At La Manche Provincial Park, some of the best of Newfoundland’s natural landscapes all combine into one exciting part of the East Coast Trail. La Manche Provincial Park is in the central part of this 200 km+ stretch of hiking trail, which offers access to the more remote but still jaw-dropping parts of the province’s coastal scenery, and then some.
Credit: NL Parks
Campers, day use visitors, or hikers on the ECT simply stopping by La Manche will have many reasons to make the trip to Newfoundland’s southeast coast. This stretch of parkland starts at the east coast where the La Manche River empties into the ocean from a wide estuary with towering cliffs. The park boundaries continue west inland to surround the La Manche River and La Manche ponds. The ponds are the hub of activity at the Provincial Park, with the beach, campground, and trailheads all within this area.
As a freshwater pond, the La Manche Pond is as attractive to wildlife as it is to humans looking for a place to swim or paddle. The pond is home to a diverse range of wildlife, as it also forms bogs and marshes around the park. Between the east coast shores and the La Manche Pond is a great deal of drastically changing scenery to explore along the trails.
While La Mache Village no longer exists, the presence of former homes and businesses is still evident across the park. The path to the former La Manche Village will be lined with the only remains of the village, those buildings’ foundations. As hikers get to explore the changing scenery, natural beauty, and history of La Manche Provincial Park, they’ll also get to conclude these hikes at the 50m suspension bridge, from where you get the best views of the La Manche River meeting the Atlantic.
At La Manche Provincial Park, history, nature, and adventure come together in one of Newfoundland’s most scenic coastal escapes. Here are the top activities and ways to make the best of your trip:
History, Waterfalls, & Hiking at La Manche
The trails around La Manche Provincial Park, while not many, offer some quintessential Newfoundland scenery from river cliffs and gorges to waterfalls and wildlife, to massive estuaries flowing into the Atlantic ocean. Be sure not to miss out on the major highlights of these relatively simple hiking trails: abandoned homestead foundations, a 50m suspension bridge, and two waterfalls.
- La Manche Falls Trail has the waterfall on the La manche River as a main highlight but will have several other beautiful things to see along the way. The 2km trail starts from the day use area and winds around bogs and marshes, and mixed forests, before ending at a stunning view of the waterfall.
- The La Manche Village Path is a major highlight of hiking around the park, and along the East Coast Trail, with a 50m suspension bridge on the south end of the path. The entire 6.4km trail begins at Tors Cove in the north with La Manche Village and Suspension Bridge in the south end. Around the village are remnants of former settlements and homes, while birding and marine life viewing will be possible throughout the whole trek.
- Views from the La Manche Suspension Bridge are offer unique sights with a roaring waterfall to the west (separate from the waterfall on the Falls trail), an expansive river gorge below, and the river estuary as it meets the Atlantic. The staircase which leads to the bridge also offers different views from the platforms.
- From almost any park trail or campground road, keep your eyes open and cameras ready for the park’s abundance of wildflowers. These could include honeysuckle, Labrador tea, tall meadow-rue, twin flower, or lilies.
- Explore more of the East Coast Trail outside of La Manche Provincial Park for more mesmerizing coastal views.
Beach Day at La Manche Pond
The beach at La Manche is an inviting place for several summer activities. The freshwater swimming area, surrounded by soft and thin white sand, creates a picturesque setting for fun on and off the water.
- Swimming is a favourite warm-weather activity across the park. The freshwater ponds and sandy beach near the picnic areas are ideal for a beach day. Plus, there is a popular swimming hole located on the river, above a small waterfall.
- A playground and picnic area are a short walk away from the beach and provide perfect views of La Manche Pond. Day use visitors have access to ample parking, as well as washrooms.
- The day-use area is also the starting point for the park’s two main trails, both short enough to include on a day trip.
- Highway NL-10 leading into Tors Cove Main Street, and La Manche, is a great source of picnic foods and snacks to take on the go; choose among eateries like the Cliffs Edge Café, The Captain’s Table, the Happy Afghan, Irish Loop Coffee House, or Fork Restaurant.
Peaceful River & Pond Paddling
Canoes and kayaks are able to launch onto the water from the day-use area and beside the roped-off swimming area. The pond and its winding shores, or adjacent marshes and bogs, offer peaceful paddling and wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as excellent photo ops.
- There are 4km of La Manche River for canoers and kayakers to explore, and this doesn’t include all of the pond’s shoreline.
- There is a more peaceful option to head 2km upstream through more marshlands and towards a large river delta. A more adventurous trip is downstream on the river, where paddlers will encounter white water rapids.
Birds, Fish, & Other Wildlife at La Manche Provincial Park
Bring cameras, phones, binoculars, and anything that will make birding and wildlife viewing easier or more memorable. A trip to La Manche Provincial Park will most certainly guarantee the chance to spot seabirds, marine life, waterfowl around the marshes, and the birds of the forests. Some of the more popular birds spotted here, among the 50-or-so species spotted at La Manche, are osprey, downy woodpeckers, herring gulls, and mourning warblers.
- Anyone out for a paddle on the pond might be able to spot, or hear, the beavers, slapping and swimming about the water, or working on their dams and dens.
- Fishing is also permitted on La Manche Pond and River, with chances to catch salmon and brook trout.
- The boggy marshes and wetlands around the area attract some larger wildlife, too, as moose are spotted roaming these areas, and sometimes the campgrounds.
Camping at La Manche Provincial Park
Enjoy a classic and more rustic camping weekend with the campground’s unserviced sites or snag yourself a campsite with electrical services. Altogether, the LA Manche Provincial Park campground has over 80 sites, all suited to tents, RVs, or trailers. Each campsite includes a picnic table and campfire area, while all campers also have access to a comfort station with showers and laundry. More camping amenities include firewood sales, a playground, outhouses, and water taps (keep an eye out for boil advisories).
- Camping and an overnight or weekend trip to La Manche is the best way to ensure you see all the park’s attractions, hike all the trails, and make the most out of the East Coast trip.
- This rural and more remote part of the East Coast is a perfect setting for evening and nighttime stargazing, something easily done from the campsites and campground roads.
More Accommodations Near La Manche
Newfoundland’s southeastern coast is lined with a great deal of different types of accommodations and ways to plan an overnighter, even when you don’t like camping. No matter the reason to avoid camping, the southeast coast has places to stay both waterfront and inland to offer places to escape just as peaceful as the La Manche Provincial Park campground.
- Travel up Highway NL-10 and loop around the coastal Main Street to find options (about 14km away) like the Cliffs Edge Retreat, the Beachside Cottage, or the Newfoundland Ocean Lodge.
- A bit further north from the Provincial Park, but still near the coast, are options like the Whale House Guest House with stargazing hot tubs, or Elaine’s B&B by the Sea. These are all about 25-35km from La Manche.
Planning Your Trip – La Manche Provincial Park
What: La Manche Provincial Park is on the far east side of Newfoundland and on the La Manche Ponds. These ponds flow into the La Manche Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, with all the space between the ponds and the ocean offering diverse landscapes, wildlife, scenery, and recreational opportunities. The province’s East Coast Trail follows the eastern La Manche Provincial Park boundary, which closely follows the coastline.
Location and how to get there: 56km south of St. John’s via Highway NL-10 South
Best time to go: camping May 15 to September 14, 2026
Cost: camping $20.15(no services)-$30.90 (electrical) per night
Vehicle entry fees: daily passes at $10
For more information: