Cambridge-Narrows is a village of 700 people (2011) in Queens County, south-central New Brunswick, Canada.
It lies on Washademoak Lake, in the centre of and almost equidistant from New Brunswick's 3 largest cities, Saint
Because the settlement stretches along the natural widening of the Canaan River, paddlers often treat the area as a single river‑lake system. Small‑scale canoe trips can start at the upstream end of Washedemoak Lake, glide past the village’s low‑rise houses, and finish where the water meets the tidal reach of the Saint John. Local outfitters will rent lightweight kayaks and offer a short guide on the hidden back‑waters where trout linger. Evening on the lake is equally rewarding: the slow current creates a mirror for the sunset, and the absence of street lighting keeps the night sky remarkably clear for stargazing.
The three provincial roads that bisect the community are functional, but the real sense of place emerges on the unpaved lanes that knit together the surrounding farms. These gravel tracks lead to roadside produce stands where growers sell fresh berries and maple syrup directly from their front porches. A short detour onto Route 715 reveals an old stone bridge, a favourite photo‑stop for locals proud of the early 20th‑century craftsmanship. Travelers who venture onto these lesser‑known paths find a rhythm of life dictated by the river’s rise and fall rather than by traffic counts.
While the population swells modestly each summer, the true cultural rhythm aligns with the agricultural calendar. In late July, families gather for a modest harvest fair that showcases homemade cheese, smoked fish, and a modest competition for the best jam. The event, organised by volunteers from the village’s community hall, also includes a storytelling session where elders recount the transformation of the area from a logging hub to a quiet riverside settlement. Visiting during this period offers a glimpse of the communal bonds that persist despite the modest size of the locality.
This article is about the former village. For the geographic parish, former local service district, and rural census subdivision of Cambridge, see Cambridge Parish, New Brunswick. Place in New Brunswick, CanadaCambridge-NarrowsCambridge-Narrows Regional LibraryCambridge-NarrowsCoordinates: 45°49′42″N 65°57′20″W / 45.82847°N 65.95544°W / 45.82847; -65.95544CountryCanadaProvinceNew BrunswickCountyQueensParishCambridgeMunicipalityArcadiaIncorporated1966Area • Land106.79 km2 (41.23 sq mi)Population (2021) • Total715 • Density6.7/km2 (17/sq mi) • Change 2016–21 27.2%Time zoneUTC-4 (EST) • Summer (DST)UTC-3 (EDT)Websitewww.cambridge-narrows.ca Cambridge-Narrows is a former village in Queens County, New Brunswick, Canada. It held village status prior to 2023 and is now part of the village of Arcadia. The village straddled Washedemoak Lake, a widening of the Canaan River, several kilometres upstream of the Saint John River. Cambridge-Narrows has 3 main arteries, Route 695, Route 715, and Route 710
[edit] See also: History of New Brunswick and List of historic places in Queens County, New Brunswick The Cambridge-Narrows consisted of two separate settlements on either side of the river, Cambridge and The Narrows, which were merged under one municipal government in 1966. On 1 January 2023, Cambridge-Narrows amalgamated with the village of Gagetown and all or part of five local service districts to form the new village of Arcadia. The community's name remains in official use.
[edit] In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Cambridge-Narrows had a population of 715 living in 345 of its 629 total private dwellings, a change of 27.2% from its 2016 population of 562. With a land area of 106.79 km2 (41.23 sq mi), it had a population density of 6.7/km2 (17.3/sq mi) in 2021.
[edit] Main article: List of people from Queens County, New Brunswick
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