National Parks
Ministry of Tourism & Culture
National Parks of Newfoundland
Newfoundland’s national parks are among the most striking and unspoiled landscapes in the North Atlantic — a world of fjords, forests, tundra, and endless sea light.
Preserving the Land and Sea
Newfoundland is a land shaped by wind, rock, and ocean. Our national parks protect these timeless elements — from ancient mountain ranges to storm-lashed cliffs and quiet inland rivers. Whether you come to hike a fjord, watch a whale breach at sunset, or hear the wind move through the spruce, you’ll find the spirit of this island nation alive in every park.
Our National Parks
Gros Morne National Park
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and crown jewel of Newfoundland, Gros Morne offers a landscape unlike any other — deep fjords, towering cliffs, and the ancient Tablelands, where the Earth’s mantle lies bare to the sky. It’s a place of extraordinary geology and quiet wonder.
Hike to the summit of Gros Morne Mountain, take a boat through Western Brook Pond, and feel the age of the world beneath your feet.
- Location: Western Newfoundland, near Deer Lake
- Highlights: Tablelands, Western Brook Pond fjord, summit trail, geology centre
- Access: Via Deer Lake (YDF) Airport or the Trans-Newfoundland Highway
Terra Nova National Park
On Newfoundland’s east coast, Terra Nova — “New Land” — stretches from the quiet inlets of Bonavista Bay to the forested hills of the interior. It’s a place for families, campers, and explorers alike, with gentle coastal trails, calm waters for kayaking, and clear skies perfect for stargazing.
- Location: Near Clarenville, eastern Newfoundland
- Highlights: Canoeing, camping, wildlife viewing, visitor interpretation centre
- Access: About 2 hours from St. John’s by road
Torngat Mountains National Park
In the far north of Labrador rise the Torngat Mountains — the highest peaks in eastern North America, carved by glaciers and revered for millennia by Inuit communities who still guide visitors through this immense wilderness. The park is home to polar bears, caribou, and northern lights that dance across untouched valleys and fjords.
- Location: Northern Labrador Peninsula
- Highlights: Inuit cultural expeditions, Arctic wildlife, fjord cruises, helicopter access
- Access: Charter flights via Goose Bay or Nain
Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve
One of Newfoundland’s newest protected regions, the Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve encompasses vast forests, wild rivers, and alpine plateaus in Labrador’s interior. It’s a sanctuary for caribou, black bear, and countless migratory birds — and a living example of how conservation and community can thrive together.
- Location: Southeastern Labrador, near Lake Melville
- Highlights: Canoeing, hiking, northern lights, traditional Labrador culture
- Access: Via Goose Bay (YYR) or regional air service
Coastal and Marine Sanctuaries
Newfoundland’s marine sanctuaries protect its surrounding waters and the life within them. Cape St. Mary’s and Witless Bay are famous for puffins, gannets, whales, and seals — while smaller coastal refuges preserve seabird colonies and kelp forests vital to the North Atlantic ecosystem.
- Highlights: Puffin colonies, whale watching, photography cruises, guided eco-tours
- Access: Seasonal boat tours from Avalon Peninsula and Bonavista regions
Plan Your Visit
Newfoundland’s national parks are open year-round, though access varies by season. Summer (June–September) brings the warmest weather, while autumn offers spectacular colours and quiet trails. Winter visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and northern lights viewing in Labrador.
- Entry: Passes available online or at park gates
- Camping: Reservations recommended from June through August
- Safety: Weather changes quickly; pack layers, food, and emergency supplies
- Wildlife: Observe respectfully — do not feed or approach animals
Getting Here
Visitors can reach Newfoundland’s parks by air or ferry. Air Newfoundland operates flights to St. John’s, Deer Lake, Gander, Goose Bay, and Wabush. The Newfoundland Ferry connects North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques (year-round) and Argentia (seasonal).
The Trans-Newfoundland Highway links the island from west to east, making it easy to explore Gros Morne, Terra Nova, and coastal heritage routes along the way.
Conservation and Stewardship
Newfoundland’s park system is managed with a simple philosophy: that a healthy landscape is the foundation of a strong and enduring nation. Each park is protected under the National Conservation Act, ensuring that future generations can inherit the same pristine beauty that defines our island today.
Visitor Information
- Agency: Ministry of Tourism & Culture — Parks and Natural Heritage Division
- Head Office: St. John’s, Newfoundland
- Air Access: Air Newfoundland flights to all major regions
- Currency: Newfoundland Dollar (N$)
- Emergency: Dial 911 (nationwide coverage)
This page is maintained by the Ministry of Tourism & Culture, Division of Parks and Natural Heritage.