Primitive Camping

Gros Morne’s primitive campsites are located along several hiking trails throughout the park. Each campsite is reached by crossing diverse landscapes complete with scenic vistas. With everything you need packed on your back, primitive camping offers the opportunity to go off-grid, be immersed in nature and enjoy the solitude of a night in Gros Morne’s wilderness. Select a trip which best suits your group’s abilities, experience, interests, equipment and the time you have available.

Stanleyville 

Operating season: May 16 to October 13, 2025

Services: 3 sites - pit toilet, picnic table (no tent pads)

This campsite is located on the shore of Bonne Bay at Paynes Cove which was once the location of a logging town in the early 1900’s. To reach the primitive camping site, hike the 2 km moderate rated Stanleyville trail from Lomond day use area or launch your kayak or canoe at Lomond for a 2 km paddle along the shore to Stanleyville.

Green Gardens 

Operating season: May 16 to October 13, 2025

Services: 4 sites - tent pads, pit toilet, picnic table, food locker

Camp along a rugged volcanic coastline and watch the sunset over the ocean from this cliff top setting. Hike 4.5 km across the Tablelands and down towards Old Man’s Cove on the moderate rated Green Gardens trail.

Ferry Gulch/Gros Morne Mountain 

Operating season: June 28 to October 13, 2025

Services: 3 sites - tent pads, pit toilet, picnic table, food locker

Camp among the Long Range mountains. This site is located about halfway along the Gros Morne Mountain trail and is nestled in a narrow valley between Gros Morne Mountain and Crow Cliff. Hike the 4.5 km Gros Morne Mountain Approach Trail (moderate) to the base of the mountain. Turn right on the Summit Trail (difficult) and continue for another 2.5 km to reach the campsite at Ferry Gulch.

Note: From here you can also follow part of the unmarked Long Range traverse onto the Long Range plateau towards Bakeapple Pond and the view over Ten Mile Pond. Click here for details.

Snug Harbour 

Operating season: May 16 to October 13, 2025

Services: 3 sites - pit toilet, picnic table, food locker (no tent pads)

Camp on the shores of Western Brook Pond. This secluded cove is located at the base of the escarpment of the Long Range Mountains where you can enjoy a close-up view of Western Brook Pond’s 650 metre cliffs. From the Western Brook Pond trail, follow a 4.5 km unmarked route to scenic Snug Harbour on the shores of Western Brook Pond. Access to Snug Harbour requires fording Western Brook and wilderness navigation skills. Recommended for experienced hikers only.

Note: Hikers looking for an extra challenge have an option to follow the North Rim access route and ascend 600 m to a viewpoint on the plateau overlooking Western Brook Pond. Wilderness navigation skills with map/compass or GPS is required. Click here for details.

 

Reservations

Reservations for primitive camping can be made using Parks Canada’s reservation service. When in the reservation system, choose the Backcountry tab and select the option for Backcountry Zone to select your primitive campsite.

Reservation launch dates

Parks Canada will be launching reservations for the 2025 visitor season starting in January.

Launch dates and times
Prepare for launch day

Check-in

• Permits must be picked up before 4:00 p.m. at the park Visitor Centre, Discovery Centre, or at the registration kiosks of one of our 5 campgrounds.
• All campers require a Primitive Camping Permit plus a National Park Entry Permit which must be valid for the entire duration of their stay.

Check-out

• After completing your trip, you must notify park staff that you have returned safely by reporting to a Gros Morne National Park facility.
  
  

Park Regulations:

• Campfires are not permitted at any primitive campsite. Use portable camp stove only.
• Pack in, pack out. Do not litter or deposit garbage in pit toilets or food lockers.
• It is an offence to harm, collect, remove, destroy or deface any natural object in the park.

Backcountry Etiquette/Low Impact Camping

Plan to leave Gros Morne National Park in as good or better condition than you found it. The National Parks Act protects all the natural and cultural resources within Gros Morne National Park. It is an offence to harm, collect, remove, destroy or deface any natural or cultural heritage resources within the park. This includes cutting trees for firewood or makeshift shelters as well as collecting or removing antlers, fossils, artifacts, rocks, and plants.

• Use a stove. Fires are not permitted - Do not rely on fires for cooking, staying warm or drying out.
• Support safe water – Use pit toilets that are available at all designated campsites. Elsewhere, dig a hole 20 cm (7 inch) deep, at least 30 m (100 feet or three bus lengths) away from water sources and well off commonly travelled routes. Bury the human waste. Pack out toilet paper and dispose of in pit toilets. Pack out all feminine hygiene products.
• Waste Water – Dispose of any dirty water at least 30 m from water sources and campsites. Use only biodegradable soap.
• Your actions can kill wildlife and endanger hikers – Keep a clean campsite. Cook and prepare food away from your tent and tent platforms. Store your food, garbage and toiletries out of reach of animals and away from tents. Use the food lockers if available at each campsite.
• Pack it in, pack it out – Park staff DO NOT clean backcountry campsites. Pit toilets and food lockers are not for garbage. Everything you pack in you must pack out, including orange peels, feminine hygiene products, tarps, ropes, wet clothes, and broken equipment. Before arriving at the trail, minimize packaging to reduce garbage and weight.  
  
   

Preparation

For general information on how to stay safe when enjoying the outdoors, please visit AdventureSmart.ca.