Nfld or bust
Newfoundland in Peaches: Why This Province Was Made for Camper Travel
Some places are beautiful. Others are built for road trips.
Newfoundland is both.
From the moment Peaches rolled onto the ferry in North Sydney, we knew this adventure was going to be different.
Traveling with our dog, Wilma, meant she stayed safely secured in the camper during the crossing. While she snoozed in her familiar little home, we settled into the passenger lounge with homemade lunches and watched the fog drift across the Atlantic. The timing couldn't have been better—the Canada vs. Bosnia FIFA World Cup match kicked off shortly after we boarded and ended almost exactly as the ferry eased into Port aux Basques.
Talk about a perfect arrival.
Rather than pushing ourselves after the crossing, we spent our first night at a nearby RV park. Fresh water. Dump station. Laundry. A hot shower. Sometimes those simple resets are exactly what you need before the adventure really begins.
Chasing Fog in Gros Morne
Our first destination was Gros Morne National Park, and while the weather delivered exactly what Newfoundland is famous for—rain, mist, and plenty of fog—it never once felt disappointing.
If anything, it added to the atmosphere.
The highlight? Hiking the Tablelands.
It's one of the most unique landscapes in Canada, and even better, it's dog-friendly. Wilma happily joined us as we wandered through terrain that feels more like another planet than Newfoundland.
After long days outside, there was nothing better than returning to Peaches. Cozy. Dry. Warm. Dinner sizzling over a campfire while the rain tapped gently on the camper roof.
It's one of those moments that reminds you why you travel this way.
Free Camping and Friendly Faces
After a few days in Gros Morne, we pointed the truck east toward St. John's to meet up with friends.
Along the way, we discovered another thing Newfoundland does exceptionally well: welcoming campers.
Using iOverlander, we found several fantastic free overnight spots. They were quiet, scenic, easy to access, and reinforced something we kept noticing throughout the trip.
Newfoundland just gets road trippers.
Whether you're staying in provincial parks, community campgrounds, or tucked away beside a quiet harbour, there's a genuine sense that travelers are welcome here.
Good Friends and the Best Lobster Roll Ever
A few days in St. John's were exactly what we needed.
Good friends.
Great conversations.
Excellent beer.
And possibly the best lobster roll we've ever eaten.
The Boat Roll from Johnny & Mae's food truck in Quidi Vidi absolutely lived up to the hype. Free camping at Signal Hill meant walking distance to town (hello rum & cokes at the Crow’s Nest!)and that uphill workout on the way back made the night feel guilt free.
From there, we kept exploring.
Port Rexton… stop in at the Brewery! They love overlanders.
Elliston (hello, puffins!).
Bonavista…made my Severance (Apple TV) dreams come true.
Tiny fishing villages… perfect backdrops & vistas.
Coastal hikes.
Fresh seafood.
Icebergs offshore.
Friendly locals everywhere we went.
The scenery seemed to outdo itself every single day.
The only visitors we could have done without?
Blackflies.
Thankfully, they were a small price to pay for everything else Newfoundland offers.
Don't Skip Fogo Island
If there was one decision that completely exceeded our expectations, it was taking the ferry to Fogo Island.
Do it.
The ferry was inexpensive (around $35 for us) and incredibly easy. Yes, there are free overnight spots listed on iOverlander, but this time we wanted to support the local community, so we stayed at the Lions Club RV Park.
Best twenty dollars we spent all trip.
Located right on the water, it delivered sunset after sunset that felt priceless.
From there we explored approachable coastal hikes, discovered fantastic local restaurants, watched fishing boats come and go, and simply slowed down.
Fogo has a way of doing that.
It's hard to explain until you've been there, but the island gets under your skin in the best possible way.
Some of our favourite memories from the entire Newfoundland adventure happened on Fogo Island.
Heading Home (Slowly)
Eventually we made our way through Twillingate and began the long, scenic drive back toward the ferry.
There was no rush.
That's one of the gifts of traveling with a camper.
You don't have to race from hotel to hotel or stick to rigid schedules. If a trail catches your eye, you stop. If a tiny fishing village looks interesting, you wander. If the sunset is spectacular, you stay one more night.
Peaches gave us that freedom.
Why Newfoundland Belongs on Your RV Bucket List
We've road-tripped through a lot of places, but Newfoundland quickly climbed near the top of our favourites.
The hiking is world-class.
The food is unforgettable.
The people are genuinely welcoming.
The scenery changes around every corner.
And perhaps most importantly for fellow camper travelers, it's one of the most RV-friendly places we've ever explored.
If you've been thinking about making the trip...
Don't wait.
Just go.
You won't regret it.
