Butter Pot Provincial Park

Butter Pot is one of the most popular provincial parks in Newfoundland and Labrador; and with good reason! It’s located just a half hour from the capital of St. John’s, but once you enter you’ll feel as if you’ve landed in a forest far from the busy city streets. Ponds are the major attraction here with numerous spots to swim, fish and paddle. You can spot all the major bodies of water from the top of Butter Pot Hill, but don’t forget your camera; the view is incredible! There’s tons to see here with the park covering an area of 2,833 hectares of beautiful forests, bogs, heaths and ponds.

Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.

Photo Gallery

Activities

Angling

Butter Pot is a perfect spot to wet your line as brook trout are plentiful in the park’s many ponds. Cast your rod and you should have no trouble hooking one. Landing it is another story! Angling is permitted within all provincial parks. Please note that all anglers require a provincial salmon license to fish scheduled inland waters and non-residents also require a trout license. Both can be purchased in most convenience stores. Visitors are responsible for following all regulations, to find out more, visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Beach

Butter Pot features not one, but two sandy swimming beaches to choose between! One is located in the day-use area while the other is near the camping loop on Big Otter Pond. Both make perfect places to plant your towel on a hot summer day.

Bicycling

With approximately eight kilometres of gravel park road, Butter Pot is a great spot for the cyclist or kids just giving up their training wheels. So unstrap your bike from your rack and enjoy the fresh air as you pedal past rows of spruce trees. Be sure to strap that helmet on for safety and a reminder to drivers to keep an eye out for children biking.

Bird Watching

Butter Pot will keep the bird watcher busy. In season, be sure to look for Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Northern Waterthrush, White-throated Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Fox Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warblers. Year-round you can spot Dark-eyed Juncos, Boreal Chickadees and Pine Grosbeak. Be sure to bring your binoculars and listen for their songs and calls.

Campfire

Your campsite comes with a fireplace and nothing quite says camping like an open fire on a starry night. The perfect way to end your day; toasting a marshmallow or a roasting hot dog over your campsite’s fireplace with family and friends reflecting on your adventures as the crackling flames echo through the trees.

Camping

Butter Pot offers 175 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, most accommodating larger RVs. Campsites are located along several forested loops, with all spots being just a short walk from either Big Otter Pond, Peter’s Pond or both.

Camping – Learn to Camp

If you are interested in trying camping for the first time, check out these great resources, including information and videos, such as a packing checklist, tents and tarps, campfires, safety tips and more.

Camping – Group

Butter Pot offers two group campgrounds available for not-for-profit organizations at no charge. These group use areas must be booked by contacting the park directly and submitting a  Group Camping Application  and may also be available for off season use by contacting park headquarters.

Canoeing

Big Otter Pond is the largest pond in the park and perfect for canoeing. Pop on your PFD and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water; the only sound the dip and sway of your paddle.

Dog Walking  

Dogs are welcome in all provincial parks and Butter Pot is no exception. And with eight kilometres of gravel park road, Butter Pot is a puppies’ dream! Dogs must be leashed and be sure to clean up after your pet.

Events

Butter Pot hosts an annual Canada Day that the whole family can enjoy. Other events may occur throughout the season; please check News & Events for updates.

Generator Use

If you want to power up your campsite, generator use is permitted within our parks although they must be attended at all times and any generators found to be exceedingly loud may be prohibited at any time. In Butter Pot Provincial Park, you can run your generator between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm; any exceptions must be approved by park staff. Place them on a hardened surface of the campsite, away from any flammable substances and you can light up your night and even power up your television and satellite. Now you’re really roughing it!

Hiking & Walking

Butter Pot features eight kilometres of gravel park road for walkers to enjoy. For the hikers, Butter Pot Provincial Park has an extensive trail system centred around Pegwood Junction and, which can be reached by one of three routes.

Pegwood Pond Trail begins near campsite 66 and a quick five minute walk will take you to The Lookout, where you are afforded a spectacular view of the park and Butter Pot Hill. The hike continues on to Pegwood Junction and is 1.3 kilometres one way.

The second route begins near campsite 86. Peters Pond Trail is two kilometres one way leading you to Pegwood Junction.

For a leisurely hike take the Pegwood Pond Trail to Pegwood Junction. You can then continue on to the Peters Pond Trail. The total distance is approximately 3.3 km one way, taking about 1.5 hours.

Your ultimate destination is Butter Pot Hill. Starting from Pegwood Pond Trail it spans approximately 6.6 kilometres, taking roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. If starting from the Peters Pond Trail, the hike is 8 kilometres return and you are advised to give yourself ample time. Either way, the effort will be rewarded; from the 303 metre high summit the view is absolutely fantastic!

Kayaking

Big Otter Pond is the largest pond in the park and offers kayakers a peaceful body of water in which to leisurely paddle. So pop on your PFD and relish a relaxing paddle in a gorgeous environment.

Photography 

The natural beauty of Butter Pot Provincial Park makes an excellent backdrop for the enthusiast photographer.  Whether you are capturing the panoramic view from the summit of Butter Pot Hill or zooming in on the sandy beaches, you won’t be long filling up an SD card. In fact, you might want to bring along a couple extra.

Picnics

The day-use area, with picnic tables and outhouses, is to the right of the park checkpoint and away from the camping loops. Open until 10:00 pm, this area has a sandy beach and beautiful grassy area on which to have a picnic. Pack some snacks and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul.

Playground   

Butter Pot has no shortage of playground areas for the young and young at heart! There are three located throughout the park, situated near campsites 86, 66 and in the day-use area of the park.

Skiing

Our parks look pristine when covered in a crisp blanket of white and the Avalon Nordic Ski Club provides winter recreation activities including cross country skiing. For more information, visit Avalon Nordic Ski Club.

Snowshoeing

The Avalon Nordic Ski Club provides winter recreation activities within the park once it’s covered in a crisp blanket of white. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and see this winter landscape in all its splendour, accented by the crunch of your footsteps. Where snow conditions allow, vehicles may be parked near the park gate without blocking access. For more information, visit Avalon Nordic Ski Club.

Stargazing

Around here, when the sun sets the light show begins. The lack of artificial light means you’ll have no trouble spotting your favourite constellations as the stars twinkle and shine down from above. The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada sometimes hosts events within Butter Pot Provincial Park. For more information, visit RASC NL Chapter.

Swimming

Butter Pot has two sandy swimming areas for visitors to enjoy. One is located in the day-use area while the other is in the camping loops on Big Otter Pond. Swimmers should note these areas are unsupervised but lifesaving equipment is located nearby, should it be needed.

Wildlife Watching

If it feels like you’re not alone, you’re right! This neck of the woods is home to a great deal of wildlife. Look for evidence of the snowshoe hare, such as chewed twigs along pathways. Chipmunks and foxes can be spotted in the area and be sure to look for bats at dusk. You may even see a moose wandering around the campsites! There’s lots to see and the best time to experience wildlife in the park is in the morning or evening; keep quiet and keep your eyes peeled!

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Prohibitions

Do Not Disturb

Please note that everything in a provincial park is protected; from the smallest rock to the largest tree. For that reason, introducing and/or removing any natural items is prohibited.

No Cutting Trees

No Hunting

No Off-road Vehicles

Off-road vehicles include any motorized vehicles that are not legally permitted for use on provincial highways.

No Snowmobiles

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Services

Accessibility Information

All comfort stations within provincial camping parks offer wheelchair accessible washrooms and showers. Wheelchair accessible picnic tables may also be available in the park.

Boat Rental   

Didn’t bring along a boat and dying to get out on the water? You’re in luck; the park checkpoint offers canoe rentals.

Campfire

Each campsite comes with a fireplace and we ask that you maintain your campfire responsibly by keeping the following in mind. Fires are only permitted in the provided fireplaces or in an area designated by park staff as being suitable. Visitor owned fireplaces are permitted but must be approved by park staff before using. Campfires must not be left unattended. Ashes or coals must be watered down prior to being disposed of and can only be disposed of in designated areas. Fires are prohibited if an open fire ban is implemented. Provincial park staff may restrict any campfire that creates or may create a hazard to the public.

Camping

Butter Pot offers 175 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, many accommodating larger RVs. Water taps and outhouses are located throughout the park. Two wheelchair accessible comfort stations with showers and laundry facilities are located within the camping area with a trailer dumping station near the park staff cabin.

Camping – Group

Butter Pot offers two group campgrounds for not-for-profit organizations at no charge. These campgrounds must be booked by contacting the park directly and submitting a Group Camping Application and may also be available for off season use by contacting park headquarters.

Cell Service

There is poor cell phone service available in this park.

Change Table

Comfort station washrooms include change tables.

Checkpoint

Park staff are on duty at the park checkpoint from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.

Emergency Preparedness

Every provincial camping park has an emergency preparedness plan and map. Please familiarize yourself with the map, automated external defibrillator, first aid and muster locations.

Firewood

Firewood is available for cash purchase from the park checkpoint. Please note: it is prohibited to transport firewood from outside the province into any provincial park. Also, do not gather your own firewood; dead trees provide a home and/or food for plants and animals.

Laundry

Butter Pot includes a coin-operated laundry services located in the comfort stations. Bring change!

Outhouse

Outhouse facilities are located throughout the park.

Parking

There is a large parking lot in the day use area at the beach and near both comfort stations.

Picnic Area

The day use area, with picnic tables and outhouses, is to the right of the park checkpoint and away from the camping loops. Open until 10:00 pm, this area has a sandy beach and beautiful grassy area on which to have a picnic.

Picnic Shelter

There is a small kitchen shelter behind the comfort station located near campsite 85.

Playground

There are three playgrounds located throughout the park for the young and the young at heart. These are situated near campsites 86, 66 and in the day-use area.

Showers

Showers are located within the comfort stations.

Trailer Dumping

The trailer dumping station is located just past the park staff cabin.

Trailer Storage          

If you plan to return (and most do!), Butter Pot offers both summer and winter storage for camping equipment. Prices are available from the park checkpoint.

Washrooms

Washrooms are located within the comfort station.

Water Rescue Equipment

Water rescue equipment can be found next to each swimming area.

Water Taps    

There are water taps located throughout the park. Visitors will notice boil order signage on all water sources. These shouldn’t cause concern, but are to be followed. Given that Provincial Parks do not have water chlorination systems, these orders are precautionary for public safety.

WiFi

For your internet needs, a wifi hotspot is located at the comfort station near campsite 85.

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Natural History

Butter Pot, located in the Northeastern Barrens subregion of the Maritime Barrens ecoregion, is full to the brim with natural attractions for all to enjoy. For the geologists, the rocks in this park are approximately 600 million years old, dating to the Precambrian era. 10,000 years ago this land was carved by glaciers and as the ice began to melt huge boulders, called erratics, were deposited and still remain today, dotting the landscape. These can be seen throughout the park and from Butter Pot Hill.

The boreal forest in this park is a dense-growing coniferous one, dominated by black spruce and balsam fir with some tamarack and white birch. This forest and all the plant life in the area were decimated by a fire in 1889 that formed the barrens in the park. In fact, the heat of the fire burnt the forest floor right to the bedrock! The highly acidic soil remaining supports sheep lauel, Labrador tea and the thick-skinned Newfoundland blueberry.  That park area also demonstrates much peatland, shrub and heathland resulting in a variety of wildflowers such as bunchberry, crowberry and the official flower of Newfoundland and Labardor, the pitcher plant. Over 230 species of plant have been identified in this park!

For additional information on the natural history of this park in the Maritime Barrens ecoregion, please refer to the Northeastern Barrens subregion brochure.

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Contact

+1 (709) 685-1853

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