Gros Morne: Green Gardens Trail (2 days / 9 km)
Gros Morne Mountain is located in Gros Morne National Park in Newfoundland. The trail starts on the edge of the tablelands and finishes right at the ocean in an area with cliffs, beach, forest, grass, and sheep! This is a 9 km out-and-back trail, going from 320 m to sea level. This is a great overnight trip for beginner backpackers.
The downhill hike in was harder for me than the uphill hike out. The consistent steep downhill was hard on the knees, and each step needed to be carefully planned to avoid slipping on rocks or mud. I surprised myself on the way out and made it back to the car far faster than I expected.
Trip Completed: July 2025
Trip Summary
| Starting Point | Green Gardens Trailhead |
| Ending Point | Green Gardens Trailhead |
| Duration | 2 days / 1 night |
| Difficulty | Beginner |
| Total Distance | 9 km |
| Elevation Gain | 320 m |
Location: Gros Morne National Park
Traditional Territory: This route takes place on the traditional territory of the Mi’kma’ki and Beothuk (source).
Maps & Resources
Guidebook: No guidebook was needed.
Map: n/a, the trail is very well marked.
Map: No map was needed, but here is a GPS track of my route.
Permits & Reservations
Campsite Reservations: Yes, reservations are required for camping. On the Parks Canada reservation website, click Backcountry and then Backcountry Zone. Scroll through the list of national parks – Gros Morne is the fifth one. Add your dates and equipment, and then hit search. Once the reservation map opens, click “Green Gardens” in the bottom left – there are 4 tent pads available.
Permits: Permits are required. You’ll need to check in at the visitors center or a campground before leaving and MUST check back in when you’re finished.
Know Before You Go
Season: Camping is available at Green Gardens from mid-May to mid-October
Cell Reception: No
Water: There is a freshwater source at a waterfall at the far end of the beach. It’s far away from the campsites, so you’ll want to fill up as much as you can. I carried enough water for my trip.
Wildlife: There are bears in Gros Morne, but it is very rare to encounter any. I didn’t see any signs about bears, nor did park staff give me any warnings when I checked in. There were bear boxes near the sites, but they had a padlock on them and they were unusable. Lots of sheep in the area and they’ll likely visit your site at night. They didn’t bother with any of my food or gear, but they do poop everywhere.
Waste: There was one absolutely disgusting outhouse. No garbage cans, pack out all your trash.
Outfitters & Shuttles
Outfitter: I didn’t use an outfitter. There are guided day trips available.
Shuttle: This route starts and ends at the same point, so no shuttle is needed.
Trip Report
Day 1: Green Gardens Trailhead to Green Garden Campsites (4.5 km)
The trail starts on the edge of the Tablelands, in a very exposed, barren landscape. Be sure to bring lots of water and sunscreen as you’re in the direct sun most of the hike. The first 1 km or so is a slow uphill, and then the rest is a consistent downhill with switchbacks.
In wet weather, the trail is very slippery. Towards the end of the hike, you’ll notice the landscape start to transform. You’ll start to see trees, green grass, a waterfall, and then the ocean! There will be four tent pads on the right side of the trail. Near the fourth, there is a sign and the trail forks. You can head down the stairs to the beach or keep walking for about 1 km more to the very end. The trail past this point is closed due to erosion. While you’re walking this last bit of the trail, keep an eye out under the trees for sheep! Local farmers bring their sheep here to graze, and they are likely hiding out nearby.
The beach is a long rocky beach with the classic Parks Canada red chairs. One of them was broken while I was there other was in good shape for photos. I spent most of my afternoon on the beach exploring the tide pools and going for a very cold swim. If you walk to the far end of the beach, you’ll notice a freshwater stream, and you can follow that up to a big waterfall. Fill up on water here if needed.
I finished my night sitting on the edge of the cliff reading my book, watching the sunset, and whale watching. As I was getting ready for bed, I had some unexpected visitors at my campsite: a dozen or so sheep came waltzing through! They were very curious and cute, and I took countless photos of them.
Campsite: While hiking in, I ran into a couple hiking out who recommended camping at the fourth tent pad as it had the nicest view. They were 100% right! An amazing cliffside site with endless ocean views. I saw whales, seals, and dolphins all from my campsite. There is one outhouse, but it was the grossest one I’ve ever seen and was a truly unpleasant experience.
| Total Distance | 4.5 km |
| Elevation Gain (only for backpacking) | -320 m |
| Campsite Reservation | Green Gardens |
Day 2: Green Garden Campsites to Green Gardens Trailhead (4.5km)
After a sleep in and a yummy breakfast I headed back to my car. I was a bit worried about the uphill climb and gave myself extra time to complete it. To my surprise, the climb was very quick and I was back at my car in no time.
| Total Distance | 4.5 km |
| Elevation Gain (only for backpacking) | 320m |
| Campsite Reservation | N/A |
Reflections
The hike to the campsite is a fairly steep downhill, and I struggled with that more than I expected. I wouldn’t recommend doing this hike in wet weather as the trail would become very slippery and treacherous. It’s a great one-night hike and a good length for beginners. I would definitely do this trail again if I were back in Newfoundland.
Author Bio
I’ve been camping for as long as I can remember and the outdoors has always felt like home. From summers spent paddling remote lakes to winters chasing snow in the mountains, my life has always revolved around exploring and finding new ways to connect with nature. These days, I split my time between (van) life on the road traveling across Canada and settling down in BC during ski season, where the mountains become my playground.
At heart, I’m a canoe tripper. Nothing feels quite like gliding silently across glassy water or portaging through rugged trails with the promise of a campsite at the end. Still, I’m always looking for new challenges and have set myself the goal of learning to love backpacking (so far I’m not quite convinced). Whether it’s paddling, skiing, hiking, or simply sitting around a fire, the outdoors continues to shape the way I live, travel, and connect with the world.
Instagram: Crosscombee