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Not all canadian campgrounds in the Maritime provinces have lush forests and rugged mountain-like surroundings as on Cape Breton Island. Although conveniently close to the ocean, these two Prince Edward Island campgrounds are more practical campgrounds, having modern amenities, but fewer luxuries than other campgrounds.

The scenery at or near these 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.

** Just 1.5 Km east of the Conderation Bridge on the TransCanada Hwy (Rte 1) in Prince Edward Island you'll find the family-run Sun 'n' Shade Campground

It's adjacent to the Confederation Trail which pleases travellers who want to take advantage of the walking/bicycling on the trail, and it's close to beautiful beaches.

The campground accommodates several dozen tents, trailers, and big RVs, with both open and shaded sites, some of which are pull-thrus with 20-30 amp electrical service, and fire-pits. Onsite you'll find free hot showers, laundry, dumping station, pay phone, cable, a camp store with ice.

The luxury features include cable TV hookups, modem access, and horseshoe and volleyball facilities. Leashed pets are allowed, and they take Mastercard and Visa as payment. Oh, and they have music shows nightly (country, bluegrass, gospel).

There's even a cabin or two for rent for around $40. Camping sites range in price from $19 to $25 Canadian, with $5 per extra person. Phone (902) 855-3492

** Cedar Dunes provincial park is a stone's throw away from the West Point lighthouse on western Prince Edward Island. The beautiful beaches stretch for miles, and the park provides children's activities, and supervised swimming.

Guided nature walks are also offered by a staff naturalist.

The scenery is simple a wide open view of the ocean and coastline. No trees, no mountains. Just flat ocean and grass-lined and sandy coastline views. It's beautifully desolate.

From the 59 wide-open campsites all you see is ocean, and grassy-sandy coastline.

Nearby to the campground is the Canada's only functioning lighthouse that funcations as an inn. In addition to being a lighthouse and inn, the West Point Lighthouse houses a museum of artifacts and photographs documenting the history of Island lighthouses. Also nearby is the Prince Edward Island Potato Museum in O'Leary, PEI.

The campground features laundromat, hot showers, flush toilets, kitchen shelter and a dumping station. Pets are permitted on leashes. Loan-out of recreation equipment available. Phone: (902)859-8785 in-season or off-season (902)859-8790.