St. John's 
Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial parks are seeing unprecedented demand, with record-breaking numbers continuing into the 2026 season.
Credit: NL Parks
The province is home to 32 parks, ranging from camping and day-use parks to reserves.
According to Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation Minister Andrea Barbour, last year marked a high point, with parks generating more than $1.6 million in revenue and welcoming over 240,000 visitors. Overnight stays also reached an impressive 70,000.
Interest shows no signs of slowing. When reservations opened for 2026, ParksNL recorded its busiest launch day ever, receiving more than 6,000 bookings, a 19 percent increase compared to the previous year. Reservations have continued steadily since.
The parks themselves offer a wide range of experiences. J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park, located near the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal, provides an accessible starting point for travellers with its mix of bogs, forested hills, and coastal features. La Manche Provincial Park, just south of St. John’s, draws visitors with its dramatic suspension bridge and historic abandoned village.
Elsewhere, Sandbanks Provincial Park near Burgeo stands out for its sweeping sand dunes and beaches, while Butter Pot Provincial Park, close to the capital, offers one of the largest campground options with 175 sites.
Barbour emphasized that, beyond tourism, these spaces support mental, cognitive, and physical well-being.
