Permits for wilderness and ecological reserves are provided free of charge. See below for more information on each permit type. Application forms can be filled digitally or in print and then are submitted to the Natural Areas Program for processing (allow a minimum of three weeks).
Please note that if you wish to fill out a form with a smart phone, an application such as Adobe Fill & Sign or Google Drive is required.
Wilderness Reserves
The following permits are required in wilderness reserves. You must obtain your permit before you enter the reserve, and carry it with you. Applications are available online and from several locations in the province. For a list of locations where you can obtain a permit in-person, please click here.
- Wilderness Reserve Entry Permit (229 KB)
- Every visitor to a wilderness reserve requires an entry permit. Fill out and email this form to naturalareas@gov.nl.ca. Application for these permits can also be made at a variety of locations. There is no fee for entry permits.
- Commercial Operator Permit (257 KB)
- All commercial operators, including outfitters and tour guides, whose activities take them inside a reserve’s borders require a commercial operator permit.
- Educational Tour Permit (257 KB)
- Any group, including school, university, or conference groups, conducting a tour within a wilderness reserve requires an educational tour permit.
- Scientific Research Permit (257 KB)
- Anyone who wants to conduct scientific research in a wilderness reserve requires a scientific research permit. For more information and research guidelines, see Science and Research.
Ecological Reserves
The following permits are required in ecological reserves. You must obtain your permit before you enter the reserve, and carry it with you. Applications are available online.
- Commercial Operator Permit (257 KB)
- All commercial operators, including outfitters and tour guides, whose activities take them inside a reserve’s borders require a commercial operator permit. Permits for cruise ships are only available for Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve. Permits are not available for cruise ships for Cape St. Mary’s, Witless Bay, Funk Island, Gannet Islands or Hare Bay Islands Ecological Reserves. Tour boat operator licences are assigned based on a public call for proposals as per policy for that Reserve. For more information, please contact the Natural Areas Program.
- Educational Tour Permit (257 KB)
- Any organized group, including school, university, club, or conference group, conducting a tour within an ecological reserve requires an educational tour permit. In Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, groups are encouraged to use the services of the licensed tour boat operators.
- Scientific Research Permit (257 KB)
- Anyone who wants to conduct scientific research in an ecological reserve requires a scientific research permit. For more information and research guidelines, see Science and Research. Seabird research is reviewed annually at the Seabird Ecological Reserves Advisory Committee meeting. All Scientific Research Permit application forms must be submitted by March 31.
Seabird Ecological Reserve Guides
- Seabird Ecological Reserve Guide Permit (216 KB)
- Anyone who guides visitors in the terrestrial portion of Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve or Witless Bay Ecological Reserve requires a seabird ecological reserve guide permit. For more information, please contact the Natural Areas Program.
Applications are reviewed on a first come first serve basis, with the exception of scientific research applications for seabird ecological reserves. The table below outlines which permits are available by reserve:
| Reserve | Commercial Operator Permit | Educational Tour Permit | Scientific Research Permit | Entry Permit |
| Avalon Wilderness Reserve |  |
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| Baccalieu Island Ecological Reserve | |
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| Bay du Nord Wilderness Reserve | |
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| Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve | |
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| Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve | |
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| Fortune Head Ecological Reserve | |
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| Funk Island Ecological Reserve | |
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| Gannet Islands Ecological Reserve | |
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| Hare Bay Islands Ecological Reserve | |
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| Hawk Hill Ecological Reserve | |
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| King George IV Ecological Reserve | |
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| Lawn Bay Ecological Reserve | |
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| Little Grand Lake Provisional Ecological Reserve | |
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| Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve | |
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| Redfir Lake – Kapitagas Channel Ecological Reserve | |
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| Sandy Cove Ecological Reserve | |
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| Table Point Ecological Reserve | |
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| Watts Point Ecological Reserve | |
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| West Brook Ecological Reserve | |
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| Witless Bay Ecological Reserve | |
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Note: Entry permits are not required for access to most ecological reserves. However, there may be restrictions on access to some sensitive reserves such as seabird or rare plant reserves.