Stanhope Between Beach and History

Stanhope offers several specific themes to help you plan your trip: the fine-sand Stanhope Beach, Covehead Harbour Lighthouse and Gulf Shore Way. The area’s history is also visible, for example at Pioneer Cemetery. If you’re looking for hotels for a stay in Stanhope, you can start by considering whether you want to focus your trip mainly on the coast, maritime history or trails.

Coast and Lighthouse

Covehead Harbour Lighthouse stands on the beach east of the entrance to Covehead Bay, among the sand dunes of Prince Edward Island National Park. The square wooden tower is 8.2 metres tall and tapers towards the top; the lantern is also square and made of wood. It was built in 1975 to replace the original tower. Its distinctive silhouette is considered an iconic visual landmark. With its connection to the area’s maritime and navigational history, it is also a historic reference point in the beach landscape.

Stanhope Beach is known for its fine sand and is a popular summer destination for many island residents. Features include boardwalks and a large parking lot; the beach is also known for its proximity to Charlottetown. Seasonal visiting conditions may vary from year to year, so check the latest information before your trip.

Trails and Practical Information

Stanhope Campground is on Gulf Shore Way, a 10-kilometre coastal trail suitable for cycling, inline skating and walking. You can choose from different ways to enjoy the coastal route: on foot, by bike or on inline skates. The trail’s length and location provide a practical framework for planning, without specifying a particular trip duration.

The campground has more than 100 campsites. Its facilities include accessible campsites, washrooms with hot showers and flush toilets, kitchen shelters, a laundromat and a playground. If these facilities are important to your plans, it’s a good idea to check the latest information before your trip, as facility details may change.

Nearby is the Bubbling Springs Trail, 2 kilometres east of Stanhope. Lookouts along the trail offer views of waterfowl on Long Pond. This adds another perspective on the landscape: here, the focus is on the waterfowl on Long Pond, while the beach and lighthouse offer different points of interest. If you’d like to include a variety of natural attractions in your trip plans, you can consider this route as a separate option for observing the landscape.

Local History and Queens County

The area’s history can also be explored through specific places. Pioneer Cemetery on the Farmlands Trail in Stanhope is the resting place of many early settlers in the area and victims of the Yankee Gale Disaster. Together with Covehead Harbour Lighthouse, it offers two distinct historical perspectives: the lighthouse is connected to maritime and navigational history, while the cemetery commemorates early settlers and the victims of the disaster.

Beyond Stanhope, the wider destination of Queens County offers its own historical points of interest. Port-la-Joye–Fort Amherst National Historic Site of Canada is recognized for its role from 1720 to 1770 as the seat of government and port of entry for settlers arriving on Prince Edward Island. St. Elizabeth's Anglican Church was built in 1848 from wood cut on the property. The Gothic country church stands on a rise overlooking farmland. These examples offer a glimpse into the history of Queens County; by contrast, the beach, dunes and lighthouse are Stanhope’s distinctive local focus.

Discover more destinations: Belle River, Cavendish, Rice Point, North Rustico, Miltonvale Park, Mt Stewart, York, Cumberland

For the broader travel overview: Queens County.