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Walkway at Gros Morne
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House at Gros Morne
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Sunset on the beach at Gros Morne
Shallow Bay Beach in evening light
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Bonne Bay - Gros Morne
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Broom Point
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Trout River Pond scenics
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Sheldon Stone
Driving through Gros Morne
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Shallow Bay - Gros Morne
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Tablelands - Winterhouse Brook Canyon
By Kim Vokey
Visit the world wonders within Gros Morne National Park - A World Heritage Site
Welcome to a landscape like no other! With its towering cliffs, dramatic fjord valleys, glacial lakes, sandy beaches, and highland plateaus, the landscape of Gros Morne National Park ranks among some of the most spectacular and diverse in Canada. The impressive landscape of Gros Morne tells the story of the Earth’s transformation. So it’s time to hitch up the RV for the ultimate rockin’ summer road trip – through Gros Morne National Park, a place where the rocks and geologic features exposed are the result of continents colliding designating this park a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
See the Earth Naked: The Tablelands of Gros Morne (Route 431)
Route 431 heads west at Wiltondale passing through the sheltered forests of the Lomond River valley making this peninsula a great place for camping. Lomond campground is located in what was once a thriving logging community with remnants of garden flowers still flourishing in the area.
From the Lomond area the road twists down The Struggle into the South Arm of Bonne Bay. This was the only road link to the northern peninsula until 1968. The famous Tablelands loom above the small communities perched along the side of the fjord: Glenburnie, Birchy Head and Shoal Brook ramble over the glacial deltas that 10,000 years ago flowed into the bay. The large historic homes and buildings of Woody Point hint at this community’s past importance as a commercial centre for western Newfoundland. Just before Woody Point, the road turns inland and climbs to the Gros Morne Discovery Centre. From this facility’s observation decks you can see most of the major scenic features of Gros Morne National Park: the Tablelands, Gros Morne Mountain, Bonne Bay, and the Lomond Peninsula. Landscaping around the facility showcases typical local wildflowers and shrubs, with several gardens highlighting the unusual plants of the area and a walkway entrance leading visitors past boulders of some of the most important rock types in the park.
Awaiting visitors inside are knowledgeable staff, information on seasonal interpretation programming, a comfortable lounge area with amazing views through high windows, interactive exhibit halls that allow visitors to discover more about the human and natural history resources of the park, such as the geology, glacial history, marine biology, and wildlife biology. Visitors are encouraged to watch “Holding Ground” the Gros Morne National Park film on the big screen in the theatre. The Discovery Centre also showcases an art gallery with new exhibits annually. In addition, you can do some souvenir shopping at the Tuckamore gift shop and relax with a coffee in a comfy chair while soaking up the views of Bonne Bay and catching up on correspondence by connecting to the free wireless internet service.
Continuing your drive on route 431 through Trout River Gulch, you can appreciate the way that mountains affect weather, and sense how climate and geology reign in this bizarre landscape. Here glaciation has laid bare the bones of the Earth, and a rare chapter of Earth’s history is exposed – an ocean floor upturned, the deepest layers on top– a wondrous illustration of plate tectonics. Stop and explore this area in the summertime with a Park Interpreter during a daily 10 am guided Tablelands hike.
Route 431 ends at the community of Trout River, where you can stroll along the boardwalk by the sea, or discover Trout River’s rich marine heritage in the community museum. More views await you at Trout River Pond, where you can spend the night under a mantle of stars at Trout River campground, and see the Tablelands in a whole new light with the setting sun.
Tablelands D r
Spectacular Western Brook Pond in Gros Morne (Route 430)
Route 430 heads north at Wiltondale and hugs the western coast of the park. There are spectacular views of the Long Range Mountains and Bonne Bay as the road climbs over Southeast Hills and then winds along the East Arm of Bonne Bay. Be sure to pull over at Gull Rocks along route 430 to get your picture taken in the red Adirondack chairs with Bonne Bay as your background.
The Gros Morne National Park Visitor Centre makes an informative rest stop. Parks Canada staff will assist you with trip planning questions and campground reservations or you can relax and connect to free wireless internet service. Pick up some souvenirs at the Tuckamore gift shop, and if you haven’t already, watch the Gros Morne National Park film “Holding Ground”. Exhibits showcase things to do and see further along the Viking Trail (route 430) of the great northern peninsula such as the Parks Canada National Historic Sites: Port au Choix, L’Anse aux Meadows and Red Bay in southern Labrador.
A side trip to Norris Point rewards you with a panoramic view of Bonne Bay and the Tablelands. At the town’s waterfront you can stroll onto the wharf, visit the aquaria of the Memorial University Bonne Bay Marine Station or take a boat or kayak tour.
North of Rocky Harbour, Berry Hill campground offers a centralized wooded location for RV camping with a short drive to Lobster Cove Head lighthouse that guards the entrance to Bonne Bay and overlooks the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The new outdoor exhibit with upgraded trails and interpretive signage placed around Lobster Cove Head welcomes self-exploration of this iconic photographer’s paradise. Be sure to chat with the experienced and knowledgeable staff about how people lived along the coast and made their living from the sea for more than 4,000 years.
The scenery changes dramatically along this outer coast. The Long Range Mountains retreat to the east as the road follows the windswept coastline where lies the spectacular glacier carved massive 1.2 billion-year-old block cliffs of Western Brook Pond. To experience this landscape to its full potential walk into the pond on an easy-moderate 3km trail. Along the way, benches provide places to rest and interpretation signs enrich your experience. At dockside you can sit and relax on the deck or inside. Purchase a light lunch while viewing the magnificent mountains and then share your photos with family and friends by connecting to free wifi. Hop on board the new catamaran and spend two hours cruising the iconic freshwater fjord lake with its stunning billion year old cliffs and waterfalls cascading from 2,000 feet.
Just north of Western Brook Pond on route 430, you’ll find the past is alive at Broom Point. The vibrant story of a Newfoundland fishing family, the Mudges: a family of three brothers, their wives & children who lived and fished at Broom Point seasonally for 35 years. Using the restored properties as a base – complete with original artefacts– Parks Canada’s skilful guides animate the past to give you insight into the present, and perhaps the future, of the traditional Newfoundland inshore fishery.
Continuing north, a lowland of forest and bog separates the coast from the mountains. Here you’ll see roadside gardens where people grow root crops in the rich peaty soil, and short trails lead through the tuckamore to the shore. Near the park’s northern boundary, at Cow Head, you can take in a play at the Gros Morne Theatre festival or spend the night at Shallow Bay campground and enjoy the long sandy beaches at Shallow Bay.
For more information about Gros Morne National Park campgrounds, services, programs, or entrance fees phone 709-458-2417 or email grosmorne.info@pc.gc.ca