Canadian campgrounds in the Maritime provinces are gems for the camping traveller. If they're not directly on the ocean, or a bay, or another waterway, they're usually conveniently close.

Both RV and tent campers love Nova Scotia's scenery and campgrounds. For RV campers, however, the roads could be quite a bit less bumpy. But the scenery of tranquil sites are worth it. Make sure you call or contact these campgrounds before you make plans. Just as campgrounds in the northern United States often close for the winter, not all Canadian Maritimes campgrounds will be open during their mild winters.

** King Neptune Campground is convenient to Peggy's Cove. (It's street address is 8536 Peggy's Cove Road, Indian Harbour). This easy-to-find campground is a scenic oceanside campground with many, many campsites having open views of the ocean. Plus if you're daring, there's ocean swimming.

Onsite you'll find firerings, a pay phone, washrooms with flush toilets and running-water sinks, and pay showers. There are about 65 overnight sites, some electrical. Prices were around $16 Canadian. Phone: 902-823-2582

** The Louisbourg RV Park is in downtown Louisbourg, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island. It is near the waterfront boardwalk and adjacent to the Louisbourg Playhouse.

It's an open campground on the Harbourfront Crescent, and is a mere 5 minute drive to the Fortress of Louisbourg. It is a beautiful and well-kept park. VERY easy to find.

The park features flush toilets , washrooms with free showers, and 36 serviced and 13 unserviced sites. They've now added modem connections. All electrical is 30 Amp.

They accept Visa, Mastercard, and Direct Debit and charge from $13 to $17.50 Canadian. Call Toll Free - 1-(866)733-3631

** Plage - St. Pierre Campground and Beach is a nice slightly out of the way treasure for the leisurely traveller. Nestled just south of the Acadian village of Cheticamp, Nova Scotia on Cape Breton Island - Plage St. Pierre campground blends modern amenities with the peace and serenity of Canada's nature.

Nearby you'll find a pleasing mixture of forested walking trails, and paths through blueberry and raspberry fields, and great views of the waterways from the shore. On your journeys you'll be giving yourself a great chance to see deer, bald eagles, snowy owls, or even a group of whales.

Plage - St. Pierre campground offers a mix of 144 wooded and open serviced sites for trailers, tents, and motorhomes. And features a long stretch of open ocean beach frontage.

The modern amenities include a cantina with ice and other supplies. Modern washrooms with flush toilets, showers, changing, payphones, laundromat, picnic tables and fire pits are conveniently onsite.

Additional luxuries include a recreation and games room, movies, playground, tennis court, mini-golf. Phone: 1-(902)224-2112