This lovely beach might just be Placentia Bay’s best kept secret! Located just 30 kilometres south of the town of Placentia, a shrouded entrance and protected cove ensure privacy when visiting Gooseberry Cove Provincial Park. The sandy beach begs for strolling, beachcombing and castle building. A grassy backshore is ideal for picnicking for day users. High wave action in this area restricts watersports but the crashing of the water on the sand makes for beautiful sights and sounds.
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Beach
This lovely small beach of dark grey sand provides a fantastic opportunity for strolling, beachcombing and building sandcastles with the young, or the young at heart!
Bird Watching
Gooseberry Cove Provincial Park features numerous species of fine feathered friends for the eager birdwatcher. Here you can spot Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Northern Waterthrush, Whitethroated Sparrow and Yellow-rumped Warblers, just to name a few. Be sure to bring your binoculars and listen for their beautiful calls.
Dog Walking
Dogs are welcome in all provincial parks and Gooseberry Cove Provincial Park is no exception. And with all that crisp, salt sea air, 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.
Hiking and Walking
The beach at Gooseberry Cove Provincial Park is a great place for a leisurely beach stroll. The feel of your sandals sinking into the grey grainy sand is simply delicious. Listen to the rhythm of the lapping waves as you enjoy a relaxing walk.
Photography
This gorgeous beach makes an excellent backdrop for the enthusiast photographer. Once the sun starts reflecting off the water and the sand alike and the waves start crashing against the shore, you’ll want to start capturing. And you won’t be long filling up an SD card!
Picnics
After exploring this lovely beach, you’ll want to stop and soak up the natural beauty. Pack some snacks and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul.
Stargazing
When the sun sets the light show begins. The lack of artificial light in these parts 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’re not alone around here, you’re not! This neck of the woods is home to a great deal of wildlife. Otters may be fishing in the area and are easily mistaken for the smaller mink that also roam this park. Foxes have also been spotted in the area and be sure to keep an eye out for bats at dusk. 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 Campfires
No Camping
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
Cell Service
There is little to no cell phone service available in this park.
Parking
There is parking available in the park.
Natural History
Gooseberry Cove Provincial Park is located in the Southeastern Barrens subregion of the Maritime Barrens ecoregion and provides the privacy and solitude that many visitors enjoy. Its entrance is shrouded and the cove protected from the elements. A beautiful grassy bluff provides a place to sit and take in all this natural beauty.
In this ecoregion the landscape is dominated by heathlands with crowberry being the main shrub found on the uplands, with sheep laurel providing dense coverage in more protected valleys. Balsam Fir are most common in forested areas. There are beautiful stands of Yellow Birch to be found as well.
For additional information on the natural history of this park in the Maritime Barrens ecoregion, please refer to the Southeastern Barrens subregion brochure.
