St. John's 
Tucked away on Newfoundland’s rugged west coast, Blow Me Down Provincial Park offers a striking blend of ocean cliffs, ancient rock formations, and forested mountain slopes. Overlooking the Bay of Islands and surrounded by quiet harbours, this hidden gem feels far removed from the everyday — the kind of place where hiking trails lead to starlit skies and pebble beaches whisper with waves.
Credit: Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Western Newfoundland provides out-of-this-world scenery that stretches north to south along the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The province’s western cliffsides and shorelines are not only tall and imposing but also draped in lush forests that turn bright green shades over the spring and summer.
During the fall, these western shorelines form into warm hues for equally as stunning fall scenery. Gros Morne National Park is a major highlight of the region, with all of the above scenery and much more to see or do. However, this park is busy and popular during the summer months.
And a short drive to the south is another of the region’s parks which offers much of the same scenery, forest types, and beach or water activities.
Blow Me Down Provincial Park
This stunning and smaller Blow Me Down Provincial Park faces the Bay of Islands and Governors Island on the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Plus, this also sits on the sheltered inlet formed by the York Harbour on one side and the smaller Lark Harbour on the other side.
To the northwest of Blow Me Down Provincial Park is a larger peninsula that also stretches out onto the Bay of Islands. This is a remote part of Newfoundland’s western forest regions and the Blow Me Down Mountains, with most of the shores accessible only by foot.
This will make the camping or day trip to Blow Me Down Provincial Park, about 50km outside of Corner Brook, feel quite remote. After the epic sunsets over the water, the skies, free of light pollution, become a dazzling display of stars.
Blow Me Down Provincial Park has it all when it comes to the quintessential Newfoundland scenery: lush forests, tall mountains and coastal cliffs, powerful ocean waters, and expansive cobble beaches.
A Day Trip to Blow Me Down Beach
The beach and day use area will take you toward a short trail and down the Governors Staircase. This route to the beach includes a wooden staircase that is built into the sides of the ancient rock and cliffs that tower over the beach. In some sections, the rocks hang out and above your head to create a tunnel.
At the end of the staircase is the park’s cobble beach with thousands of ocean-smoothed pebbles. On a calm and clear day, you’ll be able to see right through the blue-tinted ocean water from atop the staircase.
Governor’s Staircase cuts through ancient volcanic rock formations that date back as far as 450 million years. Each step is worth a pause to view the veins of quartz or ancient lava.
A Dip in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
The smooth cobble and pebbles of the beach area, the warmer saltwater, and a hot summer’s day, all create perfect conditions for a dip in the waters around Blow Me Down. Swimming may not always be an ideal activity, but even a quick dip with your toes or up to the waist can offer some refreshment.
The Bay of Islands is also a popular destination for sea kayaking. Launching is permitted from the shores of the Provincial Park, with Governor’s Island as a highlight route within the Bay. A second popular route is to kayak from Blow Me Down Provincial Park to York Harbour.
Birding, Wildlife Viewing, & Coastal Photography
These forests and coastal parts of western Newfoundland attract a huge array and variety of bird species. Mammals you might spot include hares, foxes, or moose. Among the common birds to spot here from spring to fall are:
- yellow-bellied flycatchers,
- American robins,
- tree swallows,
- white-winged crossbill,
- pine grosbeak,
- different types of warblers,
- and black-legged kittiwakes.
Along with birding, the scenery will offer up another reason to always have your phone or camera handy while at Blow Me Down. This includes the views from the longer and shorter trails, Governors Staircase, York, and Lark Harbours. During the spring and summer, the area is lush with greenery, and over the fall months, the region becomes a beautiful mixture of rich fall colours on the trees.
Hiking to the Blow Me Down Lookouts
Within Blow Me Down Provincial Park, and a short drive outside the park, are numerous hiking trails as well as each trail’s lookout and viewing area. With the park sitting on a small peninsula and under the shadows of small coastal mountains, the lookout areas and viewing spots get you views of ocean, mountain, forest, and beach scenery, plus possible views of the several types of birds who live here.
- The 5km out-and-back Tortoise Mountain Trail is the park’s hiking trail with a few more challenges and steeper sections but it will offer some of the best views. A section of the trail will offer a viewing area that covers the Bay of Islands and the Harbours.
- Those with smaller kids or those looking for a shorter trek can get incredible views from the Lookout Trail and Governors Staircase. The staircase is accessible from the campground loop adjacent trail or the trail starting from the day use area. At the bottom of the staircase is an expansive cobble beach on York Harbour.
- There are more places and trails to explore outside of Blow Me Down Provincial Park and along the shores of York or Lark Harbours. Off the Main Road to the east of the Provincial Park are two trail options: the short and easy hike to Copper Mine Falls, or the much more challenging Cape Blow Me Down Trail at 7km return. The longer trail requires a lot of climbing, with proper footwear and poles highly recommended. Those taking the Cape Blow Me Down Trail still have easy access to views of Copper Mine Falls.
Picnic Foods & More Local Dining
Anyone planning a day trip or beach picnic for Blow Me Down Provincial Park may want to take note of the nearby eateries. These locations offer both dine-in and takeout service within a short drive from the park: Big Tom’s Snack Shack, Myrtles on the Bay, and Captain Cook’s Gallery. These are seasonal restaurants that are generally open from May to September.
- Corner Brook has a bit of everything to offer, like cafes, local family restaurants, pubs, fresh seafood, international cuisine, and more.
Coastal Camping or Overnight in Corner Brook
While located near the coast, the campgrounds at Blow Me Down Provincial Park sit in a well-forested, sheltered area. And while the forests serve to add shelter to the campground area and beauty, so too do the surrounding mountains.
Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and firepit, while all campers have access to a playground, water taps, washrooms, showers, and laundry facilities. Those who book an overnight stay will want to keep their gaze to the skies: Blow Me Down Provincial Park offers amazing stargazing opportunities that can be enjoyed from the comfort of your campsite. The sites are without any services, but do permit generator use during the day.
- Several more accommodations are available in Corner Brook, which is about 45-65 km east of the Provincial Park. Here, you’ll have options for hotel and motel chains, local inns, or bed and breakfasts.
Planning Your Trip – Blow Me Down Provincial Park
Credit: Jim Hoffman/Flickr/CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
What: Blow Me Down Provincial Park is a smaller park on the west coast of Newfoundland. The park covers parts of land on a peninsula that stretches north into the Bay of Islands. While it may be a small park, the coastal scenery of Blow Me Down Park, Serpentine forests, Blow Me Down Mountains, beaches, and the ocean make it a popular camping destination in the spring, summer, and fall. During the winters, the area is popular for cross-country skiing thanks to the Blow Me Down Nordic Ski Club trails.
Governors Staircase is a major feature of Blow Me Down Provincial Park and is on one of the park’s must-see trails. The wooden staircase connects the tops of the cliffs (and campground) to the park beach. The staircase is embedded in the rock and wraps around the natural shape of the rocks.
Blow Me Down Provincial Park also offers access to the Gulf of St. Lawrence for sea kayakers. As a hiking destination, the region offers an array of difficulty levels, including easy, moderate, and difficult trails.
Location and how to get there: 47km West of Corner Brook via NL-450
Blow Me Down Provincial Park is located approximately 735 km (8 hours drive) from St. John’s or approximately 11 hours via ferry from North Sydney, Nova Scotia (crossing takes ~ seven hours).
Best time to go:
Best to explore from late spring to fall.
Camping – May 29 to September 14, 2026
Cost: camping $20.15 per night;
Daily Pass: Vehicle entry daily passes – $10
For more information:
