Salmon River Roulette
Spoiler alert: there’s more than one Salmon River in New Brunswick—and none of them are particularly eager to explain themselves. From tidal estuaries and Acadian forest trails to record-breaking footbridges dangling over gorges, ithe Salmon River in NB is less of a single destination and more of a choose-your-own-wet-and-wild-journey.
Let’s dive in.
The “Not-So-Fishy” One: Salmon River at Grand Lake
You could drive right past this one and never know you were brushing up against an aquatic has-been. Once celebrated for its salmon runs, the Salmon River that flows into Grand Lake near Chipman is now better known for its quiet curves and role in the Saint John River watershed. It’s more subtle than scenic—less influencer backdrop, more Sunday drive playlist.
Still, if you’re looking for a low-key paddle or a moody nature walk with very few witnesses, this is your river.
Estuary Drama: The Upper Salmon River Near Alma
Just outside of Alma (yes, the sticky-bun capital of the Fundy Coast), you’ll find a version of Salmon River in NB that actually lives up to the name.
The Upper Salmon River draws a jagged line between Fundy National Park and the village, where forested cliffs and steep valleys tumble down into Salisbury Bay. Thanks to the Bay of Fundy’s famously theatrical tides, the river’s mouth doubles as an ever-changing estuary and intertidal zone. It’s science, it’s scenery—and it smells like seaweed in the best way.
Bonus: this stretch is a favourite for eco-walkers, bird watchers, and anyone who wants to casually say “riparian habitat” at a dinner party.
The Show-Off: Big Salmon River and the Fundy Trail Suspension Bridge
Okay, now we’re talking.
Big Salmon River, located near St. Martins, delivers the kind of wow-factor people expect from a river with a legacy name. It crashes its way into the Bay of Fundy through steep ravines, rock outcrops, and a suspension bridge that looks like it belongs in a movie scene starring someone with hiking boots and unresolved emotional trauma.
The Big Salmon River Suspension Bridge is 84 metres of wobbly Instagram content. You can find it at the end of the Suspension Bridge Trail, near parking area P8 on the Fundy Trail Parkway—which, for the record, should absolutely be on your summer road trip hit list.
Bring your hiking shoes. And maybe a selfie stick.
Where the Past Floats By
History buffs, this one’s for you: the former Salmon River Settlement is now known as Alma, but the river that helped build the community still courses through its roots.
In the early days, this river moved more than water—it moved lumber, people, and livelihoods. When Fundy National Park was established in 1948, the area transformed from a working forest to a protected natural jewel. Locals adapted, the economy shifted, and the river stayed.
Some things you just can’t dam up.
So, Which Salmon River NB Is The Salmon River NB?
Here’s the trick: “Salmon River NB” is not a one-river show. It’s a series of liquid threads, all winding through different parts of the province, all offering something totally different.
Want off-the-grid quiet? Head to Grand Lake. Prefer tidal theatrics and National Park trails? Alma is your girl. Craving cliffside drama and suspension bridges that flirt with vertigo? Big Salmon River has you covered.
They may not all have salmon anymore, but they’ve got something just as rare: stories worth following, bend by bend.
Planning your next trip around Salmon River NB? Make sure your playlist has folk songs, your camera’s fully charged, and your boots are waterproof. One thing’s for sure—no matter which Salmon River you find, it’ll be the right one.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Fishing Season in NB: Hooked on Adventure
