GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK
Park with remarkable geological formations, a variety of flora and fauna and offering various outdoor activities.
The jewel of the island, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park stretches over 1,805 km², along the edge of the Long Northern Peninsula. It is internationally renowned for its exceptionally old geological formation, dating back 1,250 million years, and for the magnificent scenery offered by the tabular mountains of the Long Range, cut by fjords. On the narrow coastal strip, small fishing villages (Rocky Harbour, Lobster Cove, Baker's Brook, Sally's Cove, St. Pauls), cliffs, sandy or pebble coves follow one another. The park has two very different landforms: a coastal plain bordering the Gulf of St. Lawrence and an alpine plateau formed by the summit of the Long Range Mountains. They provide habitat for a variety of flora and fauna, constituting a unique assemblage of temperate, boreal and arctic species.
Bonne Bay. This is a deep fjord of sea water that splits into several arms, including the East Arm and South Arm. The South Arm offers magnificent views of fishing villages overlooked by the tabular heights of the Tablelands (altitude: 600 meters), with bare red ochre rocks emerging from the earth's crust. Near Woody Point, a viewpoint with explanatory panels offers a wide view of these formations. A trail leads into the heart of the Tablelands.
Lobster Cove Head. It is well known for its lighthouse. Its headland includes trails leading to coastal environments and tuckamore forests (conifers twisted by the sea winds). The headland is one of the best places in the park for whale watching and phenomenal sunset colors.
Broom Point. Traditional fishing facilities that reflect the lives of Newfoundland's inshore fishing families. Fishing exhibits, guided tours and interpretive activities are offered.
Outdoor activities. Hiking (the park's main activity), sea kayaking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are among the activities offered. With its network of over 100 km of trails, the park offers twenty or so hikes of all levels, from easy family walks to the most difficult hikes for experienced walkers. Some easy hikes: Broom Point (1 km round trip), Southeast Brook Falls (1 km round trip, through the woods to spectacular waterfalls), Green Point (3 km one-way, coastal trail), Berry Head Pond (2 km loop, bogs, forest), Berry Hill Pond (2 km loop, ponds, birds, frogs), Lobster Cove Head (1 km loop, beach, lighthouse keeper's house with exhibit). The trip to the Tablelands (4 km round trip, medium difficulty) allows you to see exceptional geology and flora. The hike to the summit of Gros Morne (altitude 806 meters) - 16 km, 7 to 8 hours of walking, difficult level - will allow you to discover an arctic-alpine vegetation and a particular fauna (arctic hare, ptarmigan).
Lodging. The park has five campgrounds, ready-to-camp oTENTik tents and rustic cabins. Self-catering accommodation is also available through private contractors at Trout River, Woody Point, Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook, Wiltondale, Norris Point, Rocky Harbour and Cow Head.
Did you know? This review was written by our professional authors.
Further information
Opening time and information on GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK
Open year-round (limited service from mid-October to mid-May). Adults: $11 CAN, 17 and under: free.
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Members' reviews on GROS MORNE NATIONAL PARK
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Would highly recommend the hike but it isn’t easy. The initial ascent is quite steep especially when you have all the weight for your full journey. Views can be stunning but can also close in with fog.
Make sure you are comfortable with maps and knowing how to use a topographic map prior to coming. This isn’t the spot to be learning, but if you are comfortable, this is a fun (and tiring) hike.
Completed the hike in two nights on the trail, started the hike late on the first day. Planned to slow down and enjoy the trail more but with bad weather we kept going and finished early. Watch the weather as the descent off of the top of the hills on the last day are down ravines that could be tricky during rain.
Took in Gros Morne Mountain at the end, which is a great add on.
For logistics, we flew into Deer Lake and rented a car to drive up to the park. You have to pass a navigation test (map and compass) at the park HQ before they will give you a pass for the trail. To start the hike you need to take a boat tour into Western Brook Pond, and they will not allow you off the boat without the pass. We arranged for a cab to pick us at the end of the hike parking lot (entrance to the Gros Morne Mountain trail) and left the vehicle there. Then took the cab north up to the boat tour. To make things all work on the day we flew in, we ended up taking the later boat tour. This meant that we were getting off the boat in the evening. It worked for us but it is something to consider as it did not leave a lot of hiking time before nightfall. Flight schedules have also changed a bit so will need to check the new schedules.
There is a lot of water sources along the trail so you don’t need a pile of water but bring a good water filter.
One notable aspect of our visit was the superb maintenance of the trails. Even though some popular trails and many local businesses, including ferries, were not yet open for the season, the available paths were clear and well-marked, allowing us to explore without hindrance. The varied weather added a thrilling element to our hikes, making the landscapes feel even more dramatic.
Wildlife sightings were a major highlight. The park lived up to its reputation with views of moose, caribou, seals, and bald eagles. These encounters were truly special, enhancing our appreciation for the rich biodiversity of Newfoundland. We also loved the beware of moose road signs. Lol
For those considering a visit during the off-season, be prepared for colder weather and some limitations in terms of open businesses and accessible areas. However, if you're like us and don't mind bundling up, April can be a fantastic time to experience the park's serene beauty without the peak season crowds.
We plan to return in late June to explore more of what Gros Morne has to offer during the busier months. But our spring visit was an enchanting introduction to this stunning national treasure, proving that Gros Morne has something magical to offer year-round.