Queens County: History and Outdoor Activities

Queens County combines historic architecture with outdoor activities that change with the seasons. From a national historic site to churches and historic homes, as well as ski and hiking trails, you’ll find a variety of things to explore during your stay. You can include history, landscapes and exercise in your travel plans.

History and Architecture

The Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada represents the years from 1720 to 1770. During this period, the site was the seat of government and a port of entry for settlers arriving on Prince Edward Island. These historical dates place the site within a specific period in the island’s history.

St. Elizabeth’s Anglican Church is a Gothic country church on a hill overlooking farmland. It was built of timber harvested on the property in 1848. The church is valued for its age, architecture and connections to the history of Springfield. Its construction date, building material and location together give a clear picture of its local significance.

John Ings Senior House in Pownal dates to around 1830 and is one of the earliest buildings in the community of Pownal in Queens County, Prince Edward Island. Its setting includes expansive views of farmland and across Pownal Bay. Its approximate age and location in the cultural landscape are distinct aspects of this historic home.

Darrach-MacNeill House overlooks the Clyde River and West River. It is valued for its age, distinctive architectural style, craftsmanship and connections to the history of Clyde River. In New Glasgow, The Mill is a large, two-storey, wood-shingled building overlooking the River Clyde. It is valued for its age, its longstanding connection to the history of the community of New Glasgow and its varied uses over the years.

Seasonal Activities and Trails

Mark Arendz Provincial Ski Park at Brookvale is located in central Queens County. Winter activities include Nordic and alpine skiing, snowboarding, fat biking, tubing and snowshoeing. In spring, summer and fall, the park offers mountain biking and hiking trails starting at the Nordic Centre. The options change with the seasons: the winter program includes a range of snow and biking activities, while hiking and mountain biking are the focus in the three warmer seasons.

The park also has 25 km of well-maintained trails with varied terrain, a training park and a roller loop. Trail conditions may change; check current conditions before your planned activity. The combination of seasonal offerings and different trail types provides several ways to add time outdoors to your stay.

In eastern Queens County on Prince Edward Island, the Queens East ATV Club manages an ATV trail network. At the crossing on Pisquid Road, this network connects to the Confederation Trail. Permits and trail conditions may change. Check both with the club before your ride so your plans reflect current conditions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Miltonvale Park, North Rustico, Cavendish, Bonshaw, Victoria, York, Cumberland, Mt Stewart, Stanhope, Cymbria, Vernon Bridge, Breadalbane, Rice Point, Belle River.

For the broader travel overview: Prince Edward Island.