Things to Do in Nackawic in September | A Local's Guide
September might be Nackawic's best-kept secret. The summer crowds clear out after Labour Day, but almost everything stays open: the marina, the golf course, the patios, Kings Landing. The headpond is as warm as it gets all year after a summer of sun, the bugs are gone, the nights are cool enough to sleep with the windows open, and by the last week of the month the first colour is showing on the hills. Locals quietly think of it as the bonus month. Here's how we'd spend it.
The Warmest Water of the Year
Most people don't realize it, but the headpond is warmer in early September than in June. After a summer of sun, the water holds its heat well into the month, and the first couple of weeks are the best swimming of the year. Big Axe Marina is still running: launch, docking, fuel and kayak and water-bike rentals, with far shorter waits than July. The mornings are still and often misty over the water as the air cools faster than the river, which makes for the best paddling light of the season. Check the marina's hours as the month goes on, since the season starts winding down toward the end of September.
The Big Axe Without the Lineup
The World's Largest Axe draws a steady crowd through the summer, and then September arrives and you can walk right up. The park is still green, the maples along the waterfront start to show the first hints of red late in the month, and the lower September sun gives the photos a warmer tone than midsummer. The axe celebrates the forestry industry that built the town, and it's a short walk from the marina, so it's an easy add to a morning on the water.
Fishing as the Water Cools
September is one of the better months for smallmouth bass on the headpond. As the water starts to cool, the fish feed heavily, and the quieter water means less boat traffic to work around. You'll need a New Brunswick angling licence, and the provincial regulations cover seasons and limits. Shore fishing around the waterfront is still a good option if you don't have a boat.
Prime Golf Season
Ask anyone who plays the Nackawic Golf & Country Club on Trenholme Street and they'll tell you September is the month. The course is in its best shape of the year, the summer heat is gone, the fairways are quiet on weekdays, and the first colour on the surrounding hills makes the back nine something special. Tee times are easier to get than in July, but weekends still fill, so book ahead.
Hiking Season Begins in Earnest
Cool air and no bugs make September the start of the real hiking season. Big Pokiok Nature Park has trails for every level and is the easy pick close to town. The walking-bridge trail to Shogomoc Falls near Canterbury is still warm enough for a swim at the falls in early September, which is a rare combination. Coac Falls and Millville's Friendship Trail round out the list. By the last week of the month, the woods are starting to turn, and our guide to the best fall hiking trails near Nackawic comes into its own.
The Loop as the Colour Starts
The Loop Scenic Drive, 75 minutes along both shores of the Saint John River with more than a dozen lookouts, is green and golden through most of September, and then in the last week the hardwood ridges start to turn. It's a lovely time to drive it: the light is softer, the traffic is light, and you get the first taste of what October will bring without the October crowds. If you're coming for the colour itself, our fall colours road-trip guide to the Loop has the lookouts worth stopping at.
Kings Landing in the Harvest Season
Kings Landing, the living-history village down the river, stays open into the fall, and September is a good time to go: the school groups haven't started up in force, the summer day-trippers have thinned out, and the harvest is coming in on the village farms. Costumed interpreters, a blacksmith, a sawmill and working kitchens make it an easy half-day. Check their website for September hours and any harvest-season events.
Apples, Corn and Roadside Stands
September is harvest month in the valley. Corn, early apples, squash and the last of the tomatoes show up at roadside stands along the back roads and the Loop, and the farm gates are worth a stop. Dumfries Maples on Route 102 is good any time for syrup, and Lil Oddies Snack Shack next door in Dumfries is still open through October, so there's time yet. Keep cash in the car.
Patios While They Last
September evenings are made for the patio at the Waterfront Pub on Route 105, with the view of the headpond and a sweater within reach for when the sun goes down. Big Axe Brewery on Otis Drive is the spot for a pint after a day on the water or the golf course. Yum Yums Dairy Bar on Otis Drive is usually still serving ice cream into September, and Robin's Donuts covers the morning coffee. Hours start to shift after Labour Day, so a quick call ahead is worth it.
What's Happening in September
Labour Day weekend is the last big summer weekend, and after that the calendar shifts to fall suppers, harvest markets and community fundraisers through the month. Check the Destination Nackawic events page for this year's dates before you plan your weekend.
A September Day Trip
Coffee at Robin's on the way in. A paddle from the marina in the morning mist, then the Big Axe for the photo with no one in it. Lunch on the patio at the Waterfront Pub. Spend the afternoon on a trail at Big Pokiok, with a swim at Shogomoc Falls if it's early in the month, or on the Loop if it's late. Finish with a pint at the brewery while the evening cools off.
Making a Weekend of It
Labour Day weekend is the last of the busy ones; the weekends after it are quiet, with warm water, open everything and easy bookings. A full day on the water or the golf course, a second day for a hike or Kings Landing plus the Loop, and a cottage on the headpond with the windows open at night. The Places to Stay page on this site will get you started, and after Labour Day you'll have your pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September a good time to visit Nackawic?
It's one of the best. Everything is still open, the water is at its warmest, the crowds are gone, the bugs are gone and the first fall colour arrives at the end of the month.
Can you still swim in September?
Yes, especially in the first half of the month. The headpond holds its summer heat well into September, and it's often warmer than it was in June.
Is Big Axe Marina open in September?
Yes, with launch, docking, fuel and rentals running through most of the month. Check the marina's hours as the season winds down toward the end of September.
When does the fall colour start?
Usually in the last week of September on the higher hardwood ridges, building to peak in the first half of October.
What should I bring for a September visit?
Both a swimsuit and a sweater. Days are warm, evenings and mornings are cool, and the weather can turn quickly. Boots with grip for the trails and a rain jacket round it out.
Why September Is the Bonus Month
July has the energy and October has the colour, but September has the best of both with none of the crowds. Warm water, quiet trails, open patios, easy bookings and the first hints of fall on the hills. It's the month locals get Nackawic back for themselves, and they don't mind sharing it with people who know to come.
