We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Shubenacadie Grand Lake, Nova Scotia, Canada

Also known as:  Grand Lake

Located just outside the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) in Nova Scotia, Grand Lake is one of the most popular area lakes for water sports. The lake is also known and most often called Shubenacadie Grand Lake because it is the seventh and largest lake in the Shubenacadie Canal system. The Shubenacadie Canal system provided a route for boats from Halifax Harbour to the Minas Basin, avoiding the…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Shubenacadie Grand Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Shubenacadie Grand Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Shubenacadie Grand Lake, NS

    Lake Locations: Canada - Nova Scotia, Canada -

    Located just outside the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) in Nova Scotia, Grand Lake is one of the most popular area lakes for water sports. The lake is also known and most often called Shubenacadie Grand Lake because it is the seventh and largest lake in the Shubenacadie Canal system.

    The Shubenacadie Canal system provided a route for boats from Halifax Harbour to the Minas Basin, avoiding the more dangerous route through Cape Sable. The canal system consisted of the Shubenacadie River and a chain of seven lakes connected by nine locks and two inclined planes with Grand Lake being located between Lock 5 and 6. Completed in 1861, the canal was used to transport goods to mining camps up river as well as to move coal, lumber, bricks, and granite to the settlements along the route. In 1870, the canal was closed when a new railway system came into the area that was able to transport goods faster and more cheaply than the ships. Today the canal system is a National Historic Civil Engineering site and used for many recreational purposes including hiking, canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting. Many of the locks and equipment used to transport ships are still in place but in disrepair due to the extreme age of the structures, but a citizens group is currently working to revitalize the route to use as a greenbelt, a wildlife park, historical sites and educational facility.

    Grand Lake is a large deep lake that offers residents and visitors a recreational paradise. Parks and campgrounds around the shoreline provide beaches with swimming areas, picnic areas, walking trails, playgrounds, shoreline fishing and campsites. Numerous boat launches offer easy access to the lake for boating, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, jet skiing, waterskiing, and fishing for smallmouth bass, striped bass, landlocked salmon, chain pickerel, and speckled trout.

    Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia (Latin for New Scotland), is the major economic area within Atlantic Canada. Founded in 1749 as the first British town in Canada, the town has grown into a world renowned city. Halifax is a major international port and hosts many ships, cruise ships, tugboats, and sailboats and offers a wide variety of art galleries, museums, historic sites, sidewalk cafes, shopping venues, nightclubs, lively pubs, theatre, casinos, and professional sporting events. Pier 21 National Historic Site, sometimes called Canada’s Ellis Island, was the entry point for over one million immigrants from 1928 to 1971 and is located in the port. Take time to stroll along the oceanfront boardwalks and watch the colorful flurry of activity as ships load and unload their wares, fishermen haul in their catches and work on nets and equipment, or local craftsmen peddle their wares to tourists as they disembark from their cruise ships.

    Halifax boasts over 450 restaurants and has more pubs, clubs, and nightlife venues per capita than almost anywhere else in Canada. In addition, the Halifax Regional Municipality offers year round recreational opportunities that range from beaches, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, cross country skiing, cycling, downhill skiing, horseback riding, golf, rock climbing, sailing, surfing, windsurfing, board sailing, tennis, and hiking trails. Whale watching tours and deep sea fishing for swordfish, halibut, flounder, tuna, Pollack cod, and haddock are available with the Atlantic Ocean at their door. Grand Lake is just one lake in the area, as the region has a wide choice of rivers, streams, and lakes for fun and outdoor recreation. No matter which endeavor you choose, be assured that there are plentiful guides, tours, and outfitters to ensure that your visit is safe and successful. With all this activity, a place to rest is no problem as vacation rentals include resorts, inns, bed and breakfast, cabins, camping, lodges, and private vacation homes. With so much culture, entertainment, and outdoor adventure, many choose to purchase real estate for their own piece of the action for a vacation home, retirement destination, or permanent relocation.

    With big city entertainment, outdoor recreation, beautiful scenery, and historic significance, Grand Lake is a vacation destination that can please all of your traveling companions. But with so much to do, you can always come back each season with new friends to enjoy all that Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada offers and never get bored.

    Things to Do at Shubenacadie Grand Lake

    These are some activities in the Shubenacadie Grand Lake, NS area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Whitewater Rafting
    • Jet Skiing
    • Water Skiing
    • Golf
    • Tennis
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Cabin Rentals
    • Hiking
    • Rock Climbing
    • Biking
    • Downhill Skiing
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Museum
    • Playground
    • Shopping
    • Casino Gambling

    What Kind of Fish Are in Shubenacadie Grand Lake?

    Shubenacadie Grand Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Chain Pickerel
    • Cod
    • Flounder
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Salmon
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Striped Bass
    • Trout
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Shubenacadie Grand Lake

    If you’re considering a Shubenacadie Grand Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Shubenacadie Grand Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Shubenacadie Grand Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Shubenacadie Grand Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: Halifax Regional Municipality

    Surface Area: 4,549 acres

    Shoreline Length: 26 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 43 feet

    Average Depth: 23 feet

    Maximum Depth: 72 feet

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Shubenacadie Grand Lake Map

    More local lakes to explore in this area:

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Ponhook Lake

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Dollar Lake

    LakeLubbers heart icon

    Bras d’Or Lake, NS

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Shubenacadie Grand Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Shubenacadie Grand Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Shubenacadie Grand Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Shubenacadie Grand Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Shubenacadie Grand Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: