A Week of Vacation in Gros Morne National Park, Western Newfoundland

Here are some pictures and videos from a vacation I took with my family in July 2026. We travelled with another family, and together we spent a week exploring Gros Morne and western Newfoundland. This was our first time visiting western Newfoundland.

We took the ferry from Cape Breton to Port aux Basques on July 19 and stayed there for one night before driving to Rocky Harbour, where we spent five nights. We then returned to Port aux Basques for a final night before taking the ferry home on July 26.

Overview of the route from Halifax to western Newfoundland Driving and ferry route from Halifax to Deer Lake

Watching the Weather

Before we left, I used Windy.com to keep an eye on the wind and wave forecast for the ferry crossing from Cape Breton to Port aux Basques. The forecast called for winds of around 60 km/h across the Cabot Strait, with swells approaching three metres. Despite the conditions, the ferry was not cancelled and the crossing went ahead. The video below gives a sense of just how foggy and stormy it was.

Weather forecast before the Newfoundland trip Marine weather forecast before the Newfoundland trip

Port aux Basques

We arrived in Port aux Basques and stayed for one night before continuing on to Rocky Harbour. We also stayed a final night here on the way back before catching the ferry home. Here are a few pictures and videos from our stops there.

Coastal landscape near Port aux Basques View over Port aux Basques Harbour in Port aux Basques Rocky coastline near Port aux Basques

Rocky Harbour

We stayed at Gros Morne Cabins in Rocky Harbour, which became our base for exploring Gros Morne and the surrounding coastline. We really enjoyed our stay; the cabins were clean, well kept, and a comfortable place to return to after each day out. Below are some pictures and videos we took around the area.

Colourful cabins in Rocky Harbour Rocky Harbour waterfront beneath dramatic clouds Sunset on the coast near Rocky Harbour Watching the sunset from the coast Rocky shoreline under a bright Newfoundland sky Coastal view near Rocky Harbour Sun dropping below the Newfoundland horizon
A small jawbone found on the beach Evening portrait overlooking the water Sunset over the Gulf of St. Lawrence

The Tablelands

One day, we hiked the Tablelands. Here are a few pictures and a video from the trail.

The Tablelands trail in Gros Morne National Park Hiking through the rocky Tablelands landscape Hiking in the Tablelands at Gros Morne National Park

Norris Cove and Bonne Bay

Here are some pictures and videos from several trips I took out to Norris Cove. The route from Rocky Harbour climbs uphill before descending again. The first image below is the view that greeted me at the top of the hill. It's a very fun climb and descent. I made the trip out here three times by bike and once by car.

Road through the Bonne Bay area
Bonne Bay and Norris Point from above

Some strava stats from a couple of my rides:

Statistics from the second Rocky Harbour bike ride Map and elevation profile from the second Rocky Harbour bike ride
Statistics from the third Rocky Harbour bike ride Map and elevation profile from the third Rocky Harbour bike ride

Western Brook Pond Boat Tour

We took the BonTours Western Brook Pond boat tour, one of Gros Morne's best-known experiences. Before boarding, there is a four-kilometre walk from the parking lot to the dock, so it is worth allowing plenty of time. Arriving early also gives you a better chance of finding a spot on the upper deck. The two-hour tour travels through a glacier-carved, landlocked fjord, with towering cliffs and waterfalls rising from the pond. Here are some pictures and videos from the experience.

Western Brook Pond beneath steep cliffs Cliffs rising from Western Brook Pond Green cliffs in Western Brook Pond Boat tour view in Western Brook Pond
Trail approaching Western Brook Pond

Our tour guide, who is also a musician, sings a few songs and hands out spoons for a couple of us to play along. I am on the left and my friend is on the right, joining in on the spoons.

Hiking Gros Morne Mountain

My friend and I hiked Gros Morne Mountain early one morning, setting out in beautiful weather. By the time we reached the summit, though, it was completely foggy, so we missed the expansive views that are usually there. We still enjoyed some beautiful views along both the ascent and the descent.

The hike is often said to take six to eight hours, but we completed it in four and a half hours, as shown in the Strava summary below.

Steep rocky terrain on Gros Morne Mountain Hiker near the summit of Gros Morne Mountain
At the Gros Morne Mountain summit sign Fog rolling over the mountains in Gros Morne Hiking below the clouds on Gros Morne Mountain
Strava summary from the Gros Morne hike

Green Gardens Trail

Some of our group hiked the Green Gardens Trail. Here are some images from it.

Rocky beach along the Green Gardens Trail Rock formation beside the Green Gardens Trail beach Ocean view from the Green Gardens Trail Coastal scenery along the Green Gardens Trail

J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park Beach

We visited the beach at J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park for an hour or two, and it was beautiful.

Family walking along the beach at J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park Sandy shoreline at J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park Sunlight over the water at J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park Beach and rocky coastline at J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park

The Boat Ride Home

Unlike the trip to Newfoundland, the ferry ride home was absolutely gorgeous. There was hardly any wind or swell, and the day was sunny and beautiful.

View from the ferry deck