Activities
The tip of the Great Northern Peninsula is as far north as you can go in Newfoundland without getting your feet wet! And here you’ll find a beautiful provincial park located just 12 kilometres along Route 437. The park rests within the lowland regions of the Long Range Mountains and encompasses 897 hectares of delightfully varied vegetation. And you’ll find yourself in a prime location to visit the attractions and sights in this gorgeous area. You’ll find yourself just minutes from picturesque Saint Lunaire-Griquet, the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve and the beautiful coast along the Straits of Belle; an area known for its great beauty and breathtaking views.
Find out more about the park by visiting Natural History.
Photo Gallery
Activities
Angling
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is an excellent spot to cast your rod and you should have no trouble hooking a brook trout. 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
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park features a lovely freshwater pond with a beach composed of a mixture of sand and rock. You can take a refreshing dip or simply take a seat on a nearby picnic table and enjoy the lovely view.
Bicycling
With one and a half kilometres of gravel park road, Pistolet Bay 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
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park will certainly keep the bird watcher busy. The skies above dotted with fine feathered friends of all shapes and sizes. Keep an eye out for Gray Jays, Osprey, Great Horned Owl and Northern Flicker in the dense forests of this park. 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
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park offers 30 campsites in a lovely forested area. Each campsite features a picnic table, fireplace and space for your vehicle, many 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
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park offers group camping for not-for-profit organizations at 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! Pistolet Bay has a one kilometre long freshwater pond which makes a 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 Pistolet Bay is no exception. And between the freshwater beach and one and a half 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
Pistolet Bay 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 update
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 exceeding load may be prohibited at any time. In Pistolet Bay 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 the 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 one and a half kilometres of gravel park road through this beautiful forested campground. Or you can take a stroll on the freshwater beach, enjoying the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.
Kayaking
Kayakers love the one kilometre freshwater pond at Pistolet Bay Provincial Park 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, Pistolet Bay Provincial Park begs to be photographed. Whether you are capturing the beautiful forest surrounding you or the still waters of North Sound 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 past the park checkpoint. The area features a playground, picnic tables, outhouses and water taps to enjoy the freshwater beach! It’s 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
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park features a lovely playground in day use area adjacent to the beach. A lovely spot for the young or the young at heart!
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 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 overhead lights around 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.
Swimming
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park has a beautiful swimming area on the beach of a freshwater pond. While unsupervised, lifesaving equipment is located nearby and it does have a designated swimming area, roped off for your enjoyment. 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 lodges. Look for evidence of the snowshoe hare, such as chewed twigs along pathways. Fox have also been spotted here and be sure to look for bats at dusk. 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 specified, provided fireplaces or in an area designated by a Park Ranger as 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
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park offers 30 campsites in a lovely forested area. 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 comfort station. A kitchen shelter is also available.
Camping – Group
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park offers group camping for not-for-profit organizations at 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
This park features excellent cell service.
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.
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
Pistolet Bay 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 located next to the comfort station and also in the day use area.
Picnic Area
The day use area is open until 10:00 pm and is located to the right of the park checkpoint. The area features a playground, picnic tables, outhouses and water taps to enjoy the freshwater beach!
Picnic Shelter
There is a large kitchen shelter beside the comfort station.
Playground
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park features a lovely playground in day use area adjacent to the beach.
Showers
Showers are located within the comfort station.
Trailer Dumping
A trailer dumping station is located adjacent to the comfort station.
Trailer Storage
If you plan to return (and most do!), Pistolet Bay 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 next to each 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 located at the park cabin.
Natural History
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is found within the Strat of Belle Isle Barrens ecoregion and is part of the lowlands of the Long Range Mountains. Here you’ll find stratified rocks that were deposited nearly 500 million years ago! More recently, in the Pleistocene Epoch, the area was covered by glaciers as much as one kilometre thick until they retreated approximately 10,000 years ago.
This park also has a diverse environment with many types of plants, trees and shrubs. In fact, the nearby Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve boasts over 300 species of plant, 30 of which are considered extremely rare. There is likewise an abundance of wildlife within the park ranging from the mighty moose to smaller animals and birds. The nearby Strait of Belle Isle provides lots of opportunity to view marine mammals and seabirds, frolicking in the sun and sea.
For additional information on the natural history of this park, please refer to the Strait of Belle Isle Barrens ecoregion brochure.
Contact
+1 (709) 454-7570
