Activities
Services
Resting along the shores of beautiful Junction Pond and nestled in a gorgeous boreal forest, you’ll find Notre Dame Provincial Park. Located in Central Newfoundland you can experience the beauty of our natural landscape while being located between the larger centres of Gander and Grand Falls-Windsor. This is a great spot to park your camper or pitch your tent as you explore the park and the nearby area. The freshwater pond features a lovely sandy beach and great swimming, canoeing and angling. And the nature lover will relish the wildlife, the bird watching and the magnificent scenery!
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Angling
Junction Pond in Notre Dame Provincial Park is an excellent spot to 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. Angling is permitted in all provincial parks. Visitors are responsible for following all regulations, to find out more, visit Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
Beach
Junction Pond features a gorgeous freshwater sandy beach located in the day use area near the main entrance with outhouses situated nearby. Take a refreshing dip or stroll along, enjoying 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.
Bicycling
With three kilometres of gravel park road, Notre Dame 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
Notre Dame Provincial Park will certainly keep the bird watcher busy. Keep an eye out for Gray Jays, Osprey, Great Horned Owl, Northern Flicker, Sharp-skinned Hawk, Pine Siskin, Fox Sparrow and White-winged Crossbill. Grouse (Ruffed and Spruce) and chickadees (Boreal and Black-capped) can also be spotted. On the water you might catch a glimpse of Green-winged Teal, Canada Goose and Ring-necked or American Black Duck. Many warblers can be seen throughout this region, such as Wilson’s, Black-throated Green, Black-and-white and Yellow-rumped, to name a few. The harder to spot thrushes, in particular the Swainson’s and Hermit, are also at home in the dense forests of this park. And with this many species to spot, 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 campsite’s fireplace with family and friends reflecting on your adventures as the crackling flames echo through the trees.
Camping
Notre Dame Provincial Park offers 100 campsites in a lovely forested area. They feature a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, most accommodating larger RVs. And many are nestled along the winding stream that flows through the park.
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
Notre Dame offers a group campground for not-for-profit organizations with 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.
Canoeing
If you’re a canoer, you’ve come to the right park! Junction Pond is the perfect spot for a leisurely paddle. So pop on your PFD and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water.
Dog Walking
Dogs are welcome in all provincial parks and Notre Dame is no exception. And with the beautiful sandy beach and three kilometres of gravel park road through luscious forest, 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
Notre Dame Provincial Park hosts an annual Canada Day celebration with festivities for the whole family. 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 Notre Dame Provincial Park, you can only run your generator between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm; any exceptions outside of those 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 three kilometres of gravel park road through this beautiful forested campground. Or you can take a stroll on the sandy beach of Junction Pond, feeling your sandals sink into the hot, summer sand.
Kayaking
Kayakers love Junction Pond just as much as the canoers do! So pop on your PFD and take in the natural beauty, the only sound the dip and sway of your paddle on the water.
Photography
With so many sights to take in, Notre Dame Provincial Park begs to be photographed. Whether you are capturing the beautiful boreal forest surrounding you or the still waters of Junction Pond, 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 open until 10:00 pm and is located to the right of the park checkpoint. The area has a large grassy meadow with picnic tables and outhouses and features the sandy shores of Junction Pond; a perfect spot to stop, catch your breath and soak up the natural beauty. Pack some snacks and treat yourself to a feast for the body and the soul.
Playground
Notre Dame features a lovely playground, in the centre of the park, for the young and the young at heart to enjoy. Try the slide or have a swing and relish the crisp, fresh air whipping through your hair.
Snowshoeing
While gates 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 splendour, accented by the crunch of your footsteps on that crisp blanket of pristine, white snow.
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 beautiful sandy beach of Junction Pond is a wonderful place to take a dip. While unsupervised it does have a designated swimming area as well as nearby water rescue equipment. Enjoy the cool waters on a hot summer day and refresh yourself in the unforgettable nature of this lovely park.
Wildlife Watching
If it feels like you aren’t alone, you’re right! This neck of the woods is home to a great deal of wildlife. 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. Fox have also been spotted here. This is great location for spotting bats at dusk as there is a large population in this park. You may even see a moose wandering around through 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!
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.
Accommodation
Kittiwake Cottages offer lovely accommodations within Notre Dame Provincial Parks. For the winter enthusiast, this privately operated business is open year round.
Activity Centre
Notre Dame Provincial Park features an activity centre, used for special events hosted by the park. This facility is also available to rent.
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 by park staff. Provincial park staff may restrict any campfire that creates or may create a hazard to the public.
Camping
Notre Dame Provincial Park offers 100 campsites in a lovely forested area. Of these, 36 have 15, 30 and 50 amp electrical services 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 are located within the camping area with a trailer dumping station behind the park staff cabin.
Camping – Group
Notre Dame Provincial Park offers a group campground for not-for-profit organizations with 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.
Cell Service
Cell service within the park is excellent.
Change Table
The 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.
Convenience Store
There is a small, privately operated convenience store located in the day use area of the park.
Electrical Hook-up
Electrical hook-ups are available at 36 of the 100 campsites and feature 15, 30 and 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 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 both plants and animals.
Laundry
Notre Dame Provincial Park has a coin-operated laundromat 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 features a large grassy meadow and the sandy freshwater beach of Junction Pond. It’s a perfect place to stop, catch your breath and fuel up before continuing your adventures in this lovely park.
Picnic Shelter
There is a large kitchen shelter in the group campground section of the park.
Playground
Notre Dame features not one, but two lovely playgrounds. Here you’ll find slides and swings for the young and the young at heart to enjoy.
Showers
Showers are located within the comfort station.
Trailer Dumping
The trailer dumping station is located behind the park staff cabin.
Trailer Storage
If you plan to return (and most do!), Notre Dame 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 station.
Water Rescue Equipment
Water rescue equipment is located in the day use area of the park.
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 activity centre.
Natural History
Notre Dame Provincial Park is located in the North-central subregion of the Central Newfoundland Forest ecoregion. Here you’ll find 113 hectares of beautiful boreal forest; dense and coniferous. Here black spruce and balsam fir are the primary trees you’ll find, with tamarack and tall white birch throughout. The forest floor features low growing shrubs, peatland or heathlands and a variety of colourful wildflowers can be spotted. These can range from the shade-loving brunchberry to the barren-growing crowberry. A wide variety of fruit can be found here as well, including bright, thick-skinned blueberries and northern honeysuckle. The animal life here is just as diverse. Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in this park and moose, beaver and snowshoe hare can all be spotted. This park, like all Provincial Parks in Newfoundland and Labrador, is a feast for the senses!
For additional information on the natural history of this park in the Central Newfoundland Forest ecoregion, please refer to the North-central subregion brochure.
Contact
+1 (709) 535-2379
