National parks near Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador
Terra Nova National Park is the closest national park to Bonavista, Newfoundland and Labrador — 61.4 km (38.2 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 18 min behind the wheel.
Terra Nova makes a full day trip — leave early. Gros Morne is better with a night booked nearby.
Bonavista has a population of about 3,448.
Terra Nova
Gros Morne
Cape Breton Highlands
Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains
Sable Island
Mingan Archipelago
National parks near Bonavista
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Terra Nova National Park | 61.4 km (38.2 mi) | 1 hr 18 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Gros Morne National Park | 355 km (220 mi) | 5 hr 40 min | Best as a weekend |
| Cape Breton Highlands National Park | 605 km (376 mi) | 9 hr 20 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Akami-Uapishkᵁ-KakKasuak-Mealy Mountains National Park | 685 km (426 mi) | 10 hr 32 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sable Island National Park | 739 km (459 mi) | 11 hr 19 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Mingan Archipelago National Park | 747 km (464 mi) | 11 hr 26 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Prince Edward Island National Park | 787 km (489 mi) | 12 hr 2 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Forillon National Park | 823 km (511 mi) | 12 hr 33 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Pituamkek National Park | 830 km (516 mi) | 12 hr 40 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Kouchibouguac National Park | 908 km (564 mi) | 13 hr 48 min | Worth a longer road trip |
When to make this trip
Terra Nova National Park is generally best May through October, with April and early November as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter brings cold, shorter days, and reduced services, though lower-elevation trails often stay walkable.
Peak summer weekends and autumn colour weekends fill parking lots early — arrive before mid-morning.
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Bonavista are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Terra Nova → Gros Morne | 305 km (189 mi) | 4 hr 56 min |
| Cape Breton Highlands → Sable Island | 314 km (195 mi) | 5 hr 4 min |
Planning a trip from Bonavista
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns nearby
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Bonavista?
Terra Nova National Park. It is about 61.4 km (38.2 mi) from Bonavista, roughly 1 hr 18 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Bonavista?
Yes — Terra Nova National Park is within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Bonavista?
10 parks are within reach of Bonavista, 1 of them close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Bonavista?
For Terra Nova National Park, the closest one, generally May through October. Either side of that, April and early November stays quieter.