Cow Bay, Nova Scotia

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Cow Bay is a rural community in the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. It sits along Route 322 on the Marine Drive, a scenic coastal route. In 2021, about 1,224 people lived there, across roughly 5.8 square kilometres, with a population density of around 211 people per square kilometre.

The Cow Bay River runs through the center of the community and there are three lakes nearby: Bissett Lake, Cow Bay Lake, and Car Wash Lake. The area is popular for outdoor trails, including the Salt Marsh Trail and the Shearwater Flyer, which follow an old railway line. Horses are a common sight because farming is still part of the town. Wildlife is plentiful, with pheasants, deer, bobcats, rabbits, bears, and many bird species observed daily.

A notable landmark is a large concrete moose statue, built in 1959 by Winston Bronnum. The town’s motto is “Cow Bay Attracting Visitors Since 1773.” The community also hosts the annual Moose Run, a 25-kilometre running event that attracts participants because of the scenic views.

Cow Bay has two well-known beaches: Rainbow Haven Beach and Silver Sands Beach. Silver Sands—formerly called Cow Bay Beach—was a famous summer resort from about 1866 to the mid-1960s. It was known for its long stretch of white sand and once had a pavilion, picnic areas, and later beach canteens and a dancehall. Local history notes describe Cow Bay as a popular seaside destination long before cars, with visitors arriving by horse, wagon, or steamboat.

The area was named after early landowners Robert Cowie and Roger Hill, who received land grants in 1763. In the 1840s, families such as the Myers and the Moshers were part of the community. The beach stretches about 1.5 kilometres and, in the 1930s, a dance hall and canteen were built. Sand was later removed from Silver Sands to help build container piers in Halifax Harbour and to construct the runway at CFB Shearwater, which damaged the beach. The government eventually passed laws to protect beach sand from removal. Cow Bay remains known for its natural beauty, beaches, and outdoor recreation.