St. John's 
The activities available at Lockston Path Provincial Park include all the recreation you’d come to expect at a Newfoundland park. This includes summer fun like swimming, paddling, and camping.
Credit: NL Parks
Beyond the park boundaries, by less than 30km, are some of the Province’s top attractions or places to visit. This all makes Lockston Path Provincial Park one of the area’s most beautiful basecamp options.
Here are all the activities and unique features of Lockston Path Provincial Park, so that you can make the best of your trip to the park:
A Diverse Part of the Maritime Barrens
Most of the features which help classify the Bonavista Peninsula as Maritime Barrens are found within the diverse landscapes of Lockston Path Provincial Park. The balsam fir forests are a major defining feature of the northeastern Maritime Barrens region, which, of course, cover Lockston Path and which offers the campsites privacy and shelter.
Other notable features of the Maritime Barrens around Lockston Path include a freshwater pond and beach surrounded by dozens of small bogs. And around those bogs are a handful of barren areas with no tree cover. This diversity of the Lockston Path landscapes and habitats makes way for a wide range of birds and larger wildlife.
Fun on Freshwater Pond
Find yourself next to Freshwater Pond on the next warm summer day for a relaxing, quiet, and secluded beach day experience. The beauty of the Freshwater Pond is best enjoyed from the park’s designated swimming area.
- And the second best, or equally as best way to explore the shores and beauty of Freshwater Pond is by canoe or kayak. The entire shoreline loop is about 3.5km. Motorized boats are also allowed, but must keep to a 10 horsepower maximum.
- Fishing is also permitted on Freshwater Pond, with a good chance of catching trout.
- The boat launch and dock, and the beach, are all next to the day use parking lot, with the two areas separated by a thick set of trees. The boat launch area is also a great place to cast off for the Freshwater Pond trout.
Watch for Wildlife at Lockston Path
Whether out on the forested trails, walking among the bogs, or on the water and a boat, there is a wide variety of wildlife to watch for or photograph around Lockston Path.
- That variety includes a large number of bird types, including the larger birds of prey like bald eagles, osprey, or boreal owls, and songbirds like different types of warblers.
- While out on the water or the shoreline trails, look for and watch for beavers or various types of waterfowl.
- And consider yourself lucky if you spot or photograph the larger wildlife of the park like moose, black bears, foxes, or mink.
Lockston Path Trails and Other Scenic Hikes
The park and campground roads of Lockston Path offer visitors over 2km of walking or cycling routes and a perfect way to see the entire park in an hour or two. There are also two main hiking trails in the park that offer simple trail routes along with excellent views or vistas of the whole park. Both trails are also easy to find and begin from the day use parking lot.
- Take the 3.5km out-and-back Northwest Pond trail to follow the shores of the Freshwater Pond before looping around a smaller pond and heading back. Once at the smaller Northwest Pond, there may be several birding or nature photography opportunities.
- The 2km Scenic Lookout trail greets hikers with a stunning view of the park and pond about halfway through the hike. This trail makes a great showcase of the park’s diverse habitats with multiple types of trees and wildflowers lining the path.
- Get more excellent views to the south in Port Rexton with the town’s Gunhill Lookout trail
- The Skerwink Trail in Trinity East to the south of Port Rexton, is a 5.3km loop around iconic Newfoundland scenery. The trail loops around a small peninsula and remains elevated over the area’s towering cliffs and sea stacks. The trail is considered a more moderate hike as there are parts with steep staircases or climbing. The coastal views will make it worth every step.
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Coastal Sightseeing, Dining, & Attractions
As a Provincial Park that sits central to dozens of kilometres of coastline, there is much to see and do around Lockston Path. These coastal areas, towns, trails, and communities are all about 10-30km from Lockston Path to create easy day trip ideas. Many also treat Lockston Path Provincial Park as a basecamp for adventures around the eastern coast.
- Aside from the trails already mentioned, Port Rexton has many other sightseeing and attractions to offer on a day trip. This includes many kilometres of rugged but beautiful coastline, historical attractions, cafes, a local brewery, dessert shops, and restaurants.
- In the opposite direction and to the north of Lockston Path Provincial Park are more scenic coastal views like those around King’s Cove, or the art! Visit the Painted Rocks outdoor display, Rugged Coast Woodwork and Gallery
- Travel east of Lockston Path to visit and sightsee around Trinity Bay North where there are historic sites to see, coastal trails, art exhibits, and local dining!
Sheltered & Private Campsites
Lockston Path Provincial Park operates a relatively small campground with 57 sites that are surrounded by the balsam fir forest of the park. There is a small stream that runs through the campground to create sites that sit along the water’s edge.
- Among those campsites are 20 with electric service and hookup. All 57 campsites have a water tap, picnic table, and firepit.
- Other park features that help add some comfort and convenience to the stay include access to outhouses, a comfort station with showers, and firewood sales.
Planning Your Trip – Lockston Path Provincial Park
What: Lockston Path Provincial Park sits in the middle of the Bonavista Peninsula in eastern Newfoundland. The park has stunning coastal scenery within a 30km drive north, east, west, or south, and is only 45km from the town of Bonavista. And as it sits within the mainland, the park is a diverse mixture of scenery with a large Freshwater Pond central to the park’s summer recreation. Lockston Path Provincial Park has a quiet campground, a sandy freshwater beach, nature trails, and boating opportunities.
Location and how to get there: 6km north of Port Rexton via NL-236/Stock Cove Road.
Lockston Path Provincial Park is located approximately 260 km (3-hour drive) from St. John’s.
Best time to go: May 14-September 15, 2025
Cost: Daily Vehicle entry fees: $10; camping $20.15 per night
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