When I lived in Fredericton, New Brunswick, one of my favourite places to hike was Beaver Pond Trail. I especially loved bringing my daughter. It’s the perfect short loop for young kids – walkable for toddlers, not too exhausting with a baby carrier, and doable with an all-terrain stroller. Kids love running on the boardwalk and looking for frogs, birds, and bugs. It’s a really special place!
I started coming here long before I had my kid. Early mornings are so peaceful and a great time to spot wildlife (before families and dog walkers show up). I also love the autumn colours and misty mornings in late September and early October.
Here’s a brief overview of the trail and some of the flora and fauna along the route. I’ve included some activities and resources that can help you plan a day trip with kids. I hope you enjoy the trail and are encouraged to explore more of Mactaquac Park!
Getting There
Beaver Pond is located in Mactaquac Park. It’s a short drive from Fredericton. To get there, follow Route 105 along the Saint John River until you reach Moore Road. This dirt road takes you to the parking lot for Beaver Pond. You’ll find the trailhead to the right of the parking area.
Trail Details
Beaver Pond Trail is an easy hike, great for families and casual hikers. It’s 1.3 kilometres long, well-maintained, relatively flat, and has a boardwalk. The trail loops around a pond created by beavers and then meanders through a typical Acadian forest with cedar, maple, birch, and spruce trees. It has interpretive signs that showcase some of the flora and fauna found in the wetland.
Parking is free and there are portable toilets located near the parking lot. Dogs are permitted on leash. There are a few picnic tables and rest benches.
Beaver Pond Trail is part of a larger network of interlocking trails. If you have time, check out some of the others. You can find a full map here. Note that some of the other trails have rougher terrain, including steep inclines and narrow and worn paths. Little Mactaquac Trail requires you to cross a small stream. For those visiting with small children, you’ll need a child carrier, hiking poles, and a kid who doesn’t mind longer hikes.
Beaver Pond Trail Fauna
The beavers who created the pond are long gone, but they left behind an entire wetland ecosystem that other animals depend on – they’re amazing environmental engineers! New research suggests they are essential for preserving freshwater ecosystems.1
While you won’t spot any beaver, you might see a muskrat or mink near the water’s edge. Turtles and frogs are abundant and the pond is great for birdwatching. Blue heron, belted kingfisher, Canada goose, mallard, hooded merganser, purple finch, pine Siskin, black-capped chickadee, white-throated sparrow, red-breasted nuthatch, and ring-necked duck are common in the area.
My daughter loves seeing great blue herons (Ardea herodias). They stand around 4 feet tall and have striking blue-grey plumage, a long neck, and an impressive wingspan that can reach up to six feet! Silently wading in shallow waters, they patiently hunt for fish, amphibians, and small mammals with their sharp, spear-like bill. Don’t let their stillness fool you, they’re super fast when it comes nabbing their prey!
We also love watching the frogs. There are six species common to the area: American bullfrog, wood frog, green frog, mink frog, pickerel frog, and spring peeper. Look closely on a warm day and you’re likely to see American bullfrogs and green frogs along the water’s edge. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is actually the largest frog species in North America, growing up to 8 inches in length! It eats insects, other amphibians, and even small mammals and birds!
Beaver Pond Flora
There’s also a lot of cool plants at Beaver Pond Trail. Two of my favourites are blue flag iris and bladder sedge. You’ll also find whorled wood aster, bluebead lily, greater burdock, cattail, common guelder rose, blue vervain, sensitive fern, bartram shadbush, and many others.
Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor) is a stunning native plant that adds vibrant colour to the wetlands of New Brunswick. It has blueish-purple flowers and sword-like leaves. Thriving in moist, nutrient-rich soils, blue flag iris provides essential habitat and food for a variety of wildlife, including pollinators like bees and butterflies. Its robust root system helps stabilize soil, preventing erosion and improving water quality by filtering pollutants.
Bladder Sedge (Carex intumescens) is characterized by its distinctive inflated, bladder-like seed sacs and tufted, grass-like foliage. The inflated sacs are perigynea – a protective covering for the seeds. In bladder sedge, the perigynea help with seed dispersal by floating on water.2
Great Place to Explore with Kids
Beaver Pond is one of my top 5 places to hike with kids near Fredericton. Nearby schools and recreation groups frequently bring kids to explore the pond. Critter dipping is very popular and, so too, frog and bird watching.
Friends of Mactaquac Park loan free nature backpacks to kids. They contain binoculars, a field guide, dip net, critter keeper, magnifier, field journal, and other goodies. In spring and summer, you can sign them out at the park office and campground recreation centre.
Kids Activities
Critter Dipping: Critter dipping lets kids discover tiny aquatic organisms in waterways. Kids use small nets to scoop up “critters” and place them in a bucket for further examination. It’s a fun way to see tadpoles, little fish, and bugs that live in the water.
Frog Watching: Along the pond there is an interpretative sign showing the frog species native to the area. Frog spotting is a great opportunity to teach kids to observe nature without touching or interfering with it. Frogs are sensitive animals and insecticides, sunscreens, lotions, and perfumes can all harm them – not to mention the stress of being caught!
Bird Watching: If you plan to birdwatch, check out the Merlin Bird ID app. It’s free and easy to use. The app lets you record bird songs on your phone and then identifies them for you – it’s a real hit with kids and adults!
Kids Wetland Activity Book: I’ve created a free downloadable book for young kids to learn more about wetlands, document their observations, and get to know some common wetland species in Atlantic Canada.
Nearby Attractions
Mactaquac Park: Mactaquac Park has over 300 campsites that you can stay at. These include full-serviced or unserviced sites, rustic shelters, and ch-a-lets. There are groomed trails for skiing in the winter, a beach for swimming (check conditions), a golf course, and playgrounds.
Boulangerie Seoul: This French bakery is a 15 minute drive from Beaver Pond Trail. I can’t praise it highly enough. Their almond croissants are fantastic and so too their hot dog croissants (it sounds strange, but trust me!). Their address is 3136 Woodstock Road.
Holt’s Used Books: Dave Holt runs a used bookstore from his home. It’s a real hidden gem with something for everyone – especially sci-fi enthusiasts! His address is 80 Fawn Crescent, Hanwell.
Skinny’s Scoop and Cafe: Skinny’s is a must-stop for ice cream. If you’re from out of town, try the moon mist ice cream. It was invented in Nova Scotia and is an Atlantic Canadian favourite. They also serve hotdogs, burgers, and grilled cheese sandwiches.
Happy Hiking!
I hope you get a chance to explore Beaver Pond Trail at Mactaquac Park! If you go on my recommendation, please share your experience in the comments section below. I’d love to hear about any plant and animal sightings or adventures with your kiddos! Happy hiking!
Other Posts You May Enjoy
5 Family Friendly Hikes Near Fredericton
The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Hiking With Kids
Oromocto Gateway Wetland: The Importance of Urban Wetlands
Top Outdoor Activities in Fredericton, New Brunswick
Sources
1 University of Minnesota. 2022 “Beavers Support Freshwater Conservation and Ecosystem Stability.”
2 Mt. Cuba Centre. “Carex intumescens (Greater Bladder Sedge).”
Mactaquac Provincial Park. Parks NB.