Deer Lake (Newfoundland and Labrador)
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Understand
The town is the gateway to the Great Northern Peninsula, owing to an important highway interchange on the Trans-Canada Highway. It is the closest major community to Gros Morne National Park and is home to the Deer Lake Regional Airport.
The first European settlers in the area arrived from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia in 1864. They came as loggers and trappers, and later took up farming.
In 1922, a work camp was set up to support the International Pulp and Paper company. The camp became the town of Deer Lake. A townsite was constructed in 1925 and included a railway terminal, churches and a small hospital.
The airport was built in 1955 as the principal airport for western Newfoundland. It and is one of the town's major employers.
A hydroelectric plant was established on the Humber River in 1925 to provide electricity to a pulp and paper paper mill in Corner Brook.
History
The first European settlers in the area arrived from Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia in 1864. They came as loggers and trappers, and later took up farming.
In 1922, a work camp was set up to support the International Pulp and Paper company. The camp became the town of Deer Lake. A townsite was constructed in 1925 and included a railway terminal, churches and a small hospital.
The airport was built in 1955 as the principal airport for western Newfoundland. It and is one of the town's major employers.
A hydroelectric plant was established on the Humber River in 1925 to provide electricity to a pulp and paper paper mill in Corner Brook.
Get in
By car
Deer Lake is on the Trans-Canada Highway, about 50 km north of Corner Brook.By bus
DRL CoachlinesDaily scheduled passenger coach services between St. John's & Port Aux Basques.
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Newhook's Transportation
phone: +1 709 726-4876Another bus service from Port Aux Basques to St. John's. -
Star Taxi
phone: +1 709 634-4343Shuttle from the Deer Lake Airport. -
Norpen Bus Service
phone: +1 709 457-2024 or +1 709 457-7197A shuttle to St. Anthony (for L'Anse aux Meadows) on Tuesdays & Fridays.
By plane
Deer Lake Regional AirportDaily flights to Halifax, St. John's and Toronto year-round and to Montreal in summer through Air Canada, and Westjet. PAL Airlines offers local flights to Stephenville, Wabush, Goose Bay, St. John's and Churchill Falls.
See
St. Paul's United ChurchA wooden church dating from 1955.
- The Main Street offers a scenic view of the lake.
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Roy Whalen Museum and Valley Crafts
phone: +1 709 635-4440address: 44 Trans-Canada HighwayA local museum filled with antiques, artifacts and information. The gift shop offers a large variety of souvenirs.
Do
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Sir Richards Squires Memorial Provincial Park
address: Highway 422On the scenic Humber River, it's a popular place for salmon angling. 157 campsites with a picnic table, fireplace, garbage can and space for your vehicle. There are no electrical outlets. There are pit toilets and drinking water taps throughout the park. The park has a wheelchair accessible comfort station complete with flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities. Trailer dumping station is also available. Two short trails, which begin at the day-use parking lot, lead to Big Falls. -
Deer Lake Beach
address: Nicholsville RoadA small beach with a scenic walk along the shore.
Buy
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Alexander's Gift Shop
phone: +1 709 635-4044address: 1 Upper Nicholsville RdHome decor, some women's clothing.
Eat
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Canton Restaurant
phone: +1 709 635-8118address: 6 Commerce StCanadian Chinese food, but you're in Deer Lake, Newfoundland, so you wouldn't expect authentic Cantonese food, would you? -
phone: +1 709 635-5054address: 3 Upper Nicholsville RoadWings, burgers, wraps, steaks, pastas, etc.
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Moo Lu Choo's Beachhouse
address: 137 Nicholsville Rd, Joe Butt's Lookout - Deer Lake BeachIt's not a Chinese restaurant. It's burgers and fries by the beach near Joe Butt's Lookout.
Drink
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Hideaway Pub
phone: +1 709 635-5658address: 2 Church StFriendly local pub with snack menu and a local beer.
Sleep
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Old Rocky Brook Road Bed & Breakfast
phone: +1 709 636-4879address: 33 Old Rocky Brook Rd, ReidvilleFree Wi-Fi and a daily breakfast. A garden, a firepit, laundry facilities, a shared lounge offering a library and piano. -
phone: +1 709 635-5115address: 3 Upper Nicholsville Rd24 rooms.
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address: 38 Bennett's AveFree hot breakfast and an indoor pool with an 80-foot waterslide. Free high-speed internet access and fitness centre.
Go next
Heading north on Highway 430 will bring you two UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- The entrance to Gros Morne National Park, with great hiking and some breathtaking landscapes, is about 25 km away.
- L'Anse aux Meadows, the site of the first Viking landing in the New World, is several hours drive to the north near St. Anthony (a little over 400 km away).