The southeastern coast of Labrador is unlike any other part of the region. As a small section of what is called the Forteau Barrens of Newfoundland and Labrador, areas like Pinware River Provincial Park, this coastal location is also unlike any other shoreline around Newfoundland.
This quiet, serene, and remote-feeling park and campground are still relatively easy to access by car with proximity to the Blanc Sablon ferry terminal in Quebec, and with its location right off the main highway.
Getting to Pinware River Provincial Park might be half of the adventure, as many visitors will need to take that ferry ride from Newfoundland. From the ferry to the highway drive, to the shores around Pinware and Belle Isle, there will incredible experiences to enjoy in this unique slice of the province.
Labrador’s Beautiful Natural Diversity
The diversity and range of flora and fauna of the Forteau Barrens are on full display at Pinware River Provincial Park. Here, the Pinware River empties into the Strait of Belle Isle as it flows over bedrock estimated to be about 1,400 million years old! The first visitors to the park for the year will get possible views of icebergs floating across the Strait of Belle Isle, as well as whales on their migration journey. Summertime visitors will get the mildest of the region’s summer weather, and likely plenty of rain!
The lush summer season around the river and Strait of Belle Isle comes with floral blooms, and dense greenery both around the shores and the campground. And while a fall visit might come with chillier camping weather, the fall foliage of those diverse forests and greenery will create colourful backdrops of gold, red, and orange.
Paddling & More on the Pinware River
These beautiful shores and sights of the Pinware River are easily enjoyed on simple walks, a day trip, or a picnic. But to make the most of the Provincial Park’s location, these activities are a great way to fill a weekend of camping, or simply a morning or afternoon.
- The park’s beach, located on the Strait, is a perfect spot for relaxation, photography, a picnic, or for spending a hotter summer day. The narrow stretch of sandy shoreline is bordered by tall grass, short shrubs, and numerous wildflowers to create colourful scenery.
- Canoeing, kayaking, and powerboating are all permitted to launch from the day use area for exploring the Strait’s shorelines, or more of the Pinware River. Watercraft must be no longer than 12ft.
- The Pinware River is abundant with trout and salmon and any boats under 12ft. in length are allowed to launch from the day use area. A boating trip, especially and dusk or dawn, is an excellent way to enhance your chances of a good catch.
Oceanside Camping & More Area Accommodations
The relatively smaller campground at Pinware River Provincial Park is a beautiful, forested set of sites. And while most of the 22 campsites are under tree cover, there are a few sites with clearings that open up into waterfront views.
- Each campsite has a picnic table and firepit, while all campers have access to outhouses, firewood sales, and a comfort station with showers, flush toilets, laundry, and water taps.
- The days for camper can be spent exploring the beach, campground roads, and lookout trail, while the nighttime skies at Pinware offer amazing scenery for stargazing.
- There are handful of more waterfront (or near the water) accommodation options in the ferry town of Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon. Avoid the hassle of camping and book a room with the Auberge Motel Quatre Saisons, Motel Blanc Sablon, or the Northern Light Inn across the border in Labrador. Find even more hotel and lodging options between Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon and Pinware along the 510 route.
Pinware Lookout Trail & More Area Hiking Trails
The main Lookout Hiking Trail within Pinware Provincial Park is a simple 1.2km route with incredibly rewarding views. At the end of the trail and at the lookout area, hikers get views of the town of Pinware, the river, and the estuary as it moves toward the Strait of Belle Isle.
- Travel south to capture more great views of the Strait with the trails around L’Anse-au-Loup. The town’s waterfront runs for over 12km to create a longer trip, while many shorter but just as pretty trails are on the opposite and north side of L’Anse-au-Loup.
- The trails of the Red Bay National Historic Site offer more than 5km of trails to explore while learning about local history.
- The Labrador Pioneer Path is an extensive trail south of Pinware River Provincial Park and closer to the ferry terminal. The linear coastal trail is 16km in one direction with beautiful views of Forteau Bay, and L’Anse au Claire.
Whales, Birds, & Other Wildlife
July is often considered the best time for wildlife viewing or birding around Pinware River Provincial Park. And much of this is due in part to the migrating whales that you can spot as they swim across the Strait of Belle Isle. This also helps to make those more open campsites a lot more attractive, as the whale watching could happen from the comfort of your camping chair!
- The birds of the area are also more easily spotted during this time of the year; keep ears and eyes open for warblers, sparrows, robins, loons, and gannets.
- As with the salmon and trout fishing, dusk or dawn are the best times of day to increase chances of spotting the various wildlife of Pinware River Provincial Park. Beyond the birds and whales, this wildlife could include seals, moose, or foxes.
Visiting Historic Red Bay
If there is time for a drive up to the Red Bay National Historic Site, this attraction (also on the Labrador coast), is a must-see and experience! Red Bay is an outdoor and living history museum where visitors get a first-hand look at the region’s Basque whaling history and heritage. The museum is open from early June to early October each year with scenic picnic areas, a preserved archeological site, indoor exhibits, and trails which offer excellent views.
- The Boney Shore Trail and boardwalk hikes offer glimpses into that whaling history as the paths wind around whale boneyards and toward sweeping views of Red Bay and Saddle Island across the water.
- Guided hikes are also available from June to September with expert interpreters leading the way. The Digging Through Time hike starts with a short ferry ride across to Saddle Island where there is plenty more Basque whaling history to uncover.
- The three main picnic areas around the historic site offer some incredible views as well, with sites at the entrance to Red Bay, along the park’s hiking trails, and at the Red Bay Wharf. These are either waterfront picnic sites or sites with views overlooking the Bay.
Planning Your Trip – Pinware River Provincial Park
Credit: sf-dvs/Flickr/ CC BY 2.0
What: This is one of two Provincial Parks located on Labrador, and the easier of the two to access from Newfoundland. The second park is Duley Lake on the far west side of Labrador. Pinware River Provincial Park surrounds the beautiful and wide estuary of the Pinware River where it empties in the Strait of Belle Isle.
The more remote and less populated nature of Labrador means that a camping trip or day trip will offer peaceful relaxation, serene quiet time, and a chance to reconnect with nature. The scenery and wildlife of Pinware River are vast and varied, with paddling or boating as one of the easiest ways to get these birding or wildlife viewing opportunities.
Location and how to get there: within Labrador, use Highway 510 to access Pinware, about 30km southwest of Red Bay
From Saint Barbe Ferry Terminal in Newfoundland, use the ferry for Blanc Sablon, QC, to access 510 and travel 50km northeast to reach Pinware River Provincial Park.
Best time to go: June to October
How much: Camping $20.15 per night
Daily Vehicle entry fees: $10
For more information: