Kemptville is located on Pearl Lake. Little River runs through the community and is a tributary of the Tusket River; the Tusket River runs along Kemptville. Lakes and rivers are therefore important points of reference when choosing where to stay. If you’re looking for hotels in Kemptville, you might first consider whether the waterside landscape, outdoor activities or the area’s history interests you most.
Lakes, Rivers and Forest
Kemptville is shaped by numerous lakes and rivers of considerable size. It is also surrounded by wooded areas with pine, fir, spruce and deciduous trees. The waterways and forest are distinct features of the landscape. Pearl Lake is part of the area’s setting, while Little River flows through Kemptville and the Tusket River runs along the community. These different relationships help put each waterway’s role into perspective.
There are also different ways to enjoy the water: kayaking is possible on the small rapids of the Tusket River near Kemptville, while boating takes place on the many lakes. If you’re planning a kayaking trip, check local conditions in advance. The two options involve different waterways and provide a practical starting point for planning, without implying a fixed itinerary.
Recreation Area and Activities
Kemptville has a large recreation area used for camping. Sport fishing also takes place there. This adds two more options to the activities on the river and lakes: camping and sport fishing are associated with the recreation area. When planning a stay, you can consider these interests separately rather than treating them as a single offering.
The waterside landscape and recreation area give Kemptville different points of interest. Kayaking is associated with the small rapids of the Tusket River, boating with the many lakes, and camping and sport fishing with the recreation area. This distinction can help you organize your interests for a stay. It does not promise a particular itinerary or link the activities into a single route.
Local History
Birchdale was built in 1911 and operated as a fishing and hunting lodge from 1911 to 1920. Birchdale was later renamed Nova Nada and, after being acquired by the Spiritual Life Institute, was used as a Carmelite hermitage. The sequence of lodge and hermitage represents two historical uses of the same place. It is one of Kemptville’s distinctive historical connections.
The name Kemptville also has a clear historical connection: the community was named in 1821 in honour of Sir James Kempt, the governor of Nova Scotia. Kemptville’s heritage also includes the history of the Mi’kmaq, as well as the settlement of people from Argyle and Roberts Island in the early 19th century. Together, these topics span several periods: the early history of the Mi’kmaq, settlement from Argyle and Roberts Island, and the later naming of the community.
More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Yarmouth County
Yarmouth County provides a distinct regional context for Kemptville. Acadian Skies & Mi’kmaq Lands in Yarmouth County became the first destination in North America to receive Starlight Certification. The county’s natural and cultural sites also offer a different focus from Kemptville’s waterways and history.
Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park in Yarmouth County has a 1.5-kilometre hiking trail through traditional Acadian forest. The park offers opportunities for swimming, boating and fishing. In the off-season, the park grounds and trail are suitable for walking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing; the buildings and summer facilities are closed then. Activities therefore vary by season, and the closure of the buildings and summer facilities is important to keep in mind when planning.
Yarmouth County’s cultural heritage includes Le Village Historique Acadien de la Nouvelle-Écosse in West Pubnico. The site includes an old Acadian cemetery and five 19th-century buildings. Its visitor reception centre features interpretive exhibits about Acadian history and culture in Nova Scotia and elsewhere, as well as a gift shop selling items by local artisans. Chebogue Meadows is an interpretive educational trail in Yarmouth County. These regional examples complement Kemptville’s local history, but remain distinct topics within the wider destination.
Discover more destinations: Argyle, Pubnico, Yarmouth, Port Maitland, Tusket.
Return to the regional travel guide: Yarmouth County.
