Terra Nova National Park of Canada

Winter Activities

Winter is an excellent time to explore Terra Nova National Park. Sign up to receive weekly updates on the following activities.

Please note that in the event of bad weather, you can expect delays in the grooming of ski trails and clearing of parking lots. Snow clearing on the highway becomes the priority to ensure safety of travellers.

Winter Camping

Newman Sound campground is open for winter camping. The campground is accessible by vehicle from the Emergency Exit, which is located 1km east of the Newman Sound Campground turn-off. Section W and its six campsites are cleared of snow. A pit privy is open and the kitchen shelter is enclosed. Picnic tables, a woodstove and firewood are supplied.

Cross-Country Skiing

The park grooms close to 15km of ski trails from January to March, in two areas of the park: Newman Sound and Sandy Pond. Dogs are welcome, but we encourage you to keep them on the un-groomed side of the ski trail. Be considerate of others and clean up after your dog.

Newman Sound

Follow the highway signage to Newman Sound Campground where parking is available at the Administration Office. The groomed ski trail starts here and heads to Headquarters Wharf (4km return). Or, take a right and head down to the campground (4 km return). Once there, you can visit Newman Sound Day-Use Area (1 km return), or ski around loops A, C and Z (less than 1 km).

New This Year Only

In order to serve you better, we are upgrading our washroom facilities and unfortunately, this means that the remaining groomed campground loops are inaccessible from here. To access loops W, U, T, O and P, enter the campground via the Emergency Exit. It is located 1 km east of the Newman Sound Campground exit, on the TCH. Parking is available next to the washrooms and the trail begins here. For this year only a pit privy will be installed in the W loop to accommodate the washroom closure.

Amenities

The kitchen shelter in loop W is enclosed for winter. The kitchen shelter is equipped with picnic tables, a woodstove and firewood. Be sure to bring along a pot to make a mug of hot chocolate.

Maps

The following map illustrates the groomed ski trail routes and is posted throughout the campground.

Newman Sound Campground (Winter) PDF

Sandy Pond

Follow the highway signage to Sandy Pond where parking is available just off the TCH. The groomed ski trail starts here and heads down to the pond (4km return). At the pond, enjoy a mug of hot chocolate in the kitchen shelter. It is enclosed for winter and is equipped with picnic tables, a woodstove and firewood. Washrooms are open.

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the park and the possibilities are endless. When snowshoeing in areas with designated ski trails, please preserve the trail by snowshoeing beside ski tracks, not on them. Here are a few of our favourites:

Recommended Trails:

1. Blue Hill West trail:
   Follow this 10km (return) trail and be on the look-out for the elusive NL marten.
   
   
2. Dunphy’s Pond trail:
   This 10km (return) trail takes you to the mouth of the park’s largest ponds. Ice fishing is available here (by permit only) from February 20 to March 28, 2009.
   
   
3. Louil Hill trail:
   A 4km-looped trail through a fir forest.
   
   
4. Southwest Brook trail:
   Follow a brook and cross a suspension bridge along this 6km (return) trail. The kitchen shelter at Southwest Arm is enclosed for winter, so be sure to pack a lunch.
   
   
5. Malady Camp campground:
   Explore the campground or climb atop Malady Head trail (5km return) for a breath-taking view of Southwest Arm and the Eastport Peninsula.
   
   
6. Visitor Centre:
   Follow the access road from the TCH to the ocean (2.5km return) and explore Saltons Brook area.
   
   
7. Blue Hill Look-out:
   A steady climb to the park’s highest lookout (4km return).
   
   
8. Ochre Hill Look-out:
   A steady climb to a panoramic view of the park (6km return).

Ice Fishing

Ice fishing is open from February 20 to March 28, 2010 at Dunphy's Pond. The cost is $9.80 a day or $34.30 for the season.

Kitchen Shelters

Every winter, several kitchen shelters are enclosed for winter use. The shelters have picnic tables, a woodstove and firewood. Enjoy a family boil-up or just take refuge here after skiing or snowshoeing.

• Sandy Pond (by ski only)
• Newman Sound section W (by ski or vehicle)
• Cobblers (by vehicle)
• Southwest Arm (by trail or vehicle)

Cross Country Ski Clubs

Be sure to check out other great skiing opportunities in the local area this winter.
For more information, visit the website below:

Airport Nordic Ski Club (Gander)
www.airportnordic.ca

Clarenville Nordic Ski Club
www.clarenvillenordicskiclub.com