Designated in 1997, this 45km waterway flows east to west and almost splits Prince Edward Island in two. Hillsborough River was the 27th river to be nominated to the Canadian Heritage Rivers System and the first river in PEI to be nominated. Its 12km estuary was included in the nomination, making the Hillsborough River unique to the system. A rich breeding area for birds and other creatures of land and sea. At the Hillsborough River Eco-Centre, discover the history of this tidal water route used since the beginning of the history of this area.

The Canadian Heritage Rivers System is a co-operative program, developed and run by the parks administrations of federal, provincial, and territorial governments to give national recognition to the important rivers of Canada. The primary objective of the program is to ensure that rivers which are outstanding examples of Canada’s natural heritage, which have played a significant role in Canadian history, or which offer outstanding opportunities for recreation, are maintained or improved in such a way that their distinctive value is conserved while public use and enjoyment is enhanced.