Thinking about our many trips to Gros Morne National Park, I think about the awesome and incredible geological wonder on our doorstep. Mother Nature is a powerful force creating beauty, harmony, inspiration, but also fear and disaster. Mother Nature knew what it was doing when it created Gros Morne National Park. What a force of nature to have created the beauty here, a beauty which gives inspiration, relaxation, joy and fun, a beauty we wanted to share with our family. Gros Morne provides numerous opportunities for fun, all within a 120 km radius of Gros Morne.
Gros Morne National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in western Newfoundland. A 1 ½ hour drive from Corner Brook, Gros Morne, with its diverse landscape, offers a menagerie of fun things for families. The fun things awaiting us included wilderness, mountains, lakes, rivers, ponds, ocean, scenery, and wildlife! Also included at different times were friendly people, trails, forests, zip lining, theatre, snow, sunshine, museums, and swimming.
Our family began our adventure to Gros Morne from Corner Brook. On the way we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go zip lining, an opportunity not available in the park itself. Zip lining creates an adrenaline rush and an excitement like none other. Zip lining gives you a view of the magical splendour of Mother Nature such as the spectacular view of the Humber Valley as we went zip lining over Steady Brook falls and the forest.
Learning about the forces of nature that shaped the landscape around Gros Morne is an educational and fun experience. We wanted to learn about the park’s geology and history and so decided to take one of the many boat tours available. The Western Brook Pond boat tour was beautiful with its amazing fjords surrounded by towering glacial carved cliffs; very informative was the two hour Trout River Pond boat tour with an interpretation of the geology and history of Gros Morne. At Norris Point wharf, we took the catamaran boat tour and learned about geology and sea life. While there, we visited the Bonne Bay Marine Station to learn about the ongoing marine life research in the area. A guided sea kayaking tour out of Norris Point provides lots of fun and information. The Discovery Centre in Woody Point offers great interpretation of the area and is a fun way for kids and adults to spend a few hours.
As a family who enjoys hiking, we had our choice of over 20 trails of varying lengths and difficulty. Green Gardens and Gros Morne Mountain trails are two of the longest and the most challenging. Lobster Cove Head trail is one of the easiest for those who want to hike short distances. Great photo opportunity when you reach the lighthouse on this trail! In winter, the trails serve as great cross country ski trails. Our family camped overnight at a wilderness campsite at Snug Harbour which is fairly long but easy. With five campgrounds in the park, have fun exploring along the shores of the ocean, ponds, or rivers.
Go swimming at Shallow Bay near Cow Head where everyone will love frolicking in the sometimes cool water off the beautiful sandy beach which runs for several kilometres. Discover many smaller sandy beaches and sand dunes in the park. Or visit the indoor swimming pool in Rocky Harbour! The annual Gros Morne Theatre Festival in Cow Head appealed to the whole family and we were treated to some very professional theatre.
From zip lining outside the park to the diverse activities within the park, be prepared for a world of surprise, entertainment, education and, most of all, fun, as you explore Gros Morne.
