Tent Camping in Newfoundland: Best Sites & What to Pack

The first thing I look for when I’m picking a tent site in Newfoundland is somewhere I can get out of the wind. A view of the ocean is lovely at supper. At two in the morning, I’m usually happier tucked into the trees. A few small decisions about where you pitch can make a bigger difference to how well you sleep than which campground you choose.

Where’s the best tent camping in Newfoundland? Start with Shallow Bay in Gros Morne for sandy beach days, Peyton’s Woods in Twillingate for wooded tent pitches, and Lockston Path for a forested base near Trinity. Elliston Municipal Park has dedicated tent sites near the puffin lookout, while Butter Pot has wooded sites, playgrounds and a freshwater beach near St. John’s.

Jump to Campgrounds by region · Choosing a tent pitch · Packing checklist · When to book · Camping outside a campground

Ads are how we keep our blog free for you to enjoy. We also use affiliate links; if you make a purchase through them, we may receive a small commission at no cost to you.

Best tent campgrounds in Newfoundland by region

These picks cover the island of Newfoundland. I looked for places with dedicated tent pitches, useful facilities, or a location that makes the outing easier. Where shelter or the pitch surface is known, I’ve called it out. The listings draw on park and operator information, with tips from Newfoundland camping groups identified along the way. Booking and access details can change. The park and operator links are the places to check for your dates.

Western Newfoundland and Gros Morne National Park

Campground	Best for	What I’d look for when booking
Shallow Bay, Cow Head	A family beach trip. You can spend part of the day on the sandy beach and get back to camp without loading everyone into the car.	Pick a pitch with some tree cover, and check the campground map for the route to the beach and washrooms. Parks Canada
Green Point, Gros Morne	A cobble beach, ocean sunsets and easy access to the Coastal Trail. Several campers recommended it.	Compare individual sites for wind exposure. Outside the main season, Parks Canada lists self-registration, a pit toilet and no running water. Confirm the switch to reduced services for your dates. Parks Canada
Elephants Head RV Park, Trout River	A dedicated tent pitch on the south side of Gros Morne, handy for exploring the Tablelands and Trout River. The operator’s photo shows a wooden platform tucked into the trees.	Ask which tent sites have platforms, how big they are and how you’ll anchor your tent. The park also lists a cookhouse and playground. Campground listing · Booking
Blow Me Down Provincial Park, Bay of Islands	Staying near Lark Harbour for hikes and time by the water without driving back to Corner Brook every evening.	Ask for a level, sheltered spot and check the walk to the washroom. If you’re taking little kids, a short walk to the toilet may matter more than a view from the tent. The cobble beach by the picnic area is a good place to take in the view. ParksNL
Grand Codroy RV/Tent Camping Park, Doyles	A grassy tent pitch on the southwest coast and a convenient first or last night on a Port aux Basques ferry trip.	Ask about the most sheltered tent pitches and arrange late arrival in advance if your ferry gets in after hours. Grand Codroy

If you’re spending most of your Gros Morne trip around the Tablelands and Woody Point, I’d stay on the south side and compare Elephants Head with the forested campsites at Trout River Campground. Lomond is a less popular option and still seaside and sheltered. Parks Canada lists it as first-come, first-served, so have a backup if you’ll arrive late. Trout River Campground · Gros Morne camping information

Central and northeastern Newfoundland, including Twillingate

Campground	Best for	What I’d look for when booking
Peyton’s Woods RV Park & Campground, Twillingate	A tent base right in Back Harbour. The tenting area sits in a clearing surrounded by trees, with washrooms nearby.	Ask for the tenting area specifically. If you’re travelling with another couple, ask for adjacent spots or check whether two small tents can share one site. Peyton’s Woods campground map
Dildo Run Provincial Park, near Virgin Arm	A provincial park base on the way to Twillingate, with a cobble beach and sheltered water for paddling when conditions suit.	Look for tree cover around the sleeping area and check the campground map for the comfort station. ParksNL
A Day’s Getaway, Route 330 on the Kittiwake Coast	A small off-grid campground with a dedicated secluded tent site as well as mixed-use pitches. One camper reported staying several rainy nights in a pitch tucked into the woods.	Ask for the secluded pitch specifically and confirm drinking water, washrooms and what’s available on your dates. Choose it for exploring the Kittiwake Coast or as a separate road-trip stop. A Day’s Getaway

If you’re crossing the island and want a national park stop, Newman Sound in Terra Nova National Park has a range of tent-friendly sites. Malady Head is another option, including walk-in tent sites. Check how far you’ll be carrying gear if you’re bringing a cooler, a big tent or kids’ bedding. Newman Sound · Malady Head

Bonavista Peninsula and Trinity

Campground	Best for	What I’d look for when booking
Lockston Path Provincial Park, near Trinity	A forested campsite and a freshwater beach, with a good base for exploring Trinity and Port Rexton.	Pack a bug head net if you’re visiting in early summer. Campers mentioned blackflies here, so a head net is worth having for a calm evening in the woods. ParksNL
Princehaven Campground, Princeton	A pond-side stay on the Bonavista Peninsula. The campground offers tent site rentals, and a camper singled out the setting beside the pond.	Ask whether you’re booking a platform and what’s included. Check the platform size against your tent and fly. Princehaven Campground
Elliston Municipal Park, Elliston	A dedicated tent site within walking distance of Sandy Cove Beach and the puffin viewing site. A good first call for several nights near Bonavista.	The town lists five dedicated tent sites, so call ahead. The town lists public washrooms, with no showers. Town of Elliston · Beach and puffin access
Landfall Municipal Park, Cape Bonavista	Free, basic camping for a night with a favourable coastal forecast. The town welcomes tents at its designated dry campground.	It’s first-come, first-served with a three-night maximum and no hookups. Bring drinking water, follow the town’s site directions and have a backup if it’s full or the wind is up. Town of Bonavista

St. John’s and the Avalon Peninsula

Campground	Best for	What I’d look for when booking
Butter Pot Provincial Park	A family camping trip outside St. John’s, with forested campsites, playgrounds and a sandy freshwater beach in the day-use area.	Check the map for the closest washroom or playground, and read any drinking-water notices on arrival. ParksNL
Pippy Park, St. John’s	Camping within the city, with treed sites, showers and nearby trails.	Ask for a tent-compatible site category. The park’s additional full-service pull-through sites are RV-only. Pippy Park
Foxes Tent Campground, Pouch Cove	A dedicated tent campground near the coast north of St. John’s. The operator lists power outlets at the tent sites and parking a short walk away.	Check the carry from the lot if you’ve got a big cooler or small kids, and confirm the tent campground’s operating dates. Foxes Tent Campground

Great Northern Peninsula and St. Anthony

Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is the one I’d look at for a wooded tent pitch while exploring around St. Anthony and L’Anse aux Meadows. A camper described it as a basic stop, and ParksNL lists forested campsites. Check the park map for your site’s location and confirm services if you’re travelling early or late in the season. ParksNL

Still choosing a base? Compare more options by region in the Newfoundland and Labrador campground guide.

How do you pick a tent site for wind and rain?

Look for a flat sleeping area on slightly raised ground, with trees or terrain to break the wind and enough room to stake out the rainfly. Study the individual site photo if there is one. An open gravel pad, a wooded clearing and a wooden platform each call for a different setup.

Check the surface. If the site photo shows mostly gravel, ask whether there’s a softer tent pad. For a wooden platform, ask about tie-down points and measure your tent with the fly on, including the vestibule.
Leave space for water to drain. Avoid hollows and any spot where runoff is likely to cross under your tent. Tuck the edges of your footprint underneath so they can’t funnel water under the floor.
Look for shelter at tent height. A line of trees or a low rise on the windward side helps. Look up for damaged branches, then set the tent’s lower or narrower end into the wind if the design allows. Attach the guylines while you still have daylight.
Give the coast room. At a legal coastal campsite, pitch well back from the shoreline, above the high-water mark and away from cliff edges. Check wind gusts and any coastal warnings. If rough surf or strong gusts are in the forecast, use a sheltered campground inland. Environment and Climate Change Canada weather alerts

Planning a Newfoundland Camping Trip?

If you’re exploring the island by van, RV, or tent, these guides will help you plan the perfect trip:

What should you pack for tent camping in Newfoundland?

I’d pack for a cool, damp night even when the daytime forecast looks good. A warm sleeping pad makes a difference underneath you, and a dry set of clothes makes a difference when you’ve spent all afternoon in the rain.

Pack this	How I’d use it
Tent with a full rainfly, spare guylines and suitable stakes	Stake out the fly so it stays clear of the inner tent. Bring sturdy pegs for firm ground and short lengths of cord if you’ll be tying onto a platform.
Insulated sleeping pad and a sleeping bag suited to the overnight low	Check the pad’s insulation and the sleeping bag’s comfort rating when comparing gear. Keep both packed dry until the shelter is up.
Rain jacket, rain pants and a warm layer	Keep them where you can grab them as soon as you get out of the car. A warm hat is handy for cool evenings around camp.
Dry bag with sleep clothes and socks	Set aside one completely dry change for bedtime. I’d pack kids’ dry layers near the top.
Headlamps, bug repellent and a head net	A headlamp keeps your hands free on the way to the washroom. A head net is light enough to bring even if the bugs turn out to be fine.
Drinking water, a camp stove and an easy first meal	Bring enough water for supper and breakfast if you’re unsure about the campground supply. Cook outside in the open air, and keep food and scented items secured according to campground rules.
A separate bag for wet gear	On a rainy pack-up morning, put the wet fly in its own bag and keep it away from the bedding. Hang it to dry when you get the chance.

What to Pack for Newfoundland: Your Essential Checklist

Newfoundland’s unpredictable weather and rugged landscapes mean smart packing is key! Whether you’re hiking in Gros Morne, whale watching in Twillingate, or road-tripping, the right gear will keep you warm, dry, and ready for adventure.

🚀 Want a printable checklist? Grab your free Newfoundland Packing List here!

What makes tent camping with kids easier?

An adult and toddler sit in a tent doorway beside a camp stove, with two more tents near the water.

I’d take a sheltered pitch close to the washroom over a bigger site at the far end of the campground. Look for a short, easy route to the toilet, room to play beside the tent and somewhere to park close enough that you can get to the spare clothes quickly.

On a rainy arrival, I’d get the shelter up first, then hand out snacks and pull out dry layers. Keep the first supper simple and save the beach or trail for when everyone’s warm and fed. For a first trip with a toddler, one or two nights close to home gives you time to figure out what bedtime feels like in a tent and what you’ll want within reach the next morning.

When should you book a tent campsite in Newfoundland?

July and August are the first dates I’d book, especially for dedicated tent sites in Twillingate, Elliston and Gros Morne. June can mean cool nights and bugs in sheltered spots. If you’re going in September or later, check the campground’s closing date and when its water and washrooms shut down. A campground can be open for camping after some facilities close.

For provincial parks, start with the ParksNL reservation page. For Gros Morne and Terra Nova, use Parks Canada reservations. Private and municipal campgrounds often take bookings directly. If you’re arriving by ferry late in the day, arrange your first night and check-in before you sail. If you’re travelling with friends, confirm the tent limit and whether you can reserve neighbouring sites. For spring and fall trips, see my guide to camping in Newfoundland’s off season.

Can you tent camp outside a campground in Newfoundland?

Yes, there are places to tent camp outside developed campgrounds, but permission depends on the specific site. Check who manages the land, read the posted rules and get permission for private property. A beach, trailhead or pull-off that someone mentions in a camping group is a lead to check locally.

For a hike-in night in Gros Morne, Green Gardens is a designated primitive camping option. Check Parks Canada’s operating dates, trail conditions and reservations before committing. Pack out your rubbish and food scraps, and check fire rules before lighting anything. On the Avalon, the East Coast Trail Association lists established campsites and guidance on camping near trailhead communities. Gros Morne primitive camping · East Coast Trail camping

If you’re new to the island, I’d book the first night so you have somewhere straightforward to land after the ferry or flight. Then use my local guide to free camping in Newfoundland to plan any nights away from developed campgrounds.

If you’re choosing between two sites, picture arriving in the rain with ten minutes of daylight left. I’d book the one with a level pitch, some shelter and a short walk to the washroom. You can take your morning coffee down to the ocean.

Share Your Thoughts About This Post

comments

Tent Camping in Newfoundland: Where to Pitch Your Tent and What to Pack