Discover Wild New Brunswick

Crown land in New Brunswick: what you need to know

Only about half the woods are public

Forest covers most of New Brunswick, but only about half of it is Crown land. The rest belongs to tens of thousands of private woodlot owners and to forest companies that own large blocks of freehold forest. Crown land is concentrated in the north and the central highlands: the Restigouche uplands, the country around Mount Carleton, the upper Miramichi and the big tracts between Plaster Rock and Bathurst. Near Moncton, Saint John and Fredericton, the nearest Crown land is often a short drive away rather than next door. Our Crown land by city and region pages show what's realistically within reach of each town.

Camping: short stays, no fixed day count

The province says camping on Crown land is allowed "for short periods" and doesn't put a number on it, so don't rely on the 14- or 21-day rules you'll read about other provinces. RVs and trailers must stay at least 75 metres from the shore of any waterway, may only be set up in remote areas with no licensed campground nearby, and need holding tanks for sewage and grey water. Tents are exempt from the setback. Pack out everything you bring, and don't block a road, trail or water access. The Crown land camping rules guide covers the details.

Check the burn map every afternoon

From the third Monday in April to October 31, the province updates the burn conditions on its Fire Watch map at 2 p.m. every day, and they hold until 2 p.m. the next day. On a restricted day, campfires are only allowed between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. On a no-burn day they aren't allowed at all. In a bad year the province goes further: in August 2025 it closed Crown land woods to hiking, camping, fishing and vehicles for more than two weeks. Call 1-866-458-8080 or check Fire Watch before you light anything, and report a wildfire to 911.

Parks, protected areas and the rest of the map

Purple marks New Brunswick's provincial parks, from tiny heritage sites to Mount Carleton's 17,000 hectares. In parks you camp in the campground, and hunting is closed. Green marks Protected Natural Areas. Most of these are Class II, where tent camping, fishing and hunting continue but logging and development don't. The six Class I sites need a permit to enter. Teal marks Nature Legacy land protected by conservation easement, under the same rules as Class II. Fundy and Kouchibouguac are national parks run by Parks Canada. The guide to parks and protected areas sets out the differences.

Fishing and hunting

Anglers 16 and older need a provincial licence and an Outdoors Card number. Every sea-run Atlantic salmon and grilse must be released, and non-residents need a licensed guide to fish for salmon. Live fish can't be used as bait in inland waters. The fishing licence and rules guide explains the Recreational Fishery Areas. Hunters should read hunting on Crown land: non-residents must hunt with a licensed guide, and Sunday hunting is only allowed from October 14 to December 31.

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