You are here

Gros Morne Opens Temporary Visitor Center

Share
An aerial view of the Tablelands waterfall at Gros Morne National Park.

An aerial view of the Tablelands waterfall at Gros Morne National Park/Barrett & MacKay Photo, Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism

Parks Canada has opened a temporary visitor center for Newfoundland's Gros Morne National Park on the waterfront in Rocky Harbour.

The accessible center with on-site car and RV parking, at 31 Main St. North, will be in use while a new $10-million ($7.8-million USD) visitor center is being constructed. Highway signs have now been put up to direct motorists.

The temporary location isn’t big enough to accommodate large commercial groups, so they should go to the Discovery Centre in Woody Point or Lobster Cove Head Lighthouse in Rocky Harbour for interpretive exhibits and washrooms.

Gros Morne draws visitors from around the world to Tablelands and beyond.

Gros Morne draws visitors from around the world to the captivating Tablelands and beyond/Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism


The visitor center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily until Oct. 10. It includes a gift shop operated by the Gros Morne Co-operating Association, and it’s near other gift shops and eateries in the ocean-side town.

Gros Morne’s mobile visitor information vehicle will be offering visitor services throughout the park during the upcoming peak season. Visitors can still get information in person at the entrance kiosk in Wiltondale and the Discovery Centre.

Established in 1973, Gros Morne National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it shows the process of continental drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth's mantle lie exposed. Glacial action has created coastal lowlands, alpine plateaus, fjords, valleys, sheer cliffs, waterfalls and lakes. The park’s 1,805 square kilometres (697 square miles) include lively coastal villages and “wet” boreal forests dominated by Balsam firs.

An artist's rendering of how the new Gros Morne visitor center will look.

An artist's rendering of how the new Gros Morne visitor center will look/Parks Canada

Last August, Ottawa announced a $10-million federal infrastructure investment to fully renew the visitor center, noting that the park welcomes tens of thousands of visitors annually from around the globe. The investment will support a major renovation and expansion of the facility, resulting in improved visitor experiences, new interpretive designs and expanded and accessible infrastructure. The project is one of the last major pieces of infrastructure in Gros Morne to be revitalized as part of federal infrastructure investments.

“To enhance the sense of arrival to Gros Morne National Park, Parks Canada will fully upgrade the visitor centre with a design that meets the viewscape and historical interpretation requirements of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, while supporting a safer, inclusive and barrier-free environment for visitors,” the federal agency promised in a news release.

Support National Parks Traveler

National Parks Traveler is a small, editorially independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit media organization. The Traveler is not part of the federal government nor a corporate subsidiary. Your support helps ensure the Traveler's news and feature coverage of national parks and protected areas endures. 

EIN: 26-2378789

Support Essential Coverage of Essential Places

A copy of National Parks Traveler's financial statements may be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: National Parks Traveler, P.O. Box 980452, Park City, Utah 84098. National Parks Traveler was formed in the state of Utah for the purpose of informing and educating about national parks and protected areas.

Residents of the following states may obtain a copy of our financial and additional information as stated below:

  • Florida: A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL PARKS TRAVELER, (REGISTRATION NO. CH 51659), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 800-435-7352 OR VISITING THEIR WEBSITE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
  • Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and financial statement summary of National Parks Traveler is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above.
  • Maryland: Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are also available, for the cost of postage and copies, from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401 (410-974-5534).
  • North Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 888-830-4989 or 919-807-2214. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
  • Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of National Parks Traveler may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling 800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
  • Virginia: Financial statements are available from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, 102 Governor Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219.
  • Washington: National Parks Traveler is registered with Washington State’s Charities Program as required by law and additional information is available by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities, or on file at Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504.

Add comment

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Image CAPTCHA
Enter the characters shown in the image.

INN Member

The easiest way to explore RV-friendly National Park campgrounds.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

Here’s the definitive guide to National Park System campgrounds where RVers can park their rigs.

Our app is packed with RVing- specific details on more than 250 campgrounds in more than 70 national parks.

You’ll also find stories about RVing in the parks, tips helpful if you’ve just recently become an RVer, and useful planning suggestions.

The Essential RVing Guide to the National Parks

FREE for iPhones and Android phones.