This is a really nice park with some interesting features and trails. A wide variety of landscapes make it a great place to spend some time. Camping is also available.
Located on the Cape Ray barrens the park is situated about 15 km from Port aux Basques on HWY 1, the Trans Canada.
When the park is open you stop at the booth inside the park where the nicest people will give you a map and point out what you should see. Mention that you want to see the two waterfalls, Big Falls and Small Falls.
Using your park map find camp sites 14 and 15. Between the two there is a short path that takes you to the falls. It is a really pretty spot with the most amazing river bed. It is a great example of how the surface of the earth heaved and moved in this entire area. We were there in early June following a good bit of rain so water volume was up and moving quickly.
When you get back to the main road through the park head down the hill and cross the bridge. There is parking to your left when you cross the bridge. Walk across the road and there is a grass path that takes you up along a small tributary. It is a very short walk to Small Falls. You need to get out on the rocks to get the best view of the falls. It is a very pretty spot, great rock formations and lots of small birds. The colour of the water is a beautiful tea and crystal clear. We met a local couple who try to get there every day.
This same parking lot is a convenient place to leave the car if you want to take the Smokey Cape Trail. It follows the hills that are on the right side as you continue down to the final parking lot at the dunes.
Continuing through the park and you will come to an area of sand dunes that line the coast. In the spring endangered birds can be found nesting here and it is critical that you follow signs as to where you can and cannot go. There is a low lookout that provides a view across the small bay to Cape Ray and the lighthouse. From here you can see the surrounding coves and beach coast.
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