Dildo Run Provincial Park was opened to the public in 1967. The parks 328 hectares provide visitors with an ideal central and convenient location for viewing all of New World Island. It is within a very short driving distance of Twillingate, Moretons Harbour and all other small communities located in this beautiful and historic area. The park is also within a short driving distance of the ferry to Fogo Island and Change Islands.
A new comfort station provides shower, laundry facilities and flush toilets. For recreational vehicle users there are larger campsites and a trailer dumping station.
Please note this map is for illustrative purposes only. The park boundary may not be accurately portrayed.
- Park Map
- Area History
- Park Activities
- Places to See and Explore Close By
- Natural History
- Reservations
Area History
New world Island has not always been connected to the mainland portion of Newfoundland as it is today. Years ago, New World Island and Twillingate Island were separated from each other, and the mainland. Before the arrival of the Europeans to the island, Beaches (c.1000 AD), Little Passage (c.1500 AD) and Beothuk peoples, all visited the area to hunt seals and small mammals, and fish in the waters of the Run. At the beginning of the twentieth century, Twillingate was the centre of the Labrador and North Shore fishery. For the people who travelled between the islands often, the need to navigate around the top of the island was an annoyance and, often, a danger. Along the southern boundary of the park lie the remains of an old tramway. Built around the turn of the century, this tramway provided a short cut for people travelling across an area scattered with islands.
Park Activities
Camping
There are 55 campsites, each of which has been newly upgraded. Each campsite has a picnic table, a fireplace, a garbage can, and room for a vehicle. Pit toilets and drinking water taps are located and easily accessible throughout the park. Firewood is also available at the check point.
Picnicking
Fifteen picnic sites afford a pleasant view of the calm waters of Dildo Run. They have picnic tables, toilets, and drinking water taps.
Hiking
A 1.3 km fitness trail takes one on an interesting walk through mixed forest. Also a newly constructed 2 km hiking trail leads you along a winding shoreline to Black Head. From the lookout you can see many of the 365 islands in Dildo Run. This is a wonderful location for both natural and cultural history viewing.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Dildo Run is an excellent area for kayaking and canoeing.
Places to See and Explore Close By
Use this park as your home as you explore the surrounding area on the Kittiwake Coast. Just south of the park is the Boyd’s Cove Beothuck Interpertation Centre that focuses on the regions rich human heritage. Just to the north is Twillingate which is a major fishing and commercial centre for this region.
Natural History
The rocky, boulder-studded coastline is particular to this region. The landscape here rolls downward towards the sea, undulating in hills and valleys as it descends. In many of these valleys, lakes, and fens, or bogs, have formed. The forest is distinct from that found further inland, with a larger percentage of White Spruce, mixed with Balsam Fir and Black Spruce. Among the wildlife you might expect to see in the park are Red Squirrels, Meadow Voles, Snowshoe Hare, Mink and Little Brown Bats. Larger mammals, such as Moose, are rare within the park. The water in Dildo Run is relatively shallow, and well protected from the open sea. During the summer, the tide-pools are subject to dramatic fluctuations in salinity and temperature as they are exposed twice a day when the tide recedes. Many small creatures hide under rocks for protection, while others cling permanently to the substrate. North of Dildo Run, closer to the open ocean, icebergs may be seen as they drift down the coast. Magnificent to look at, icebergs hide their full size; it is true that only one tenth of one iceberg’s total mass is visible above water. As the heat of the sun and the warming water melt the undersides of icebergs, they can roll into new positions. Large sections can crack off and plunge into the sea.