Shallow Bay Campground

Shallow Bay Campground is a family campground set among evergreen forest about 1 km north of Cow Head. Its open and wooded sites sit back from a white sandy shore on the Gulf of St. Lawrence, with Old Mail Road starting right at the campground. It’s a good fit if you want a beach day within reach of camp and a base for Gros Morne’s northern historic sites. There are 62 stays in all: 45 unserviced sites, 11 serviced sites with water and electricity, one accessible serviced site, two oTENTiks and four tiny cabins.

Old Mail Road runs 1.2 km each way through sheltered forest to the day-use area. It’s flat, with compacted gravel, packed soil and grassy sections, followed by a dune crossing to the sand. Count on a 2.4 km return walk; you can also drive over if you’d rather save your legs. The route can turn soft or muddy after rain, and there are occasional exposed roots. At the beach, swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding and exploring the coast are the main reasons to linger.

Sites are a mix of open and wooded, and every site has a fire pit. The campground also has a kitchen shelter, flush toilets, showers, a playground, kiosk, WiFi and a dumping station; drinking water is available. Accessibility is specific rather than universal: one level, grassy serviced site (#17) has water and power, and one all-gender bathroom has a toilet and roll-in shower. Cabin 16 has no running water, heat, lights or electrical outlet, so check the setup before booking. Cow Head is about 1 km away for groceries, local museums, trails and Gros Morne Theatre Festival performances. This is a seasonal campground, so confirm the current operating window and reservation requirements; park entry and camping fees apply.