There are places that impress you with their beauty, and then there are places that reshape your understanding of a landscape. Newfoundland did both.
After spending nearly two weeks hiking every day and camping almost every night, I understand why so many people fall in love with this rugged island off Canada's eastern coast. Newfoundland feels wonderfully off the beaten path. It has the dramatic cliffs of Scotland, the coastal charm of Wales, the rugged mountains of Maine, and—perhaps unexpectedly—the familiar bedrock of my home in the mountains of North Carolina. The Appalachians once stretched continuously across continents before they drifted apart, and somehow you can still feel that ancient connection beneath your hiking shoes.
Our family covered hundreds of miles exploring trails, national parks, fishing villages, historic sites, and coastal lookouts. If you're considering a trip to Newfoundland, especially with kids, here are some of our favorite discoveries.
Where is Newfoundland??
The first question everyone asks when we get home is, "Now, where exactly is Newfoundland?!"
Newfoundland is a large island off the eastern coast of mainland Canada, farther east than many people realize. In fact, Cape Spear—the easternmost point in North America—is one of those places that reminds you just how big our continent really is.
Standing there beside my husband, Brew, watching the Atlantic stretch endlessly toward Europe, felt both grounding and inspiring. The ocean has a way of making our everyday worries seem a little smaller.
This trip was especially meaningful for our family. Earlier this year, after months filled with doctor's appointments, surgery, physical therapy, and recovery, I desperately needed something hopeful on the horizon. Brew quietly planned nearly every detail of this adventure, from routes and reservations to countless campground meals and logistics. And on our trip, he handled much of the driving, the camp setup, grocery runs, laundry stops, and the countless little tasks that make a family camping trip work. Sometimes the greatest gift isn't reaching a destination—it's having someone willing to help you go a little farther than you could on your own.
Incredible Hiking for Every Age
One of the biggest surprises was the quality of Newfoundland's parks and trail systems. Whether we were hiking inside a national park, exploring provincial parks, or wandering lesser-known coastal paths, we consistently found well-maintained trails, clean facilities, and campgrounds equipped with hot showers and indoor comfort stations.
Newfoundland loves a good boardwalk – and so do we! Because much of the terrain is marshy and home to fragile plant species, the province builds many of its trail with long wooden stretches. Boardwalks make the walking smooth and they keep the impact light on both your legs and environment.
When we were on trail/boardwalk, the weather often changed quickly and without warning so layers and rain gear are essential. Newfoundland also has a bad reputation for bugs, but we never found them to be overwhelming. Yes, we got a few annoying bites, but I used Sawyer Picaridin bug repellent, wore long loose layers – like my Astral Hemp pants, and carried a bug net and was never that bothered.
And speaking of bugs, our visit to the Insectarium in Deer Lake was one of the highlights of our trip. We loved spending time in the butterfly room, watching paper cutter ants march through clear tubes, holding the stick bugs, and 'bugging' the helpful staff with all of our insect questions.
Gros Morne National Park is NOT Gross
The park absolutely deserves its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Everywhere you look, towering cliffs rise from deep blue water, waterfalls tumble down ancient rock faces, and dramatic geology tells stories spanning hundreds of millions of years.
Western Brook Pond may be the park's most famous attraction. Although it's called a pond, it's actually a massive freshwater fjord carved by glaciers before becoming isolated from the ocean roughly 10,000 years ago. Standing at its edge, surrounded by sheer cliffs, feels almost surreal.
For geology lovers, Gros Morne is one of the rare places on Earth where rocks from the Earth's mantle have been thrust to the surface, making it an internationally important destination for understanding plate tectonics.
Even our kids became fascinated by the landscape. And the biggest surprise? Carnivorous plants. Tiny pitcher plants, sundews, and butterworts quietly waited among the bogs, reminding us that even the smallest corners of Newfoundland are full of surprises.
Wildlife Around Every Corner
Wildlife became one of the highlights of our adventure. We spotted whales feeding offshore, puffins nesting on rocky islands, and caribou grazing across open landscapes. But perhaps our funniest wildlife encounter involved something much smaller.
American toads.
On one hike alone we counted 118 of them. Then one hopped into our tent.
Unlike the native wildlife, American toads are actually newcomers to Newfoundland. They were introduced during the 1960s and have since become widespread across the island. It became something of a family game to count them everywhere we went.
History Measured in Millennia
One of the things that makes Newfoundland unique is how easily natural history and human history intertwine.
At L'Anse aux Meadows, visitors can stand where Norse explorers established the first confirmed European settlement in North America around the year 1021—nearly five centuries before Columbus.
Elsewhere, you can visit ancient thrombolite formations estimated to be roughly 650 million years old. These remarkable structures preserve evidence of some of Earth's earliest life and make you appreciate just how ancient this landscape truly is.
Every trail seemed to tell a different chapter of Earth's story.
Should You Visit Labrador Too?
Labrador is somewhat of a No Man’s Land north of Quebec and part of the same Canadian province with Newfoundland. We figured we were already all the way up there, why not check it out?!
We boarded the ferry excited to explore Labrador, only to have our return ferry canceled because of weather. A literal tourist trap! But, rather than panic, we embraced the unexpected. (There actually was a little panic because I was supposed to fly out to give a keynote in a couple of days, but mostly we embraced it. What else could we do?!)
Our extra day led us to Red Bay, a tiny community of fewer than 200 residents that's home to one of the world's best-preserved 16th-century Basque whaling stations. We explored historic burial grounds, visited lighthouses, learned about early North Atlantic whaling, and watched the finals of the world cup with three generations of family members who own the town’s only restaurant.
Then we woke up at 5 am to wait in a four hour standby line for the next ferry. It was worth it when our car was the second to last vehicle able to aboard. (And also, when Brew made a friend in the line who share samples of his Moose sausage, frozen Moose, and canned Moose.)
Sometimes travel's best memories are the ones you never planned. But, I'd recommend only going to Labrador if you have time and flexibility built into your schedule. Weather and ferry delays are simply part of life in the North Atlantic.
General Tips and Takeaways
Speaking of tips, if you're planning your own adventure, here are a few things that made our trip easier:
- Camp whenever possible. Newfoundland's public campgrounds are exceptionally clean, affordable, and family-friendly. Many include hot showers, cooking shelters, and heated comfort buildings that are especially welcome on cool or rainy evenings.
- Expect changing weather. Sunshine, wind, fog, and rain can all happen in a single afternoon.
- Bring layers and bug protection. You'll use both.
- Give yourself extra driving time. Distances look manageable on a map, but winding coastal roads and frequent scenic stops mean you'll travel more slowly than expected.
- Leave room for spontaneous adventures. Some of our favorite memories came from unexpected wildlife sightings, overlooked trails, and weather-related changes.
- Slow down. Newfoundland isn't a destination to rush through. The communities, conversations, landscapes, and history all reward travelers who linger.
Oh... and Break for Bakeries!
I should also mention that while we did camp every night, we often splurged on food from local bakeries, cafes, and breweries. Our favorite Newfoundland food finds included plenty of fish stew and lobster. We also ate a lot of Cod – and when I say a lot, I mean we also ate the tongue and “britches” (aka reproductive organs). We embraced the Canadian favorite of poutine, discovered gum drop bread, and found a coconut cookie referred to as a… moose fart.
Side note - They don’t grow a lot of produce in that region so fresh fruits and vegetables can feel few and far between, but potatoes, carrots, apples, and local berries are usually available.
Looking Ahead
Newfoundland is one of the most unforgettable places our family has ever visited. It's rugged without being intimidating. Wild without feeling inaccessible. Ancient without feeling frozen in time. If your family loves hiking, camping, wildlife, history, and places that still feel genuinely undiscovered, Newfoundland deserves a place at the top of your list.
Just don't be surprised if you come home already planning your return.
(I’m headed back in October to give the keynote at the Great Coastal Trail Conference. Want to come?!)
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About the Author: Jennifer is an Adventurer, Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur and mom of two who has a Masters in Public Affairs and a husband that plays bluegrass. Her blog focuses on life as she experiences it with a focus on Outdoor Adventure, Business, Public Affairs, Family, and Faith. For information on booking Jennifer as a speaker for your next event, email brew@jenniferpharrdavis.com or call (615) 708-4301.
