Gros Morne National Park of Canada

Visitor Information

How to Get Here

Gros Morne National Park is located on the west coast of the island of Newfoundland. The island is accessible by scheduled airline services that connect with most major centres in North America and Northern Europe. Motor vehicle and bus access is by Marine Atlantic, which operates a year-round ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. An additional summer ferry service runs from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Argentia, Newfoundland.

Map of the island of Newfoundland ©Parks Canada

AIRPLANE

The nearest airport to Gros Morne National Park, with scheduled commercial airline service, is located in Deer Lake, just 32 km from the park entrance at Wiltondale. The simplest way from the Deer Lake Airport to Gros Morne National Park is by rented car. Several major car rental agencies operate out of the Deer Lake Airport. There are bus services that can also provide transportation from the town of Deer Lake to Gros Morne National Park.
 

FERRY SERVICE

On its service to Newfoundland, Marine Atlantic operates some of North America's largest and most fully equipped super-ferries. These ferries offer year-round crossings between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland. An additional service between North Sydney and Argentia, Newfoundland is offered from mid-June to late September.

For the quick route to Gros Morne National Park, sail between North Sydney and Port aux Basques. Total crossing time is approximately six hours. If planning on visiting the east coast of Newfoundland and the city of St. John's as well, the ferry between Argentia and North Sydney provides the opportunity to return by a different route and avoid backtracking across the province.

For ferry reservations (strongly recommended) and the most up-to-date ferry schedule and fares, contact Marine Atlantic at the numbers below or visit the Marine Atlantic website.

• 1-800-341-7981 or

• 902-794-8109 (TDD operator for hearing impaired)

If you are continuing your trip north of Gros Morne National Park on route 430, on the Viking Trail to cross the Strait of Belle Isle from the island of Newfoundland to the coast of Québec and Labrador there is a scheduled ferry service. The Strait of Belle Isle ferry -called the MS Apollo- offers drive-on/drive-off service, and operates between early May and early January depending on ice conditions.

For the Strait of Belle Isle Ferry reservations or schedule, contact Labrador Marine Inc. at the number below.

• 1-866-535-2567
   

BUS SERVICE

Gros Morne National Park and the surrounding enclave communities of Trout River, Woody Point, Rocky Harbour, Norris Point, and Cow Head are served by scheduled bus service. Whether arriving on the island by ferry or airline, a connecting bus service to Gros Morne National Park is available.
 

MOTOR VEHICLE

If driving from the Canadian mainland, the shortest and fastest way to Gros Morne National Park is via the ferry service between North Sydney, NS and Port aux Basques, NL. It is 300km from Port aux Basques to the park entrance at Wiltondale, which is about a four hour drive.

Upon arriving in Port aux Basques, take the Trans Canada Highway (Route 1) and drive to Deer Lake, a distance of 268 km. At Deer Lake leave the Trans Canada and take Route 430 (the Viking Trail) towards St. Anthony. After a 32 km drive you will arrive at the park entrance kiosk at Wiltondale.

At Wiltondale you can decide to continue north on Route 430 and visit the northern part of the park or you can take Route 431 towards Trout River and visit the southern part of the park. Staff and interpretive signs at the entrance kiosk can help you make your decision.