Things to Do in Terra Nova National Park and the Eastport Peninsula

Terra Nova National Park in Newfoundland is definitely one of Canada’s under-the-radar National Parks. However, if you’re on a Newfoundland road trip, I think it’s worth stopping for. It’s a coastal National Park in central Newfoundland known for hiking, scenic viewpoints, and marine life. I really loved the Visitor Centre, which has a touch tank where you can get up close and personal with starfish, sea anemones, and more.

However, my favourite part of this region is even more off the beaten path: the Eastport Peninsula. Located just north of Terra Nova National Park, this region is popular with Newfoundland locals thanks to its sandy beaches. But I think you should visit to hike the Damnable Trails – they are a network of community hiking trails that I think are better than any of the trails in Terra Nova!

I’ve been to the Terra Nova National Park area twice to camp, hike the trails, climb to the viewpoints, and soak up the scenery. On my most recent trip, we also spent time on the Eastport Peninsula to see the Newfoundland that locals know.

I’ve put together a complete Terra Nova National Park and Eastport Peninsula area travel guide for you. It includes:

• Terra Nova National Park and Eastport Peninsula at a glance: All the basics in one place
• A map of Terra Nova National Park and the Eastport Peninsula that shows all the places I mention in this post
• Best things to do in Terra Nova National Park: kayaking, viewpoints, hikes, and more
• Best things to do on the Eastport Peninsula: beaches, hikes, and history
• Where to stay around Terra Nova and Eastport: The inn and campgrounds I recommend
• Where to eat around Terra Nova and Eastport: My picks for the best restaurants
• Terra Nova and Eastport Peninsula Travel Tips: How to get there? How long to spend? What’s the weather like? And lots more.

This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.

Hey there: Thanks so much to Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism and Adventure Central Newfoundland for hosting me on my recent trip. My previous trip was at my own expense. All opinions in this post are my own. Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thanks for your support! – Taryn

Terra Nova National Park and the Eastport Peninsula at a Glance

Location: Along the Trans Canada Highway in the eastern part of Central Newfoundland

Best known for: Coastal scenery, easy/moderate hiking, viewpoints, aquatic life, a quiet national park experience

Best time to go: July and August

How long to spend: 1 to 2 days

Best Terra Nova hikes: Coastal Trail

Best Eastport Peninsula hikes: Damnable Trails

Best Beach: Eastport Beach

Getting there: Rental car from Gander International Airport (45 minutes) or St. John’s (2.5 hours) drive.

Quick List: Best things to do in Terra Nova and the Eastport Peninsula

1. Visit the Terra Nova Visitor Centre
2. Kayak on Newman Sound
3. See the views from Blue Hill or Ochre Hill
4. Hike the Coastal Trail
5. Hike the Damnable Trails
6. Explore the sandy beaches on the Eastport Peninsula

Terra Nova National Park and Eastport Peninsula Map

To help you plan your trip and find your way around, I created a custom Google Map of Terra Nova National Park and the Eastport Peninsula for you. It includes every place I mention in this post.

Best Things to Do in Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park Visitor Centre

Best for: Touch tank, getting park info, coastal views

Time Needed: 30 minutes to 1 hour

The Visitor Centre at Terra Nova National Park is the best place to start your trip to the park. Of course, it has an info desk where park staff can answer questions and provide park maps.

But the main reason to visit is the touch tank. You can pick up and touch local marine life like crabs, starfish and sea anemones. They also have tanks with lobsters and other local fish. I also love the moose exhibit that includes a visual representation of how much moose eat each day – I couldn’t believe how many sticks/branches they can consume!

I also recommend walking around the exterior of the Visitor Centre. The outside deck and nearby wharf have great views of Newman Sound. You should also take a stroll across the long wooden bridge over Salton’s Brook. On the other side, you can walk the short and easy Heritage Trail. It follows a flat boardwalk through the forest and has info panels about the cultural history of the area.

Be sure to ask at the Visitor Centre about guided tours and interpretive programs that are offered a few days a week in the summer.

Kayaking and Boat Tours

Best for: Seeing the park from the water, wildlife watching

Time Needed: 2 to 4 hours

While Terra Nova National Park was established partly to protect the black spruce forest, Parks Canada chose this spot specifically to highlight the coastal landscape and ecosystems. And the only way to really appreciate the marine parts of the park is to head out on the water. Happy Adventure Tours offers both boat tours and kayak tours right from the Visitor Centre. They also offer kayak rentals for more experienced paddlers.

I spent a pleasant couple of hours on their kayak tour. We launched at the Visitor Centre, then paddled northeast along the coast. Our guide took us to a unique area in the rocks where we could paddle right over top of beds of anemones and urchins.

Next, we crossed Newman Sound and paddled through the narrows towards the base of Mount Stamford. We spotted an eagle soaring overhead and explored the kelp beds at the mouth of a small creek. The wind was at our backs on the paddle back across the Sound, making for a speedy trip.

Best Viewpoints in Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park is made up of hills covered in black spruce forest that slope down to the ocean. It’s hard to get a good sense of the scale of the park from sea level or from the trails. That’s why I think you have to visit at least one of the park’s two hilltop viewpoints.

Blue Hill Viewpoint

Best for: Views of the main part of the park

Time Needed: 10 to 15 minutes

Blue Hill is the highest point in Terra Nova at 235 m above sea level. It’s a short drive along a spur road to a parking area. From there, walk a few metres along a gravel trail to a wooden viewing platform. You can look down on the whole park. Buckley Point is right below you, jutting out into Newman Sound. Across the Sound you can see Mount Stamford and the hills along the length of the Outport Trail.

Ochre Hill Fire Tower

Best for: Views of the south part of the park, thrill of climbing a fire tower

Time Needed: 20 to 30 minutes

If you’re looking for a slightly different, but possibly even more impressive view, head to the Ochre Hill Fire Tower. It’s also up a short spur road off the Trans Canada Highway. From the end of the road, follow a set of wooden stairs up a short trail to the Ochre Hill Fire Tower, which has views of the southern part of the park including Clode Sound.

If you’re brave, you can climb the steep stairs up to the tower. There are great views from the staircase landings, but the observation hut at the top is locked and off-limits.

Or you can continue along the boardwalk trail for another few minutes to a wooden platform that isn’t as high, but still has great views.

Best Hikes in Terra Nova National Park

There are 13 hiking trails in the park, most of which are fairly short and rated easy or moderate. Here are a few I recommend.

Coastal Trail

Best for: Coastal views, wildlife watching

Distance: 9.5 km round-trip

Difficulty: Easy/moderate

Time Needed: 3 to 4 hours

The Coastal Trail follows the coastline between the Visitor Centre and the Newman Sound Campground. It’s fairly flat, but it does have a few short hills.

The trail is usually within sight of the ocean and dips down to water level a few times, so it’s a great place to watch for birds and marine mammals in Newman Sound. For the best sightings, go at low tide. The trail can also be a great place to spot some of the park’s many moose. I was also lucky enough to spot a small woodpecker the last time I hiked here. (Photo below: I can’t tell if its a hairy or downy woodpecker. Which kind do you think it is?)

You can start from either the Visitor Centre or the Campground day use area. The side trail to Pissimare Falls near the boat launch is worth the trek, although the falls are small. Since the falls are near the halfway point, they make a good turn-around location if you don’t want to do the whole trail. I think it’s one of the best hikes in Newfoundland.

Mill Cove Lookout Trail

Best for: Bluff viewpoint

Distance: 1.5 km round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Time Needed: 30 to 45 minutes

I enjoyed the views at the Mill Cove Lookout even more than the ones from Blue Hill or Ochre Hill Fire Tower. The lookout is only 80 m above sea level, but it feels much higher since you’re perched on top of a bare rock outcrop with 360-degree views.

From the parking area on Highway 310 in the northern part of the park, the trail heads through the forest before emerging in rock barrens. Watch carefully to make sure you stay on the trail and don’t trample the sensitive lichens. The trail heads upwards, finishing with a wooden staircase that leads to the main viewpoint. The views of Mill Cove and Northwest Arm are spectacular.

Pro tip: Go in the evening for the best light.

More Terra Nova National Park Hiking Trails

If you have more time for hiking in Terra Nova National Park, I’ve got a few more recommended hikes below. However, I liked the hikes on the Damnable Trail on the Eastport Peninsula better – more on those in the Eastport section below.

Ochre Hill Trail: This 5 km round-trip moderate trail takes 2 hours and heads out to a viewpoint near the Ochre Hill Fire Tower.

Goowiddy Path: Follow the trail along the shore of Newman Sound to the iconic Parks Canada Red Chairs at Buckley’s Cove, then head inland through black spruce forest to Blue Hill Pond to make an 8 km moderate/difficult loop that takes 3 to 4 hours.

Best Things to Do on the Eastport Peninsula

The Eastport Peninsula is well-known to Newfoundlanders as a popular summer vacation destination, but most out-of-province visitors don’t know about it. Located just north of Terra Nova National Park, Highway 310 is known as the Road to the Beaches since the Eastport Peninsula has lots of sandy beaches, which are rare in Newfoundland.

The Eastport Peninsula has a few small towns that mostly cater to summer visitors, the aforementioned sandy beaches, and an excellent hiking trail network, called the Damnable Trails. If you’re planning to visit Terra Nova National Park, it’s worth spending a bit of time on the Eastport Peninsula. Honestly, I think the hiking here is even better than inside the national park!

Eastport Peninsula at a Glance

Best known for: Sandy beaches and the Damnable Trails

Best time to go: July and August

How long to spend: Half day to 1 day

Best hike: Salvage Trails

Best Beach: Eastport Beach

Getting there: 25 minutes from the Terra Nova Visitor Centre via the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 310

Damnable Trails

Best for: Coastal hiking, historic communities, rugged viewpoints

Distance: 1 to 16 km round-trip

Difficulty: Easy to Challenging

Time Needed: 30 minutes to all day

The Damnable Trails are a community trail system on the Eastport Peninsula. The 30 kilometres of trails range from easy strolls to long and demanding backcountry routes. I visited the Eastport Peninsula specifically to hike these trails, and they did not disappoint.

We explored the Salvage Trails that wind through the small fishing community of Salvage near the end of the peninsula. (Note: In Newfoundland English, it’s pronounced sal-vay-j, not salvage. You’ll see some people spelling the town’s name as “Salvaje” to reflect the pronunciation.)

I recommend starting with the short trail to Sprucy Hill Viewpoint on the west side of the harbour. From there, you can walk through Salvage to the trails that start next to the Salvaje Brewery. Or just park near the brewery.

I really enjoyed the views from Round Head, Net Point, and Burden’s Point. It was also neat to pass through an old cemetery and read some of the gravestone inscriptions. This loop is about 3 km long and takes 1 to 1.5 hours. It has some climbs and slippery terrain (we hiked it in light rain), so I would rate it as moderate.

I’ve also heard great things about the High Tide Trail, which is 3 km round-trip along the coast near Eastport Beach. However, the boardwalks were closed for repairs when I was in the area. Next time!

What’s with the name? The name “Damnable” comes from “damn the bell”. Legend has it that in the 1800s, someone on a pirate ship hiding in one of the coves accidentally struck a bell, alerting the nearby British Navy to their location. Look for bells at key viewpoints along the Damnable Trails!

Best Beaches on the Eastport Peninsula

Best for: Swimming, beach play, coastal views

Time Needed: 30 minutes to all day

There are very few sandy beaches in Newfoundland, so locals flock to the ones on the Eastport Peninsula. I visited in June, before the summer rush, so we had them all to ourselves. However, the weather was a bit too chilly to enjoy them.

Eastport Beach: This is the most popular sandy beach in the area, known for soft sand and shallow water.

Northside Beach: A northern extension of Eastport Beach located around a headland. It’s longer than Eastport and much less busy.

Sandy Cove Beach: This beach lives up to its name and stretches along the south shore of the peninsula. The beach is long and backed by bluffs, so you can only access it from the east end parking lot.

More things to do on the Eastport Peninsula

I honestly didn’t have that much time in my itinerary to explore this region – I easily could have spent another day here. As well, I visited in mid-June, so a few things weren’t open. If I go back, here are a few more things I’d like to visit. Keep in mind many of these spots are only open in July and August – check opening hours for exact dates/times.

Salvaje Longhouse: Recently, locals have converted the old fish plant in Salvage to a brewery, restaurant, cafe, and live music space. There are plans for accommodations too.

Salvage Fishermen’s Museum: This little museum tells the fishing history of the area and is housed in a traditional saltbox-style house in Salvage that dates back to the mid-19th century.

Beaches Theatre and Gallery: A theatre and art gallery in Eastport that hosts live music, plays, workshops, and more. I’ve also heard they have a great gift shop.

Where to Stay Around Terra Nova and the Eastport Peninsula

Best hotel/inn: Happy Adventure Inn

Best camping: Newman Sound Campground

Best glamping: oTENTiks at Malady Head Campground

Happy Adventure Inn

We spent a night at the adorable Happy Adventure Inn in the tiny town of Happy Adventure. It’s a 15-minute drive from Terra Nova National Park’s eastern boundary and 30 minutes from the Visitor Centre.

The inn is perched on a bluff above Happy Adventure Bay, so our room had an incredible view of the water. Chucky’s restaurant is downstairs, which is really convenient.

The Matchim family runs the inn, restaurant, and Happy Adventure Cafe at the Terra Nova National Park Visitor Centre, and Happy Adventure Kayak Tours, so they are really dialled in to everything there is to see and do in the region. Their staff was so helpful during our stay.

Check rates.

Terra Nova National Park Campgrounds

If you want to stay in the park, book a campsite at Newman Sound or Malady Head campgrounds. Both have showers and flush toilets.

I camped at Newman Sound Campground on both of my visits to Terra Nova. On my first visit we brought our tent, but on our second, we booked an oTENTik. (More on oTENTiks below.) It’s a huge campground with over 250 sites. It has a central activity centre that offers ranger programs as well as an area near the entrance with laundry, wifi, and a small convenience store. The nearby day use area provides access to the water and trails.

The smaller Malady Head Campground is in the northern part of the park on Northwest Arm. I haven’t stayed here since it is only open from late June to early September.

Check rates.

Glamping in oTENTiks

If you don’t want to rough it, I highly recommend booking an oTENTik in Terra Nova National Park. It’s a canvas cabin that comes with bunkbeds with mattresses, a barbecue, a table, and chairs. You’ll need to bring your own sleeping bags. Some of the oTENTiks even have electricity for heat and light.

I’ve stayed in oTENTiks at Newman Sound Campground in Terra Nova and in Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan. They are an easy way to go camping – you’ll feel like you’re roughing it a little bit… but not enough to be uncomfortable!

Terra Nova has oTENTiks in Newman Sound Campground and in Malady Head Campground. The ones at Malady Head are right on the water! (Sadly, they weren’t yet open for the season on my June visit to Terra Nova.) I recommend making advance reservations to camp at Terra Nova National Park, especially if you want to stay in an oTENTik. Reservations open each year in February.

Check rates.

Where to Eat Around Terra Nova National Park and the Eastport Peninsula

Many of the towns near Terra Nova National Park and on the Eastport Peninsula are tiny, so there aren’t that many restaurants. You’ll also want to check the opening hours for restaurants since some aren’t open seven days a week or may operate on limited hours. Some spots may also only be open in July and August. However, here are a few that I recommend:

Happy Adventure Cafe

This tiny cafe is inside the Terra Nova National Park Visitor Centre. They sell coffee, baked goods, and soup and will make sandwiches to order. I was happy to warm up with a hot bowl of their soup after a chilly morning of hiking. Some of the cafe staff also double as kayak guides for Happy Adventure Tours.

Chucky’s Wild Game and Seafood Restaurant

I ate at Chucky’s twice while in the Terra Nova area, and it was excellent. It’s located inside the Happy Adventure Inn in the town of Happy Adventure on the Eastport Peninsula. The dining room has an incredible view of the ocean.

The menu features lots of local seafood and game like moose. It’s more upscale than other dining options in the area, but it’s definitely not pretentious. The dining room isn’t big, so reservations are a good idea.

Salvaje Brewing

Unfortunately, Salvaje Brewing wasn’t open the day I visited Salvage. But the locals all raved about it. Built inside the town’s former fish plant, the brewery has a pub-style menu with locally sourced seafood and burgers. The cafe next door offers coffee and baked goods.

Terra Nova National Park and Eastport Peninsula Travel Tips

When is the Best Time to Go to Terra Nova National Park and the Eastport Peninsula?

Terra Nova National Park is open between mid-May and mid-October. However, the best time to go to Terra Nova National Park is in July and August. That’s when the weather is the warmest and driest, the Visitor Centre is open daily, and the park offers guided tours and interpretive programs.

July and August are also the best time to visit the nearby Eastport Peninsula for the best beach weather. Most area businesses are open during these months too.

If you plan to visit in May, June, September, and October, expect many businesses to be closed or on limited hours. We visited in June and timed our visit for a weekend since many things are only open on weekends at that time of year.

How Many Days Do You Need in Terra Nova National Park?

I recommend spending at least one day in Terra Nova National Park. That’s enough time to see the Visitor Centre, drive to one of the viewpoints, and go kayaking or hiking.

If you’re interested in hiking, I recommend at least two days in the area to allow time for longer hikes and to spend time on the Eastport Peninsula. You can’t miss the Damnable Trails.

How Do You Get to Terra Nova National Park?

Terra Nova National Park is located on the eastern edge of Newfoundland’s Central region. If you are flying in, Gander is the closest airport, 45 minutes away by car.

However, it’s much more common to visit Terra Nova National Park as part of a Newfoundland road trip. You can land in St. John’s, then drive 2.5 hours to Terra Nova. I recommend stopping in the picturesque towns of Trinity (1.5 hours from Terra Nova) and Bonavista (2 hours from Terra Nova) on the way. If you are continuing your road trip west past Terra Nova, Twillingate (2.5 hours away), Grand Falls-Windsor (1.75 hours), and Gros Morne National Park (4 hours) are all worthwhile stops.

There is no public transportation to Terra Nova National Park, so you will need to rent a car in Gander or St. John’s.

How Do You Get Around Terra Nova National Park and Eastport Peninsula?

You will also want to have a car to get around in Terra Nova and the Eastport Peninsula since the attractions are not within walking distance of each other. The park isn’t that big, but it is a bit spread out, with trailheads and attractions dotted along the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 310 (also called the Road to the Beaches).

Here are some approximate driving times:

• Visitor Centre → Eastport: 25 minutes
• Eastport → Happy Adventure: 5 minutes
• Eastport → Salvage: 10 minutes
• Visitor Centre → Southern park entrance: 25 minutes

What is the Weather Like in Terra Nova National Park?

While the summer months are the warmest and sunniest, this is still Newfoundland. Prepare for rain and fog at any time. Pack a rain jacket and a warm jacket like a fleece or lightweight puffy jacket, just in case.

Typical summer temperatures in July and August are between 11 and 22°C (52 to 72°F). Expect temperatures a few degrees colder than that if you visit in May, June, September, or October.

Since most of Terra Nova National Park is in protected Newman Sound, it’s a bit less windy than the outer coast. If you venture up to the northern part of the park or to the Eastport Peninsula, expect a bit more wind and slightly colder temps, especially in Salvage.

Where Can You Buy Groceries Near Terra Nova National Park?

There are small grocery stores in Eastport and Glovertown where you can pick up snacks or ingredients to cook if you are camping or if your accommodation has a kitchen. However, they have a very limited selection.

If you are road tripping to Terra Nova from the east, stock up at big grocery stores in Clarenville. If you’re coming from the west, Gambo and Gander have larger grocery stores.

Do You Need a Parks Canada Pass for Terra Nova National Park?

You must purchase a Parks Canada pass to stop anywhere in Terra Nova National Park. You can buy one at the visitor centre, at campgrounds, or at kiosks on the highway near the north and south entrances to the park. Some businesses in the towns near the park also sell park passes.

You will need to display your park pass on the dash of your car whenever you are parked in the park.

Is There Cell Service in Terra Nova National Park?

In some parts of Terra Nova, cell service is spotty or non-existent. There is 5G or LTE service in the towns adjacent to the park. However, service drops off quickly as soon as you leave a town. You may have a few bars, which is enough to make calls but not enough to use the internet.

If you are going hiking, use a GPS app like AllTrails+ and download an offline map before you go. You will usually have no cell service on the trail.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been to a lot of Canada’s National Parks (19 of 48 so far). Terra Nova National Park definitely isn’t the most spectacular National Park, so you might be wondering: Is Terra Nova National Park worth visiting? I think so since it does have its own unique Newfoundland charm: the viewpoints are gorgeous, the kayaking is great, and hikes are fairly easy but still pretty. But best of all, the park is never crowded, and it makes a great stopover on a Newfoundland road trip.

But as I keep saying, the real reason to visit this area is to dig into the Newfoundland that Newfoundlanders know, and that means going to the Eastport Peninsula to swim on the sandy beaches and hike the excellent Damnable Trails.

If you’re planning a trip to Newfoundland, here’s what you should read next:

• 20 Incredible Things to Do in Newfoundland
• 10 Things To Do in Bonavista, Newfoundland
• 12 Things To Do in Trinity, Newfoundland
• 18 Best Things to Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland
• Things to Do in Twillingate, Newfoundland: Icebergs, Hiking, and More
• 16 Best Hikes in Newfoundland