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Banff, Canada’s oldest—and most visited—national park, draws more than four million visitors each year with its postcard-perfect Rocky Mountain scenery.
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Looking for a less busy but just as beautiful alternative to this popular and crowded destination?
Like Banff, Gros Morne is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering its own rich mix of places to stay and unforgettable experiences.
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Located on the western coast of Newfoundland and Labrador—Canada’s easternmost and one of its least populated provinces—Gros Morne sits within a vast, rugged region spanning more than 405,000 square miles.
According to a report by Travel + Leisure, with fewer than 600,000 residents and over 120,000 moose (introduced in the early 20th century from New Brunswick), the province is as wild as it is expansive, now home to one of the largest moose populations in North America.
That sense of remoteness is part of Gros Morne’s appeal. Fewer than 250,000 people visit the park each year, yet it’s surprisingly easy to reach. Direct flights from Toronto land at Deer Lake Regional Airport, just a 25-minute drive from the park.
From backcountry winter adventures to summer hiking, biking, and camping, it’s a playground for outdoor enthusiasts.
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A dream destination for citizen scientists, the park’s unique geology helped confirm tectonic plate theory—and visitors can even walk on the Earth’s mantle.
Spanning nearly 700 square miles, Gros Morne showcases an extraordinary range of landscapes—from towering peaks like Gros Morne Mountain and dramatic fjords to barren, almost lunar terrain, dense forests, and rugged coastal trails.
Whether it’s a leisurely walk along the Gulf of St. Lawrence, a steep, full-day climb to panoramic fjord views, or a remote backcountry hike accessible only by boat and compass, the park offers something for every level of adventurer.
For a truly awe-inspiring experience, head out onto Western Brook Pond, where towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and a billion years of geological history define this dramatic, glacier-carved inland fjord.
For more information about the Travel + Leisure article, click here.
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