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Major city · Canada

North West River

Go for one night, not a base: the museum, Sunday Hill and the waterfront fill a day; sleep in Happy Valley-Goose Bay if Motel North is full.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

North West River is a town of about 560 people on the western shore of Lake Melville, 40 km northeast of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the oldest community in central Labrador, founded as a fur post in 1743. It is a small peninsula with one road in, a heritage museum, a hill walk and two places to sleep. Most travellers see it as a half-day or one-night stop on the way to or from Goose Bay.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep
avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, ice roads)
Airport
YYR
Nights
1
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
  • Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
  • Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for North West River911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about North West River, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
  • Street or quick mealSandwich or soup at the supermarket$6–12 (≈ US$5–9)
  • Budget bedRed Wine B&B suite, a night, per roomC$100 (≈ US$75)
  • Mid-range bedMotel North room, a night, per roomC$119 (≈ US$90)
  • High-end bedMotel North room, a night, per roomC$129 (≈ US$95)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$240 (≈ US$180)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Labrador Heritage MuseumSunday Hill lookout1743 fur trade historyLake Melville waterfront
Airports
YYR Goose Bay Airport (About 40 km (25 mi) southwest by Route 520; the nearest scheduled airport.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −10°C (14°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    −9°C (16°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    −3°C (27°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    20°C (68°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    13°C (55°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    6°C (43°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    −1°C (30°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −7°C (19°F)

Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (20°C (68°F)), coolest Jan (−20°C (−4°F) low), wettest Jul (15 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

North West River: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−10°C (14°F)

−20°C (−4°F)

12 rd

Feb

−9°C (16°F)

−20°C (−4°F)

10 rd

Mar

−3°C (27°F)

−14°C (7°F)

11 rd

Apr

3°C (37°F)

−7°C (19°F)

11 rd

May

10°C (50°F)

0°C (32°F)

12 rd

Jun

16°C (61°F)

5°C (41°F)

13 rd

Jul

20°C (68°F)

9°C (48°F)

15 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

9°C (48°F)

14 rd

Sep

13°C (55°F)

4°C (39°F)

13 rd

Oct

6°C (43°F)

−1°C (30°F)

13 rd

Nov

−1°C (30°F)

−8°C (18°F)

13 rd

Dec

−7°C (19°F)

−16°C (3°F)

13 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

On foot or by car. The town is small enough to walk, but the two main sights sit at opposite ends, so a car makes it easier. Route 520 crosses to Sheshatshiu and continues southwest to Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Happy Valley-Goose Bay

go

Door to door: About 45 min

Route 520 southwest by car

The nearest town with full services, shops and the regional airport.

Sheshatshiu

caution

Door to door: About 10 min

Route 520 across the bridge, on foot or by car

An Innu reserve, not a tourist site: go only with an invitation or a guided visit.

Labrador City

overnight

Door to door: About 6–7 h

Route 500 west from Goose Bay, long drive

Too far for a day: plan a night on the road.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Town centre (Paddon Rd / River Rd)

Motel North and Red Wine B&B are both here; walkable to the museum and waterfront.

Happy Valley-Goose Bay

40 km (25 mi) southwest; the fallback when North West River beds are full.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$80–130 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
Mid
$130–200 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
High
$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel North room1 × 1 night × C$119C$119
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150C$300
Car rental, one day1 × C$90 · checkC$90
Fuel, Goose Bay return1 × C$20 · checkC$20
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20C$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$57
Trip total≈ C$313 per person per day, bed includedC$626≈ US$500

10 rooms; check availability in Jul–Aug

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
Sandwich or soup at the supermarket$6–12 (≈ US$5–9)
Basic groceries for a day$25–40 (≈ US$19–30)
Motel North room2026 estimate$109–129 (≈ US$80–95)
Red Wine B&B suiteJul–Aug higher$100–120 (≈ US$75–90)
Fuel, Goose Bay returncheck$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

A quiet, low-crime town. The real risks are weather and distance: cold and snow from November to April, thin ice on the lakes, and no services for 40 km (25 mi) if you break down on Route 520.
  • Only one road in and out: Route 520 via Sheshatshiu, about 40 km (25 mi) from Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
  • Beds are few: Motel North has 10 rooms and the B&B is small, so book ahead in Jul–Aug.
  • Mobile coverage fades quickly outside town in every direction except southwest toward Goose Bay.
  • Winter travel beyond town is by groomed snowmobile trail with ice crossings: go with a local guide.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

North West RiverNorth West River

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in town; the nearest consular help is in Ottawa or St. John's (check). US citizens: the US embassy is in Ottawa.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Route 520, North West River → Happy Valley-Goose Bay: about 40 km (25 mi), 45 min by car (check)
  • Goose Bay Airport → North West River: about 40 km (25 mi) by taxi or rental car (check)

Say or show

  • Thank you — Thank you
  • Where is the supermarket? — Where is the supermarket?
  • Is the road open? — Is the road open?
  • Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?

Tipping: 15–20% at restaurants, 10–15% taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for North West River. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, ice roads) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for YYR: last transfer times, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: museum and craft shop, Sunday Hill, the waterfront, the supermarket.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Labrador Heritage Museum, CRB Supermarket) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Winter and shoulder-season fixtures so the ice-road and ferry gates can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources