Gros Morne National Park
Newfoundland and Labrador
Gros Morne National Park, located on the west coast of Newfoundland, Canada, is a vast natural reserve renowned for its striking geological features and breathtaking landscapes. Covering 1,805 km², it is the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The park is named after Gros Morne Mountain, the island's second-highest peak at 806 meters, which offers challenging hikes and panoramic views. The park's unique geology includes exposed sections of the Earth's mantle and oceanic crust, visible in the famous Tablelands, where nutrient-poor ultramafic rocks create a barren, desert-like environment. Visitors can also explore Western Brook Pond, a freshwater fjord carved by glaciers, featuring towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls. The park's diverse ecosystems range from forests and bogs to beaches and barren cliffs, shaped by a billion years of geological processes including continental drift and glaciation. Gros Morne offers a rich experience for nature lovers, hikers, and geology enthusiasts, with numerous trails, guided tours, and opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat.
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Tip: The best time to visit Gros Morne National Park is during the summer months when the weather is mild and all trails are accessible. For avid hikers, the Gros Morne Mountain trail is a must but note it is closed from May 1 to June 28 to protect wildlife. Booking guided tours for the Tablelands and Western Brook Pond cruises in advance is recommended, especially during peak season. Visitors can benefit from purchasing park passes ahead of time and should prepare for variable weather conditions. Camping facilities are available, and winter activities offer alternative experiences outside the main season.
Interesting facts
- •Gros Morne National Park exposes parts of the Earth's mantle, a rare geological phenomenon globally.
- •The Tablelands' barren landscape results from ultramafic rocks that are toxic to most plant life.
- •Western Brook Pond is a landlocked freshwater fjord carved by glaciers, with waterfalls often turning to mist before reaching the pond.
- •The park contains the Global Boundary Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) for the Tremadocian stage of the Ordovician period.
- •Gros Morne Mountain is part of the Long Range Mountains, an extension of the Appalachian Mountains.
History
Gros Morne National Park was established as a reserve in 1973 and officially became a national park in 2005.
The park's geological formations date back over a billion years, representing some of the oldest mountain ranges formed during the Precambrian era.
Its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 recognized its exceptional geological significance, particularly the visible evidence of continental drift through exposed mantle rocks.
Over the centuries, glaciers sculpted the landscape, creating fjords and shaping the terrain seen today.
The park continues to be an area of scientific interest and conservation.
Place Guide
The TablelandsPrecambrian to Paleozoic era
A unique geological area where the Earth's mantle rocks are exposed, creating a stark, desert-like landscape with rusty brown and green hues due to iron oxidation and unweathered peridotite and serpentinite. This rare feature offers insight into plate tectonics and continental drift.
Western Brook Pond
A spectacular freshwater fjord carved by glaciers, featuring towering cliffs up to 2000 feet high and cascading waterfalls. Visitors can cruise the pond to experience the dramatic landscape and local wildlife.
Gros Morne Mountain Summit Trail
A challenging 17-kilometre loop hike ascending from lowland forests to alpine terrain, culminating in panoramic views from the park's highest peak at 806 meters. The trail showcases diverse flora and fauna across varying ecosystems.
Contact
Phone: (709) 458-2417
