The best camping in Newfoundland and Labrador

With the capital city of Saint John’s and the two most popular national parks in the province, the island of Newfoundland is the province’s primary hub, while the larger, mainland Labrador shares a border with Quebec and offers more remote experiences. Main draws for outdoor adventurers include the fjords prime for kayaking and fishing village exploration; Gros Morne National Park’s mountainous landscape; and the some 10,000 whales that hang out among the icebergs on the east coast of Newfoundland in summer. The Newfoundland norm is camping in dense forests inhabited by moose and bears.

The most populated part of the province, this is where you’ll find the waterfront city of Saint John’s in addition to scenic seaside villages like Holyrood, Cupids, and Heart’s Desire—all ideal for road tripping among the craggy landscapes. You’ll find plenty of beachfront campgrounds, cabins, and RV camping with hookups along the peninsula, plus some interior sites near the protected Avalon Wilderness Reserve.

Following the island’s 300-kilometre East Coast Trail leads travelers along a portion of the waterway known as Iceberg Alley, named for the massive icebergs that make their way along the coast in early summer. Pitch a tent in Terra Nova National Park or at the dog-friendly campgrounds in Lockston Path Provincial Park, or head to the villages of Bonavista and Twillingate for whale-watching and puffin-viewing excursions along the way.

The town of Grand Falls-Windsor acts as a gateway to river rafting and fishing experiences in northern Newfoundland, where there are plenty of options for campers in its wilderness areas. Campsites with the most amenities can be found around Grand Falls-Windsor, but it’s also possible to venture out to Fogo and the Change Islands by ferry for artsy stays and an RV park.

This area is defined by Gros Morne National Park, which pairs fjords with mountains and extends into Newfoundland’s northern peninsula. The park offers nearly 250 campgrounds with varying amenities and accessibility options, while coastal gateway towns with outdoor stay options include Norris Point, Rocky Harbour, Trout River, and Cow Head.

Although sparsely populated, this remote part of the province offers scenic driving that takes you to gorgeous spots—try southern Pinware River Provincial Park for tent camping or the waterfront Saint Lewis and Battle Harbour for Iceberg Alley views. The northerly Torngat Mountains National Park is worth the journey there for its glacier-carved mountains, backcountry camping, and Inuit cultural experiences, while Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve is pristine wilderness with no road access.