Despite boasting some of the most beautiful, diverse landscapes in the world, Gros Morne National Park somehow doesn’t even crack the list of the 10-most visited Canadian National Parks.
Some think Newfoundland is too remote and hard to get to. But Gros Morne is actually pretty accessible compared to many of Canada’s most popular national parks. It’s just a 1.5-hour drive to an airport (Deer Lake) with direct flights to several major Canadian hubs such as Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Halifax.
Gros Morne (and Newfoundland as a whole) is a hidden gem and has to be on the bucket list for outdoor enthusiasts. In one day, you can hike to hidden coastal beaches, boat through fjords, and walk on Mars-like terrain!
Because it’s more off-the-beaten-path, there’s a little less information on Gros Morne National Park than you might expect. So, you might be left searching for must-have information you need to plan a trip with questions such as, ‘How do I get there? When is the best time to go? Where should I stay?’
I visited Gros Morne in 2023 as part of a memorable trip to Newfoundland and can confidently say it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited. So, to help you prepare for your upcoming trip, or to inspire you to book ASAP, here are your answers for the most frequently asked questions about Gros Morne National Park.
Where Is Gros Morne National Park?
Gros Morne National Park is located on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, overlooking the Gulf of St. Lawrence just north of picturesque Bonne Bay. Occupying the Long Range Mountains—an outlying range of the Appalachian Mountains—Gros Morne is regarded as one of the best National Parks in Canada. If you’re thinking about traveling here from Canada or the U.S., it’s probably not as hard to get to as you think!
How Do You Get to Gros Morne National Park?
Unless you reside in Newfoundland, you can get to Gros Morne National Park in a few reasonable ways:
- Fly into St. John’s, rent a car, and drive. The journey takes about six hours, but offers breathtaking views. There aren’t many better places in Canada for a road trip!
- Fly into Deer Lake Airport, rent a car, and drive. The drive from Deer Lake takes only 1.5 hours, while.
- Drive to Newfoundland via the car ferry from either Nova Scotia or Labrador.
How Far Is Gros Morne National Park from St. John’s?
Gros Morne National Park is 666 kms from St. John’s, making it about a 6-and-a-half-hour drive. Much of the drive is incredibly scenic, so it’s worth the trip.
When Is the Best Time Visit Gros Morne National Park?
Most visitors consider July, August, and September as the best time of year to visit Gros Morne. Temperatures are refreshingly cool to mild, and precipitation is less prevalent than winter and spring months. This means that hiking trails should be entirely accessible, and you won’t have to worry about treacherously cold, snowy conditions.
But no matter what time of year you go, beware of the wind!
Where to Stay in Gros Morne National Park
While Gros Morne is relatively rural, accommodations and lodging options are fairly abundant.
“Best” accommodations depends on your preference. Camping at Gros Morne can be a memorable experience, but you need to book a campsite in advance since they fill up fast!
You can also rent cabins near the National Park entrance.
Popular nearby towns and areas to stay include Rocky Harbour, Woody Point, and other areas along the shores of Bonne Bay. If you don’t mind the drive, you can also stay in Deer Lake, about an hour away by car.
Where to Camp Around Gros Morne National Park?
Gros Morne National Park camping can be an enchanting experience, but you might be wondering where the best campgrounds are located.
Parks Canada offers a complete camping guide, with sites to book in or near the towns and villages of Trout River, Green Point, Berry Hill, and Lomond. These areas are all easily accessible from the main roads, but they’re remote enough to feel like you’re alone in the wilderness.
There are also primitive camping options located alongside numerous trails throughout the park. Remember to book well in advance! You can begin reservations in January for the following summer months.
Best Things to Do in Gros Morne
One of the best aspects of Gros Morne is the plethora of experiences that you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere in North America. This includes boating through breathtaking fjords in Western Brook Pond, hiking up the Gros Morne Mountain Trail above the fjord, visiting and hiking the Mars-like terrain of The Tablelands where you can walk on the Earth’s mantle, visiting the Lobster Cove Lighthouse, and hiking one of the park’s other indescribably beautiful trails.
Other activities include fishing, camping, snowshoeing, cycling, kayaking, and snowmobiling. There is truly something for everyone, of all outdoorsy experience levels, in this hidden gem of a National Park.
Are There Fjords in Gros Morne National Park?
Yes! Gros Morne National Park boasts some of the most beautiful fjords in the world.
The most notable fjords in Gros Morne National Park are through the waters of the Western Brook Pond (don’t let the name fool you, this is more like a large lake or a bay than a pond). Here, you can book a boat ride with towering, thousand-foot cliffs on both sides of you; or you can challenge yourself by hiking up the mountains on the Gros Morne Mountain Trail, a 10.5-mile loop with some of the most picturesque views you might find in your lifetime.
In fact, the eastern side of North America has very few accessible fjords outside of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The only fjords in the U.S. are located on the Pacific side, in Washington and Alaska, while most accessible fjords in Canada are in British Columbia.
Gros Morne fjords are reminiscent of what you might find in Norway. That’s why this is such an interesting Canadian destination to explore.
Best Point of View in Gros Morne National Park
The best point of view in Gros Morne National Park is widely considered to be from the top of the Gros Morne National Park trail. This point overlooks the fjord that cuts through Western Brook Pond.
An equally exceptional point of view is from the water of the fjord itself via boat.
One of the other best points of view in the park are at The Tablelands. Here, you can find the only place on Earth where the mantle is exposed, leading to an otherworldly-like setting. The Green Gardens Trail and Coastal Trail are also doable for hikers of all levels, leading to exceptional views.
Best Hiking Trails in Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne has some of the best hiking you’ll find anywhere in Canada.
Some of my favorite Gros Morne hikes include:
- Gros Morne National Park trail (6-9 hours, difficult)
- Green Gardens Trail (3-4 hours, moderate)
- The Lookout Trail (2 hours, moderate)
- Trout River Pond Trail (4-5 hours, moderate)
- Tablelands (1-2 hours, easy)
- Western Brook Pond Trail (1-2 hours, easy)
