Activities

Hiking in Port au Choix

On the windswept Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland, walk in the footsteps of the ancient Aboriginal cultures, hunters and gatherers who thrived on the sea’s bounty and inhabited this unique limestone geology. Three diverse hiking trails are available at Port au Choix: Follow the Dorset trail to experience the rugged geology and rare botany of the limestone barrens and with arctic plant species found nowhere else in Canada. On the Philip’s Garden Trail, explore the ancient remains of one of the largest Dorset Paleoeskimo settlements in the Eastern Canadian Arctic. The excavated site contains at least 50 house depressions and has yielded thousands of artifacts. Scour the rocks for fossils, and search for caribou, seals, seabirds, and whales along the Point Riche trail, leading to an octagonal lighthouse built in 1892. Search for the series of sculptures that celebrate the Aboriginal heritage of this remarkable place.

Experience Dates: Year-round.

Parks Canada Xplorers at Port au Choix

Curious explorers and passionate adventurers from ages six to 11 can take part in the free Xplorers program at Port au Choix. It’s a whole family adventure as children receive an Xplorers booklet filled with fun activities, learning about the four ancient cultures that once lived off the sea’s bounty. Go on a fossil hunt across the unusual limestone barrens. Learn the Snowy Owl hop, enjoy a game of I Spy and discover rare and fascinating natural wonders. After completing the experiences, children will receive an Xplorers certificate and souvenir. The Parks Canada Xplorers program is also available in Newfoundland at Gros Morne National Park, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site and Red Bay National Historic Site. Visit them all! Each site brings new challenges and the Xplorers souvenirs are unique with each stop.

Experience Dates: Operating season (June to mid-September)

Explora Port au Choix App

Discover ancient Aboriginal settlements and the unique limestone barrens of Port au Choix, with an interpreter in your pocket! This GPS-triggered guided tour app is like having your own local expert lead you through the historic site’s archaeological riches, pointing out ancient burial grounds and exploring prehistoric tools and rare arctic plants. You’ll find photos of original artifacts from the four ancient Aboriginal cultures who once inhabited the coast, as well as images of rare arctic plants, some found nowhere else in Canada. Keep a look out for the threatened Fernald's braya plant, but please take nothing but pictures. Engage with the site’s people, places and regional wildlife through fun quizzes, and take the time to uncover site’s many mysteries at your own pace. Explora Port au Choix is Parks Canada’s official guided tour app for Port au Choix National Historic Site.

Experience Dates: Operating season (June to mid-September)

Special Commercial Group Tour Requests

Searching for new destinations and experiences? Let us guide you in discovering what Parks Canada in Western Newfoundland and Labrador has to offer. Explore Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site, Port au Choix National Historic Site, L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site UNESCO World Heritage Site, Red Bay National Historic Site UNESCO World Heritage Site and Torngat Mountains National Park as we assist you in creating memorable outings for your clients.