Activities
J.T. Cheeseman is perfectly positioned just ten kilometres from the Marine Atlantic ferry terminal in Channel-Port aux Basques and makes a great first stop for visitors who are just arriving. This provincial park features bogs, rolling forested hills, great flora and fauna, a gorgeous sandy beach and freshwater barachois and a hiking trail with a beautiful waterfall. A great place to get your first taste of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Angling
The river that runs through J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is a great place to cast your rod for brook trout, 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
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park features a beautiful sandy saltwater shoreline; Cape Ray Beach. It’s a great place to dip your toes in the ocean, to lounge on your towel and, most certainly, a great place for a walk. The feel of your sandals sinking into the sand is simply delicious. Listen to the rhythm of the lapping waves as you enjoy a relaxing stroll along this gorgeous shoreline. This stretch of beach also acts as an important nesting ground for the endangered Piping Plover. To avoid disturbing their nests and fragile eggs please pay close attention to signage, walk below the high water mark or on wet sand and keep your dogs leashed.
Bicycling
With several camping loops and five kilometers of gravel park road, J.T. Cheeseman 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
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park will certainly keep the bird watcher busy. The skies above are dotted with fine feathered friends of all shapes and sizes. Blackpoll Warbler and Northern Waterthrush are typical breeders in the forested areas here, while in wetland habitats Swamp and Lincoln’s Sparrows and Common Yellow-throat can be spotted. The Common Redpoll can often be seen in the tuckamore and the Savannah Sparrow frequents the barrens. Beautiful Cape Ray Beach provides nesting grounds for the endangered Piping Plover. Less than thirty pairs of this migratory shorebird frequent Newfoundland and Labrador between May and August each year. Disturbing their nests can result in adults abandoning a nest of chicks and/or prevent those chicks from gaining the weight they need to survive. Be sure to pay close attention to signage, walk below the high water mark or on wet sand and keep your dogs leashed.
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 campsite’s fireplace with family and friends reflecting on your adventures as the crackling flames echo through the trees.
Camping
J.T. Cheeseman offers 75 campsites in a lovely forested area. Of those, 22 have 15, 30 and 50 amp electrical service. Each campsite 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
While J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park doesn’t offer a specific group campground; not-for-profit organizations can apply to use areas of the park at no charge. Bookings can be made by contacting the park directly and completing a Group Camping Application. Group camping may also be available for off season use, depending on availability.
Canoeing
This park’s backshore is a good location to launch a canoe. So pop on your PFD 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 J.T. Cheeseman is no exception. And with the beautiful sandy beaches and two and a half kilometres of gravel park road, it would be a real shame to leave your canine buddies behind. Please clean up after your pet. Visitors should also note that these beaches act as an important nesting ground for the endangered Piping Plover. To avoid disturbing their nests and fragile eggs please pay close attention to signage, walk below the high water mark or on wet sand and keep your dog leashed at all times.
Events
J.T. Cheeseman hosts an annual Canada Day celebration that the whole family can enjoy. Other events may occur throughout the season; please check back 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 J.T. Cheeseman 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
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park features five kilometres of gravel park road for walkers to enjoy. Likewise you can sink your sandals in the sandy beach and stroll the shoreline. While beach walking visitors should keep in mind that these beaches are an important nesting ground for the endangered Piping Plover. To avoid disturbing their nests and fragile eggs please pay close attention to signage, walk below the high water mark or on wet sand and keep your dog leashed at all times. For the hikers, the Smokey Cape Walking Trail will take you along rocky hillsides and barrens. It ends at the parking lot at Cape Ray Beach, the windblown surf creating the smoky effect the trail is named for. A second short trail takes you to a lovely waterfall.
Kayaking
Kayakers will enjoy J.T. Cheeseman as much as canoers do. Launching from the backshore, there are lovely waters to explore. So pop on your PFD and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water; the only sound the dip and sway of your paddle.
Photography
The natural beauty of J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park makes an excellent backdrop for the enthusiast photographer. Whether you are capturing the sandy beach from the summit of the hiking trail or a close-up from the waters edge, 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 is located beside Cape Ray Beach and a lovely path from the parking lot gives you access to the golden sands. The area is open until 10:00 pm and is a perfect place to stop, catch your breath and fuel up. Pack some snacks and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul.
Playground
J.T. Cheeseman Park has a playground for the young and the young at heart. It’s located next to site 53.
Snowshoeing
While the road may not be plowed in the winter months, the park is still accessible by those users who want to enjoy its natural beauty by snowshoe. Strap on a pair and see this winter landscape in all its splendour, accented by the crunch of your footsteps on that crisp blanket of pristine, white snow. 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.
Swimming
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is a wonderful spot for the swimmer! Cape Ray Beach features a freshwater barachois and a sandy shoreline for unsupervised swimming.
Waterfall
There’s nothing quite like the roar of a waterfall and the feel of the spray as it crashes onto the rocks below. And J.T. Cheeseman has a lovely one, just a short walk on a trail which starts just after you cross the bridge.
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 hare, such as chewed twigs along pathways. Foxes have been spotted in the park and be sure to look for bats at dusk. A moose may even wander through the campsites! 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 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 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
J.T. Cheeseman offers 75 campsites in a lovely forested area. Of these, 22 have 15, 30 and 50 amp electrical service available. 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, including flush toilets, showers and an adjacent trailer dumping station are located within the camping loop.
Camping – Group
While J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park doesn’t offer a specific group campground; not-for-profit organizations can apply to use areas of the park at no charge. Bookings can be made by contacting the park directly and completing a Group Camping Application. Group camping may also be available for off season use by contacting park headquarters.
Cell Service
Please note there is no cell service in this provincial park.
Change Table
Comfort station washrooms 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
Electrical hook-ups are available at 22 of the 75 campsites and feature 15, 30 or 50 amp 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
Coin-operated laundry services are 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 is open until 10 pm and is located at the beach. It features a large parking lot and access to the golden sandy beach; a perfect place to stop, catch your breath and fuel up.
Playground
J.T. Cheeseman Park has a playground for the young and the young at heart. It’s located next to site 53.
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!), J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park offers both summer and winter storage for camping equipment. Prices are available from the park checkpoint.
Washrooms
Washrooms are located in the comfort station.
Water Rescue Equipment
Water rescue equipment is located in the day use area at the 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 at the park cabin.
Natural History
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park is located in the South Coast Barrens subregion of the Maritime Barrens ecoregion and has an exciting variety of natural features, ranging from bogs to rolling, forested hills. For the botanist, the park provides an environment of numerous floral species. These include the yellow clintonia, violet bog aster, bunchberry, pearly everlasting, sheep laurel, and Newfoundland’s provincial flower, the pitcher plant. The forest features fir, pine, larch (locally known as juniper) and mountain ash, surrounding the campsites.
Beachcombers can likewise spot a variety of seashells that are worth mentioning, in detail. The Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis) are able to grow to 7.5 cm. In spite of their protective spines, they are eaten by cod and other fish and on land by foxes, seabirds and people.
The Dogwinkle (Thais Lapillus) has an average height of 3 cm. Their beautiful blue shades come from their diet of Blue Mussels and aboriginal peoples historically made use of the purple dye they secrete.
Blue Mussels (Mytilus edulis) are named for their glassy bluish exterior and violet blue interior. Growing to ten cm they can be found clinging to intertial rocks and pilings. A favourite of North American and European fish lovers!
The Surf Clam (Spinsula solidissima) is a common clam shell that can grow to about 20 cm and have a semi-smooth, yellowish surface.
For additional information on the natural history of this park in the Maritime Barrens ecoregion, please refer to the South Coast Barrens subregion brochure.
Contact
+1 (709) 695-7222
