Saint James

Saint James and its surroundings offer opportunities to discover cultural history and nature in different ways. In Scotch Ridge, a church and a post office tell the story of the area; nearby, Clark’s Point Nature Preserve reveals a landscape of wetlands, forest, and shoreline habitat. During your stay, you can decide whether you’d rather explore historic sites or spend time on a nature trail.

Church and Local History in Scotch Ridge

Scotch Ridge United Church was built in 1826 and was originally Presbyterian. It is considered the oldest still-functioning United Church building in New Brunswick. This combination of an early construction date and religious history makes it a notable landmark for anyone interested in the development of local communities. The post office opened in 1885 under the name Scotch Ridge.

An event from more recent times is also part of the area’s history: on February 17, 2018, an announcement was published in Scotch Ridge about the transfer of the land at Camp Chiputneticook and a collection of culturally significant artifacts to the Peskotomuhkati Nation. The date and content of the announcement may interest travelers who want to learn about cultural heritage as well as older buildings.

Shoreline Landscapes and Trails at Clark’s Point Nature Preserve

Near Scotch Ridge, Clark’s Point Nature Preserve protects 138 hectares, or 341 acres, of shoreline habitat along the St. Croix River. The size of the protected area and its location along the river give this natural area a distinct focus for a stay in the region. A 1.9-kilometre trail crosses a wetland and passes through a mature forest to the St. Croix River. The trail length and destination described can help you picture the outing as a nature experience along a clearly defined route; no walking time or difficulty level is specified.

Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are permitted in the preserve. Hunting, fishing, and trapping are not permitted. These rules are important when considering which activities suit your stay: the focus is on the listed ways of exploring, while hunting and fishing are expressly prohibited.

Camp Cheputneticook and the Route via Scotch Ridge

Camp Cheputneticook, also known as Camp Chiputneticook, is a 2,400-acre property in Scotch Ridge. It borders the St. Croix River and King Brook Lake. The property includes a historic hunting and fishing camp, built around 1910.

For travelers planning a drive from Fredericton to a campground, the route described follows Route 3 South and Route 730, which is called Scotch Ridge Road there. It then continues north along Route 745 in Oak Hill to the campground. This route description is a separate point of reference for getting there, not a statement about the location of any particular vacation rental.

Other places to discover: Pocologan, Pennfield, Saint Andrews, Grand Manan, Fairhaven, Blacks Harbour, St Stephen and St George.

For the broader travel overview: Charlotte County.