I can remember one summer when our family camped in three provinces: Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. My uncle lived in PEI, so that province was our final destination. Our adventure started about a week ago. I was nine years old in 1982. It was a different time, but it was fun to camp without iPhones or iPads. It was just nature and a whole lot of cursing.
My family camped at primarily provincial parks across the island, including one in Antigonish, before catching the ferry in New Brunswick to the potato capital of Canada. Yes, it was before the Confederation Bridge was built.
We had a Starcraft pop-up trailer, which all involved some manual labour in setting up, cranking up the top, pulling out the beds, and putting down the legs to balance the trailer so she doesn't see-saw on you when pulling on your PJs and jumping on the bed wing to gain some shut-eye. It was fun, raw, and your home on wheels in nature.
Our family had many adventures camping on and off the island. We camped at Butter Pot, Jacks's Pond, Gros Mourne, and Catamaran. We also camped at some private parks, notably Golden Sands, just outside Marystown. Out of all the parks in my childhood, it was one where I experienced the best memories.
It was the first time I smoked a cigarette, swore like a sailor, first girlfriend. Well, kind of, but that's a long story. I got lost in several parks and accidentally tore the waterline to a cabin once. That last one was unintentional and embarrassing, but what can you do?
My cousin Deon laughed until he cried at that one. It involved a tent spike and a hammer. You can figure out the rest. I remember one of my cousins, Jeanne, accidentally falling out through the canvas and onto the ground during a thunderstorm. Or when we all caught fireflies in glass jars in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
At 51, my girlfriend and I decided to go in on a hard-top trailer again. She had never camped before, but I realized it was much harder to set up than I remember. But then it was my dad and mom doing it.
I was usually on my bike, popping wheelies and taking bets with my cousin (you always had cousins who travelled with you while camping. I'm not sure why) that if I could build up enough speed, I could create a mile-long skid mark in the dirt.
The Guinness Book of World Records never called me about my skid mark, but one thing is sure: My BMX kept me out of my parents' hair until they set up the campsite and made it livable.
This summer, my girlfriend and I decided to make Backside Pond Park our home and to tell the truth, we haven’t been disappointed. We were able to get a full-service lot. The park's variety makes it unique, as there are options for every type of camper.
It caters to RV, tent, and regular campers. There are full-service and non-service sites for those who like to go completely off the grid.
If you are a wildlife lover, you will be in your glee as owls, blue jays, rabbits, moose, foxes, and whales on their ocean beach. The park has a boat launch, so those options are available if you like fishing, kayaking, water sports, or canoeing. The park also has activities throughout the month to allow people to interact and socialize with other campers. Their hiking trails to the park's ocean and freshwater beaches allow fantastic views to enjoy nature in its glory. There are nightly, weekly, monthly and seasonal rates.
The best thing about camping in a park in Trinity Bay is that you are exposed to amazing coastal views that will take your breath away. Nearby hiking trails like Jimmy Rows Pond Loop will keep you active. Other amenities include Browns Restaurant in Whitebay, Jigs and Reels in Greens Harbour, the Borche Ukranian Cafe just north of Cavendish, and the Underground Cookery Chinese Takeaway in Dildo. Don't forget that nearby communities like North Harbour and Dildo have summer festivals.
Check out your private and private camping and RV parks on the island. They have something for everyone. The province has 30 or more provincial and private parks throughout the island. Here are some of them:
Provincial Parks
Backside Pond Provincial Park
Barachois Pond Provincial Park
Blow Me Down Provincial Park
Butter Pot Provincial Park
Dildo Run Provincial Park
Frenchman’s Cove Provincial Park
J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Park
La Manche Provincial Park
Location Path Provincial Park
Beothuck Provincial Park
Catamaran Provincial Park
Private Parks
Sure, here are some private camping parks in Newfoundland:
Pippy Park Campground, St. John's
Mountain View RV Park, Conception Bay
Pirates Haven, Robinsons
Bluefin RV Trailer Park, Holyrood
Appalachian RV Park, Corner Brook
Argentia Sunset RV Park, Argentia
Armistice Park, Bide Arm
Backside Pond RV Park, Whiteway
Banting Memorial Municipal Park, Musgrave Harbour
Golden Sands, Marystown
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