St. John's 
The Burin Peninsula includes Newfoundland’s southernmost shorelines. Along this stretch of land are dozens of smaller communities as well as parks and trail areas, but no large cities or urban areas.
Credit: Tourism Newfoundland & Labrador
Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park is on the west side, or Fortunes Bay, side of the Burin Peninsula, where the warmer tidal waters create a lush, diverse, and beautiful ecosystem. The name Frenchman’s Cove is for the small, natural and freshwater barachois created by sandbars that surround the peninsula. In other words, Frenchman’s Cove and the park surround a small pond where fresh and saltwater mix.
Frenchman’s Cove & the Southeastern Barrens
The Southeastern Barrens is the name given to the ecoregion that covers the Burin Peninsula. Within Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park, the features of this region which stand out as excellent viewpoints or photo ops include the abundance and variety of birds, the mixed forests along the shores, tidal lagoons thriving with life, berries and wildflowers, and rocks or cliffs which date back as far as hundreds of millions of years ago.
Head a bit further south from Frenchman’s Cove, along the same shoreline, to the Fortune Head Ecological Reserve to see one of the most significant geological features on the peninsula: the “global stratotype.” This is a definitive line in the rocks which displays the transition period between the Precambrian and Cambrian eras.
Back at the Provincial Park, the general location of the beaches and paddle areas within the Cove lends itself to tons of recreation for spring, summer, or fall.
Beach Day at Frenchman’s Cove
With two sandy beach areas along the freshwater barachois or Frenchman’s Cove, this provincial park has swimming areas, plus several amenities, to offer up for a day at the beach.
- As with paddling, the location of these beaches within the shelter of the cove and its shoreline forests makes for calmer swimming conditions (when compared to other PP beaches).
- There are two beach areas, but one swimming area is marked with buoys.
- There are two main options for where to set up for your beach day: out near or on the sandy beaches, or closer to the day use area with a grassy meadow, picnic tables, and a playground. Beachgoers also have access to ample parking, and washrooms.
- There is a small general store outside of the park boundaries for picnic snacks and takeout items. Plus, plenty of other picnic food options are a short drive across the peninsula in Marystown.
- And while some may want to spend a beach day near the water and sand, there is yet another way in Frenchman’s Cove to enjoy the scenery or a day by the Bay with the Grande Meadows Golf Course. The course offers a driving range, putting green, 9-hole or 18-hole games, and an on-site restaurant.
Paddling around Frenchman’s Cove
The freshwater barachois created by Frenchman’s Cove creates an ideal and beautiful setting for canoers and kayakers. A massive sandbar separates the waters of Fortune Bay and the Cove to make for calmer paddling conditions. This is a perfect opportunity as well to explore the opposite sides and shores of the Cove where forests line the shores, and a paddler is likely to spots several birds, or larger wildlife.
Fishing, Wildlife, Birds, and More
Enjoying the abundance of wildlife around Frenchman’s Cove and the Burin Peninsula could include numerous activities. These southern shores are part of the Maritime Barrens ecoregion, and therefore boast a diverse ecosystem. And through the park, or other nearby areas, there are many ways to find the wildlife weather for fishing, photography, learning, or simply seeing for the first time.
- The beach and day use trail in Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park can create a longer hike at about 4-5km total, and will offer incredible chances for birders, nature photographers, and anglers.
- Watch for (or listen for) lesser yellow-legs, red knots, northern gannets, common terns, ring-billed gulls, ducks, or various types of warblers.
- Fortune Head Ecological Reserve, a short drive south of Frenchman’s Cove, is an incredible opportunity to learn about nature, wildlife, and southern NL geology, all in a few trails. There are also more learning opportunities at the Fortune Geology Centre in town, and incredible views from the Fortune Head Lighthouse.
- The geological features around Frenchman’s Cove, Fortune Head, and all around the Burin Peninsula, show off unique rock formations, fossils, and dramatic viewpoints over the two surrounding Bays.
Camping & Stargazing
This large campground boasts 75 sites that can accommodate tents, trailers, and most RVs. Plus, 20 of those campsites are equipped with electrical hookups. More amenities for campers include water taps around the campground, a comfort station with washrooms, laundry service, showers, and Wi-Fi, and firewood for sale.
- Every campsite will have its own picnic table and firepit to create a comfortable setting for the incredible stargazing opportunities. The rural southern shores of Newfoundland, including the Burin Peninsula and Frenchman’s Cove, are graced with stunningly dark night skies thanks to a lack of surrounding light pollution.
- There are no formal biking trails within the park, but all park and campground roads are open to cyclists. Bikes are perfect to bring, too, as there is a bit of distance between the swimming and day use areas and the campground.
- And while no long and formal trails exist within the park, a full exploration from the day use to the beaches, and around the campground, can create a 6km or so hike.
A Drive down the Heritage Run
The Burin Peninsula is part of the Newfoundland Heritage Run Tourism Association and includes many points for stopping on this heritage run. These Heritage Runs are self-guided driving tours around different parts of Newfoundland with historical plaques and monuments, public art, architecture, and other heritage sites. There are also a mix between short hikes and longer more challenging hikes off of these drives/routes.
- The Burin Peninsula offers the Mariner’s Drive section of the Heritage Run. This begins at the Goobies Visitor Centre and continues toward Garden Cove and Swift Current: here, you’ll be able to browse the local Antique Car Museum.
- Next, NL-210 south, or the Mariner’s Drive, will bring your tour to Sandy Harbour, Terrenceville, and St. Bernard’s, each with stunning lookouts or viewing areas.
- The next few stops on the run, including Little Bay East, Bay L’Argent, Little Harbour East, and Petit Forte, all offer natural sites to see, or opportunities for hikes/walks.
- Boat Harbour, on Placentia Bay, offers a few different things to do and see, including a visit to the Placentia West Economuseum, or walking the “Uprooted” Interpretive Viewpark and Powder Horn Trails.
- Marystown is the final stop before Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park, and the last stop on the Mariner’s Drive section of the Heritage Run. While here, be sure to stock up on local foods to bring back to the campsite, check out local shops, and learn about Marystown history through the Marystown Heritage Museum and Harbourside Park, or the Mary Mount Statue.
Planning Your Trip – Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park
What to See & Do: Discover the best adventures and ways to enjoy Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park—a hidden gem on Newfoundland’s Burin Peninsula. Nestled between calm tidal waters and forested shores, the park’s freshwater barachois offers the perfect backdrop for kayaking, swimming, and relaxing beach days. Hike along scenic coastal trails, observe diverse wildlife and bird species, or spend the evening stargazing from your campsite. Just beyond the park, explore the ancient rock formations at Fortune Head, tee off at Grande Meadows Golf Course, or take a drive along the picturesque Heritage Run to experience the region’s rich local heritage.
Location and how to get there: Route 213, Frenchman’s Cove.
Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park is located approximately 330 km (3 hr 30 minutes drive) from St. John’s.
Best time to go: May-September for camping and day use
Cost: day use $10 per car; camping $30.90 per night
For more information:
Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park
