I recently returned from an epic 4 days in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, and learned the ins and outs of this incredible destination. I’ve compiled this complete itinerary and guide to help you get the absolute MOST out of your time in the park.
Gros Morne National Park is one of Canada’s most stunning destinations. On the West Coast of Newfoundland, Gros Morne is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty and geological significance in North America. The park boasts towering mountains, vast forests, and fjords carved by ancient glaciers and tectonic forces.
Whether you are planning a first time visit to the park or returning to uncover more of its charms, this Gros Morne itinerary will bring you an unforgettable 4 days in Eastern Canada’s most stunning park. You’ll find the perfect blend of outdoor adventures, a look into local culture in the park’s coastal towns, and tranquil moments to enjoy the serene untouched environment.
How Many Days Do You Need in Gros Morne National Park?
To fully explore the wonders of Gros Morne National Park, you’ll need 4-5 days. 4 days are great if you like to fill your days up, but if you want a more relaxed pace, I recommend 5 days. The itinerary I provided below can be adapted to 5 days if you want to spread some of the activities out.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Gros Morne National Park?
The best time to visit Gros Morne National Park is in the summer months of July – Early September. You can visit during the shoulder seasons, such as May/June and September/October if you are open to less ideal conditions.
There will be some things that are off-limits to you in the shoulder seasons, such as some tour options, but there are still a lot of great tours and activities to join. I travelled to Gros Morne in mid-June and we had an amazing time!
** Please Note: The Gros Morne Summit Hike is Closed in May and June every year to protect the wildlife that are having their babies on the mountain.
How to Get to Gros Morne National Park?
Gros Morne National Park is located on the West Coast of Newfoundland. The quickest and easiest way to get there is to fly into Deer Lake Airport, just one hour outside of the park.
Alternatively, you can fly into St. John’s and make a road trip out of it. Newfoundland has a lot of other amazing places to visit and the 6.5 hour drive from St. John’s to Gros Morne is quite scenic.
Finally, if you are driving from other parts of Canada’s East Coast, you can take a ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques, in southwestern Newfoundland. From there, it is a 3 hour drive north to Gros Morne National Park. Ferries run daily and you can find further information on the schedule here.Â
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The Perfect 4 Days in Gros Morne, Newfoundland (Full Itinerary and Guide)
Day 1 – The Tablelands, Bonne Bay Lookouts, and Adorable Seaside Towns
Coffee on the Water at Galliot Studios & Cafe
To start your first of 4 days in Gros Morne, drive into Woody Point to grab a coffee at Galliot Studios & Cafe. This is the best coffee shop in the entire park, not only because of its yummy brews and homemade treats but because you can enjoy your coffee on their wooden patio on the water. The patio overlooks the beautiful Bonne Bay, with views of mountains and the unique Tablelands as the backdrop. It’s quiet and a great place to start your trip off with a serene moment in nature.
Hike the Tablelands’ Otherworldly Landscape
After enjoying your coffee on the water, make the short drive to the Tablelands trailhead. The Tablelands are a geological marvel completely unique to Gros Morne National Park. This rust-coloured landscape is only one of three locations in the world where the Earth’s Mantle is exposed. On top of the fascinating geology, exploring the tablelands feels like you’re on Mars with the barren red terrain and distinct formations of the towering cliffs.
Head out on the rocky Tablelands hike that takes you into the heart of it all.
Trail Length: 4 km roundtrip
Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: Virtually none.
Many people choose to walk further into the tablelands off-trail to get a unique vantage point of the terrain from slightly above. It’s definitely a must-do activity when visiting Gros Morne National Park.
Visit the Gros Morne Discovery Centre
After hiking in the Tablelands, drive a few minutes down the road to the Gros Morne Discovery Centre. This is a great place to get further information on the Tablelands and the other unique parts of the landscape that make Gros Morne so special. They have an entire exhibit dedicated to the unique geology of the Tablelands and the immense role it played in the theory of tectonic plates and modern geology. You’ll walk out with a completely different appreciation of the landscape you just hiked on. The discovery centre also has a small gift shop to peruse.
Lunch on the Water in Woody Point
For your first lunch of the trip, head back to the pretty seaside village of Woody Point and enjoy a meal on the water at The Old Loft Restaurant or the Merchant Warehouse Retro Cafe & Wine Bar. The food is pretty average but good, and you’ll be on a patio overlooking the water and mountains of Bonne Bay. It’s the perfect spot to relax after a busy morning and get your energy back up for the afternoon’s activities.
Hike the Lookout Hills Trail for Views Over Bonne Bay
After lunch, head to the Lookout Hills Trail located right near Woody Point. This is a great trail for gaining panoramic views over Bonne Bay and the surrounding mountains. There is a steady climb through the forest before emerging onto a highland plateau with a boardwalk bringing you closer to the top. The Lookout Hills Trail starts from the Discovery Centre parking lot.
Trail Length: 5 km roundtrip loop
Time: 2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 363 metres.
Visit the Stunning Trout River
Trout River is one of the most beautiful towns in Gros Morne. It was actually my favourite of the towns we visited. Trout River is incredibly small but has a boardwalk strip along a beach that runs between the two cliffsides that border the town’s small cove.
Dinner at the Famous Seaside Restaurant
While you are in Trout River, have dinner at the renowned Seaside Restaurant. Out of all the local restaurants we tried in Gros Morne, this was by far the best. They specialize in high quality, fresh seafood and are located right on the beach with views over the water. They have been recognized in National Geographic Traveler’s Magazine, The New York Times, Restaurant Hall of Fames, and more. It is a family-run business and you really feel that authentic local experience when you are there.
Walk Up The Eastern Point Trail for Sunset
For your final activity of the day, walk up the 1 km Eastern Point Trail in Trout River for the best sunset you’ll experience on the trip. It is truly magical the way the setting sun illuminates the already impressive cliffsides and turns the sky pink as it dips below the ocean horizon. This short hike was a highlight out of all the things I did in Gros Morne.
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Day 2 – Summit Gros Morne Mountain
On day 2 of your 4 days in Gros Morne National Park, experience what many consider to be the park’s main event: a summit of Gros Morne Mountain. The mountain is the second highest in Newfoundland at 806 metres high and is part of the Long Range Mountains that run along the West Coast of Newfoundland. Summiting can be done as a day hike and you’ll be accompanied by hikers who are completing it on the last day of the Long Range Traverse (a 35 km 3- 4 day through hike). This day hike is challenging but incredibly rewarding with the best views you can get in the park.
Trail Length: 17 km roundtrip
Time: 7 – 8 hours
Difficulty: hard
Elevation Gain: 650 m or 2,133 feet
Breakdown of the Gros Morne Mountain Summit Hike:
The first 4.5 km of the trail brings you on a gradual ascent to the base of the mountain at 320 metres. You’ll have great views of Bonne Bay as you hike this portion. You’ll know you’ve reached this point because of the numerous small ponds in the area. From here, the trail gets steep and turns into a scramble up a boulder gully for the rest of the hike to the summit. In this section, you’ll gain 500 metres in elevation.
Preparing for the Gros Morne Mountain Summit Hike:
The Gros Morne Moutain summit hike will leave you exposed for large portions of it to the raw elements in the park. You can expect some pretty intense sun, rapid temperature changes, and high winds as you go. Make sure you bring sunscreen and layers along with you.
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Day 3 – Canada’s Best Fjords and the Viking Trail Scenic Drive
Western Brook Pond Fjord Tour
For day 3 of the 4 days in Gros Morne, Newfoundland, head out on my favourite experience in the park: a boat tour of Western Brook Pond and its incredible fjords. You’ll need to arrive at least 1 hour early ahead of your departure time to walk the 3 km easy gravel path to the dock. The walk is very scenic and gives you your first glimpse of Newfoundland’s incredible fjord. The boat ride is about 2 hours long and brings you in through the fjord to admire spectacular views of towering cliffs and waterfalls. The Western Brook fjord boat tour is an absolute MUST when visiting Gros Morne.
Visit Rocky Harbour
After an exciting morning and early afternoon, backtrack a bit to Rocky Harbour to grab some lunch. Rocky Harbour is another of Gros Morne’s picturesque towns to visit. It is one of the bigger towns in the area so it’s a great spot to grab some lunch. We’ll use Rocky Harbour as the starting point to drive a portion of the famous Viking Trail scenic road trip.
Before leaving Rocky Harbour, make sure you pop into the Art of the Ocean Gallery.
Viking Trail Stop 1 – Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse
Your first stop on the Viking trail is the Lobster Cove Lighthouse. The traditional Newfoundland lighthouse has an interesting history that you can learn about in the small museum located inside the house. There are great views over the Ocean and a few short trails that bring you to new vantage points of the lighthouse and the surrounding cove.
Viking Trail Stop 2 – Green Point Lookout
The Green Point Lookout is just past the entrance to the Green Point Campground. It is an excellent vantage point that juts out from the coast for views over the ocean and the dramatic coastline. There are a couple of red muskoka chairs for taking pictures and sitting to admire the view.
Optional: Hike a Part of the Coastal Trail
If you are not feeling too tired from the day before, hike part of the Coastal Trail from the Green Point Campground. The coastal trail gives you some of the best views along the coast and is an easy and fun hike. The trail is a 3 km in and out each way, so if you are not up for the entire hike just a portion of it would still be rewarding.
Viking Trail Stop 3 – Shallow Bay Beach
Shallow Bay Beach is another great stop along the Viking trail and is located right next to the town of Cow Head. The beach has soft sand and very shallow waters that warm up in the summer. It is a great stop to go for a dip or simply admire the ocean beach.
Viking Trail Stop 4 – Arches Provincial Park
For your final stop on the Viking Trail, check out Arches Provincial Park. It is a few minutes outside of Gros Morne National Park and is free to enter. There is a set of wooden stairs that take you down to a rocky beach with incredible rock arch formations right on the beach. You can snap some photos and even wander into the arches.
Day 4 – Learn Some Local Insight, Tour Bonne Bay, and Hike One of Gros Morne’s Best Trails
Learn Some Local Insight on a Bonne Bay Fjord Boat Tour
For your final of 4 days in Gros Morne, start the day with a boat tour of Bonne Bay. Run by local guides who have an intimate knowledge of the park and its history, you’ll enjoy fantastic views exploring Bonne Bay and learn so much about Gros Morne. I was able to ask the guide all my burning questions about the park. The tours run with small groups in a zodiac boat and are a great way to support sustainable tourism experiences in the park. You’ll see the Tablelands from a different vantage point, explore more sections of Bonne Bay that you can only get to by boat, and see the cute town of Norris Point from across the bay.
You can book the tour with Wild Gros Morne, a local tourism company. They also offer kayak tours if that is of more interest to you.
Experience the Popular Green Gardens Hike
Once you’ve completed the boat tour around 12:30, drive back towards the town of Trout River to the Green Gardens Trail. This is considered one of the best hiking trails in Gros Morne with stunning views over the coast, a beach you can hike down to, and incredible rock formations.
Distance: 10 km
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The Green Gardens Hike is the perfect way to finish off your 4 days in Gros Morne National Park.
Cost of Entry into Gros Morne National Park:
You can buy your entry pass into Gros Morne National Park at the Parks Canada building along the main highway into Gros Morne from the South. The entrance fees can be found here on the Parks Canada website. We purchased the annual pass because with 4 of us planning to do 4 days in the park, that was the cheapest option.
Where to Stay in Gros Morne National Park:
There are a few different towns that are good options for finding accommodation and being centrally located in the park. I recommend:
Woody Point:
Woody Point was one of my two favourite towns in Gros Morne because of how scenic and cute it was. It is a great location to stay because you’ll be right in the heart of Gros Morne. The accommodation options in Woody Point are somewhat limited due to its small size, but there are definitely some good places to stay if you book early enough. There are a few hotels in Woody Point such as The Rooms at Woody Point, Seaside Suites, and Gros Morne Inn. There is also one RV campground with a handful of spots available. I’d say if you are ok with paying a slight premium to stay in a town with fewer accommodations, this is where I’d choose to stay in the park, due to its feeling of authenticity and small-town charm.
Rocky Harbour:
Rocky Harbour is another great place to stay in Gros Morne National Park. It is the biggest town within Gros Morne, with more hotels and restaurants to choose from. You can find good accommodation in hotels such as Ocean View Hotel, Gros Morne Suites, and Fishermen’s Landing Inn. They also have 3 campground options for both RVs and tent camping. This is the place to be if you want more amenities available to you and it is also a great central location for getting around the park.
Norris Point:
Norris Point is located just South of Rocky Harbour on a piece of land that juts out into Bonne Bay. There are a couple of good hotel options here such as the Tides Inn and Out East B&B. It’s another good option for people looking for a more quiet small town.
Deer Lake:
Deer Lake is located about 55 minutes outside of Gros Morne National Park central to either side of the bay. If you are looking for the best budget options and don’t mind the extra drive into the park, Deer Lake is likely your best bet. The town is also much larger in comparison to those in Grose Morne, so your chances of finding Airbnb’s with full kitchen setups are better. I stayed in Deer Lake so we could have an entire apartment to ourselves for a budget price and found the drive into the park every day to be very scenic and enjoyable.
Final Thoughts on the Best 4 Days in Grose Morne National Park, Newfoundland
As you wrap up your 4 days in Gros Morne National Park, it is clear that this destination stands as one of Canada’s best. The towering mountains, vast forests, serene fjords, and the warm hospitality of its coastal towns offer a truly unforgettable experience. This 4 day itinerary includes the best of Gros Morne National Park and some hidden gems to get the absolute MOST out of Western Newfoundland’s beautiful landscape. Happy adventuring!
* Disclosure: Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links, which means I receive a commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. I only recommend products and companies that I use. Thanks for the support!
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