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National park · Canada

Gros Morne National ParkParc national du Gros-Morne

Give the park two full days by car: Western Brook Pond boat and the Tablelands on day one, Gros Morne Mountain or a coastal walk on day two; base in Rocky Harbour, book the boat and lodging ahead for July–August, and skip it as a day trip from Deer Lake.

Not field-verifiedUNESCO World Heritage 1987Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026
Map to the park
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From where I am

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Area

1,805 km²

approximate

Established

1973

Best months

Jun–Sep

UNESCO

World Heritage

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.

At a glance

Country
Canada
Area
1,805 km²
Established as a reserve in 1973; became a national park on 1 October 2005.
Established
1973
Best months
Jun–Sep
Permits
For some areas

Gros Morne protects 1,805 km² of the Long Range Mountains on Newfoundland's west coast, plus the Tablelands — mantle rock pushed up in a plate collision and toxic to most plants, which is why it looks like bare desert. UNESCO listed the park in 1987 for that geology. The park road (Route 430) runs through it, so you sleep in the villages inside or beside the park and drive between trailheads. The operating season is mid-May to mid-October; winter keeps the road open but most services close.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

  • UNESCO World Heritage · 1987Listed for the Tablelands and other exposed oceanic crust and mantle rock.

Size and age

1,805 km² · national park since 1973

Established as a reserve in 1973; became a national park on 1 October 2005.

Why go

  • The Tablelands: rust-coloured peridotite from the Earth's mantle, bare because the rock starves plants.
  • Western Brook Pond, a 16 km landlocked fjord reached by a 3 km walk and a boat.
  • The 16 km Gros Morne Mountain trail, the hardest day hike in the park.
  • Villages inside the park — Rocky Harbour, Woody Point, Trout River — with B&Bs, seafood and summer music festivals.

When to go

12-month verdict
  1. JanAvoid
  2. FebAvoid
  3. MarAvoid
  4. AprCaution
  5. MayGo
  6. JunBest
  7. JulBest
  8. AugBest
  9. SepBest
  10. OctGo
  11. NovAvoid
  12. DecAvoid
  • JanDeep snow; services closed; road open but storms close sections
  • FebColdest; snowshoe and ski only
  • MarStill winter; few facilities
  • AprThaw and mud; most services shut
  • MaySeason opens mid-May; boat trips depend on demand; snow patches on high trails
  • JunBoat trips start daily; capelin and whales in the inlets; fewer people than July
  • JulEverything open; warmest; book lodging and the boat early
  • AugFull service and festivals; busiest month
  • SepFewer people, boat trips thin out after early September; good walking
  • OctSeason ends mid-October; autumn colour; some services closed
  • NovMost facilities closed; wet and windy
  • DecWinter; only the road and a few businesses stay open

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year
Wildlife and nature calendar for Gros Morne National Park
WhatJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Moose (on roads, especially at dawn and dusk)All year · Introduced around 1900; an adult can weigh over a tonne and collisions are often fatal.yesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes
Whales (minke, humpback, fin) and capelin in the inletsJun–Aug · Best during the capelin run in early summer.nononononoyesyesyesnononono
Caribou on the high plateauJun–Sepnononononoyesyesyesyesnonono
Black bearsMay–Oct · Store food properly and make noise on trails.nonononoyesyesyesyesyesyesnono
Harbour seals in St. Pauls InletMay–Octnonononoyesyesyesyesyesyesnono

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

How to get there

From Deer Lake (YDF airport)

Rent a car at the airport and drive Route 430 north to the park visitor centre and Rocky Harbour.

1 h

From Port aux Basques (ferry from North Sydney)

Marine Atlantic ferry, then drive Route 1 and Route 430 north; reservations essential.

4 h drive after a 6 h crossing

From Corner Brook

Drive Route 1 east then Route 430 north into the park.

1.5 h

From St. John's

Fly to Deer Lake or drive the Trans-Canada Highway across the island.

8–9 h drive

Zones and sectors

Zones of Gros Morne National Park
ZoneWhat is thereAccess
Rocky Harbour and the coastal stripVisitor centre, most lodging and restaurants, Lobster Cove Head lighthouse, easy coastal walks.Open; drive and park.
Western Brook PondThe fjord, the 3 km access walk and the boat dock.Open; boat ticket needed for the water.
TablelandsBare peridotite plateau above Trout River and Woody Point, with the Tablelands Trail at its base.Open; stay on the trail — the rock is toxic to plants and slippery when wet.
Gros Morne Mountain and the interiorThe mountain trail and the pathless Long Range Traverse.Mountain trail open in season; traverse by permit only.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation
Sketch map of 8 approximate points in Gros Morne National Park, north up12345678
Approximate positions along Route 430 and the south shore, for orientation only.
  1. 1Gros Morne visitor centre · Headquarters≈49.572, -57.875Map ↗
  2. 2Rocky Harbour · Town≈49.590, -57.916Map ↗
  3. 3Western Brook Pond trailhead · Trail≈49.783, -57.833Map ↗
  4. 4Gros Morne Mountain trailhead · Trail≈49.610, -57.790Map ↗
  5. 5Tablelands trailhead · Trail≈49.475, -58.055Map ↗
  6. 6Woody Point · Village≈49.500, -57.930Map ↗
  7. 7Trout River · Village≈49.471, -58.118Map ↗
  8. 8Deer Lake Regional Airport · Ranger station≈49.213, -57.394Map ↗

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Top experiences

Boat tripsEasy3 h plus 45 min walk each wayWestern Brook Pond boat tourWalk 3 km over the coastal plain to the dock, then cruise the 16 km fjord under 600 m cliffs; up to seven departures a day in July and August, one a day in June and September.Booking: Reserve with the operator
TrailsHard6–8 hGros Morne Mountain (James Callaghan Trail)16 km loop with 800 m of climbing to the park's second-highest point; the descent is loose rock and the top is exposed to wind and fog.
TrailsEasy2–3 hTablelands TrailAbout 4 km return on an old road to the foot of the peridotite, with a lookout over the Winterhouse Brook canyon; no shade.
Boat tripsEasy2 hBonne Bay boat tourTwo connected fjords from Woody Point or Norris Point; eagles, moose and sometimes whales, plus a 'screech in' ceremony for an extra fee.Booking: Reserve with the operator
TrailsModerate4–5 hGreen GardensA 9 km return route from the Tablelands road down to sea cliffs and a beach; steep steps on the way back up.
ViewpointsEasy1 hLobster Cove Head lighthouseShort paths around the lighthouse near Rocky Harbour; good sunset spot and a small exhibit on the lightkeepers.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Entry fees and permits

CAD ranges · check
Fees for Gros Morne National Park
ItemRangePerNote
Park entry, adult (day)CAD 12–13person2026 estimate; Parks Canada day rate, higher in the summer season than the shoulder (check).
Park entry, family/group (day)CAD 24–26vehicle2026 estimate; covers up to seven people in one vehicle (check).
Parks Canada Discovery Pass, adult (annual)CAD 75–80person2026 estimate; pays off if you visit two or more national parks or historic sites in a year.
Western Brook Pond boat tour, adultCAD 58–67personOperator price; youth and child rates lower. Book ahead for July–August.
Bonne Bay boat tour, adultCAD 45personTwo-hour fjord tour; the 'screech in' ceremony costs about $10 extra.
Parks Canada campsite, unservicedCAD 28–29night2026 estimate; serviced sites with power cost more, oTENTik glamping and rustic cabins much more (check).

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry permit or guide

Pay at the visitor centre on Route 430 east of Rocky Harbour or at a campground gate; a Discovery Pass covers entry.

Western Brook Pond boat permit or guide

Reserve with the operator online or by phone; walk-up seats sell out in July and August.

Long Range Traverse and backcountry camping permit or guide

Reserve through Parks Canada; the traverse is a multi-day route with no marked path and requires navigation skills.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more
Stay on the Tablelands trail
Peridotite is toxic to most plants and the surface is easily damaged; walking off-trail leaves scars that last decades.
Food storage
Keep food in a vehicle or a bear-proof container, never in a tent, and clean up at camp kitchens.
Drones
Not allowed without a Parks Canada permit (check).check
Camping
Only in designated campgrounds or with a backcountry permit; no random camping along the road.
Fires
Only in provided fire pits; check for fire bans before lighting anything.

Where to stay

In the park

Rocky Harbour

The park's main village: hotels, motels, B&Bs and restaurants, 3 km from the visitor centre.

In the park

Woody Point and Trout River

Smaller south-shore villages with B&Bs and a handful of restaurants, closer to the Tablelands.

In the park

Parks Canada campgrounds

Five campgrounds from unserviced tent sites to oTENTik glamping; reserve early for July and August.

Near the park

Deer Lake

Airport town an hour away; a fallback if the park is full.

Safety

Moose on the road at dawn and dusk high

Drive slower than you think you need to, use high beams where safe, and watch the shoulders; collisions are common in Newfoundland.

Weather turning on the mountain medium

Carry rain gear, food and water on any hike; fog and wind arrive fast on the Gros Morne plateau.

Bears and other large animals medium

Make noise, keep food sealed, and ask park staff what to do if you meet one.

Cold water and cliffs on the coast medium

Keep back from the edge at Green Gardens and Western Brook; the sea here is cold year-round.

Accessibility

  • The visitor centre, Lobster Cove Head paths and the Tablelands trailhead are reachable by car with short, level walks.
  • Gros Morne Mountain, Green Gardens and the Western Brook Pond access walk are rough or long; not suitable for limited mobility.

Visiting lightly

  • Buy the Discovery Pass and use it across Parks Canada sites instead of paying day rates repeatedly.
  • Stay on marked trails on the Tablelands and alpine sections; the ground recovers very slowly.
  • Eat and sleep in the villages inside the park so the money stays in the communities.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Gros Morne National Park?

A Parks Canada day pass costs roughly $12–13 per adult or $24–26 per vehicle (2026 estimate), and a Discovery Pass at about $75–80 per adult covers entry for a year at Gros Morne and other Parks Canada sites. Camping, boat tours and backcountry permits are extra.

What are the best hikes in Gros Morne National Park?

For most people: the Tablelands Trail (about 4 km return, easy), Green Gardens (9 km return, moderate) and the Western Brook Pond access walk to the boat dock. The 16 km Gros Morne Mountain loop is the hard one — 800 m of climbing, loose rock and fast weather changes.

When is the best time to visit Gros Morne National Park?

Late June to early September. The operating season runs mid-May to mid-October, with full services and daily boat trips in July and August. June and September are quieter and still good for walking; winter keeps the road open but most facilities close.

Do I need a car in Gros Morne?

Yes, in practice. The park is 1,805 km² and the villages, trailheads and boat dock are far apart, with no useful public transport between them. Rent at Deer Lake airport, about an hour away.

Can I see the Tablelands without a guide?

Yes. The Tablelands Trail starts from the road between Woody Point and Trout River and is signed. Stay on the trail: the peridotite is toxic to most plants and the surface scars easily.

Is one day enough for Gros Morne?

No. One day covers either the Western Brook Pond boat or the Tablelands, not both comfortably. Two full days is the realistic minimum; three lets you add the mountain or Green Gardens.

Related

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Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

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