Recreation, Terra Nova National Park

Terra Nova National Park is an ideal family destination. There are a variety of activities that are focused at young and older visitors. Some of the most popular visitor activities include: camping, hiking, sea kayaking, boat tour, golf and swimming.

A variety of front and backcountry camping facilities will make your experience an enjoyable one. Permits are required for overnight trips into the backcountry; check at the Marine Interpretation Centre for information.

Frontcountry Camping

Newman Sound Campground has 381 open and wooded sites, 66 of which have electrical hook-ups. Facilities include: showers, flush toilets, grocery store, bike rentals, snack bar, laundromat, dumping station, communal fire pits, kitchen shelters, outdoor theatre, playgrounds.

Malady Head Campground has 99 wooded sites and provides a more wooded and tranquil setting. Facilities include: showers, flush toilets, individual site fire pits, kitchen shelter and playground.

Backcountry Camping

Backcountry camping provides an opportunity for the more adventuresome type of visitors to explore the outdoors and an even more natural setting . They are accessible a variety of ways and visitors can choose the option that best suits them. Backcountry camping locations include Minchins Cove, South Broad Cove, Beachy Pond, Dunphy's Island, Dunphy's Pond, Lion's Den North, and Lion's Den South. Visitors can access them via hiking trails, canoe, sea kayak or by pre-arranged boat shuttle.

Trails

More than 100 km of trails offer a variety of walking and hiking adventures, ranging from easy trails to more challenging backcountry wilderness excursions.

All trail lengths listed below are one-way distances, except for looped trails. Trail difficulty is indicated: easy (E), moderate (M) and strenuous (S).

• Green Head Cove (E) - woodpeckers, shorebirds, waterfowl, 2.5 km
• Malady Head (M) - impressive views, mosses, lichens, 2.0 km
• Louil Hill (E) - sheep laurel, trembling aspen, 4.0 loop
• Southwest Brook (E) - picnic area, beaver dam, waterfowl, 4.0 km
• Blue Hill West (E) - large birch tree, pine marten, owls, 4.0 km
• Buckley Cove (E) - shorebirds, excellent view of Mount Stamford, 4.0 km
• Coastal (E) - interpretive exhibits, shorebirds, views of coastline, small waterfall 4.5 km
• Outport (M/S) - remnants of pine forest, backcountry camping, 17.5 km are front country trail while 33 km are backcountry trail
• Campground (E) - moose, bald eagles, black-backed woodpeckers, spruce grouse, 2.0 km loop
• Ochre Hill (E) - interesting geology, pitcher plants, green frogs, scenic view, 3.0 km loop
• Sandy Pond (E) - beaver dam, pitcher plants, self-guiding trail, 3.0 km loop.
• Dunphy's Pond (E) - Forest with large pond and bogs, backcountry camping, 5.0 km

Sea kayaking

Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore the fascinating marine environment and coastline of Terra Nova. Guided interpretive sea kayaking tours are available at the Marine Interpretation Centre by Terra Nova Adventures. Call 709-256-8687 for details.

Boat Tour

Interpretative excursions of Newman Sound are provided by Oceanwatch Tours from the Marine Interpretation Centre. Call 709-533-6024 for details.

Golf

Considered one of Atlantic Canada's best, Twin Rivers is a challenging public 18 hole course boasting superb scenery. Operated by Terra Nova Park Lodge and Golf Course, it is recommended that you call in advance to book tee-off times at 709-543-2626.

Swimming

Sandy Pond's freshwater beach offers supervised swimming and a variety of small boat rentals. Call 709-677-2221 for details.