Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Even though Campobello Island is in New Brunswick, Canada, it has strong ties to the 32nd president of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In his youth, FDR spent countless hours at the Roosevelt cottage there, and later in life he and his wife Eleanor took their children to Campobello each summer. Unfortunately this was also where he learned he had contracted polio. Visits to his “beloved island” were few and far between after this.
International Park Commission
Roosevelt Campobello International Park is not considered a national park unit. Rather it is an Affiliated Area, one considered important but not managed directly by the national park service.
Roosevelt Campobello International Park is jointly owned by the United States and Canada. It is managed by an International Park Commission created through an international treaty signed in January 1964 by US President Lyndon B. Johnson, and Canada’s Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and Governor General Georges Vanier.
Getting to Campobello
There is a bridge to Campobello Island from Lubec, Maine. The park is physically in Canada, so be prepared with your passport.
If you are in Canada, you can get there via a car ferry from Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick; first to Deer Island and then on to Campobello Island. It takes 60-80 minutes, depending on the ferry schedule.
It is fun to make this a full circle. We started in Calais, Maine and went into Canada, took the ferry and drove back via the bridge. Just don’t forget your passport and remember that you will have to go through customs and declare anything you are bringing into each country.
Spending Time at Campobello
2024 was the 60th anniversary of Campobello Island International Park and over 260,000 people visited.
The main attraction is Roosevelt’s summer home, a tiny 34 room cottage. You can sign up for a free tour. It goes through the main living areas and kitchen, plus you get to see how Eleanor Roosevelt entertained their auspicious guests.
On the grounds, there is another smaller house – the Prince Cottage – where you can enjoy refreshments inside or on the verandah looking out over the lovely gardens and down to the ocean.
If you bring a picnic, you might even spread a blanket on the lawn like the Roosevelt family used to do. You can just imagine them swimming and picnicking on the lawn, then walking down to the beach or to the dock where they would have moored their boats.
You can also drive on some of the old carriage paths, still gravel so that you can really experience what it was like when the Roosevelts spent their summers there.
Campobello Island and around
While you are on Campobello Island, be sure to take a drive around or go for a bicycle ride. Although there are less than 1000 full time residents, there are many beach activities, rocky overlooks, lots of migratory birds and if you are lucky, you will spot some whales. There are a couple of lovely hikes with amazing views out over the water.
There are also a couple lighthouses. We especially liked the Head Harbor Light Station at the north end of the island. This is one of the oldest lighthouses still standing in Canada. It was built in 1829 and is open 24 hours a day, however you can only get there at low tide. At high tide, you will see the lighthouse standing on its own island.
If you like lighthouses, while you you are in the area you might want to visit West Quoddy Head Lighthouse located at the easternmost point of Maine. This iconic lighthouse, originally built in 1808, is the only candy striped light tower in the country.
Want to Talk?
If you have questions about this or any national park unit, we’d love to chat. You can contact us from this page or call (480) 609-3978. We are happy to help and love to talk with other folks who love our national parks.
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