St. John's 
The position of Pistolet Bay Provincial Park within Newfoundland is quite special.
Credit: Parks NL
First of all, Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is on the far northern end of Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula which make it considerably far from urban centres like St. John’s or Cornerbrook- in fact, this park is almost as far northeast as you can go in Newfoundland (with Labrador directly north of Pistolet Bay).
With the nearby L’Anse au Meadows National Historic Site open to the public, there is a chance to head even further north and east, where the Gulf of St. Lawrence meets the Atlantic Ocean on the Strait of Belle Isle.
A Basecamp for Great Northern Adventures
Newfoundland’s Great Northern Peninsula is a rural part of the province with low-lying coastlines. The region’s communities are each nestled along that low shore, including Saint Barbe central to the peninsula where the ferries depart for Quebec to offer access to Labrador, and Gros Morne National Park on the far south end of the Great Northern Peninsula.
And trip all the way out to the far north of the Great Northern Peninsula will bring your getaway, day trip, or adventure to Pistolet Bay.
The beautiful campground at Pistolet Bay Provincial Park, set away from the coast and within the dense forests, has all one would need to make a basecamp for the ultimate Great Northern Newfoundland Adventure. This includes services and amenities that enhance your comfort during your stay, as well as on-site activities to enjoy.
And when venturing out to see more of the Peninsula, this small section around Pistolet and Ha Ha Bays, Raleigh, and Burnt Cape offers a bit of everything for all types of vacations. This includes ways to explore the region’s unique and rich Viking history, the northern coast’s rugged shorelines or diverse wildlife, and the small communities of the Great Northern Peninsula. In all, the main Peninsula Highway (430) stretches about 300km from Gros Morne to Pistolet Bay.
Both Burnt Cape and L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site are nearby attractions that are a must-visit on a Great Northern Peninsula adventure. While Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is a great showcase of the Long Range Mountain lowland scenery with widely diverse plant life, the Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve offers an even wider range, including over 300 different types of plants and trees, with 30 extremely rare species!
Pistolet Bay’s Freshwater Beach
The large expanse of ocean waters to the west of the Provincial Park offers beautiful scenery, sunsets, and places for a walk, while the freshwater ponds within the park provide even more for scenery. Plus, these ponds are a great source of fun, relaxation, or adventure on a camping trip.
- The Pistolet Bay Provincial Park day use area surrounds the freshwater pond’s beach and sand area with a section of water marked off for swimming.
- This part of the park has all the amenities you need for a perfect picnic or beach day, such as washrooms and changerooms, a playground, picnic tables, parking, and water taps.
- There are spots across the sandy beach for taking in the sun, plus many areas back under the cover of the surrounding forests for shade.
- Non-motorized boats are permitted on the same pond, a small and peaceful area for a paddle in a canoe, kayak, or inflatable.
Birds & Wildlife on the Strait of Belle Isle
The wildlife around the lowlands, as well as in the surrounding waters, will keep any birdwatcher, photographer, or nature enthusiast busy during a trip to Pistolet Bay Provincial Park. Among the park’s diverse scenery of bright green trees and shrubs, colourful wildflowers, there are numerous species of birds and various types of mammals. Plus, the coastal areas along the Strait of Belle Isle will offer chances to spot marine life and seabirds.
- Some of the common birds to hear or see around the forests of the Provincial Park include gray jays, osprey, great horned owl, and northern flicker.
- Other wildlife to watch for within the park includes beavers, foxes, hares, or bats.
- The ponds of Pistolet Bay are also open to angling with chances for catching brook trout.
- The Strait of Belle Isle and the nearby coastal waters around Pistolet Bay provide numerous sightseeing opportunities including whale watching, icebergs, and watching for seabirds.
More to See on the North Peninsula
Even this smaller section of the Great Northern Peninsula can provide numerous days worth of sightseeing, adventures, or relaxing recreation. Explore more natural beauty and scenery, the area’s Viking history and heritage, and the vibrant communities that line the coast.
- Explore the incredibly rich history of Northern Newfoundland with a visit to the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site. The site, about 36km from Pistolet Bay, is a large outdoor museum set up around North America’s first-known European settlement. This historic site offers a glimpse into life in northern Newfoundland when Viking explorers from Greenland set up camps 1,000 years ago. Explore the park self-guided with one of many trails, or on a guided and immersive experience or tour.
- The Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve is as far north of Pistolet Bay as you can be. The reserve starts on the north side of the town of Raleigh, roughly 10km away from the Provincial Park and continues across the small peninsula for 4.5km. A gravel road leads out to the end of the peninsula, which is commonly used by hikers as well.
- The local eateries around this part of the north coast will be on or off the highway that connects Pistolet Bay Provincial Park with L’Anse aux Meadows. Between these locations are options for fresh seafoods, takeout and picnic snacks, or frozen and sweet treats.
Hiking around Pistolet and Ha Ha Bays
The park’s gravel roads offer about 1.5km of hiking and cycling space, while areas surrounding Pistolet Bay provide longer, more challenging, or simply additional hiking trails.
- Burnt Cape and Raleigh to the north are accessible by car, as well as a trail which runs parallel to 437. This trail continues around Raleigh and out to Piton Point on Ha Ha Bay. A hike out to the end of Burnt Cape and back is about 9km along a gravel road shared with vehicles.
- In the other direction, and to the northeast of Pistolet Bay, is a moderate 8km loop around Cape Onion. Also known as Treena’s Trail, this loop may have some overgrown sections but will have stunning views most of the way that make it worth any bushwhacking.
- L’Anse aux Meadows is home to gorgeous trails within the park boundaries and is close to several other beautiful hiking areas, like the trails around Hay Cove.
Camping at Pistolet Bay
The camping experience at Pistolet Bay Provincial Park includes everything campers would need for a comfy and cozy stay. Each of the park’s 30 sites are equipped with individual tables and firepits. Plus, the campsite offers all campers a comfort station with showers, flush toilets, and laundry facilities, and access to water taps or firewood sales.
- One of the best activities to enjoy on a clear-sky evening at Pistolet Bay is stargazing: without any close urban centres and only smaller communities, the skies above the park are perfectly dark enough for incredible stargazing.
Planning Your Trip – Pistolet Bay Provincial Park
What: Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is on the far north side of the province’s Great Northern Peninsula. This is the furthest north stretch of Newfoundland’s coastline before Labrador’s mainland. The seasonal park is open from spring to fall each year for camping, and use of the freshwater pond.
While adjacent to the waters of Pistolet Bay, and only 5-10km south of the Strait of Belle Isle, the Provincial Park’s freshwater pond is where campers and day use visitors can access a sandy beach, and a dock for canoes or kayaks. The park’s location in the lowlands of the Long Range Mountains, with thick and diverse forests, as well as the nearby Belle Isle, Pistolet Bay Provincial Park has a wide range of wildlife.
Location and how to get there: 439 Brickyard Rd., Albert Bridge; 20km southeast of Sydney via NS-22
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is located approximately 1050 om (11 hour drive) from St. John’s.
Best time to go: May 30-October 20, 2025
Cost: Camping $20.15 per night
Vehicle entry fees: Daily passes at $10, nightly at $7.
For more information:
