Things to Do
Experience Gros Morne
Stretching across seven different communities, each with its own character, Gros Morne National Park offers something for every kind of traveller. Wherever you go, you’ll find experiences that bring the park’s nature and culture to life.
Ready to explore? Learn more about the different kinds of adventures waiting for you across the park.
Hiking
Biking
Food & Beverage
Kayaking
Tours
Camping
Family Activities
Experience Providers
Below is a directory of operators offering some of the most popular and distinctive experiences in the park, from single-day activities to multi-day adventures.
Experience Providers
Gros Morne Adventures
Small-group adventure tours specializing in hiking, kayaking, and multi-day packages. Options include guided day hikes, zodiac and kayak tours, and multi-day hiking adventures like the Long Range Traverse and Fall Colours Tour.
Wild Gros Morne
Year-round outdoor adventure tours and packages on land and water, including boat tours, kayaking, group hikes, and culinary experiences with local seafood and wild game.
Under the Stump
Unique and accessible, Indigenous-focused experiences, including guided cultural wilderness tours, storytelling walks and hikes, and hands-on cultural classes.
Gros Morne Transportation & Tours
Offers transportation and guided tours throughout the park, including South and North Side tours, the Gros Morne Grand Tour, and traditional Newfoundland experiences.
Out East Adventures
Guided hiking experiences, including day hikes to Western Brook Pond viewpoints.
Taste of Gros Morne
Guided culinary tours that combine food, culture, and outdoor adventure for an immersive regional experience.
Tour Gros Morne
Tailored multi-day and day excursions combining hiking, culture, and culinary experiences. Options include guided hiking tours, food and cultural experiences, custom picnics, and fully customizable itineraries with premium add-ons like helicopter rides or multi-day “bucket list” adventures.
Bon Tours
Marine and boat excursions in and around Gros Morne National Park. Offering the signature Western Brook Pond Boat Tour, a two-hour guided trip through the fjord, plus Tablelands tours on Bonne Bay that highlight the coastline, wildlife, and unique geology.
Official Park Programs & Interpretation
Gros Morne National Park Field Unit (Parks Canada)
Official park programs featuring interpretive walks, guided hikes, and cultural experiences such as the Tablelands walk, Medicine Walks, Fireside Sharing Circle, Green Point tours, and local music sessions.
Experience the Culture & Festivals of Gros Morne
Gros Morne is more than breathtaking landscapes – it’s a hub of culture, music, and storytelling. Throughout the year, the communities around the park come alive with festivals celebrating Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich heritage, creativity, and deep connection to the land and sea.
From world-class theatre and lively traditional music gatherings to culinary events and Indigenous cultural celebrations, these festivals give visitors an authentic taste of the region’s spirit. Explore our signature festivals and plan your visit to experience the culture that makes Gros Morne truly special.
Gros Morne Hiking Festival
South side of Gros Morne, including GBS and Woody Point
When: Second weekend in September
An annual event for outdoor enthusiasts to explore Gros Morne’s landscapes and nearby communities. Guided hikes cater to all skill levels, including trails like the Tablelands Full Loop and Gros Morne Mountain. The festival also features kayaking, boat tours, stand-up paddleboarding, live music, and culinary experiences.
Learn more here.
Gros Morne Fall Festival
Town of Cow Head
When: Third weekend in September
A four-day celebration of the region’s crafts, music, food, and heritage. Highlights include craft workshops, storytelling sessions, traditional music, guided hikes, and local culinary treats, including moose dinners. The festival culminates with a craft fair showcasing handmade creations.
Learn more here.
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador (TNL)
Town of Cow Head
When: May to September
Founded in 1979, TNL is a professional theatre company dedicated to plays reflecting Newfoundland and Labrador’s rich culture. Its flagship event, the Gros Morne Theatre Festival, runs from May to September in Cow Head, featuring traditional music, dinner theatre, and contemporary plays. Performances take place at the Nurse Myra Bennett Centre for the Performing Arts.
Learn more here.
Writers at Woody Point
Town of Woody Point
When: Third weekend in August
This literary and music festival celebrates storytelling, music, and community. Attendees enjoy intimate sessions with authors and musicians, art exhibits, hikes, and impromptu jam sessions, all set against the park’s stunning backdrop.
Learn more here.
Trails, Tales and Tunes
Town of Norris Point
When: Last two weekends in May
A 10-day annual festival blending guided walks, culinary adventures, and musical entertainment. Performances take place in intimate venues across Norris Point, celebrating local culture and the park’s natural beauty.
Learn more here.
Hiking
Follow the rugged beauty of the Green Gardens Trail, reach the breathtaking heights of Gros Morne Mountain, or take the easy, scenic stroll leading to Western Brook Pond. With trails winding through lush forests, ancient fjords, and striking coastal landscapes, every step offers an unforgettable outdoor experience for every adventurer.
Biking
Mountain Biking & Gravel Cycling
While Gros Morne National Park is best known for hiking, the surrounding communities of Rocky Harbour and Norris Point offer excellent mountain biking opportunities. Trails range from family-friendly loops to challenging downhill tracks to scenic gravel routes.
Northcotts Trail System
Multi-use trails with scenic lookouts
Located at the entrance to Norris Point, the Northcotts Trail System features two complementary trails suitable for walkers, hikers, and mountain bikers.
- Sam’s Loop (1.8 km return, Easy): A short family-friendly loop with gentle grades and views of Bonne Bay, the Tablelands, and surrounding mountains. Includes the Norris Point Seven Corners installation.
- Neddies Harbour Traverse (5.5 km point-to-point): A multi-use trail suitable for hiking and mountain biking, this rolling route winds through forest and open terrain, connecting the west side of Norris Point to the east side and the Water Supply Road. Can be combined with community roads for a ~10 km loop.
Dr. D’s
Moderate-difficulty downhill loop (4 km)
Located just outside of Rocky Harbour and Norris Point, off of Route 430, Dr. D’s is a hand-built trail with beautiful views of Gros Morne Mountain. It’s a fun downhill track with berms, rocks, and flow sections (1.2 km descent) with a 3 km moderate climb.
Ridgeline Trail
Longest machine-built trail in Atlantic Canada (7 km)
Located in Rocky Harbour, this multi-directional trail offers sweeping views of Gros Morne Mountain, the Tablelands, and the town. Combined with the Eastern Arm ATV trail, riders can make a 14 km loop. The preferred route is north to south, with parking at the Parks Canada Swimming Pool in Rocky Harbour, 2 km from the trail head. The preferred route is north to south, with parking at the trailhead or the Parks Canada Swimming Pool in Rocky Harbour.
Gravel Cycling
Gravel biking is a scenic, accessible way to explore Gros Morne and its fjords, forests, and coastal lowlands. Popular multi-use routes include Western Brook Pond, Stuckless Pond, the Old Mail Road, and the Eastern Arm Pond access road, all featuring wide gravel surfaces, gentle grades, and scenic views suitable for gravel, hybrid, and mountain bikes. Additionally, the Parks Canada ski trails near the Visitor Centre provide roughly 11 km of looped terrain with rolling climbs and sheltered forest, perfect for casual riders, families, or a quick ride close to town. The Heritage Trail from St. Paul’s to Cow Head is a great gravel bike route.
More info: Trailforks – Gros Morne | Cycling in Gros Morne National Park
Food & Beverage
Gros Morne is all about local flavour. Every community has small, locally owned restaurants serving fresh seafood and local produce – it’s what we’re known for. Whether you’re looking for traditional Newfoundland and Labrador fare, a casual café, or a fine dining experience, there’s something here to satisfy every appetite.
Kayaking
One of the best ways to experience the majestic fjords and stunning coastline of Gros Morne is from the water. Bonne Bay is the undisputed hub for ocean kayaking in the region, offering sheltered waters and unforgettable views, particularly along the South and East Arms.
Here you can paddle directly beneath the towering mountains of the Long Range and the iconic rust-coloured Tablelands. Wildlife sightings are common, with seals, eagles, and even whales frequently visiting the sheltered waters of the fjord.
Gros Morne Adventures and Wild Gros Morne, two experienced local operators, offer everything you need to get on the water:
- Guided Tours: Choose from short, introductory paddles (typically 2 hours) perfect for beginners, or opt for full-day adventures that may combine kayaking with hiking or boat shuttles.
- Rentals: High-quality single- and double-sea kayaks are available for rent for those with the appropriate experience.
Safety and Planning: While Bonne Bay offers protected paddling, Parks Canada stresses that all marine activities require careful planning. Water conditions change rapidly, and open areas like the Gulf of St. Lawrence and fjord ponds (like Western Brook Pond) can be hazardous. Always check the forecast and consult with local outfitters before launching. Learn more here.
Tours
Gros Morne is a place of striking landscapes, fascinating stories, and unforgettable experiences waiting to be discovered. Guided tours and curated experiences offer a chance to dive deeper into the park. Whether it’s a paddle through Bonne Bay, a hike across the Tablelands, a cultural walk led by Indigenous guides, or a culinary adventure featuring local flavours, each experience uniquely uncovers what makes Gros Morne so special.
Camping
Camping is the ultimate way to experience the dramatic landscapes and pristine beauty of Gros Morne National Park and its surrounding communities. The region offers a wide range of accommodations, from rugged tenting spots to luxury glamping domes and fully serviced RV sites.
Parks Canada Campgrounds
Parks Canada operates five official campgrounds within Gros Morne National Park, offering 236 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and recreational vehicles, as well as unique accommodations like oTENTiks and Tiny Cabins, all set amidst the park’s distinctive geological features.
Parks Canada Campgrounds:
- Berry Hill
- Shallow Bay
- Trout River
- Lomond
- Green Point
Plan Ahead: Reservations are highly recommended, especially during the peak season.
Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
For visitors who prefer more amenities, full RV servicing, or unique accommodation types like glamping domes and dedicated cabins, a variety of private campgrounds are available in the communities bordering the park. These sites often provide prime waterfront locations and serve as excellent home bases for local tours and dining.
Private Campgrounds and RV Parks:
Family Activities
Gros Morne isn’t just for hikers and adventurers – there’s plenty for little explorers too. From gentle, stroller-friendly trails like Berry Head Pond to interactive learning at the Bonne Bay Aquarium and Parks Canada Discovery Centre, kids can connect with nature, wildlife, and local culture in ways that are fun for the whole family.
Need to cool off? The Gros Morne Swimming Pool in Rocky Harbour is perfect for rainy days or a quick splash, while beaches and picnic spots at Lomond and Shallow Bay let kids run wild, explore, and play. All ages can enjoy the music, storytelling, and local flavour of our seasonal festivals and daytime performances. For a bigger adventure, older kids can take on the flat, stroller-accessible trail to the Western Brook Pond dock and hop on a boat tour through the park’s towering fjords – a true once-in-a-lifetime experience. Pack layers, snacks, and curiosity, and Gros Morne will reward your family with memories that last long after you leave.