Gros Morne National Park is arguably one of the most unique destinations in Newfoundland. Located on the West Coast of Newfoundland, the park features unique terrain and showcases significant geological evolution and a variety of landscapes, including mountains, cliffs, beaches, and more.
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They say it took the earth 485 million years to form the natural spectacle that is Gros Morne National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is best known for its exceptional natural beauty and unique geological features that are literal proof of continental drift, where the deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth’s mantle lie exposed.
The park is about 1,806 square kilometres in total, with amazing sights at every turn. There are freshwater fjords, pristine lakes, impressive cliffs and rock formations, an alpine plateau, and even the highest waterfall in eastern North America…the list goes on!
However, the scenery and geological significance are just among the many reasons why the park deserves a visit. We first visited the park in 2022 on a road trip around Newfoundland, but couldn’t resist an opportunity to return again to explore the park a bit further in 2024.
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Best Time to Visit Gros Morne National Park
Although the park stays open thorughout the year, services are limited between November and April. So the best time to visit the park is usually between late May and September, when campgrounds and services within the park are fully operational. Here is a quick run down of what you can expect when visiting the park throughout the year.
Winter: The park experiences significant snowfall the higher up you go, with temperatures ranging from −10°C to 0°C (14°F to 32 °F). If you enjoy the snow, conditions are great for cross-country skiing from January until March.
Spring: Spring comes quite late in Newfoundland, and depending on the year, many trails in the park may still be covered in snow well into May and even early June. Take note: The Mountain Summit is closed from May to June for annual habitat protection, so if you want to climb the trail, schedule a trip by July at the earliest.
Summer: July and August are the best months for summer hiking season in the park. The days are warmer, with daytime temperatures between 16 and 25 °C (61 and 77 °F). But the chances of rain are also high, and it can rain every two days on average.
Fall: Things get quieter in the park from September to October, which is great if you want the park all to yourself. The fall colours are also quite spectacular. Snow can start by late September in higher elevations, and by the end of October, the temperatures drop, and winter creeps in. Note that some services and facilities may reduce hours or close by mid to late October.
Keep in mind that the weather in low-lying areas is often different from the higher, elevated ones. And it’s not uncommon to see temperatures change dramatically throughout the day. So, no matter when you choose to visit, be sure to plan ahead and dress for the weather, ideally with lots or layers and raingear.
Things to do in Gros Morne National Park
The National Park is divided into several key areas, each offering unique attractions and experiences. Here’s a breakdown of the main things to do in each one.
South
Hike the Tablelands
This area is renowned for its unique geology, where the Earth’s mantle is exposed. If there’s one area you have to explore in the park, it’s this one!
Tableland Trail: This is an easy 4km/2.5mi return and takes only 1-2 hours. It takes you down to the base of the mountain, where you can literally walk on the earth’s mantle. You’ll find unusual plants, rock formations, and broad panoramic views of the iconic landscape. The trail ends in the Winter House Brook Canyon, but there are also other hikes nearby, like the Trout River Pond Trail.
Lookout Hills Trail: If you want to see one of the best panoramic vistas in the park, then this trail is for you. The 5.8km loop takes you through a steady climb in the forest and then leads to a highland plateau. There’s a platform on Partridgeberry Hill that gives you a great view of Bonne Bay, Gros Morne Mountain, the Tablelands, and the Lookout Hills.
Tablelands Loop: If you are looking for something a bit more challenging, consider joining a guided tour with Wild Gros Morne to hike off-trail and summit Table Mountains. The trail is not marked well and the path is challenging consisting of a collection of rocks the size of softballs to basketballs, but the view of the Winter House Brook Canyon from above is well worth the trek.
The guides who led us on this loop trail took great care to show us unique flora and fauna of the area, while also explaining the importance of the Tablelands. The loop took approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes to complete.
Green Gardens Trail: This trail begins at Tablelands and goes through a contrast of landscapes from the boreal forest to a volcanic seacoast. This is a moderate in-and-out trail that takes about 3-4 hours to compelte. The path is well-maintained and allows you to enjoy a lot of the views as you descend.
Towards the end of the trail, you can walk along the shore or hang around the meadows while appreciating the great views of Gros Morne’s southern coastline. Residents of Trout River once used Green Gardens as a summer range for livestock, so don’t be surprised if you spot sheep on the trail – we did! Be careful and avoid walking close to the cliff edge, as rocks can be slippery.
While this hike can be done self-guided, our hike was guided by highly knowledgeable local guides from Tour Gros Morne. The guides were great and shared a lot about the local flora, fauna, and geological uniqueness of the area.
Hike the North Rim of the Tablelands
This hike is reserved for the experts, but it’s one of the most unique hikes you can do in the area. This 3-day hike goes up to the North Rim and is part of the Long Range Traverse, with a combined distance of 62 km. The backcountry route is unarmed and rugged, with 5 backcountry campsites scattered along the way.
Take a Tablelands Boat Tour
Another way to explore the Tablelands is on a zodiac boat tour along the saltwater fjord. The tour allows you to learn more about the region’s 500 million-year history and look for whales, dolphins, seabirds, and seals. The two-hour guided tour starts at $59, and slots are available at 10AM and 2PM.
North
Take a Boat Tour of the Fjord
Follow an easy trail past a natural bog and forest and you’ll find yourself at the mouth of the Western Brook Pond. Here you can take a scenic boat tour of the fjord, cruising at the base of sheer cliff walls. The cruise takes you past many waterfalls and offers spectacular scenery of the fjord and is, in our opinion, an absolute MUST-DO!
The boat tour is a popular activity in the park and should be booked ahead. Tickets are CAD $79 (USD $57 ) and can be purchased HERE.
Hike to the top of Western Brook Pond Gorge
Expericed hikes can embark on this hike on their own, otherwise, we recommend joining a guided tour for this challenging full day adventure. This hike begins at the end of the pond. You can get there by taking a shuttle (included in the guided hike price) or take the fjord boat tour mentioned above and get off the boat to begin your hike. If you are doing a self-guided hike, be sure to time your hike accordingly and give yourself plenty of time to return and catch the boat back to the beginning of the gorge. The guided hike costs CAD $325/person ($210 child) and must be reserved ahead of time with a company called Bontours.
Hike the Western Brook Pond
This scenic 6.8 km loop is an easy hike along the shores of the pond, offering an impressive backdrop of spectacular cliffs and the Long Range Mountains. The main trail ends at the Western Brook Pond dock, where you can go on a boat tour, but even just the view of the fjord from there is worth the hike.
The Old Trail and Steve’s Trail are two other short but also nice trails in this area.
Central
Hike the Gros Morne Mountain
This iconic, but challenging 17km/10.5 miles return trail follows the path to the peak of Gros Morne Mountain, sitting at 806m above sea level. You can hike this trail just to the base of the mountain (first 4.5km) or all the way to the top with 500m in elevation gain. The trail passes through beautiful Arctic-alpine terrain and rewards you with views of the Long Range Mountains and the Ten Mile Pond Gorge.
Note: To protect wildlife during critical weeks of growth and reproduction, the mountain portion, from the base platform, is closed to hikers from May 1 until the June 23rd.
Hike to Baker’s Brook Falls
Head to this 9.2km trail for a hike towards the cascading waterfalls. It starts at Berry Hill Campground, close to Rocky Harbour, and continues through a balsam fir forest. The forest is in different stages of regeneration and is recovering from the natural effects of winds, insects, and in some parts, heavy moose browsing.
Go kayaking at Norris Point
For a non-hiking activity, consider joining a kayaking tour through the Bonne Bay fjord with Gros Morne Adventures. The double-armed fjord has so many beautiful nooks and crannies to explore from the water. We loved getting an alternative view of the National Park and the Tablelands from the water and were lucky enough to even spot a whale while on the water!
If you make your way to Bonne Bay, be sure to stop by the Bonne Bay Marine Station to learn more about whales and other marine life in this region.
West
Go Hiking
Bottle Cove to Miranda (Island) Cove Trail: This is an easy 2km trail suitable for all kinds of hikers. It leads to Miranda Island Cove, Sunset Rock, Bottle Cove Beach, and Captain Cook’s Trails End Monument. The trail has a boardwalk that’s great for sunsets and whale-watching and benches throughout. Picnic tables are also available at Captain Cook’s, overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Sunset Rock & Bottle Cove Beach: As the name suggests, the best time to head out on this trail is right before sunset. The viewpoint lets you see into the caves across the cove or simply look over the town. The 2.1 km loop takes about 30 minutes, making it perfect for a quick jog or walk.
Southhead Lighthouse Trail This one is a moderately difficult 3.2km trail with some boardwalk throughout. It leads to a lookout that has a view of the site of the former Southhead Lighthouse. The spot is great for wildlife and even whale watching.
We were guided on this hike by Everoutdoor Adventures and were treated to a beautiful charcuterie board at the end of the trail. The conditions on this trail can often be impacted by the wind, so make sure to check weather reports and bring a windbreaker or rain jacket.
Keep in mind that the complete in and out trail that we followed was 8.5km, including the view points in Bottle Cove beach, but as this is an in and out trail, you can choose how far along the path you wish to go.
During our visit, local volunteers from Outer Bay Islands Enhancement Committee (OBIEC) were maintaining the trail and getting things ready for the busy summer season. We learned that OBIEC maintains numerous trails in the area that fall outside of the jurisdiction of the park, ,o if you enjoyed your time in/around Gros Morne area consider donating some money to the organization to support their efforts.
Three Bear Mountain Trail: If you’re within the city, this easy trail is a great one to do. It’s part of the Corner Brook Stream Trail Network and is just 1km. It’s well-maintained with stairs over the elevation gains, plus rest stops with benches and signage. At the end, you get panoramic views of Corner Brook and the Bay of Islands.
Catch Eunset at Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse
The Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse is one of the most popular spots to catch a sunset. Follow the winding trails to get captivating views of the ocean, and enjoy the surrounding fields where you can fly a kite or set up a little picnic.
Enjoy Shallow Bay Beach
The beach has a 5 km stretch of soft, pale sand where you can build a sandcastle, fly a kite, or walk along the smooth shoreline. There’s parking, washrooms, and picnic tables for day use, and you can also catch migrating shorebirds in the fall. In the summer, the shallow water is perfect for a dip.
READ NEXT: The Complete Guide to the Best Things to do in Newfoundland
Where to Stay in Gros Morne
Bonne Bay Inn
If you’re looking for quaint accommodation right in Gros Morne National Park, this boutique inn is a great option. There are 10 rooms – 9 Queens, 1 King – with their own bright, three-piece bathrooms. Take in the mountain view scenery from any of the inn’s cozy common spaces, or enjoy a warm meal at their intimate dining area.
The Hew & Draw Hotel
The Hew and Draw, located in Corner Brook, is an elegant and sustainable family-owned hotel. Its name comes from the phrase “hewers of wood and drawers of water,” which was once used as an insult to Canadians, but the family now sees it as an homage to their Western Newfoundland background.
The hotel is a century-old downtown site that has been refurbished into a beautiful accommodation with 36 unique and air-conditioned suites. These come with flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms with showers, free (locally sourced!) toiletries, and a hairdryer, plus a kitchenette with a microwave. Other amenities include an on-site craft brewery, a restaurant, a 24-hour fitness facility, a hot tub, and free WiFi.
Sugar Hill Inn
Located in Norris Point, this country inn offers comfortable accommodation and fine dining in the heart of Gros Morne. The inn has 11 rooms and suites, each designed with comfort and relaxation in mind. All rooms feature flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and comfortable beds and many offer views of Bonne Bay and the surrounding mountains.
We particularly enjoyed their on-site restaurant, Chanterelles, serving locally sourced dishes. The hot tub, sauna, and outdoor seating with views of Bonne Bay and the Long Range Mountains were a welcomed bonus!
Water’s Edge RV Park
If you want to camp in the park, head to the base of the Tablelands where you’ll find Water’s Edge RV Park. It’s right front of the Bonne Bay fjord, and offers a variety of clean and modern accommodations. There are also tons of activities like zodiac boat tours, kayak rentals and tours, paddleboard, and more, plus a bakery and café on site. The best part is, you wake up right next to some of the best Gros Morne hiking trails.
Where to Eat in/around Gros Morne
Seaside Restaurant: Head here for a taste of authentic Newfoundland cuisine, like fresh seafood, lobster, mussels, snow crab, halibut, salmon and cod! They’re open daily from noon to 8pm. Be sure to try the Skipper’s Scoff, which has a pan fried combo of the fishes of the day!
Merchant Warehouse Retro Cafe & Wine Bar: This pub & grub restaurant is located in a restored old warehouse with unobstructed views of Bonne Bay. Order the fish and chips with a cold draft beer, best enjoyed on the patio. They open daily at noon.
The Black Spruce Restaurant: The finest place to dine in this area, The Black Spruce’s dishes are made from scratch using only the best local ingredients. Fish and meat dishes are expertly made, and paired with a great wine list. They’re open from 5-9pm, reservations highly recommended.
Newfound Sushi Izakaya: Our favourite Japanese spot in all of Newfoundland! This izakaya sources their seafood and vegetables from local harvesters and farmers, and serves them with a side of local craft beer, cocktails, wines, spirits and sake. Their sushi is fantastic!
Mallard Cottage: They’re known for cod cheeks and moose steaks, potatoes, partridge, mussels, scallops and more. You can order a la carte, but they’re known for their family-style sharing plates.
Adelaide Oyster House: Head to this small dining room for some of the best and freshest oysters in town! Apart from that, Asian flavours shine here–try their famous Kobe beef lettuce wraps, fish tacos, and crispy pork belly over sesame noodles. Their signature cocktail, the El Camino, is also a must-try.
The Saltbox Restaurant: Run by the team behind Ever Outdoor Adventure, this restaurant is located on the shores of Benoit’s Cove in the Bay of Islands. Saltbox specializes in fresh, local seafood, but if you get a chance to enjoy their seafood boil up – don’t miss it!
It’s easy to make a case for Gros Morne National Park because the sights speak for themselves! The landscapes–from the ancient mountain belts to the fjords, to the cliffs and beaches–make a nature lover out of everyone!
It’s one of our favourite National Parks in all of Canada and a destination we are happy to come back to again and again – a park worth adding to your bucket list!
