Jul 3, 2025 – Goodbye Newfoundland, Until Next Time

“You’ll know the Newfoundlanders in heaven; they’re the ones that want to go home.” And I have to say, one month after leaving the island, we miss it and want to go back. Vivian and I felt that as soon as we boarded the ferry heading back to Nova Scotia. I thought those feelings would fall to the wayside as we continued our travels, experience new places and change views frequently. But they did not.

We miss it – it’s ruggedly beautiful coastline seen from so many places, its charming and sometimes decrepit fishing villages that hang on to a centuries old fishing tradition amid a swirl of tourism, its national and provincial parks, and mostly, its hospitality and people.

Perhaps it is also because we did not see enough of it. We want you, especially fellow RVers to visit Newfoundland as if it will be your final trip because it is far away. Read this blog now or save for later as you plan an epic adventure to Canada’s Big Land.

It has been a month since our ferry pulled out of Port aux Basque where we got out final glimpse of Newfoundland, and we have conveniently forgotten the following:

Spotty cell service. I couldn’t tell you the specifics but our Verizon service was absent in a few locations. I remember the northern peninsula and parts of Labrador in particular being a challenge. However, if you rely on Wifi services from parks and campgrounds, have no expectations and you may be pleasantly surprised as we were.

The roads. Expect to take a beating, especially off the Trans-Canada. Bridges are the worse (even on the Trans-Canada), so slow down for those notorious bridge bumps. Potholes, patched or otherwise are generous on the smaller highways. The good news – traffic is light.

Boil water notices. We were warned by previous travelers and we did encounter this a couple times. But mostly, we did not. 

The weather – part 1. We arrived early June and rightly so, expected cold weather, especially in the northern peninsula and Labrador. We experienced as low as the high 30s, but as the month of June wore on, highs in the low 80s. The temperatures fluctuate and we discovered the interior portion to be 5-10 degrees warmer than the coastal areas. Fill your propane tanks, bring the right clothing, and keep an eye on the weather radar.

The weather – part 2. Coastal fog is a given and rain of the drizzly type is frequent. But honestly, neither hindered us except for the one or two down pours we experienced. What stands out the most is the wind. The time of day did not matter, the wind was a constant companion. Which makes those occasional calm mornings or afternoons all the more special.

Campgrounds. We travel with a 17’ trailer and could go pretty much where we wanted. We found our campgrounds accommodated rigs longer than 34 ft, but mostly limited to a small number of sites. With the current US-CA exchange rate, cost ranged from $17-38 a night. Those that offered electric and water, with sewer or a dump station ranged from $25-38. Many, including the national and provincial parks offered laundry facilities.

Here’s what we consider to be the highlights of our visit, not in any order:

Gros Morne National Park (the entire park)

Labrador (as far as Red Bay)

Fogo Island

Bonavista & the atlantic puffins

Icebergs

The people

What we missed and could have included had we stayed longer:

Humpback whales

The play ‘From Far Away’. Google it, the story is fascinating.

A Shed party and kissing a cod. Yep, it’s a thing.

A taste of screech (Newfoundland’s version of rum and usually tasted no more than once)

St Johns and the east coast

What you should do in advance in preparation for Newfoundland:

Reserve the ferry bringing you to and from Newfoundland as soon as possible, it fills fast and the longer your rig (we are 38 feet) the more difficult to reserve. Price is based on length. There are 2 ferries, come and go on one as we did, or come on one and leave on the other. You can rent a cabin on either one.

National park campgrounds should be reserved as soon as possible if you want hook ups. Typically, Parks Canada begins reservations in February. 

If you plan to go to Fogo Island, reserve Brimstone Head campsite ahead of time. If you go to Bonavista peninsula, reserve Elliston Municipal Park. I say this because these are the only campgrounds with hookups available in those areas.

If you want to see icebergs get on the Newfoundland and Labrador Iceberg Reports Facebook forum or the Iceberg Finder website.

Many details are not included in this blog, so do your research. Lastly, here is a list of our campgrounds:

Wreckhouse pulloff parking on TransCanada Highway 1, about 14 miles from Port aux Basques ferry terminal.

Elephant Head RV Park in Trout River near the Tablelands, Gros Morne NP, fair cell service, excellent WiFi.

River of Ponds Park, a convenient overnight on the way up the Northern Peninsula. Poor cell service, no Wifi.

Viking RV Park, near L’anse aux Meadows in the Northern Peninsula, Fair cell service, good Wifi.

St Barbe Park, near the ferry to Labrador. Fair cell service, excellent Wifi.

Pinware River Provincial Park in Labrador. Poor cell service, Wifi only at laundry room.

Gros Morne National Park, Shallow Bay. Poor cell service, poor Wifi.

Kona Beach Campground, off Highway 1 on the way to Twillingate. Poor cell service, Wifi not on when we were there.

Peyton’s Woods in Twillingate. Fair cell service, good Wifi.

Brimstone Head RV Park on Fogo Island, poor cell service, fair Wifi.

Jonathon’s Pond Campground after leaving Fogo Island and on the way to Bonavista. Fair cell service, very good WiFi.

Elliston Municipal Park near the Puffin viewing on Bonavista Peninsula. Poor cell service, Wifi only near the registration office.

Sanger Memorial Park near Grand Falls on our way back to Gros Morne. Good cell service, poor Wifi & only in common area.

Stay tuned as we continue our travels through Canada where we have so much more to see!