Hampden Community Park
Camping Under the Stars
Hampden Community Park
If you’ve camped in Newfoundland before, you’ve probably noticed the pattern: most provincial parks open on the May long weekend and close right after Labour Day. For years, that’s defined the “camping season” here.
But what about the rest of the year?
The truth is, more and more Newfoundlanders — and visiting RVers from around the world— are extending their season into the off-season. And with good reason.
👉 In spring, before the rush of summer crowds, you’ll find cheaper camping fees, quiet parks, and the chance to spot icebergs drifting past the coast (see our Iceberg Guide for the best viewing tips).
👉 In fall, once Labour Day weekend has passed, the provincial parks lock their gates — but several private campgrounds stay open into September, October, or even year-round. Fall camping means no bugs, fewer crowds, and incredible foliage and wildlife sightings.
So if you’ve ever been frustrated by the narrow summer season, here’s your guide to where you can camp in Newfoundland in the off season. These campgrounds offer heated bathrooms, 2- and 3-way hookups, and cooking shelters so you can stay comfortable whether you’re rolling in with a tent, trailer, campervan, or full-sized RV.
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Why Try Off-Season Camping in Newfoundland?
- Lower costs: Many parks reduce their nightly fees outside of peak summer.
- Fewer crowds: Enjoy Newfoundland’s scenery without the lineups and traffic.
- More wildlife: Fall means berry-picking bears and migrating birds; spring brings whales and seabirds.
- No Fire Bans: Summers are getting drier and many communities or even the province, will post fire bans in July and August. If you want to have campfires, spring and fall camping are a must!
- Special experiences: Spring is iceberg season (see our Iceberg Guide), while fall means bug-free campfires under the stars.
📷: Tina Day – A Day’s Getaway
📷 Marine Park Camping
📷 roaches line rv park
Eastern Newfoundland
Mountain View RV Park (Clarkes Beach)
- Full service RV sites with 2- and 3-way hookups. A convenient base for exploring Conception Bay North and less than an hour from St. John’s.
- 👉 Mountain View RV Park Website
Jack’s Pond RV Park (Whitbourne area)
- Popular family-friendly park with serviced RV sites, hookups, and amenities.
👉 Jack’s Pond RV Park Website
Marine Park (Pouch Cove)
- Offers full-service RV hookups, family amenities, and a scenic location near St. John’s.
- 👉 View Marine Park Website
Roaches Line RV Park (Roaches Line)
- Full hookups available. Centrally located between St. John’s and the Trinity Bay area.
- Open May 24th to Canadian Thanksgiving.
- 👉 Roaches Line RV Park
Golden Arm Park (Greens Harbour)
- Serviced sites with access to Trinity Bay’s coastline.
- 👉 Golden Arm Park
Stillwater RV Park
- Serviced sites in a peaceful rural setting.
- 👉 Stillwater RV Park
A Day’s Getaway (Holyrood)
- Open until October 2. Offers 2-way hookups, water on demand, and direct septic hookups.
- 👉 A Day’s Getaway
📷: Luthers Bluff Camping
📷: Luthers Bluff Camping
Central Newfoundland
Country Inn RV Park (Gander)
Full-service RV park attached to the motel with hookups and amenities.
👉 Country Inn Motel & RV Park
Little Bay Ocean View RV Park (Route 392)
Oceanfront RV park with serviced sites and stunning views.
👉 Little Bay Ocean View RV Park
Emerald Vale RV Park (Makinsons)
Serviced RV sites with hookups.
👉 Emerald Vale RV Park
Mint Brook RV & Campground (Gambo)
Serviced RV sites on the A&D Road, Gambo.
👉 Mint Brook RV Park
Luthers Bluff Camping (Twillingate)
- Casual camping on private land with space for only 1-3 campers. Bookdocking setup (no services).
- $25 a night for a single, on the water side and $20 on the other side. Group rates available.
- Pet-friendly and bilingual (French-English)
- Open until the snow flies!
- View on Facebook
📷 elephants head rv park, Trout River
📷 elephants head rv park, tablelands sunset
Western Newfoundland
Grand Codroy RV/Tent Camping Park (Doyles)
- Serviced RV sites, hookups, and a scenic setting in the Codroy Valley.
- Open until Sept 30.
- 👉 Grand Codroy RV Park
Elephants Head RV Park (Trout River)
- Full service (water, electric, sewer), immaculate cell service, WiFi, and washroom/shower facilities. Located on the south side of Gros Morne National Park.
- 👉 Elephants Head RV Park
Seabreeze RV Park (Cow Head)
- Full service sites with an ocean view. Attached to Seabreeze Inn.
- 👉 Seabreeze RV Park
Don’t forget your Newfoundland Packing List!
Tent Camping Options in Newfoundland’s Off Season
Not everyone is rolling in with an RV or trailer — and luckily, there are still some excellent tent-friendly campgrounds in Newfoundland that stay open into September (and in some cases, longer). If you’re looking to pitch a tent in the shoulder season, here are your options:
Eastern Newfoundland
- Jack’s Pond Park (Whitbourne area)
Tent sites available until September 30th. A well-established campground with services and amenities.
👉 Jack’s Pond Park - Bellevue Beach
A local favourite with tent camping options. Great coastal access and a convenient location on the Avalon Peninsula.
👉 Bellevue Beach Campground - Roaches Line RV Park
While primarily an RV park, they also allow tent camping. Full access to washrooms and park facilities.
👉 Roaches Line RV Park - Johnathon’s Pond Park
Offers tent camping spots along with RV sites, near central Avalon.
👉 Johnathon’s Pond Park
Central Newfoundland
- Mint Brook RV & Campground (Gambo)
Tent camping available alongside RV sites. A quiet wooded setting off the A&D Road.
👉 Mint Brook RV Park - Banting Memorial Municipal Park (Musgrave Harbour)
Family-friendly park with both tent and trailer options, near a beautiful sandy beach.
👉 Banting Memorial Park - Windmill Bight Municipal Park (Lumsden area)
Scenic coastal tent camping near one of Newfoundland’s top sandy beaches. - Smallwood Provincial Park (Gambo area)
A provincial park option with tent sites. Typically closes around Labour Day but sometimes stays open a little later. - KOA Rocky Harbour
Tent camping sites available with access to showers, laundry, and family facilities. - Mary March Wilderness Park (Bishop’s Falls area)
Tent-friendly park in central NL with basic amenities. - Gushues Pond Park (near St. John’s)
Offers tent camping, though limited services (cash/e-transfer only). - Little Pond Park
Tent camping available near Musgrave Harbour.
Western Newfoundland
- Butterpot Provincial Park
Tent camping available until September 15th. Great for a quick getaway from St. John’s. - Terra Nova National Park
Tent camping available until Thanksgiving (early October). Great facilities and multiple campground loops. - Foxes Glamping Domes
Not traditional tenting, but a unique glamping option open into late fall. - Elephants Head RV Park (Trout River, Gros Morne)
Also tent-friendly, with access to clean facilities, showers, laundry, and a large cookhouse.
👉 Elephants Head RV Park - Backside Pond RV Park (Whiteway)
Offers both RV and tent sites, with a relaxed atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Off-season camping in Newfoundland isn’t just possible — it might become your favourite time to hit the road. With fewer people around, cheaper rates, and some of the island’s most dramatic natural events (icebergs, whales, and fiery fall colours), May and September could be the best-kept secrets of the camping calendar.
So, don’t just think of camping as a summer pastime. Pack the RV in May or September and enjoy the island in a whole new way.
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