Activities
Newfoundland and Labrador is no stranger to dramatic landscapes and just south of St. John’s, you’ll find a leg of the East Coast Trail that won’t just capture attention; it will capture your imagination. A trail through boreal forest will lead you to a 50 metre suspension bridge crossing a river rushing into the sea. On the other side lies the abandoned village of La Manche where you can walk amongst the foundations of homes and outbuildings long left behind. These ruins are nestled in a park with wondrous wildlife, peaceful ponds and beautiful waterfalls.
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Angling
This land has been carved for millennia by rushing rivers teeming with salmon and brook trout. 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
La Manche Provincial Park features a gorgeous sandy beach located in the day-use area of the park. Take a dip in the designated swimming area or enjoy the delicious feeling of your feet sinking into the hot sand. Or simply take a seat on a nearby picnic table and enjoy the lovely view of La Manche Pond. Please note the swimming area is unsupervised but visitors can find safety equipment located on the beach.
Bicycling
With three camping loops and four kilometres of gravel park road, La Manche 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
La Manche Provincial Park will keep the bird watcher busy. Osprey, Downy Woodpecker, Herring Gull and Mourning Warblers are among the over 50 species of birds recorded here. Be sure to bring your binoculars and listen for an orchestra of their delightful songs and calls.
Campfire
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 with family and friends, reflecting on your adventures as the crackling flames echo through the trees.
Camping
La Manche Provincial Park offers 82 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, most accommodating larger RVs. Many campsites feature beautiful views of La Manche Pond and La Manche River.
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
La Manche Provincial Park 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
If you’re a canoer, you’ve come to the right park! Pop on your PFD and enjoy four kilometres of the La Manche River. Starting from the day use area, visitors can paddle two kilometres upstream to a breathtaking river delta. You’ll be meandering through marshes, so be sure to keep an eye out for beaver lodges. Or just relax and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water; the only sound the dip and sway of your paddle. Or you can head downstream two kilometres, until the river turns to rapids near the old village of La Manche.
Dog Walking
Dogs are welcome in all provincial parks and La Manche Provincial Park is no exception. And with two hiking trails, three camping loops, four kilometres of gravel park road and all that crisp, fresh 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.
Events
La Manche hosts an annual Canada Day celebration every year with festivities for the whole family to 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 La Manche 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
Walkers can enjoy four kilometres of gravel park road within three camping loops. For the hikers, La Manche offers two hiking trails. La Manche Falls Trail is a two kilometre hike that starting at the day use area and making its way through marsh, bog and mixed forest, ending with a spectacular view of the falls. The second trail is the La Manche Village Trail, which starts near campsite 39. This two kilometre trail leads its way to the old community of La Manche where visitors can still see the foundations of old houses and outbuildings that once were filled with families. Cross the awe-inspiring gorge over the mouth of the La Manche River on a 50 metre suspension bridge; this beautiful piece of architecture is a featured part of the expansive East Coast Trail.
Kayaking
The La Manche River and the ponds and marshes it runs through offer kayakers as well as canoers a diverse and peaceful environment in which to paddle. For the more adventurous, rushing rapids are located closer to the La Manche village site. Whatever your pleasure, be sure to pop on your PFD and take in the natural beauty as you paddle along!
Park Attraction
La Manche Provincial Park is full of attractions to offer park visitors. See remnants of the old fishing village of La Manche and explore among the old foundations of houses and outbuildings. Walk the reconstructed 50 metre suspension bridge across the gorge above the mouth of La Manche River. This park also offers visitors the opportunity to view a beautiful waterfall on the La Manche Falls Trail.
Photography
The natural beauty of La Manche Provincial Parks makes it an excellent backdrop for the enthusiast photographer. Whether you’re capturing the foundations of La Manche Village, the suspension bridge across La Manche River mouth or the waterfall on the Falls Trail, you won’t be long filling up an SD card. In fact, you might want to bring along a couple extra.
Picnics
Located near the beach, the day-use area is perfectly positioned. The beach offers great views of La Manche Pond, a roped off swimming area, canoeing, kayaking and hiking opportunities and the start of not one, but two hiking trails. This area is open until 10:00 pm and is a perfect spot to stop, catch your breath and fuel up. Pack some snacks, pull up a picnic table and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul.
Playground
Located in the day use area of the park, La Manche Provincial Park features a large playground area for the young and the young at heart to enjoy!
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 snowshoe. 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. 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
The day use area located on the shores of La Manche Pond has a beautiful sandy beach. It is unsupervised but a swimming area is roped off for your enjoyment and lifesaving equipment are located nearby.
Waterfall
La Manche Falls can be found by taking the trail of the same name. Starting in the day use area, it makes its way through marsh, bog and mixed forest, ending with a spectacular view of the waterfall.
Wildlife Watching
If it feels like you aren’t alone, you’re right! On the pond you may hear the slap slap slap of a beaver tail on the water, enticing you to see if you can locate their houses or dens. Look for evidence of the snowshoe hare, such as chewed twigs along pathways. You may even see a moose wandering around the campsites or in streams and bogs. 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!
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
La Manche Provincial Park offers 82 campsites in a lovely forested area, most with views of the freshwater ponds located within the park. Of these, 27 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 laundry facilities is located across from campsite 29. A trailer dumping station is located adjacent to the comfort station, just before the loop for campsites 26-31.
Camping – Group
La Manche Provincial Park 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
This park has no cell service in the campground.
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 27 of the 82 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
La Manche Provincial Park features coin-operated laundry services in the comfort station. Bring change!
Outhouse
Outhouse facilities are located throughout the park.
Parking
A large parking lot is located next to the comfort station. Parking is also available in the day use area.
Picnic Area
The day-use area is located on the shores of La Manche Pond and open until 10:00 pm. It features a roped off swimming area, picnic tables and access to two hiking trails.
Playground
Located beside campsite 53, La Manche Provincial Park features a large playground area for the young and the young at heart to enjoy!
Showers
Showers are located within the comfort station.
Trailer Dumping
A trailer dumping station is located adjacent to the comfort station, just before the loop for campsites 26-31.
Trailer Storage
If you plan to return (and most do!), La Manche Provincial Park offers trailer storage. Prices are available from the park checkpoint.
Washrooms
Washrooms are located within the comfort station.
Water Rescue Equipment
Water rescue equipment is located next to the 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 being installed at the comfort station.
Natural History
La Manche Provincial Park is located in the Southeastern Barrens subregion of the Maritime Barrens ecoregion and contains a variety of vegetation including bog, marsh and boreal forest. Balsam Fir are the dominant tree species with spruce, larch, birch and alder mixed in. Within the park you can find many species of shrubs and wildflowers. Keep an eye out for honeysuckle, Labrador tea, tall meadow-rue, twin flower and lily-filled ponds as you enjoy the many trails through this park.
For additional information on the natural history of this park in the Maritime Barrens ecoregion, please refer to the Maritime Barrens – Southeastern Barrens subregion.
Contact
+1 (709) 685-1823
