A UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of never-ending series of wonders and spectacular views, Gros Morne National Park is nothing short of spectacular!
And in this article, we will look at the best hotels to stay near Gros Morne National Park, the best places to visit, entry pass, etc. So let’s begin!
Summary
| National Park | Gros Morne National Park |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 |
| Things to do | Hiking, Boating and, many more |
| Hotels near Gros Morne National Park | Wild Flower Country Inn, Stay in Gros Morne, and many more |
| Entry Fee | $8.40-$20 |
| Camping Locations | Multiple Locations |
Where Is Gros Morne National Park?
Spanning over 1,805 square kilometers, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is located on the west coast of Newfoundland.
Deer Lake airport is one of the nearest airports from Gros Morne National Park and is just thirty minutes drive away and also a four-hour drive away from Port aux Basques.
You can explore the park by walking, hiking, boat paddling, etc.
Also Read: Dry Tortugas National Park
About Gros Morne National Park
Gros Morne is one of Canada’s most beautiful and underrated national parks.
Located on the edge of western Newfoundland, it is the second-largest national park in the Atlantic that offers a chance to discover a dramatic mountain landscape created by continental drift.
The park’s landscape is truly diverse and unique. From towing cliffs, sandy beaches to fjords valleys, lush forests, and spectacular hiking trails.
With over 100km of trails and plenty of fun activities, the park is considered the mecca for modern-day adventure seekers.
An Overview | Trip Planning Guide
History Of Gros Morne National Park
Created over 485 million years ago, this Park is unlike any other national park on earth.
The park’s spectacular landscape was carved by the grinding action of glaciers on the Long-Range Mountains.
The history of human inhabitation in the area dates back to 2500 BC when the Maritime Archiac people inhabited the region, followed by Europeans who settled in the area in the late 1800s.
In 1970, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland & Labrador signed an agreement to establish the Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland to protect the region’s glacial and geological importance.
The park was officially established in 1986 under the National Parks Act and earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 1987 because of its glacial significance, extraordinary scenery, and geological history.
Things To Do In The Park
This Park is a hiker’s paradise and gem for history lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Here are the most essential five things to keep yourself occupied in the park:
Explore The Tablelands
Tablelands is one of the major tourist attractions in the park, as it is the place where plate tectonics theory was confirmed.
Located on the southwest corner of the park, a distinctive red moon-like landscape formed when the tectonic plates collided and pushed the mantle to the earth’s surface millions of years ago.
Let your feet experience the most significant exposed part of the earth’s mantle as you hike through the planet’s mantle and enjoy the panoramic views of mountains and sea from above.
Climb The Summit Of Gros Morne Mountain
Hiking the summit of Gross Morne Mountain is one of those experiences that can’t be easily forgotten.
It is the highest point in the park that offers stunning views of Ten Mile Pond, Bonne Bayan, and Long-Range Mountains.
You can take a 10-mile loop trail from lowland to alpine terrain with lots of colorful wildflowers and wildlife from July to November.
The trail is quite strenuous, but once you get to the top, you’ll find it rewarding with some remarkable views of long-range mountains below the summit.
Tour The Lobster Cove Head
The Lobster Cove Lighthouse is a famous cultural landmark of the park that features a wide range of exhibits that depict the history of the area’s inhabitants, short trails, and stunning viewpoints, which are sure to please any member of the family.
Located on the northern entrance to Boone Bay, it is more than just a lighthouse, offering one of the best spots for witnessing the sunset and seeing humpback whales offshore.
It is a great place to explore the intertidal zone, park’s unique geology, and cultural history all in one place.
Read: Denali National Park
Take A Western Brook Pond Boat Tour
Western Brook Pond is a freshwater fjord carved by the surrounding glaciers during the last ice age.
The Fjord was separated from the sea after the glaciers melted and assigned the highest purity rating available for natural bodies of water.
A scenic boat tour of the Western Brook Pond is one of the must-do things in the park.
Book your spot on the two hours long excursions are operated by Bontours and Glide between the giant 1.2 billion old cliffs and enjoy the spellbinding views of ancient cliffs and plunging falls that cascade into the park’s largest lake.
Hike the Lookout Hills Trail
This National Park is full of amazing sceneries and diverse landscapes; however, nothing comes close to the panoramic vistas from the Lookout Hills Trail.
Take a hike from the Discovery center to the highland plateau at the top of Partridgeberry Hill, and enjoy the spectacular views of Bonne Bay, Tablelands, Gros Morne Mountain, and the Lookout hills in a completely different light.
Best Time To Visit
This Park is a great year-round destination, and it’s hard to tell which time is best to visit.
However, between late May and Mid October, the temperatures are more pleasant, and tons of marine life viewing opportunities are available.
January, February, and March are the best month for cross-country skiing and enjoying other winter activities, while July and August are the best times to spot whales.
Map Of Gros Morne National Park
Make sure to download the official map of the Park to plan your adventures before and during the trip.
Visit the pc.gc.ca to download the PDF map of the park containing all the information on main points of interest hiking routes, campgrounds, visitors, and more.
Camping
There are five campgrounds in the Park with a total of 235 campsites that offers both primitive tent camping and recreational vehicle camping.
Berry Hill Campground is the largest and centrally located campground in the Park that offers home-like amenities.
Located near Rocky Harbor and Norris Point, it makes a great base to explore every corner of the Park.
All the campsites must be reserved in advance, either online or in-person, at the Park’s Visitor Center.
Weather Of Gros Morne National Park
The weather in the Park is highly unpredictable. It is influenced by wet maritime at the coastal plain and subarctic at the higher elevation.
July and August are the warmest and driest months with an average annual temperature range between 16-20°C and can drop as low as five °C at night.
Winters temperatures range between 10-0°C in the daytime and bring significant snowfall.
At the higher elevations, temperatures are usually 4–10-degree cooler than the lower grounds, so be prepared for worse if you’re not appropriately equipped.
Make sure to check the current weather before planning a visit and come prepared.
Best Hotels Near Gros Morne National Park
This Park is located near Deer Lake, where there are plenty of accommodations to stay outside of the park, like, cabins, hotels, Inns, and B&B.
Here are the top five places to stay near the park recommended by TripAdvisor:
- The Rooms at Woody Point
- Stay in Gros Morne
- Wildflowers Country Inn
- Shallow Bay Motel & Cabins
- Entente Cordiale Inn
Entry Fee & Passes Of Gros Morne National Park
The entry fee for this Park is $10 per adult, $20 per family/group, and $8.40 for a commercial group.
The entry is free for youth 17 and under. Upon arrival, the entry passes can be purchased online or at the park’s entrance.
For more information about the fee structure, visit the Parks Canada Website.
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Checklist Of Things to Pack
If you’re planning a multi-day trip to this Park, here are some must-have items you should pack to ensure a great time in the park:
- Hiking bag pack
- A mix of both light and warm clothes
- Waterproof Jacket
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Tent & sleeping bag
- Sun hat & Sunscreen
- Plenty of water and food
- Sanitizer
- Flashlight
- Trail mix/snack bars
- Power bank
- Bug Spray
- First-aid kit
- Map and GPS devices
FAQ
How much time do I need to explore Gros Morne National Park?
To see the highlights of the Gros Morne National Park, you’d at least need 4-days.
However, if you have trails to hike, mountains to climb, and geology to learn, set aside at least five days to do justice to this beauty.
What makes Gros Morne National Park unique?
Gros Morne National Park unique is the second-largest park in Atlantic Canada after Torngat National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Site that preserves and protects the Oceanic crust and mantle exposed due to tectonic plate collision.
Which animals are abundant in the Gros Morne National Park?
Gros Morne National Park is home to only 14 native mammals due to its desolate location.
Some of the iconic animal species found in the park include Moose, Caribou, black bear, Boreal Chickadee, Arctic hare, and Willow Ptarmigan.
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