a must-visit destination.
Free public access
Located along the Northumberland Strait, just minutes north of the town of Bouctouche, this remarkable site offers a rare blend of outdoor recreation and natural discovery.
The Irving Eco-Centre was created by J.D. Irving, Limited in 1997 to help preserve and restore one of the last great sand dunes on the northeastern coast of North America.
Today, it’s a destination for locals and visitors alike—open to everyone, free of charge. From the trails to the programs, the site is maintained by Irving Woodlands, so the dune remains protected and accessible for generations to come.
What you’ll find at La Dune de Bouctouche
800-Metre Boardwalk
The winding boardwalk lets visitors experience the dune and its surrounding salt marsh up close, without disturbing the fragile ecosystem.
Saltwater Beach
Access to the 12 km sandspit that stretches across the Bouctouche Bay. Swimming permitted. Beach is unsupervised.
Educational Programs
Educational displays, interpretive panels, presentations, public tours, and seasonal events – free of charge.
Forest Trail
11 kms of trail, winding through the Acadian forest, connecting the dunes to the town of Bouctouche. Walk it, bike it, jog it. Dogs allowed.
Picnic Sites & BBQ
Bring your lunch – picnic tables and a free gas BBQ are all here.
Electric Vehicle Tours
Available for those with limited mobility, so everyone can enjoy the site.
Free Kennel Service
To protect nesting birds and fragile plants, we keep the dune and boardwalk pet-free.
Shorebirds
The site hosts a diversity of plants, aquatic creatures and a multitude of shorebirds. Bring binoculars.
Photo Opportunities
Don’t forget your camera as you soak in some of the most picturesque views in New Brunswick.
Have a look at the brochure
Wildlife spotlight
Sharing the Dune with our Tiniest Visitors
Since the park opened, the Irving Eco‑Centre has monitored the endangered Piping Plover. This small migratory shorebird is losing habitat as natural beaches become harder to find.
Each spring, Piping Plovers return to the Dune to nest and raise their young. Females lay four eggs, which hatch in about 25 days. Chicks learn to fly 25 to 35 days after hatching.
If you see a fenced area, that’s why—these protected spaces give nesting birds the room they need to raise their young.
Wildlife spotlight
The Iconic Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron, the park symbol at the Irving Eco-Center, can be seen along the Bouctouche Dune throughout most of the summer. Some of New Brunswick’s major heron colonies can be found just south of the Dune.
The largest heron in North America, it stands about 4 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 6 feet. They are skilled fishers, waiting patiently to grab fish with their spear-like bill.
Did you know?
Holding the sand together
Marram grass, know locally as ‘dune grass’, holds this place together—literally. Its roots reach two to four metres down, anchoring the shifting sand.
The fragile plants are well adapted to harsh coastal conditions—but they can’t withstand being trampled. The boardwalk helps protect marram grass, so it can thrive as visitors explore the dune.
Each year, local school kids help plant thousands of shoots during tours and field trips.
More parks to explore
Want to see six ecosystems in one place?
The Irving Nature Park is home to six different ecosystems with a diversity of flora and fauna – from forests to salt marshes. With public trails, beaches, lookouts and mazes, it’s a popular place with locals and travelers alike. And it’s free to explore.
