Campobello Island sits just across the international border from Maine in the Canadian province of New Brunswick — and yet it feels like an extension of Downeast Maine in almost every way. The island is best known as the summer home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, but beyond the presidential history, Campobello offers dramatic Bay of Fundy coastline, excellent hiking, abundant wildlife, and the distinctive character of a small island community that straddles two countries.
Getting to Campobello from Eastport
By Ferry (seasonal) — A seasonal passenger ferry operates between Eastport and Campobello Island during summer months, crossing Passamaquoddy Bay in about 30 minutes. This is the most scenic way to reach the island.
By Car via Lubec — Drive north from Eastport on Route 190 to Route 1, then east through Whiting to Lubec. Cross the FDR International Bridge from Lubec into Campobello. The drive from Eastport is approximately 45 minutes.
Border crossing: A valid passport or passport card is required for both entry into Canada and return to the United States. Children require their own passport.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park
The centerpiece of any Campobello visit is Roosevelt Campobello International Park — a joint US-Canadian park that preserves the Roosevelt family’s summer estate. It is the only international park jointly administered by two countries in North America.
The Roosevelt Cottage — A 34-room shingle-style structure that the Roosevelt family used as their summer retreat from 1905 through the early 1920s. Franklin Roosevelt contracted polio here in 1921. Guided tours are available during the summer season.
Park Trails — The park encompasses over 2,800 acres with hiking trails accessing the Bay of Fundy shoreline, forested interior, and coastal headlands. Pick up a trail map at the visitor center. The park is open daily from late May through mid-October and admission is free.
Herring Cove Provincial Park
Adjacent to the Roosevelt park, Herring Cove Provincial Park adds additional hiking trails and one of the finest beaches on Campobello — a long crescent of sand and gravel on the Bay of Fundy side of the island. The park’s trail system connects to the Roosevelt park trails, allowing for longer loop hikes.
Coastal Scenery and Wildlife
Campobello’s Bay of Fundy shoreline is spectacular — the combination of extreme tidal range (often exceeding 20 feet), exposed granite headlands, and the wide expanse of the bay creates coastal scenery that rivals anything in Maine. Wildlife visitors regularly encounter includes bald eagles, harbor porpoise, harbor and gray seals, seabirds, and occasionally minke and finback whales visible from the coastal headlands.
East Quoddy Head Lighthouse
East Quoddy Head Lighthouse sits at the northern tip of Campobello on a small islet connected to the island only at low tide. The red-and-white cross-patterned lighthouse is one of the most distinctive in Atlantic Canada. Access is only possible within roughly two hours either side of low water — the crossing involves walking across slippery exposed rocks. Check tide tables before making the crossing.
Lubec Narrows and the International Bridge
The Lubec Narrows — the narrow channel between Campobello Island and the town of Lubec, Maine — creates strong tidal currents that concentrate marine life and make for excellent wildlife watching. Standing on the FDR International Bridge offers a unique experience — one foot in Canada, one foot in the United States, watching the tidal current race through the narrows below.
Practical Notes
- Passport: Required for both entry to Canada and return to the US — no exceptions
- Time zone: Campobello is in Atlantic Time — one hour ahead of Eastern Time. Account for this when planning ferry returns
- Currency: Canadian dollars are official but US dollars widely accepted. Credit cards work at most businesses
- Cell service: International roaming charges may apply — check with your carrier before crossing
- Gas: Fill up in Eastport or Lubec before crossing
- Lunch: Pack a lunch and enjoy it at one of the park’s scenic picnic areas overlooking the bay
Plan Your Visit
Campobello makes an ideal day trip from Eastport or Lubec. Browse our Eastport city guide for lodging options on the Maine side of the border, and read our full guide to Things to Do in Eastport Maine for more activities in the area. Planning a broader Downeast trip? See our Downeast Maine Road Trip Itinerary for a five-day route through the region.
MaineGuide.com has been helping visitors plan their Maine trips since 1995.
📌 Visiting Lubec from Campobello? Read our complete guide to Things to Do in Lubec Maine — West Quoddy Head State Park and the Lubec Narrows.