Mira River Provincial Park facts for kids

Mira River Provincial Park is a fun place to visit on the Mira River in Cape Breton County, Nova Scotia. It's about 22 kilometers (14 miles) from Sydney. It's also close to the famous Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada.

This park opened in 1967. It covers a large area of about 87 hectares (216 acres). Mira River Provincial Park is a great spot for outdoor activities. You can go camping, have picnics, swim, or go canoeing and kayaking. It's also good for biking, hiking, and fishing. In winter, you can even go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing! This park is special because it gives everyone a chance to enjoy the Mira River. Most of the land around the river is private.

Exploring the Earth: Geology of Mira River

The Mira River Valley is a big natural feature in southeastern Cape Breton Island. It stretches from Framboise Cove up to Marion Bridge. Then it turns east and flows into Mira Bay.

Ancient Rocks and Glacial Layers

The river flows between very old rock formations. To the north, the rocks are about 320 million years old. These are from the Carboniferous period. To the south, the rocks are even older, about 500 million years old. These are from the Cambrian and Precambrian periods. Over time, these rocks have been worn down by erosion. A thick layer of glacial till, sands, and gravels covers the bedrock. These layers were left behind when the last ice age ended about 15,000 years ago.

How the River Valley Formed

The Mira River lies in a long, narrow valley. This valley might have formed along an old fault line. In the lower parts of the river, glacial gravels blocked the flow. This created a long, lake-like section of the river. These glacial deposits also formed many peninsulas. Mira River Provincial Park is on one of these peninsulas. Near the mouth of the Mira, the river gets narrow. It cuts through bedrock to reach the Atlantic Ocean. Here, the valley is less than 50 meters (164 feet) wide. Its banks are about 20 meters (65 feet) high.

Fossils and Coal

The Carboniferous rocks north of the Mira River have many coal seams. These show us what the area was like 300 million years ago. Back then, there were shallow lakes, bays, swamps, and coastal flood plains. You can find many fossils in this coal. These coal seams were important for the region's long history of coal mining. South of the Mira, you can also find fossils. They are in the Cambrian sandstones and shales.

Life in the Water: Mira River's Marine Environment

The Mira River collects water from a large area. This area is about 648 square kilometers (250 square miles). The Gaspereau, Salmon, and Trout rivers are its main helpers. Black Brook also adds water. In the southern part of the river, glacial deposits have created small lakes. These lakes are all less than 15 meters (49 feet) above sea level.

Tides and Fish Species

Tidal waters move in and out of the eastern part of the river. However, not much salt water goes far past the river's mouth. The Mira River is home to many kinds of fish. These include sea trout, shad, perch, American eels, striped bass, mackerel, herring, brook trout, minnows, and smelts. Because of all these fish, the river is a very popular place for fishing!

Green Spaces: Flora of Mira River Park

The forests in Mira River Provincial Park have different types of trees. On the western side, near Joes Point, you'll find mostly sugar maple trees. The middle part of the park has a mix of different trees. Along the western shoreline, you'll see more softwood trees.

Wetlands and Natural Beauty

There are also large open areas where the campground is located. A six-hectare (15-acre) wetland is found along the northern shoreline. Some parts of the park are still very natural. This is special because the area has been developed by people for a long time. The park gives you a chance to see and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Wildlife Watch: Fauna of Mira River Park

Mira River Provincial Park is not very big. It has also been used by people for a long time. Because of this, it has a limited number of mammals. You might see snowshoe hares, red squirrels, voles, moles, bats, field mice, and porcupines.

Birds of the Park

Many common birds live in the park and nearby woods and waters. These include bald eagles, loons, blue herons, and Canada geese. You can also spot different kinds of owls, ducks, and other waterfowl. Even with limited wildlife, the park offers a natural home for these animals. This is important in an area where more and more human development is happening.

A Journey Through Time: Cultural Heritage

Mira River Brick Works - Kiln buildings, NS - 1910

The first people to live in this area were the Mi’kmaq. They set up seasonal camps along the river. In the early 1700s, French settlers arrived. They started clearing the land. They also began sending timber, especially white pine, to France. White pine was highly valued for making ship masts. The settlers also farmed, and you can still see old orchards in the park today.

The Brickyard and Louisbourg

In 1727, the French built a brickyard here. It's now known as Brickyard Point within Mira River Provincial Park. They used the high-quality clay found along the river banks. These bricks were used to build the nearby Fortress of Louisbourg. Construction on the fortress began in 1719. Even today, if you walk along the river shore, you might find hundreds of bricks. These fell off the ships that were taking them from the brickyard to the Louisbourg construction site.

English Control and New Settlers

By 1763, the English took control of Cape Breton Island. Some French settlers went back to France. But many others stayed. Later, many United Empire Loyalists and Scottish immigrants also settled in Cape Breton. The park helps tell the story of how the Mi'kmaq used the Mira River. You can also see signs of early French and English life in what is now Mira River Provincial Park. There is also a cemetery owned by another group located inside the park.

Fun in the Sun: Outdoor Recreation

Mira River Provincial Park offers many ways to enjoy the outdoors. The park is located on the 55-kilometer (34-mile) long Mira River. It's also a short drive from the Sydney area. This makes it a popular place for boating and other fun activities. These include fishing and swimming. The park is one of the few places near Sydney where you can swim in fresh water.

Park Facilities for Fun

The park gives people public access to the Mira River. It also has facilities and services to help you enjoy the area. These include a campground, picnic areas, and a swimming area (not supervised). There's also a boat launch, walking trails, a playground, parking, and washrooms. You can use a clear trail in the woods, open fields, and along the shore. In winter, this trail is great for cross-country skiing.

Visiting the Area: Tourism

Mira River Provincial Park is important for tourism in the region. It provides a place for campers to stay. It's close to the Sydney area and the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site of Canada. The park also offers one of the best freshwater swimming spots in eastern Cape Breton County. Plus, it gives visitors easy access to the Mira River for boating.

Staying at the Park: Facilities and Services

The park has 156 campsites. Some are open, some are partially wooded, and some are fully wooded. Many sites have water and electricity hook-ups. The park also has a picnic area and a boat launch. There's a place to dump waste from trailers. The large beach is not supervised, but it's perfect for families to play.

Staying Connected

You can find WiFi at the main administration building and nearby. You'll need a password, so ask the park receptionist for it.

When to Visit: Season and Fees

The park is open for day use and camping from June 1 to October 15 in 2018. The park office is open from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM every day during the main season. After September 5, it becomes a self-registration park until closing. You can make camping reservations starting April 2, 2018.

Costs and Discounts

The fee per night is $26.70. Some sites have two-way hook-ups for $35.60. Seniors and Veterans can get discounts. Please remember that there are no facilities open in the winter. Parking is only available at the gate during the off-season. The park's address is 439 Brickyard Road, Albert Bridge, NS.