Activities
Dildo Run Provincial Park, on New World Island, is perfectly positioned. It’s located just a quick drive from the ferry to famous Fogo Island. Likewise, historic Twillingate, Moreton’s Harbour and all the communities around the circle are close by! And the park itself is a thing of beauty. Opened in 1967, the parks 328 hectares feature fantastic campsites and hiking trails with breathtaking vistas. And the body of water for which it is named is shallow and well protected and dotted with hundreds of islands; in fact, there’s one for each day of the year!
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Angling
Angling is permitted within all provincial parks, managed by the Department of Fisheries and Ocean. 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
Dildo Run Provincial Park features a beautiful cobble saltwater beach for visitors to explore and enjoy. Here you can collect pebbles worn smooth by hundreds of years of ocean waves; perfect for skipping!
Bicycling
With one kilometre of gravel park road, Dildo Run Provincial Park 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
Dildo Run Provincial Park will keep the bird watcher busy. Bald Eagles, Boreal Owl, Osprey and Common Redpoll can be spotted as well as Yellow and Wilson’s Warbler. This park also hosts a large nesting of beautiful Northern Flickers. Be sure to bring your binoculars and listen for an orchestra of their delightful 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 roasting a hot dog over your site’s fireplace with family and friends, reflecting on your adventures as the crackling flames echo through the trees.
Camping
Dildo Run Provincial Park offers 55 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each site features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, most accommodating larger RVs.
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
Dildo Run offers group camping 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, depending on availability.
Canoeing
Dildo Run is relatively shallow and well protected and ideal for the canoeist, with many small islands in the vicinity of the park. Relax and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water; the only sound the dip of your paddle.
Dog Walking
Dogs are welcome in all provincial parks and Dildo Run Provincial Park is no exception. And with a kilometre of gravel park road and a lovely cobblestone beach, it would be a real shame to leave your canine buddies behind. Dogs must be leashed and be sure to clean up after your pet.
Events
Dildo Run 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 Dildo Run Provincial Park, you can run your generator between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm; any exceptions outside of these hours 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
For the walkers, Dildo Run has a lovely one kilometre of gravel park road to be enjoyed. The hikers, however, can enjoy the Black Head Trail, an easy return hike of approximately four kilometres. Starting near the comfort station, it takes the visitor through thick boreal forest and treats them to an incredible view of Dildo Run and it’s 365 islands.
Kayaking
Shallow and well-protected Dildo Run is enjoyed by kayakers as well as canoeists. There are many islands to be explored or you can just relax and enjoy the view from the water of this breathtaking coast.
Park Attraction
In the early 20th century a tramway crossing New World Island was built for the transportation of fishing boats and lumber. The remnants of this small railway can be found in the day use area of the park.
Photography
There’s lots to see and capture in the natural beauty of Dildo Run Provincial Park. Make sure you bring that camera to the top of the Black Head Trail for a panoramic shot of Dildo Run dotted with hundreds of islands. You might want to bring along an extra SD card!
Picnics
The day-use area, with picnic tables and outhouse facilities, is to the right of the park checkpoint and features a large grassy meadow and playground. Pack some snacks and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul. This area is open daily until 10:00 pm.
Playground
Dildo Run has a lovely playground for the young and the young at heart! Located in the day use area of the park there are swings and a slide to be enjoyed.
Snowshoeing
While the gate may be closed in the winter months, the park is still accessible by those users who want to enjoy its natural beauty by snowshoes. Strap on a pair and see this winter landscape in all its splendor, accented by the crunch of your footsteps on that crisp blanket of pristine, white snow. Winter visitors can also enjoy beautiful cross-country skiing. Where snow conditions allow, vehicles may be parked near the park gate without blocking access.
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. Bring along a telescope and take it all in.
Wildlife Watching
If it feels like you aren’t alone in these forests, you’re right! While walking or hiking keep an eye out for evidence of the snowshoe hair, such as chewed twigs along pathways. You may see red squirrels, meadow voles and foxes. The best time to experience wildlife in the park is in the morning or evening; keep quiet and keep your eyes peeled.
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
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.
Campfire
Each site 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 a Park Ranger 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
This gorgeous park features 55 campsites, carefully planned and laid out for their beauty and privacy. Of these, 21 offer water and 15, 30 or 50 amp electrical service. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, most accommodating larger RVs. Water taps and outhouses are located throughout the park. A wheelchair accessible comfort station includes flush toilets, showers, laundry facilities and a nearby trailer dumping station.
Camping – Group
Dildo Run offers group camping 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, depending on availability.
Cell Service
Please note that there is no cell phone service within this park.
Change Table
Washrooms in the comfort station feature change tables.
Checkpoint
Park staff are on duty at the park checkpoint from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
Electrical Hook-up
21 of the 55 campsites at Dildo Run Provincial Park offer water and 15, 30 or 50 amp electrical service.
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
Dildo Run Provincial Park offers coin-operated laundry services located in the comfort station. Bring change!
Outhouse
Outhouse facilities are located throughout the park.
Parking
There is a large parking lot in the day use area of the park.
Picnic Area
The day-use area, with picnic tables and outhouse facilities, is to the left of the park checkpoint and features a large grassy meadow and playground. Pack some snacks and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul. This area is open daily until 10:00 pm.
Picnic Shelter
There are two kitchen shelters, one located in the day use area and one located next to campsite 24.
Playground
There is a playground in the day use area with slides and swings for the young and the young at heart!
Showers
Showers are located within the comfort station.
Trailer Dumping
The trailer dumping station is located adjacent to the comfort station.
Trailer Storage
If you plan to return (and most do!), Dildo Run Provincial Park offers both summer and winter storage for camping equipment. Prices are available from the park checkpoint.
Washrooms
Washrooms are located within the comfort stations.
Water Rescue Equipment
Water rescue equipment is located near the shore of the saltwater cobble beach.
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 around the park checkpoint.
Natural History
Dildo Run Provincial Park is located in the North Shore Forest ecoregion and features a dramatic, rocky coastline. The forest here consists primarily of white spruce with some balsam fir and black spruce broken up in valley areas by bogs and barrens. The water here is relatively shallow and well protected and, as mentioned, dotted by 365 islands!
While larger mammals are rare within the park, you may see squirrels, snowshoe hare, meadow voles, mink and bats. North of Dildo Run, closer to the open ocean, icebergs, whales and many types of shorebirds can be spotted.
For additional information on the natural history of this park, please refer to the North Shore Forest ecoregion brochure.
Contact
+1 (709) 629-3350
