We had fallen in love with Newfoundland long before we ever set foot on its soil. And, the abundance of gorgeous hiking trails and unique activities in Gros Morne National Park played a large role in luring us to the island. With its lush mountains, vast ocean, and deep fjords, this is a nature-lover’s paradise. Once you’ve experienced it, you will always feel its pull on your heart.

We thought a week would be plenty of time to enjoy all – or at least most of – the wonders of this vast national park. But we now know we only touched the surface of what makes this UNESCO World Heritage Site so special. It would take months or more to explore it all. But here are our top picks – for fellow travelers who are short on time. Just don’t be surprised if you feel that same desire to come back often (especially if you get “screeched in”).

Top 5 Hikes:

There are dozens of well-maintained trails in Gros Morne National Park, and countless back-country options. Stop by the Visitor Center for a map and tips for hiking in the area.

Baker’s Brook Falls

Who doesn’t love a good waterfall hike? At 10-km (6.2-miles), this popular trail goes through forests, bogs and wildflower fields before reaching a huge waterfall.

If you are staying at the Berry Hill Campground, just wander over to the trailhead, otherwise there is a medium-sized parking lot as well. Since you are fully exposed to the sun for most of it, we suggest going early to beat the heat. Bug spray is also a must.

Don’t miss out on the optional short off-shoots of the trail. One offers more gorgeous views and the other goes to a moose exclosure for a new perspective.

The purpose of the exclosure is to see what the trail would look like without the effects of moose. Don’t expect a heard of these antlered beasts to greet you there.

Once you reach the main event, give yourself plenty of time to admire the size, power and beauty of the falls. It is strange that this massive waterfall can be tucked away so secretively in the woods.

P.S.- Up for another hike? Berry Hill trail leaves from the same parking lot and gives great views of mountains. Also nearby is the easier and shorter Berry Hill Pond loop.

Gros Morne Mountain Overlook

The grueling trek to the top of Gros Morne Mountain is not for everyone. But, if you want a great view of this iconic mountain and the lush areas surrounding it, take the 4-km (2.5-mile) hike to the overlook.

Although it is not easy, it is much less of a knee-busting, exhausting venture than the climb all the way to the summit (and even worse – back down). Expect some elevation gain, stairs and great views.

If you are up for hiking the entire 16-km (9.9-mile) trail, read our honest description of the hike here. (Or if you aren’t up for it, feel free to admire all the pretty photos in the post without the burning leg muscles).

Tablelands

Entering the strange, barren landscape of the Tablelands area makes you feel like you’ve taken a wrong turn to an entirely different planet. The lush green mountains become rocks without much warning. And the weirdest part is being able to see completely different scenery on either side of the road! Even if you aren’t a hiker, this is worth at least driving through.

Why so barren? That’s the most interesting part. This orange rock is actually an exposed portion of the Earth’s mantle. There are very few places like this where you can “see the Earth naked,” as the park puts it, making it a must-see while in Newfoundland.

This rare occurrence is the result of continent collision about half a million years ago. Talk about rich history! This is part of the reason Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The nearby Discovery Center can offer more in-depth information on this unique area.

As for hiking, there is an easy 4-km (2.5-mile) hike that goes along a dusty trail to a waterfall view. We even saw snow on the mountaintops. What a wonderfully weird place!

Parks Canada also offers a free guided tour at 10a.m. and a map of off-trail hiking options.

Green Gardens

Oddly, this trail – which features lush forests and a coastal area – is directly across from the Tablelands.

Although it has some challenging portions (mainly lots of steep stairs), the views on this 9-km (5.6-mile) hike are well worth it.

It begins in the barren Tablelands landscape, but once you cross over the large hill it begins to change rapidly. Soon you are walking through forests and can see the ocean off in the distance.

Eventually, you will reach the coast and the flatter portion of the trail. The high winds are evident and the sweeping views of the ocean are stunning.

The trail ends at a tall, slightly crooked wooden staircase that leads down to the beach where you can just relax or continue exploring before returning.

Once down on the beach, there is a sea cave around the corner that you can go into at low tide. But, be careful not to slip on the sharp, seaweed-covered rocks.

Eastern Point

This is a short hike, but a must if you end up in the Trout River area. It is especially enjoyable after a great lunch (see more on that below).

To get there, park on the main road in town and head east to the wooden staircase. It is a steep climb, but once you reach the top of the hill, the hardest part is over.

At the top, you can enjoy the views of the nearby town and surrounding ocean before completing the 2.4-km (1.5-mile) trail. We loved watching the waves crash and the fog slowly move over the town before it was blown away. We even saw a whale off in the distance!

Top 5 Activities

This area has so much more than just amazing hiking trails. There is rich culture, historic places, great food and unique fun to entertain you when your legs need a break.

Visit the Insectarium

Technically this is not inside the park boundaries, but a stop at the unique “hobby gone mad” Insectarium just before the park entrance is a must for nature lovers.

Walk through the butterfly garden and giggle like a kid again when a beautiful winged creature lands on your shoulder – or nose. Then go upstairs to the main attraction: an exhibit housing thousands of insects from around the world. Some are alive, but most are preserved in cases. And some you can even hold!

Don’t forget to check out the creepy crawlies native to Newfoundland, so you will know what is inching its way up your arm when you are out on the trail. But, no worries – nothing poisonous is in the area.

Get “Screeched In” at the Anchor Pub

Rocky Harbour is the most touristy area of the park, but don’t worry – it still maintains a lot of that great small fishing village feel. It is a great place to grab a meal, buy some souvenirs and enjoy a bit of local nightlife when you need a break from non-stop adventure.

Don’t miss the opportunity to get “Screeched In” by a local at the kitchen party at the Anchor Pub, inside the Ocean View Inn. While this silly tradition varies across the island, one thing is certain, you won’t become an honorary Newfie without taking a shot of Screech Rum and kissing a cod! Check out the full video of our Screech In here.

Have Lunch in Trout River

My best meal of our entire Newfoundland visit was the fish cakes at the Seaside Restaurant in Trout River. This simple, fresh dish was delicious. And the partridge berry pie I devoured after wasn’t bad either.

Plus, while you enjoy your meal you can look off at the rolling waves, incoming fog or watch kids play on the beach.

Afterwards, don’t miss a visit to the interpretive center – one of the best we’ve seen. It is filled with historic artifacts from the area’s interesting history. And don’t forget to burn off some calories by walking along the beach or hiking to Eastern Point (mentioned above).

Lounge on the Beach at Shallow Bay

For our last couple of days at Gros Morne National Park, we stayed at Shallow Bay Campground and got to enjoy an unexpected beach holiday!

We had no idea how wonderful it would be to have a sandy beach a few minutes away from our RV site. And since the water is shallow, it was quite warm.

This is a great last stop. You can rest your body on the warm beach after a ton of hiking and exploring. Or bundle up and watch the sun set on an amazing day in Gros Morne.

Enjoy Songs & Stories at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival

The small town of Cow Head is home to the can’t-miss Gros Morne Theatre Festival – a summer tradition of great local entertainment. We walked into town one night during our stay at the nearby Shallow Bay Campground to catch a show by these fantastic artists. And it was a highlight of our trip!

Photo courtesy of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

The Neddy Norris Night was hilariously fun and the four musicians putting it on were extremely talented. They were all wonderful singers, could play multiple instruments (and showed their talents by switching often), and made sure to engage with the audience regularly.

Listening to traditional songs and stories – from tongue twisters about cod to tear-jerker love ballads – made us fall even harder for the people and rich history of Newfoundland. But what we liked most about the show, was how much fun the artists were having! They clearly love what they do and were all smiles the entire time.

Photo courtesy of the Gros Morne Theatre Festival.

BONUS: Go on a Side-Trip to Port au Choix & L’Anse Aux Meadows

For history lovers and those who enjoy unique experiences, L’Anse Aux Meadows is a must-visit. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a few hours north of Gros Morne National Park, but makes for a great day trip if time allows. However, two days would be best to avoid rushing.

More than 1,000 years ago, the area was a Norse settlement. Now you can visit the archeological remains, tour a recreated camp and talk to costumed Viking interpreters who can give you a realistic idea of what life was like all those years ago.

On the way back, make sure to stop at Port au Choix National Historic Site for another history lesson – reaching even further into the past. Learn how important seals were to ancient people as you walk along the coastal paths.

And don’t miss the gorgeous Point Riche Lighthouse for amazing views. Watch the waves crash against the sharp rocks, have a picnic and stay for sunset if time allows.

Another great part about the northern peninsula? Caribou! You have a great chance of seeing some up in that area, so be on the lookout.

(Honorable mention: This list wouldn’t be complete without including the Western Brook Pond Boat Tour. Unfortunately, timing and weather weren’t on our side for this activity. But, everyone we talked to raved about this experience!)

Know Before You Go

Where to Stay: As RVers, we were excited to split our time between three of the park’s beautiful campgrounds – Berry Hill, Trout River and Shallow Bay. However, there are also two other campgrounds run by the park: Green Point and Lomond. Of the five, Berry Hill is the only one that offers full hookups.

There are additional RV parks and other lodging located in and around the park, as well as back country camping. The Ocean View Inn in Rocky Harbour is one of the most popular and conveniently located.

Berry Hill Campground

This centrally located campground has full-hookups (the only one in the park), a restaurant with wifi, laundry and a small store. We loved that this was walking distance to multiple trails (Baker’s Brook Falls, Berry Hill and Berry Hill Pond). And the pond is a great stargazing spot!

We also had a blast participating in the “night walk” led by a ranger. He taught us interesting facts about bats with fun, kid-focused games. Which of course made the small amount of adults in the groups laugh hysterically.

Trout River Campground

This is a great place to stop after a long day of exploring the Tablelands area. And it is only a short drive into town. There is also a beautiful trail that starts nearby and leads to great views of Tablelands. (Note: No hookups, but hot showers, wifi and a dump/water fill-up station are available for use).

Shallow Bay Campground

This is the perfect place to end your travels. After exhausting ourselves from hiking, we loved getting to lounge and stroll on the gorgeous beach – just minutes away from our site. (Note: No hookups, but hot showers, wifi and a dump/water fill-up station are available for use). Just a short bike ride or walk away is the town of Cow Head where we highly suggest catching a show at the Gros Morne Theatre Festival after a yummy dinner at the Shallow Bay Motel.

Helpful Tips:

Stock up. Before you set off on your epic Gros Morne adventure we suggest stopping for some groceries. There are a few small stores, restaurants and gas stations in the park, but they may not have your usual go-to items. Stop by Corner Brook or Grand Falls-Windsor on your way for more options. And make sure to fill up on gas before entering the park, since it may be a few hours before you come across another station.

Get a map. Once in the park, stop by the Visitor Center to pick up a map and look at the events calendar. Parks Canada does an amazing job at providing educational and interactive activities throughout the summer. Some may require a small fee, but most are free!

Watch the weather. While the park is beautiful regardless, some activities are not safe if there is heavy fog or rain. Hiking some areas should be done with full visibility and often tours, like the Western Brook Pond Boat Tour, will not operate if weather turns – mainly because you will miss the views you are paying for.

Time your visits right. By going to trails at off times (really early or late in the day), we were able to find a spot to fit our rig. And, aside from the road to the Point Riche lighthouse in Port au Choix – which was being worked on – most roads are paved. Plus, if you get there early or stay late, you may just steal a few perfect minutes of solitude.

Special thanks to Parks Canada and Go Western Newfoundland for providing us with support for this trip. We would also like to thank the Newfoundland Insectarium and the Gros Morne Theatre Festival for hosting us. As always, all opinions are our own.