Major city · Canada
Port Hope Simpson
Stay one night as a fuel-and-sleep stop on Route 510 between Labrador City/Goose Bay and the Blanc-Sablon ferries. No reason to come here on its own.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (road and fishing season); Feb–Mar for snowmobile events
- avoid Nov–Apr unless you are on a snowmobile; ice and snow close the road to casual driving
- Airport
- YHA
- 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.
Port Hope Simpson is a hamlet of about 529 people on the Trans-Labrador Highway, in southeastern Labrador. It exists as a service point: fuel, a hotel, a restaurant and an airstrip on a road where the next 410 km north to Happy Valley-Goose Bay has no services at all. The surrounding country — the Alexis River, Shinneys Water Complex, snowmobile trails — is the point, not the village.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Port Hope Simpson, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyThe village is quiet and safe.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and ambulance (canada-wide) · 511 Newfoundland and Labrador highway conditions
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckYHA Port Hope Simpson Airport (Small airstrip about 2 km south of town; scheduled service is limited — check current operators before booking.).YHA Port Hope Simpson Airport (Small airstrip about 1.2 mi south of town; scheduled service is limited — check current operators before booking.).
- Getting aroundYou need a vehicle.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or teacheckC$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealSoup, chilli or a sandwichcheckC$10–18 (≈ US$8–14)
- Budget bedRussell's RV Park site, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedAlexis Hotel room, a night, per roomC$180 (≈ US$140)
- High-end bedAlexis Hotel room, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$120 (≈ US$90) · Mid C$200 (≈ US$150) · High C$320 (≈ US$250)
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 →
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.
- Airports
- YHA Port Hope Simpson Airport (Small airstrip about 2 km south of town; scheduled service is limited — check current operators before booking.)YHA Port Hope Simpson Airport (Small airstrip about 1.2 mi south of town; scheduled service is limited — check current operators before booking.)
Weather and climate
Port Hope Simpson: 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°C14°F
−20°C−4°F
12 rd
Feb
−9°C16°F
−20°C−4°F
10 rd
Mar
−4°C25°F
−14°C7°F
11 rd
Apr
2°C36°F
−7°C19°F
11 rd
May
8°C46°F
−2°C28°F
12 rd
Jun
14°C57°F
3°C37°F
13 rd
Jul
18°C64°F
7°C45°F
13 rd
Aug
18°C64°F
7°C45°F
13 rd
Sep
13°C55°F
3°C37°F
13 rd
Oct
6°C43°F
−2°C28°F
13 rd
Nov
0°C32°F
−7°C19°F
13 rd
Dec
−6°C21°F
−15°C5°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a vehicle. The village is small enough to walk, but everything outside it — the Alexis River, the trails, the next fuel stop — is a drive. Fuel and basic repairs are at P & K Sports and Automotive and Penney's Pitstop. Snowmobile trails connect the hamlet to Cartwright, Mary's Harbour, Red Bay and other coast communities in winter.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Route 510 south, about 62 kmRoute 510 south, about 39 mi
Fuel, food and a small airstrip; the last services before Forteau.
Cartwright
cautionDoor to door: About 2.5–3 h
Route 510 north, about 187 kmRoute 510 north, about 116 mi
No services at Cartwright Junction. Cartwright has food and fuel but no hotel, bank or repair garage.
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
cautionDoor to door: About 5–6 h
Route 510 north, 410 km of wildernessRoute 510 north, 255 mi of wilderness
No fuel or services the whole way. Full tank, spare, and daylight only.
Door to door: About 3–4 h
Route 510 south through Red Bay and Lodge Bay
The route to the Newfoundland ferry and the Quebec North Shore coastal ferry.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Alexis Drive / village centre
The Alexis Hotel is the only hotel: rooms, restaurant, fuel and a small store in one place. Book ahead in summer.
Russell's RV Park
Next to Port Hope Hardware and Building Supplies; the option if you are self-contained in an RV or camper.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$120–180 (≈ US$90–140) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$180–280 (≈ US$140–250) excl. bed
- High
- C$280 (≈ US$250)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Alexis Hotel room1 × 1 night × C$180 | C$180 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$200 | C$400 |
| Fuel, one full tank1 × C$90 · check | C$90 |
| Meal at Campbell's Place or Midway2 × C$25 · check | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$72 |
| Trip total≈ C$396 per person per day, bed included | C$792≈ US$600 |
check
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and vehicle costs excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or teacheck | C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Soup, chilli or a sandwichcheck | C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) |
| Pizza by the slicecheck | C$5–8 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Fuel, per litrecheck; higher in remote Labrador | C$1.70–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| Hotel room, one nightcheck | C$140–240 (≈ US$110–180) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The 410 km north to Happy Valley-Goose Bay has no fuel, no food and no services. Fill the tank here, every time.The 255 mi north to Happy Valley-Goose Bay has no fuel, no food and no services. Fill the tank here, every time.
- There is no mobile phone service in Port Hope Simpson. Tell someone your plan before you leave the last town with signal.
- Fuel up before you leave; the next services south are at Mary's Harbour, about 62 km on.Fuel up before you leave; the next services south are at Mary's Harbour, about 39 mi on.
- Set your watch: most of Labrador north of here uses Atlantic time, while Port Hope Simpson and points south to Forteau use Newfoundland time.
- Winter driving on Route 510 is for locals and prepared vehicles; do not attempt it casually.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance (Canada-wide)
- 911
- Newfoundland and Labrador highway conditions
- 511
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Port Hope SimpsonPort Hope Simpson
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Can you take me to this address?To this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Highway conditions (NL)511
Embassy
No consulates in Labrador. US consulate general in Halifax or Montréal; most other countries: embassies in Ottawa.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Fuel, Port Hope Simpson: fill the tank here; the next services north are 410 km awayfill the tank here; the next services north are 255 mi away
- Route 510 to Mary's Harbour: about 62 km, about 1 habout 39 mi, about 1 h
- Route 510 to Cartwright: about 187 km, about 2.5–3 habout 116 mi, about 2.5–3 h
Say or show
- Where's the gas station? — Where is the fuel station?
- How far to the next gas? — How far to the next services?
- Is Route 510 open? — Is the road open?
- Do you have a room for tonight? — I need a room for one night.
- Thanks, bye — Thank you
- There's no cell service here — No mobile signal here
No mobile phone service in the hamlet. Carry cash; card machines may be offline.
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 Port Hope Simpson. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (road and fishing season); Feb–Mar for snowmobile events · avoid Nov–Apr unless you are on a snowmobile; ice and snow close the road to casual driving · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Fuel-and-sleep contract for the Route 510 gap: last fuel, last food, last signal, and the 410 km no-service stretch marked on the map.
- Walking cluster for the village with rescue anchors: Alexis Hotel, Campbell's Place, Midway Restaurant, the airstrip.
- Place pages for the Alexis River, Shinneys Water Complex and the snowmobile trail network, with season and access rules.
- Winter and shoulder-season fixtures so the road-status and no-signal warnings can go green.