Dildo Run

Dildo Run Provincial Park is a camping and day-use park on New World Island, in Notre Dame Bay on the north coast of Newfoundland. It lies in central Newfoundland, more than four hundred kilometres from St. John’s, and is far from the town of Dildo in Trinity Bay, which is a separate community on the Avalon side of the island. While the two share a name, they are very different places. The park is reached by road along the string of causeways and bridges that connect the islands of this part of the coast, on the way toward Twillingate.

The word run in the name is an old Newfoundland term for a narrow channel or a passage of water between islands, and the park sits beside such a channel. The surroundings are typical of Notre Dame Bay: low spruce and fir forest, rocky headlands, sheltered coves and many small islands. The coastline is indented and the water is cold and clear, and the area is part of the same landscape that has long supported small fishing communities.

The park is mainly a camping ground. It has a number of campsites set in the forest, with picnic tables and fireplaces, and facilities are basic compared with larger parks. A short hiking trail, about a kilometre and a half long, leads through the woods and gives a way to stretch your legs. Fishing for trout is possible with the proper licence, and anyone planning to angle should check provincial regulations first. The park is mostly open in the warm months, though the trail can be used in winter by those who like quiet walks.

The real draw is the surrounding region. Twillingate, a short drive away, is known for its lighthouse at Long Point, its rocky headlands and the icebergs that often drift along the coast in late spring and early summer. Whales can be seen offshore in summer, and boat tours leave from the local harbours. Other nearby communities offer small museums, craft shops and seafood restaurants, and the road along the coast gives sweeping views.

Dildo Run suits campers, anglers and independent travellers who want a base on the island rather than a destination in itself. Bring insect repellent for the summer, warm layers for evenings, and food supplies, since services are limited. Check opening dates and booking arrangements with the provincial parks service before travelling. Visitors who stay here will find quiet nights, cold air off the bay and a sense of the remote Newfoundland coast.