The Three Rivers
Prince Edward Island: A Big River for a Small Island
Designated in 2004

Prince Edward Island may be most famous as the home of Anne of Green Gables, but rivers are an integral part of the island’s heritage. The Three Rivers includes the Cardigan, Brudenell and Montague/Valleyfield rivers, flowing into Cardigan Bay on Northumberland Strait via three long, finger-like tidal estuaries.

The Three Rivers includes a variety of unspoiled habitats and shorelines, including salt marshes, sandy beaches, and mixed woods. Migrating waterfowl frequent the estuary, and trout and salmon live and breed throughout the watershed.

But it is the cultural values of the watershed that clearly make it outstanding in Canada. Scrapers and spear points found in the area show that it was long used by the Mi’kmaq before the arrival of Europeans. When the first Europeans did arrive, The Three Rivers was soon recognized as having one of the best harbours in North America. It quickly became a centre of settlement and commercial fishing. The Three Rivers was the site of one of the first French settlements on Prince Edward Island, the Jean Pierre Roma Settlement of 1732. It quickly grew into the most important node of European civilization on Prince Edward Island. All roads on PEI at that time led to The Three Rivers.

The Three Rivers are navigable by canoe for over 52 km, a long distance by PEI standards. There are several excellent sand beaches, trails, including the Confederation Trail, PEI’s longest multi-use trail, and three Scenic Heritage Roads. Fishing for speckled trout, Atlantic salmon, and gasperaux, a common bait fish, are popular activities.