Salmonier Nature Park

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information Park Animals Injured/Orphaned Animals School Visits Fishing at the Park Park Regulations Park Positions

General Information

• What are the hours of operation for visitation to Salmonier Nature Park?
  
  
• What is the admission fee for entrance to Salmonier Nature Park?
  
  
• Where is Salmonier Nature Park located?
  
  
• What is the distance around the trails at Salmonier Nature Park and approximately how long does it take to walk around the Park?
  
  
• Is Salmonier Nature Park wheelchair accessible?
  
  
• Does Salmonier Nature Park have a restaurant/canteen available?
  
  
• Can I visit Salmonier Nature Park when the park is closed for the season?
  
  
• Does Salmonier Nature Park operate a gift store and what can I purchase there?
  
  
• Does Salmonier Nature Park have overnight accommodations, camp sites, etc. If not, where are overnight accommodations available in the area?

Park Animals

• Where do the animals at Salmonier Nature Park come from?
  
  
• What animals should I expect to see when I visit Salmonier Nature Park?

Injured/Orphaned Animals

• Who should I contact regarding injured wildlife, abandoned or orphaned animals, etc?
  
  
• To whom should I report moose/vehicle accidents?

School Visits

• How do I arrange a visit to the park for my class?
  
  
• How many students may I bring to the Park at any given time?
  
  
• How does a student researching animals, the environment, etc. obtain this information?

Fishing at the Park

• Are visitors allowed to fish at Salmonier Nature Park?
  
  
• How do anglers gain access to fishing within the Park and is a permit needed?
  

Park Positions

• How do I apply for a position at Salmonier Nature Park?
  

General Information

What are the hours of operation for visitation to Salmonier Nature Park?

Salmonier Nature Park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Gate close at 5:00 p.m.) seven days a week from June 1 - Labour Day. From the day after Labour Day to Thanksgiving Day, Salmonier Nature Park is open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Gate closes at 3:00 p.m.) The park is closed weekends during the Fall season. However, please note these hours apply only to park visitation - administrative, maintenance, education, and animal care staff are available year round.

What is the admission fee for entrance to Salmonier Nature Park?

Admission to Salmonier Nature Park is free.

Where is Salmonier Nature Park located?

Salmonier Nature Park is located on the Salmonier Line (Route 90) 12 km south of the Trans Canada Highway (Route 1) on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland (Click for map).

What is the distance around the trails at Salmonier Nature Park and approximately how long does it take to walk around the Park?

The trails at Salmonier Nature Park are approximately 3 km in length and most people complete the walk in an hour.

Is Salmonier Nature Park wheelchair accessible?

There is a boardwalk on the entire trail.  This makes Salmonier Nature Park wheelchair and stroller friendly.

Can I visit Salmonier Nature Park when the park is closed for the season?

When the park is closed to the public, it continues to be very busy with animal care and maintenance work. Frost and snow may cause slippery trails. Call ahead and if conditions permit you may be allowed to access the park during off season. 

Does Salmonier Nature Park have overnight accommodations, camp sites, etc. If not, where are overnight accommodations available in the area?

Salmonier Nature Park does not provide accommodations or have any campsites. However, there are several campgrounds/trailer parks/bed and breakfasts and cabin resorts in the area. Some of these are as follows:

Does Salmonier Nature Park have a restaurant/canteen available?

Salmonier Nature Park does not have a restaurant/canteen available. During the park's open season, snacks (ex. Chocolate bars, chips, ice-cream, drinks) may be purchased at the Gift Store. On Saturdays in the summer, hot dogs are usually available, but it's always best to check beforehand. There are several restaurants and take outs in the area, as follows:

Does Salmonier Nature Park operate a gift store and what can I purchase there?

The Friends of Salmonier Nature Park operate a gift store out of the Visitor Centre. The store is open when the park is open and offers various wildlife-related gifts and souvenirs, as well as puppets, toys, jewelry, posters, books, t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, and snacks, etc.

Park Animals

What animals should I expect to see when I visit Salmonier Nature Park?

During your visit to Salmonier Nature Park, you may expect to view most of the following animals, all of which are either native to or have been introduced to the Province:

Where do the animals at Salmonier Nature Park come from?

Most of the animals you will see at Salmonier Nature Park are here for rehabilitation purposes. Frequently, an animal's injuries prevent it from being released back to the wild. In such cases, Salmonier Nature Park keeps these animals in sensitively designed enclosures which represent their natural habitat and which allow for viewing of the animals by the public. Salmonier Nature Park then becomes a permanent home for these unreleasable animals. If Salmonier Nature Park cannot keep animals, they are provided to another reputable zoo or nature park. However, any animals that can survive on their own, are released back to the wild. 

Injured/Orphaned Animals

Whom should I contact regarding injured wildlife, abandoned or orphaned animals, etc?

Any wildlife-related problems should be reported to your local Conservation Officer, who in turn, will refer it to us, if necessary. Contact numbers for local offices are as follows:

To whom should I report moose/vehicle accidents?

Moose/vehicle accidents should be reported to the local RCMP and if the moose involved has been injured/killed, you should immediately contact your local wildlife office.

School Visits

How do I arrange a visit to the park for my class?

Salmonier Nature Park coordinates a formal school program each Spring and Fall which makes it possible for teachers to bring their class to the park for a unique interpretive program, as well as a nature hike and picnic. To arrange a visit, call 229-7198 or 229-7888 or fax to 229-7078 and arrangements will be made for your class. Reservations should be made in early May and early September, as the program fills up fast. (School Program)

How many students may I bring to the Park at given time?

The average group size accepted (if you are interested in our interpretive program as well as the nature hike) is approximately 60 students with a leader for every seven students. If your group is larger than 60 students, arrangements may be made for two or more arrival times to accommodate the whole group. (Ex. 60 students arrive at 10:00 and 60 arrive arrive at 11:00). However, if your group is interested only in the nature walk, arrangements may be made for larger groups.

How does a student looking for information on animals, the environment, etc. obtain this information?

If you cannot find the information here on our website (we have information included on animals native and introduced to Newfoundland and Labrador and on endangered and threatened species found in the Province), you can contact us directly at 729-6974 or 229-7888 or brenda.pike@mail.gov.nl.ca. In addition, the Canadian Wildlife Service publishes a series of information pamphlets (Hinterland Who's Who) on Canadian wildlife which may be obtained by contacting them directly or by accessing their website at www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/hww-fap/eng_ind.html

 Fishing at the Park

Are visitors allowed to fish at Salmonier Nature Park?

Fishing (trout and salmon) is permitted only within the Limited Use area of Salmonier Nature Park. This is the unfenced, remote back country of the park that is set aside as a wilderness reserve. A permit is required to gain access to this area. 

How do anglers gain access to fishing within the Park and is a permit needed?

A permit is required to gain access to the Limited Use Area for the purpose of fishing and may be obtained, free of charge, at Salmonier Nature Park, the Inland Fish and Wildlife Division Headquarters at Building 810, Pleasantville and at Paddy's Pond Forestry/Wildlife Office. Permits are issued for a maximum of 10 days, except in the case of registered cabin-owners within the Park, who may receive an annual permit. For more information on the conditions of these permits, please see our "What's New" Section. To gain access to this area, see the attached map. 

Park Positions

How do I apply for a position at Salmonier Nature Park?

All hiring for positions at Salmonier Nature Park is carried out by the Human Resources Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. For information, please contact:

Director of Human Resources
Department of Environment and Conservation
P.O. Box 8700
St. John's, NL A1B 4J6
Telephone: (709) 729-0936