Conditions of Local Community Resident Permit

Gros Morne National Park

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What do I need to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park for this season? Residents are required to obtain a local community resident snowmobile operator’s permit and as with any activity in the National Park you are required to purchase a park entry pass (day pass or annual).
  • Who can get a local community resident snowmobile permit or who is considered a local community resident? Keeping in mind the provincial age restrictions for snowmobile operators, a local resident is defined as a resident of the local communities (Cow Head, St. Paul’s, Sally’s Cove, Rocky Harbour, Norris Point, Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook, Woody Point, Trout River) for at least six months and their immediate family. Provincial legislation states you must be 13 years of age to operate a snowmobile in Newfoundland and Labrador.
  • I have a friend from outside the local communities. Can he/she get a local community resident snowmobile operator’s permit? No. They are required to obtain a public snowmobile operator’s permit.
  • I have immediate family from outside the local communities. Can he/she get a local community resident permit? Yes. Immediate family is defined as father, mother (or alternatively stepfather, stepmother, or foster parent), brother, sister, spouse (including common-law spouse), stepchild or ward of the resident, grandchild, father-in-law, mother-in-law, and relative permanently residing in the resident’s household or with whom the local person permanently resides.
  • Why do I need a snowmobile operator’s permit to snowmobile in Gros Morne? Why didn’t I need a permit in the past? Gros Morne National Park is now regulated by the Canada National Parks Act, therefore snowmobiling is a regulated activity in the National Park. As of the 2007/2008 season, all snowmobile operators must have a permit to snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park. Issuing permits help us better understand and manage the activity.
  • Do I need a snowmobile operator’s permit if I only use my snowmobile to cut wood? No, the domestic timber harvest permit gives you permission to use your snowmobile in the timber harvest blocks ONLY, to obtain your wood. You will not be required to obtain a park pass to access the domestic timber harvest blocks.
  • Is there any cost for a snowmobile operator’s permit? No, but as with any activity in a National Park you will also require a park entry pass.
  • Why do I need a park pass? All park users in all national parks in Canada are required to have a park pass. The funds generated go directly back into the maintenance of park facilities as well as park monitoring and management programs.
  • Is the snowmobile operator’s permit for the snowmobile or the driver? The permit is for the driver of the snowmobile. It is not necessary for a passenger to have a snowmobile operator’s permit however, as with all park users passengers are required to have a park pass.
  • Do I need to have the snowmobile operator’s permit and park entry pass with me when I snowmobile? Yes. Carry both the permit and pass with you while snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park, as you may be asked by park staff to produce them.
  • As a local community resident, I will be snowmobiling with immediate family who is a non-resident. Where can we travel? Follow the local community resident snowmobile guidelines.
  • As a local community resident, I will be snowmobiling with a friend who is a non-resident. Where can we travel? Follow the guidelines for public and commercial snowmobiling unless the friend is travelling as a passenger on the snowmobile of a local community resident, then follow the local community resident snowmobile guidelines.
  • What is the season for local community resident snowmobiling? November 1st to May 15th (Note: Season subject to change depending on snow conditions.)
  • As a local community resident, where can I snowmobile? When you obtain your snowmobile operator’s permit you will also receive a map that identifies the following exclusions areas for snowmobiling:
  • Heather Pond with the exception of a route across the southern end of the pond
  • Big Level with the exception of a route through Grassy Brook to Bullet Pond to Two Rock Pond to Big Island Pond via valleys
  • Tablelands with the exception of a route on and off the southeastern end
  • Southern frontal slope of Western Brook Pond
  • Killdevil Mountain, St. Paul’s Inlet saltmarsh
  • Lower Head, Shallow Bay
  • Stearin Island, Burridges Gulch / Clifty Pond
  • Gros Morne Mountain / Crow Gulch / Big Hill
  • Killdevil Mountain
  • Burridges Gulch / Clifty Pond / Southeast Hills
  • Tablelands
  • Pic a Tenerife
  • Area south and east of Southwest Gulch Cabin
  • All marked and/or maintained ski trails.
  • What is the difference between a local community resident and a public/commercial snowmobile operator’s permit? The length of the season and permitted areas of travel are different.
  • Why is there a different season for local community resident and the public/commercial snowmobilers? Recognizing the impacts that the park establishment had on the residents of the local communities within the boundaries of the National Park, Parks Canada permits local community residents access to Gros Morne National Park for domestic timber harvest purposes in designated areas, snowshoe hare snaring in designated areas and snowmobiling.
  • Where can I get a local community resident snowmobile operator’s permit? Local community resident season permits are available at the following locations:
    • Check out the passes and permits page.
  • How long is the local community resident snowmobile operator’s permit valid? Permits are valid till May 15th annually.
  • Is the annual park pass I bought in the summer good for snowmobiling? Your annual park pass is valid from January 1st to December 31st, each year. The annual park pass provides you with the opportunity to participate in a number of activities year-round including snowmobiling.
  • What if I do not get a snowmobile operator’s permit or do not adhere to the conditions of the permit? Failure to comply with the requirement to possess a permit or failure to comply with the conditions of the permit could result in your being charged under the Canada National Parks Act.

Snowmobile Conditions of Permit

  1. The holder of this permit is authorized to operate only an over snow vehicle with two (2) skis and one (1) track; operation of all other over snow vehicles is prohibited.
  2. This permit is valid only when signed by the holder of the permit and during the period specified on the permit.
  3. The Superintendent may vary the dates for snowmobiling due to snow conditions.
  4. Any contravention of a condition of this permit constitutes an offence under subsection 24(2) of the Canada National Parks Act. Failure to comply with that Act, the applicable park regulations or the conditions of the permit will constitute grounds to suspend or revoke the permit and/or may be grounds for prosecution under the Canada National Parks Act.
  5. The holder of this permit shall carry this permit and a valid Park Pass when snowmobiling in Gros Morne National Park.
  6. The permit holder shall, on request by the Superintendent, a Park Warden, an Enforcement Officer, or a Peace Officer, immediately produce for examination the permit and proof of registration and must allow for a mechanical inspection to ensure the snowmobile has not been unlawfully modified and is equipped as required by the laws of the province.
  7. The holder of this permit will not operate a snowmobile on a marked and/or a maintained ski trail.
  8. The holder of this permit will not engage in the activity known as high marking.
  9. The holder of this permit will not operate a snowmobile over open water.
  10. The holder of this permit will not refuel a snowmobile within 30 m of a water body.
  11. The holder of this permit shall remove from the park, all damaged and broken snowmobiles, including any parts and sleds.
  12. The holder of this permit shall notify Park Wardens in that event that a snowmobile becomes inoperable and must remain within the park overnight.
  13. The holder of the permit shall be responsible for all expenses incurred by the Superintendent in removing and disposing of snowmobiles, parts and sleds if the holder of the permit fails to comply with conditions 11 and 12 of this permit.
  14. Holders of a Public/Commercial Snowmobile Permit may operate a snowmobile in Gros Morne National Park only in the outlined corridors. Areas for snowmobiling include:
    • From Angus Lake north to Marks Pond to Western Pond Gorge and north to Arm Pond. From Arm Pond the route heads east to St. Paul's Big Pond,
    • An alternate access route through Big Barren northwest to Fourth Pond and through Glanders Gulch connecting up to the main area at Marks Pond,
    • From Matty’s Pond/Beaver Pond up to the east end of Halfway Gulch,
    • Access to Sandy Pond and Overfall Brook Falls.

      The four routes that provide a link to the communities in Gros Morne National Park include:

      Ÿ A defined route from Rocky Harbour/Sally’s Cove to Green Point Hills over Big Level to meet up with the main travel area at Marks Pond,

      Ÿ A defined route from Cow Head, eastward through Dry Brook Pond to the east boundary,

      Ÿ A defined route from Glenburnie along Middle Brook to the east boundary,

      Ÿ A defined route from Trout River eastward along Route 431 to the Tablelands parking lot then following the old road bed towards Winter House Brook.

  15. The following areas of Gros Morne National Park are Snowmobile Exclusion Areas and are:
  • Heather Pond with the exception of a route across the southern end of the pond
  • Big Level with the exception of a route through Grassy Brook to Bullet Pond to Two Rock Pond to Big Island Pond via valleys
  • Tablelands with the exception of a route on and off the southeastern end
  • Southern frontal slope of Western Brook Pond
  • Killdevil Mountain, St. Paul’s Inlet saltmarsh
  • Lower Head, Shallow Bay
  • Stearin Island, Burridges Gulch / Clifty Pond
  • Gros Morne Mountain / Crow Gulch / Big Hill
  • Killdevil Mountain
  • Burridges Gulch / Clifty Pond / Southeast Hills
  • Tablelands
  • Pic a Tenerife
  • Area south and east of Southwest Gulch Cabin
  • All marked and/or maintained ski trails.

There are federal and provincial regulations that apply in the National Park and it is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these. 

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