How to Get to Silver Sands Beach and Park in Cow Bay
Silver Sands Beach and Park is at 1179 Cow Bay Road, Cow Bay, Nova Scotia, about 30 minutes east of Halifax. Turn in at the 1179 sign, follow the gravel road down through the woods to one of the two parking lots, and walk roughly 150 metres from the lower lot to the shoreline. It is free, and there is nothing to book.
Most people who have not been here before get stuck on the same two things: which driveway to turn into, and where to leave the car once they are in. This post answers both, with the distances measured rather than guessed, so you know what you are in for before you make the drive.
Where is Silver Sands Beach and Park?
The address is 1179 Cow Bay Road, Cow Bay, Nova Scotia. Set your maps app to that address and it will bring you to the entrance.
Cow Bay sits on the coast east of Dartmouth. For a sense of the drive, Discover Halifax lists Rainbow Haven Beach Provincial Park, also in Cow Bay, at about 35 minutes from downtown Halifax. Silver Sands is a comparable run, roughly 30 minutes from the city.
What does the entrance look like?
Look for the sign at the entrance that reads 1179 and carries the Silver Sands logo. There is also a "Welcome to Silver Sands Beach and Park" sign at the same spot.
Once you turn in, a gravel road runs down through the woods. Keep going. The road is the way in, and it leads to the parking.
Where do I park?
There are two lots, and which one you want depends on what you came for. Worth knowing first: the park and the beach are two separate areas, and you do not walk through the trails to reach the water.
- The upper lot comes first as you drive in. Two of the park's trail entrances start here.
- The lower lot is further down, where the beach comes into view. This is the one you want if you are heading for the water. A third trail entrance sits near this lot.
The two lots are connected by a 216 metre route with some steeper sections, so most people find it easier to drive between them than to walk. Parking is informal, and the area can fill up on warm weekends. There is more on both lots and on the entrance itself on the Getting Here page.
How far is the walk down?
Short. These distances were measured in August 2026 using mapping elevation data.
| Route | Distance | Terrain |
|---|---|---|
| Lower parking lot to shoreline | 150 m | Mostly flat; sand and cobble near the shore |
| Lower parking lot to picnic table and fire pit | 81 m | Mostly flat |
| Upper parking lot to lower parking lot | 216 m | Includes steeper sections |
| Park trail system | About 500 m | Rolling, uneven natural terrain |
There is a short drop of about three metres at the edge of the lower lot, and then the route to the water is essentially level. The last stretch crosses sand and loose cobble, which is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers. Full terrain detail is on the Accessibility page.
Before you come
- Cost: none. Silver Sands Beach and Park is privately owned and open to the public to access Silver Sands Beach. There is no admission fee and no booking.
- Facilities: there are no washrooms, no lifeguards, and no other facilities. Come prepared.
- Dogs: Dogs are welcome! They must be kept on a leash – this is shared habitat, and there may be nesting birds and other wildlife on the ground where you can't see them.
- Fires: there is a fire pit on site. Always check current provincial burn restrictions first, and see Rules & Leave No Trace.
- Conditions: the land is not commercially maintained, and visitors enter at their own risk.
Frequently asked questions
What is the address of Silver Sands Beach?
Silver Sands Beach and Park is at 1179 Cow Bay Road, Cow Bay, Nova Scotia. Enter at the 1179 sign and follow the gravel road down to the parking lots.
Is there parking at Silver Sands Beach?
Yes. There are two informal parking lots, an upper lot near the trail entrances and a lower lot beside the beach. They are 216 metres apart and most visitors drive between them.
Does it cost anything to visit Silver Sands Beach?
No. Silver Sands Beach and Park is privately owned and open to the public to access Silver Sands Beach. There is no admission fee and no booking.
How long is the walk from the parking lot to the water?
About 150 metres from the lower parking lot to the shoreline, which is a few minutes at a normal pace. The route is mostly flat after a short drop at the edge of the lot.
Is Silver Sands a sandy beach?
Partly. The shore is largely cobble and smaller pebbles, and there is sand as well, though less of it is exposed at high tide. The shallow lagoon around Moses Island stays shallow at any tide.
Ready to go? Set your map to 1179 Cow Bay Road, Cow Bay, and watch for the 1179 sign on your way in. Full detail on parking and the walk down is on our Getting Here page.
