 2nd, 2023 by sharonabourgeois

A flat stretch of grass right on the coast that has amazing sunsets! The owner, Russ, lives across the road and will stop by for a chat.
Great people and a great place to relax and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. This community welcomes our community as long as we leave no trace.

June 13th, 2023 by alexandre.segura

One of the best spots I’ve done. Beautiful views and cliffs. It’s not that big though but we were two that night.

June 7th, 2023 by largeheavy57

Outstanding view for sure. Stayed overnight in this small gravel road pull over spot large enough for maybe two small vans or one 24’ van but nothing larger. Large boulders at the perimeter of the spot are obviously there to protect the small grass area between the gravel parking area and the cliff overlooking this wide open view. I would suggest respecting that intention and not park on the grass. There are probably 12 residences on this gravel road hugging the cliff with a couple in view of this wide open spot. It was very windy all night. Tents would be be kites.

November 6th, 2022 by manou-wistoff

We saw the sunset and on the other side a big fullmoon. It's soo beautiful. There is a fireplace and a great few to the ocean and hills. Very windy.

November 5th, 2022 by Marshal

some grass next to a gravel road - 1 km of the 219 (main road). on a cliff next to the ocean. can't wait to see it in the morning 😁

September 1st, 2022 by viisummer

endroit magnifique! coucher de soleil à couper le souffle
parfait pour tente, parfois venteux puisque c'est un cap rocheux.

apportez votre bois, endroits pour feu disponibles :)

baignade matinale dans l'océan, quoi demander de mieux!

August 18th, 2022 by nicubiku

wonderful place.. magnificent sunset... quite place.. we are alone today... could probably set the tent but we didn't... no signs at all..only some rocks at entrance...locals were quite friendly, all were waving hellos...

July 29th, 2022 by natdion22

Magnifique endroit pour dormir avec vue à couper le souffle. Nous étions 3 petits VR.

July 19th, 2022 by barnold

becoming overused, people driving around the barrier rocks onto the bluff, last night there was a van, motorhome (came in after 11PM), and tenters. The motorhome partially blocked the tenters car. Need to be more mindful of the locals that also use

July 15th, 2022 by barnold

Beautiful spot, need to respect the barrier rocks due to cliff erosion, enough room for 1 or 2 small campers/tents. No big rigs. Rocky beach below, accessible by steep path, fire ring, minimal shelter from winds (can be in excess of 40 km regularly). Locals like to park and watch the spectacular sunsets. Friendly.

July 3rd, 2022 by karilie_martel

Endroit vraiment tranquille, vu sur la mer et les montagnes. c'est un très venteux donc ce n'est pas tant idéal pour une tente.
le matin on a vu des personnes qui marchait et on en a même saluer une... Personne nous as avertis donc ça semble tolérer

June 18th, 2022 by jennifer.outschoorn

Beautiful spot overlooking the sea. Easy way down to the long beach where there wasn’t a person in sight. Spot was VERY windy.. not sure if a tent would have gone through the night. Very peaceful and amazing sunset.

November 5th, 2021 by 3weltreisen.de

Not for big rigs, there are stones to block this site, only small van, may be private

October 12th, 2021 by absu.eridu

Beautiful spot!! Despite the overcast weather, I caught a glimpse of the sunset. I doubt anyone will even drive by tonight and if they do, they certainly won't care.

October 12th, 2021 by radical_to(Instagram)

Amazing spot. Very quiet, gorgeous sunsets, long beach for dogs to run. You can make a little fire on the edge of the cliff. Locals indeed confirmed that camping here is ok; I ended up driving my small car onto the grass for more level parking.

August 24th, 2021 by Nomad N Rad

Exactly as described. We were there with just one other van. Awesome night and a wonderful ( slightly treacherous)walk down to the beach.

July 1st, 2021 by janabgiles

Great spot right off the road, but very quiet. We were able to crawl down the cliff to the beach for breakfast in the morning!

June 8th, 2021 by meg.faught

wonderful place to park right on the ocean!! We went down to the beach below the cliff and had the entire beach to ourselves. a friendly local came and chatted with us and gifted us a bottle of wine. 10/10 would love to stay here again! not really big rig friendly

June 8th, 2021 by meg.faught

gorgeous spot on the ocean, on a pull off of a dirt road. our truck camper fit here easily and was fairly level. not suited suited big rigs.

September 22nd, 2019 by darya.karpitskaya

Beautiful Place to pitch a tent. It's not hidden from the gravel road but almost nobody passed by, while we stayed there. Moreover Cape Breton seems to be the safest place on earth and people are really nice, so no problem. There is even one place in the corner where you can get a little windprotection from the waist high bushes.

September 11th, 2019 by megane.faivre.chalon

Very beautiful spot on top of a cliff with direct view over the ocean and a firepit. When I got there it was really stormy and I could barely make it through the dirt road with my small car. I recommend going around and going through the gravel road. Very nice, too bad the weather was awful for me.

September 4th, 2019 by roamingabout.com

Indeed a beautiful place, however there is no real level place to park. If I was in a tent, would definitely go here. Huge grassy field on top of cliffs, easy walk to beach, and firepit. We were upset we could not make it work. I would keep vehicles off the grass, however tempting it might be. Also, take the longer parallel road into the spot, Google sends you to a dead end.

August 21st, 2019 by meg.rm6

Absolutely amazing spot! Perched high on an ocean cliff. Unbeatable views. Large grassy area if tenting. Good cell service. Take “old Cabot Trail” road to get there... my gps took me down some sketchy grass road that is probably for quads only. Thank you to who maintains this spot it is breathtaking!

August 6th, 2019 by David Raymond

There seems to be some confusion about accessibility. The GPS coordinates of the marker are right and it points to a grassy area on the cliff, not on the beach, on the road-side of the big boulders put there to prevent vehicles from approaching the cliff. I doubt that nobody would ever go on the beach with a vehicle, although you can get down there by foot, negotiating the rocks that make up the cliff.
Superb view of the ocean, and magnificent sunset.
PS: The original contributor indicates there is wifi. I did not check, but I doubt that since there is public place close to this spot.

August 12th, 2018 by TheTravelin'Thurg's

Yes this place is free. Owned by someone from Massachusetts and according to the locals they have no problems with people camping there. The previous comments are accurate. Not sure about the 4x4 as there is no where to park down by the beach. We parked on the roadside of the rocks so as not to damage the grass closer to the ocean. Actually I think this is why the rocks are there in the first place. A few cars going by in the late afternoon to take in the view. After dark it is totally quiet. Had an amazing sunset and a clear night full of stars.

July 16th, 2018 by berthelino

Très difficile d’accès. Pour 4x4 seulement.

July 16th, 2018 by berthelino

Endroit très difficile d’accès. Pour 4x4 seulement.

July 12th, 2018 by Oligau

Very few traffic on dirt road, quiet small parking lot with trimmed grass spot to sit and watch incredible sunset. Easy access to beach. One very very beautiful sleep spot apprently maintained by someone who cares about sharing the view.

April 23rd, 2018 by Fabian Pickel

Beautiful spot overlooking the sea south of Chétiscamp. It's a small parking bay (2-3 vans, one big rig) on a barely used dirt road. Easy beach access (pebble beach). Very quiet, very beautiful, free.