Newfoundland

Have you tried calling the car rental agencies in St. John's directly rather than relying on web sites? You might get a different answer or a live human might have suggestions. Given that you are flying out of Deer Lake you might have to take a bus or fly there and then rent the car.

It's been nine years since we where there but we stayed in a very nice cottage in Rocky Harbour. If my memory serves me correctly it was Bayside Cottages. The 16 km Gros Morne mountain trail hike was a great experience in spite of sore muscles for a week after whenever I went down steps.

Enjoy. It is a wonderful part of the country.

When you get to Gros Morne be sure to go to the visitor centre in the park.
They were great at advising us on hikes and also set up our kayaking experience for us. ( Actually they suggested it to us, and twisted our arms a bit) . It was a great experience not to be missed.
Sorry I can't be more help.. the memory is failing me.. but do go to the visitor centre.. they will help you so much. Have fun!

We finally found a rental from St. John's through Avis and they'll allow us to drop off at Deer Lake. Do you think we would need reservations at that time of the year or would it be safe enough to just drive and find along the way? I will look for the Gross Morne Hike. Thank you. We're so looking forward to getting out there. Just love the hospitality!

thx Cody, we'll be sure to go to the Visitor Centre. We absolutely want to kayak!...Less than one week to go!

We were there in the end of August begining of September in 2001. We were told that the peak of the season was past by then so I would be very surprised if you had to sleep in the car but you might possibly spend more time than you would like to finding people at home to rent you the place you would like most.

You should be OK without reservations, but for peace of mind when you first get to St. John's get on the phone with brochures and guidebook in hand. One really good source for 'bed and breakfasts' is bbcanada.com.

BTW, that drive from St. John's to Gros Morne is a very long haul, especially if it is moose season...dusk is tricky for driving if you are trying to dodge moose.

You might want of break your journey (after 11 hours or so) in Corner Brook. The Glyn Mill Inn is charming and very representative of the area...or, closer to Deer Lake, Strawberry Hill Resort is also good. Or even the Inn at Marble Mountain/ Humber Resort. There is a great pub there, the name slips my mind, but great view overlooking the River.

<<You might want of break your journey (after 11 hours or so) in Corner Brook.>>

Stopping in Corner Brook is not quite breaking the journey from St. John's to Gros Morne--it would be an unnecessary detour past the park.

Continue on from Deer Lake to the park. Two upscale places you might consider are in Norris Point: the Sugar Hill Inn and Neddies Harbour Inn. I've stayer at the Sugar Hill a few years ago and can recommend it, while friends were at Neddies Harbour this summer and liked it very much. If you want something very traditional, try Aunt Jane's Place in Woody Point. We were there this summer with friends and we all enjoyed our stay. It's a B&B, but there's a good restaurant across the street (the Old Loft). In Rocky Harbour there are quite a few cabins, B&Bs and a large motel, if you decide to stay there.

Hey there, laverendrye: one person's "unecessary detour past the park" is another person's beloved former hometown!

No, seriously, Corner Brook may be going out of their way, but I was making the (valid) point that the drive from St. John's to Gros Morne should not be a pint of beer to be chugged but a fine wine to be savoured. This western part of Newfoundland has a whole lot more to offer than just that one spot and I am saddened when I read of visits that seem so rushed: the splendour of the Humber Valley at the time of year the OP is planning is too good to miss.

But they will make their own decision, of course, and the more input the better. And I did a wedding once at Neddies Harbour Inn and it was charming!

LJ I agree that there is much more to Western Newfoundland than Gros Morne, and that people should take the time to see it.

However the OP is leaving St. John's on the 16th and flying out of Deer Lake on the 20th. That leaves only 3 days. Not much time to appreciate all there is to see and do in that part of the province

Yes, I see the dates and sigh: so little time, so much to see, and its blueberry and Labrador tea season, too! I am so jealous, tethered to a desk down here on the mainland as I am this year...

Thx for all the great input. Wish we had more time, sounds like there's so much ground to cover. We have booked a golf game at Terra Nova and will only leave the next day for Gros Morne. My husband is convinced that it will only take 5 1/2 hours to get to the GM park from there. Sounds like it may be longer. He's booked us in at Middle Brook cottages in Glenburnie, Bonnie Bay at the advice of a colleague. We will definitely be on the moose lookout and will try to cover as much ground as possible. Looks like a third trip is warranted in the future! We will have to wait for retirement years when we can take more than 1 weeks worth of holidays at a time! Thx everyone. I appreciate all the good comments.