Activities
On the southern coast of Labrador there is a beautiful river rushing into the Strait of Belle Isle, the perfect place for a visit. Turns out, it’s the perfect place for a provincial park, too. Pinware River Provincial Park is located on Route 510, approximately 32 kilometres southwest of historic Red Bay, once home to Basque whalers.
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Angling
Pinware River, for which this park is named, is teeming with trout and salmon. Power boats less than 12′ can be launched from the day use area to travel further up the river, as you attempt to hook one. 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
Pinware River Provincial Park features a beautiful sandy beach on the Strait of Belle Isle. A great place to walk and feel your feet sinking into the soft sand. Listen to the rhythm of the lapping waves as you enjoy a relaxing stroll.
Bicycling
With one and half kilometres of gravel park road through a lovely camping loop, Pinware River 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
Bird watchers will have the opportunity to see many sea birds along the Strait of Belle Isle including gannets diving into the bay for fish. Within the park you can spot warblers, sparrows and robins and be sure to keep an ear out for the haunting call of the loon.
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
Pinware River Provincial Park offers 22 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle. There are also seven campsites near the beach that are pull through sites that can accommodate 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
Pinware River 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.
Canoeing
The Pinware River offers beautiful canoeing. Pop on your PFD and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water; the only sound the dip of your paddle in the water.
Dog Walking
Dogs are welcome in all provincial parks and Pinware River Provincial Park is no exception. And with one and a half kilometres of gravel park road, a beautiful sandy beach, and the one kilometre Lookout Trail, 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
Pinware River Provincial Park 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 Pinware River 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
The Lookout Trail is just over one kilometre and features beautiful views of the estuary, the river and the town of Pinware itself.
Kayaking
The Pinware River is enjoyed by both kayakers and canoeists alike. Pop on your PFD and enjoy the quiet solitude of being on the water; the only sound the dip of your paddle in the water.
Photography
The natural beauty of Pinware River Provincial Park makes it an excellent backdrop for the enthusiast photographer. Whether you’re capturing the panoramic view from Lookout Trail or zooming in on a shorebird taking to wing, 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, located at the beach, offers spectacular views of the Strait of Belle Isle. Open until 10:00 pm, visitors will find picnic tables and outhouse facilities.
Playground
Pinware River 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.
Powerboating
Powerboats less than 12′ can be launched from the day use area and offer a great opportunity to travel further up the river in search of trout and salmon. Angling is permitted in all provincial parks.
Snowshoeing
While the gate may be closed, Pinware River Provincial Park is still accessible for visitors who want to enjoy its natural beauty covered in a crisp blanket of snow. Strap on a pair of snowshoes and see this winter landscape in all its splendour, accented by the crunch of your footsteps. 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, you’re right! On the Strait of Belle Isle seabirds are plentiful and you may even spot a playful seal bobbing along. Peak whale watching season runs from mid to end of July and can be spotted right from the campsites! Look for evidence of the snowshoe hare, such as chewed twigs along pathways. Within the park itself, keep an ear out for the haunting cry of a loon. Foxes have also been spotted in the area and you may even see a moose wandering the campground! 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.
Activity Centre
Pinware River has an activity center that is used by parks staff to host special events. This building doubles as a picnic shelter and is also available for 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. Provincial park staff may restrict any campfire that creates or may create a hazard to the public.
Camping
Pinware River Provincial Park offers 22 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle. There are an additional seven pull through campsites near the beach that can accommodate larger RVs. Outhouses are located throughout the park. A wheelchair accessible comfort station, including flush toilets, showers and laundry facilities as well as a trailer dumping station are located across from the park checkpoint.
Camping – Group
Pinware River 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
There is little to no cell phone service available in this park.
Change Table
Change tables are located in the comfort station washrooms.
Checkpoint
Park staff are on duty at the park checkpoint from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily.
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 plants and animals.
Laundry
Pinware River includes a coin-operated laundromat for your convenience. Bring change!
Outhouse
Outhouse facilities are located throughout the park.
Parking
There are two large parking lots; one is located next to the comfort station, the other in the day use area.
Picnic Area
The day-use area, located at the beach, is open until 10:00 pm and features picnic tables and outhouse facilities.
Picnic Shelter
The activity centre doubles as a picnic shelter.
Showers
Showers are located in the comfort station across from the park checkpoint.
Trailer Dumping
The trailer dumping station is located adjacent to the comfort station.
Trailer Storage
If you plan to return (and most do!), Pinware River Provincial Park offers both winter and summer storage for camping equipment. Prices are available from the park checkpoint.
Washrooms
Washrooms are located within the comfort station.
Water Taps
There are water taps located at the comfort station. Visitors will notice boil order signage on all water sources. Provincial parks do not have water chlorination systems; the orders are precautionary for public safety.
WiFi
A wifi hotspot is located at the park checkpoint.
Natural History
Pinware River Provincial Park is located in the Forteau Barrens ecoregion. At 68 hectares, this park covers diverse terrain including bogs, barrens and beautiful boreal forest. Tree growth is dense and primarily coniferous, although deciduous Paper Birch and Balsam Poplar can be found. Tree growth is often broken by ancient boulders left behind by glaciers. The bedrock itself is very old, with granite samples from the area having been dated at 1,466 million years old!
The bay itself offers lots of opportunities to spot wildlife and, from late May to early June, keep your eyes peeled for gleaming white icebergs making their way along the coast.
For additional information on the natural history of this park, please refer to the Forteau Barrens ecoregion brochure.
Contact
+1 (709) 927-5516
