Van Life in Nova Scotia: Best Photography Spots & Hikes We Loved
Nova Scotia Van Life: Where We Hiked, Camped & Took Our Favorite Travel Photos
Our big vanlife adventure has officially begun—and first stop? Nova Scotia, Canada.
After building out our camper van, we hit the road looking for moody coasts, quiet hikes, and the kind of places that make you grab your camera before you even shut the van door. Nova Scotia was all of that and more.
Forget city crowds—we skipped Halifax this time and focused on small towns, coastal views, and wild nature. Here's how it went (and yes, there are lots of photos).
1. Lunenburg & Rissers Beach
Lunenburg is the kind of town that makes you want to walk slow and look at every window. Cute fishing boats, colorful buildings, salty air.
But our first true photo stop?
Rissers Beach Provincial Park.
We arrived on a cloudy day (our favorite for photos!) and the fog rolling over the water made everything feel cinematic. This place is pet-friendly and loved by locals—we saw so many dogs living their best beach life.
📸 Some of our foggy beach photos will be available soon in our print shop!
2. Whale Watching + Free Camping on Brier Island
Next, we chased whales.
We drove 3+ hours from Broad Cove, crossed two ferries, and made it just in time for our tour at Mariners Cruisers Whale and Seabird Tours. It was foggy, a little chilly, and 100% worth it. We spotted humpbacks swimming just a few feet from the boat.
That night we found an amazing free camping spot using the iOverlander app—right across from Peter Island Lighthouse. We fell asleep watching the ocean and flocks of birds swirling through the mist.
Birdwatching side note: I carry my National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America everywhere—it’s one of my favorite travel items (affiliate link if you want one too).
Before leaving, we hiked the short (but super cool) Balancing Rock Trail—a 1.25-mile path to a massive basalt column balancing on the edge of a cliff. Nature’s weird, and we love her for it.
Discovering Cape Breton with Harvest Hosts
If you’re road-tripping through Canada, Harvest Hosts is a game-changer. We used our membership (referral link!) to stay at Big Spruce Brewing, a brewery near Baddeck on our way into Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Great beer, good vibes, and a beautiful view to wake up to.
Our Favorite Hikes & Photo Spots in Cape Breton
We spent several days hiking, shooting, and sleeping in our van across Cape Breton. Here are the highlights:
Middle Head Trail (Ingonish)
Starts at the Keltic Lodge, a historic spot with views for days. The trail runs along a narrow peninsula with the ocean on both sides. Easy hike, epic photos.
Green Cove, Black Brook Cove & Benji’s Lake Trail
Quick trails, rocky coastline, soft beach light—perfect for snapping moody ocean pics and dipping your feet in cold Atlantic water.
Skyline Trail
This one’s famous for a reason. We did the long loop (took us about an hour at a fast pace) and it felt like hiking through a dream. The boardwalk lookout at sunset? Unreal.
Hot tip: if you’re short on time, take the short trail straight to the viewpoint.
We camped at Courtney Brook Campground nearby—great sunset views and peace after a long hiking day.
Egyptian Falls
This one surprised us the most. Egyptian Falls is steep, short, and a little intense on the way back—but WOW. The rock formations and water flow were totally different from any other falls we’ve seen in the province.
Final Thoughts
Nova Scotia totally blew us away—between the beaches, the hidden trails, and all the foggy mornings that made our photos pop, it was the perfect launch to our vanlife chapter.
If you’re planning your own van trip to Nova Scotia, definitely hit these spots—and let us know what you find along the way. Every trail leads to a photo worth taking.
Also, you can watch our long form video in our YouTube Channel ! Remember to Like and Subscribe to follow the journey and see where we’ll be heading next!