# Dams, taiga and Basque whalers – by camper along Route 389 and the Trans-Labrador Highway from Baie-Comeau to Red Bay

> From the St. Lawrence River past the Manicouagan crater and the iron-ore towns of Fermont and Labrador City, through almost 700 kilometres of empty taiga to…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-390-trans-labrador-highway/

**At a glance:** 7-day road trip of about 1,674 km (1,040 mi) with 14 stops, from Baie-Comeau to St. Barbe. About 18 h 35 min of driving in total. Best time to go: June–September. No toll roads expected for a car. From the St. Lawrence River past the Manicouagan crater and the iron-ore towns of Fermont and Labrador City, through almost 700 kilometres of empty taiga to Goose Bay and down to the Strait of Belle Isle: around 1,700 kilometres of wilderness road to the ferry to Newfoundland.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 1,674 km (1,040 mi) |
| Driving | 18 h 35 min |
| Suggested days | 7 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Baie-Comeau → St. Barbe |
| Provinces | QC, NL |
| Best time to go | June–September |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-390-trans-labrador-highway.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Driving in the US: The Rules European Visitors Most Often Get Wrong at the Wheel](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-driving-rules-visitors/), [Fuel, Tolls and Distances: Practical US Driving Math for Motorhome and Camper Travelers](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-fuel-tolls-distances/), [US national parks: entry fees, passes and reservations in plain terms](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/us-national-park-passes/)

*From the St. Lawrence River past the Manicouagan crater and the iron-ore towns of Fermont and Labrador City, through almost 700 kilometres of empty taiga to Goose Bay and down to the Strait of Belle Isle: around 1,700 kilometres of wilderness road to the ferry to Newfoundland.*

## The spirit of the route

Beyond Baie-Comeau, the south comes to an end. Route 389 follows the Manicouagan north, past power stations that have flooded entire valleys, to the colossal arch dam of Manic-5. After that the road narrows, sometimes asphalt, sometimes gravel, and alongside it there is nothing but spruce, bog lakes and the tracks of the ore railway. In Labrador the Trans-Labrador Highway begins, now paved throughout but no less lonely: between settlements there are often more than 250 kilometres without a filling station, without mobile coverage, without a house. In the evening you look out of the sliding door at mist over a nameless lake, hear loons calling and the whine of black flies at the insect screen. At the end the landscape tips towards the sea: bare granite domes, fishing harbours, icebergs in early summer and, in Red Bay, the traces of 16th-century Basque whalers.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Baie-Comeau to Manic-5 (Barrage Daniel-Johnson) (approx. 214 km)

- **The drive:** Route 389 starts on the St. Lawrence River in Baie-Comeau and climbs along the Manicouagan into the hinterland. The first 20-odd kilometres to Manic-2 were realigned as part of the upgrade programme and have been open since autumn 2023. As far as Manic-5 the road is paved but winding and hilly, with long climbs, narrow shoulders and a surface that is poor in places; after a few individual sections were renewed, further upgrading between Manic-2 and Manic-5 was dropped from Québec’s current infrastructure plan. Lots of heavy traffic: timber and ore trucks drive fast, so make room in good time. Driving time alone around 3 hours. Last large supermarkets, garages and cheap diesel in Baie-Comeau.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Manic-2: The first dam on the route, a concrete gravity dam, sits right beside the road, a good 20 kilometres north of Baie-Comeau – a first impression of the scale of the chain of power stations on the Manicouagan.
  - Barrage Daniel-Johnson (Manic-5): the world’s largest multiple-arch buttress dam, around 214 metres high, with 13 arches. In summer Hydro-Québec offers free guided tours that also take you to the foot and onto the crest of the dam; check dates and booking on the Hydro-Québec website.
  - Réservoir Manicouagan: The ring-shaped reservoir fills a meteorite crater around 214 million years old, the “Eye of Québec”. From the road north of the dam you only see parts of it; the ring shape is only apparent from the air, but the vastness is clear even from the shore.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Official campgrounds are scarce along Route 389. In and around Baie-Comeau there are campgrounds with hook-ups and dump stations – empty your tanks and fill up with water there. Whether there is currently an operating campground on the route near Manic-2 is not certain; check beforehand. At Manic-5 (kilometre 211) the year-round Motel de l’Énergie has a filling station, restaurant and rooms; there are no designated motorhome pitches – ask on site whether you may stay overnight.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Route 389 runs almost entirely through public land (terres du domaine de l’État). A short overnight stop on gravel areas, old pits and wide pull-outs away from the carriageway is common practice among travellers. Do not park on Hydro-Québec operational sites, at mine access roads or on railway land, and do not block forestry roads; wildlife reserves (réserves fauniques) and ZECs have their own rules. Observe SOPFEU fire bans.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up in Baie-Comeau and carry a full spare jerrycan; on Route 389 fuel is only available at Manic-5, at Relais-Gabriel and in Fermont, and the gaps are up to around 250 kilometres. Check road conditions on Québec 511 before setting off. Route 389 is on Eastern Time (Québec).

### Stage 2: Manic-5 to Fermont / Duley Lake (approx. 365 km)

- **The drive:** North of Manic-5, Route 389 becomes an expedition road: gravel sections alternate with older asphalt, plus tight bends, crests, level crossings of the ore railway and frost heaves. The section north of Manic-5 at kilometres 240 to 254 was rebuilt in 2021. Between the Fire Lake mine and Fermont (roughly kilometres 478 to 566) a new alignment is under construction that is to shorten the route by around 19 kilometres and replace eleven level crossings; according to Québec it is due to open in the coming years. Until then this is the hardest part: gravel, dust or mud, construction traffic and changing traffic management. Driving time alone 6–7 hours, better split over two short days. No mobile coverage between Manic-5 and Fermont. A few kilometres past Fermont you cross the border into Labrador; this is where Route 500 begins.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Monts Groulx (Uapishka): The range east of the road rises above the treeline; hiking trails lead to bare summits with views over the Manicouagan reservoir. The Station Uapishka at the roadside is the starting point; check trails and accommodation beforehand, and do not attempt a summit hike in fog and wind.
  - Gagnon: The former mining town was completely demolished in 1985 after the mine closed. What remains is a wide boulevard with a central reservation, kerbs and street-lamp bases in the middle of the forest – a strange stop.
  - Fermont: The mining town is built around “Le Mur”, a residential and commercial building around 1.3 kilometres long that acts as a windbreak, shielding the houses behind it from the north winds. All around are the huge open-pit iron-ore mines.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Duley Lake Family Park, around 10 kilometres west of Labrador City on the Trans-Labrador Highway: a simple campground on Duley Lake. Confirm season and facilities (showers, hook-ups, dump station) by phone in advance. If you split the stage: ask at Relais-Gabriel (around kilometre 316, fuel, restaurant, rooms) about a place to park for the night; check it is open beforehand.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** On Québec’s public land between Manic-5 and Fermont the same applies as on the first stage: gravel pits and wide pull-outs are used for short overnight stops. Do not stop or stay overnight in the construction zone between Fire Lake and Fermont; mining and railway land is private and off limits.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up at Relais-Gabriel even if the tank is still half full – it is around 250 kilometres to Fermont, partly on gravel with high consumption. On gravel, slow down considerably, keep your distance from trucks (flying stones) and keep well to the right when meeting oncoming traffic. The time zone changes in the border area: Fermont uses Eastern Time, Labrador City Atlantic Time – put your clock forward one hour.

### Stage 3: Labrador City to Churchill Falls (approx. 245 km)

- **The drive:** After a morning in Labrador West (Labrador City and Wabush, supermarkets, garages, propane, filling stations), Route 500 heads east. The Trans-Labrador Highway has been paved throughout since 2022; the road runs long and gently undulating through spruce forest and bogs and past lakes, with only a few settlements and no services between Labrador City and Churchill Falls. Driving time alone around 3 hours. No mobile coverage on the way.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Labrador City and Wabush: The twin towns live off iron ore; from Smokey Mountain above Labrador City you look out over lakes, open-pit mines and taiga. In winter the region is a cross-country skiing area (Menihek Nordic Trails).
  - Lakes along the highway: Numerous rest areas lie beside lakes and rivers; in the morning you see beavers, loons and, with luck, moose or black bears at the forest edge.
  - Churchill Falls: The company town in the middle of the wilderness belongs to the underground hydroelectric station on the Churchill River, one of the largest in the world. Tours of the power station used to be offered by prior arrangement; ask in town whether they are currently running. Since the power station was built, the once mighty falls usually carry only a little water.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no reliable official, signposted campground with hook-ups in Churchill Falls. Ask in town (Town Office or hotel) about a place to park a motorhome; the alternative is another night at Duley Lake Family Park and a long drive to Goose Bay the next day (over 520 kilometres in total).
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Most of Labrador is Crown land. Short overnight stops in gravel pits and at rest areas away from the carriageway are tolerated; do not block access roads, do not drive onto bogs, take your rubbish with you. During the wildfire season observe the province’s fire bans and permit requirements.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up in Labrador City and again in Churchill Falls – after that come around 285 kilometres without a filling station to Goose Bay. In Labrador City or Wabush, ask about the province’s satellite phone loan programme (see Practicalities). Buy groceries in Labrador City; in Churchill Falls the choice is small and expensive.

### Stage 4: Churchill Falls to Happy Valley-Goose Bay (approx. 285 km)

- **The drive:** The longest stretch of Route 500 without services: asphalt, long straights and wide bends through forest and areas burnt by earlier wildfires, later down into the Churchill River valley. Only rest areas and the occasional work camp, no mobile coverage. Driving time alone 3–3.5 hours. Shortly before Goose Bay lies the power station at Muskrat Falls.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Muskrat Falls: A large hydroelectric station has been built on the lower Churchill River; from the highway you can see the dam and the river. The former falls are largely submerged.
  - North West River: a small settlement around 40 kilometres north of Goose Bay where the river flows into Lake Melville, with the Labrador Interpretation Centre on the history of the Innu, Inuit and settlers; next door is the Innu community of Sheshatshiu.
  - Happy Valley-Goose Bay: Labrador’s transport hub, with a military airfield, a harbour on Lake Melville and supplies of every kind; the starting point for flights to the north coast.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no provincial park with a campground in or around Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Ask Destination Labrador or the town’s tourist information about current camping options; pitches are scarce and hook-ups are not guaranteed.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Around Goose Bay there is Crown land with gravel areas, for example on side roads towards Lake Melville. Within the town, only stay overnight in public car parks with the owners’ permission.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Goose Bay is the last place with full services before the southeast coast: diesel, propane, supermarket, garages, tyre service. Have your tyres, spare wheels and wipers checked and fill your jerrycans. If you have borrowed a satellite phone, keep it for Route 510 or exchange it according to the programme’s rules.

### Stage 5: Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Port Hope Simpson (approx. 390 km)

- **The drive:** Route 510 heads south: around 287 kilometres to Cartwright Junction, then 103 kilometres to Port Hope Simpson – almost 400 kilometres without a filling station on the route, no mobile coverage, only rest areas. The last section between Goose Bay and Cartwright Junction was paved in 2022. The road climbs onto the plateau south of Lake Melville; to the north lie the Mealy Mountains, now a national park reserve with no road access. Driving time alone 4.5–5 hours, longer in fog or rain.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Mealy Mountains (Akami-Uapishkᵘ-KakKasuak): From the highway you see the rounded ridges, often patched with snow, above the taiga; the park is accessible only by plane or boat.
  - Detour to Cartwright: From Cartwright Junction, Route 516 runs around 90 kilometres to the coast and the settlement of Cartwright, with a filling station and views of Sandwich Bay; the Wunderstrands, a sandy beach more than 50 kilometres long further east, belong to the national park reserve and can only be reached by boat.
  - Port Hope Simpson: a logging settlement founded in 1934 on the Alexis River, today a supply point for the southeast coast with a filling station, shop and accommodation.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** There is no government campground in Port Hope Simpson; ask in the settlement about places to park for the night. The nearest regular site is Pinware River Provincial Park, a day’s drive further south.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Along Route 510, rest areas and gravel pits on Crown land are the only places to spend the night; many travellers use them to split the long stage. Keep your distance from the carriageway and do not park on stream banks or bogs.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up in Goose Bay at the latest and drive with a spare jerrycan; if you reach Cartwright Junction with a low tank, you will have to allow for the detour to Cartwright. Time zone: Goose Bay is on Atlantic Time, the coastal communities south of Black Tickle – on the road, that means from Port Hope Simpson – on Newfoundland Time; the clock goes forward half an hour. For ferries and tours, always check the local time.

### Stage 6: Port Hope Simpson to Red Bay / Pinware (approx. 180 km)

- **The drive:** Via Mary’s Harbour (51 kilometres, fuel there not reliable) and Lodge Bay to the coast of the Strait of Belle Isle: the landscape opens out into rocky domes, stunted spruce and coves with fishing houses. From Lodge Bay it is around 78 kilometres to Red Bay, then a good 30 kilometres more to the Pinware River. Asphalt, winding, often foggy. Driving time alone around 2.5 hours without detours.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Battle Harbour: a restored 18th- and 19th-century fishing trading post on an island off Mary’s Harbour, reachable by boat in season (crossing around one hour). Book the boat trip and accommodation with the Battle Harbour Historic Trust in advance.
  - Red Bay National Historic Site, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2013: in the 16th century Basque whalers ran the world’s largest whale-oil station here. Parks Canada displays finds from the wreck of the San Juan (sunk in 1565) and a restored chalupa; in season, boats run to Saddle Island with the remains of tryworks and graves.
  - Tracey Hill: In Red Bay a wooden boardwalk with many steps leads up the hill above the harbour, with views over the bay, Saddle Island and the wreck of the Bernier in the harbour.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Pinware River Provincial Park, around 32 kilometres southwest of Red Bay at the mouth of the Pinware River: the only provincial park campground on the route, on hills above the river and a sandy beach, with 22 wooded sites and seven pull-through sites for larger motorhomes near the beach, showers and a dump station; electrical hook-ups are not listed. Season usually until mid-September; check reservations and facilities at nlcamping.ca.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays are not permitted in the car parks of the Red Bay National Historic Site or in the settlements. Outside the settlements there are gravel areas on Crown land along the coastal road; in fog and wind, look for sheltered spots.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fuel is available again in Red Bay and Pinware; in Mary’s Harbour not reliably. The season for the Historic Site and the boat trips is short (roughly June to early October) – check opening times with Parks Canada. In June and July icebergs often drift off the coast and can be seen from Red Bay and Point Amour.

### Stage 7: Pinware to Blanc-Sablon – St. Barbe (ferry) (approx. 45 km)

- **The drive:** A short coastal stage on Route 510 via Pinware, L’Anse Amour, Forteau and L’Anse-au-Clair to the provincial border; directly beyond it lies Blanc-Sablon in Québec with the ferry terminal. The Labrador Marine ferry (MV Qajaq W) takes around 1 hour 45 minutes across the Strait of Belle Isle to St. Barbe on Newfoundland. Allow plenty of buffer: fog, wind and ice cause cancellations.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Point Amour Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site near L’Anse Amour: at around 33 metres the tallest lighthouse in Atlantic Canada, climbable in summer; off the coast lie parts of the wreck of HMS Raleigh, which ran aground here in 1922.
  - L’Anse Amour Burial Mound: a burial site of the Maritime Archaic culture around 7,500 years old, one of the oldest known burial mounds in North America; signposted on the road to Point Amour.
  - Overfall Brook Trail in Forteau: a short coastal path to a waterfall that plunges straight into the sea; in L’Anse-au-Clair a visitor centre in an old church covers the history of the Labrador Straits.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** For an early ferry, spend the last night in Pinware River Provincial Park (allow just under an hour to the terminal). On Newfoundland the nearest campgrounds are on Route 430 south and north of St. Barbe; details in the CampingSpirit travel guide to the Viking Trail.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays are not intended at the ferry terminals in Blanc-Sablon and St. Barbe; only use the waiting lane shortly before departure. On Crown land along the Labrador Straits the same rules apply as on the previous stages.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Be sure to book the ferry, give your vehicle’s length and height correctly and check the seasonal timetable. Watch the time zones: Blanc-Sablon uses Atlantic Standard Time all year, whereas L’Anse-au-Clair, a few kilometres east, uses Newfoundland Time – in summer there are 1.5 hours between them. Check which time the timetable is given in, and fill up in L’Anse-au-Clair or Blanc-Sablon before the ferry.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Québec: Route 389 runs through public land (terres du domaine de l’État). Short overnight stops at gravel pits and pull-outs are common; in réserves fauniques, ZECs, parks and on Hydro-Québec, mine and railway land, separate rules or bans apply. Fires only in line with SOPFEU requirements.
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Labrador is mostly Crown land. Short, low-impact overnight stops on gravel areas and in old pits are tolerated; do not block access roads, do not drive onto bogs, take your rubbish with you. In the settlements, only park with the owners’ permission.
- Official campgrounds are very few and far between: on the route really only Duley Lake Family Park near Labrador City and Pinware River Provincial Park on the south coast (nlcamping.ca), plus small local options whose operation varies. Confirm accommodation and pitches in Fermont, Churchill Falls, Goose Bay and Port Hope Simpson by phone in advance.
- Satellite phone: The province set up a free satellite phone loan programme for Routes 500 and 510, with pick-up and drop-off points in around ten places in Labrador. A 2021 CBC report showed that many devices had been lost and that none were available at several locations. Check with the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure whether and where the programme operates in 2026 – and regardless, bring your own satellite emergency device. There is no such programme for Route 389 in Québec.
- Wildlife: Black bears are common – lock food and rubbish inside the vehicle. Moose and occasionally caribou stand on the road, especially at dusk. Labrador’s caribou herds have shrunk dramatically and are protected; do not pursue or disturb them.
- Mosquitoes and black flies: Black flies are at their worst from about late May to July, mosquitoes from June to August, plus horseflies. Fine insect screens on every opening, a head net and repellent are not optional but essential; windy, open pitches by the water are more bearable.
- Apps: iOverlander and Campendium have entries for gravel pits and rest areas; Park4Night is barely used here. Download offline maps before setting off.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Fuel distances (approx.): Baie-Comeau – Manic-5 214 km; Manic-5 – Relais-Gabriel around 100 km; Relais-Gabriel – Fermont around 250 km; Labrador City – Churchill Falls around 245 km; Churchill Falls – Goose Bay around 285 km; Goose Bay – Port Hope Simpson around 390 km (detour via Cartwright around 180 km there and back). After that Port Hope Simpson, Pinware, Red Bay, Forteau, L’Anse-au-Clair and Blanc-Sablon. Opening hours of the remote filling stations are limited; never drive past a filling station with a half-empty tank.
- Spare jerrycan: A full 20-litre jerrycan is part of the basic kit; consumption on gravel and into a headwind is considerably higher than you are used to.
- Waste disposal: Dump stations are rare. Empty everything in Baie-Comeau before setting off, and ask in Labrador City and Goose Bay; Pinware River Provincial Park has a dump station. Never empty grey water or a chemical toilet into lakes, streams or gravel pits.
- Drinking water: in the settlements and at campgrounds; only use surface water from lakes and rivers filtered or boiled. Set off with a full fresh-water tank.
- Propane: in Baie-Comeau, Labrador City/Wabush and Happy Valley-Goose Bay; North American fittings, European cylinders are not refilled.
- Groceries: Large supermarkets only in Baie-Comeau, Labrador City and Goose Bay; on the southeast coast, small shops with limited choice and higher prices.
- Garages and tyres: Baie-Comeau, Labrador City/Wabush and Goose Bay. Towing out of the wilderness is expensive and often takes a day or more.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Rental agreements: Many motorhome and car rental companies explicitly exclude gravel roads, Route 389 or the Trans-Labrador Highway; damage to tyres, windows and underbody is then not insured. Before booking, get written confirmation that the route is permitted, and ask about a spare wheel and breakdown assistance outside mobile coverage.
- Speed limits: Posted signs apply. On Route 389 usually 90 km/h on asphalt, considerably less on gravel and in construction zones; on the Trans-Labrador Highway mostly 80–100 km/h. On gravel, 60–70 km/h is usually the sensible maximum.
- Lights: In Québec and in Newfoundland and Labrador, drive with your lights on; in dust behind trucks, keep your distance and use dipped headlights.
- Time zones: Baie-Comeau to Fermont Eastern Time; Labrador City, Churchill Falls and Goose Bay Atlantic Time (one hour ahead); southeast Labrador (coastal communities south of Black Tickle) including Port Hope Simpson, Mary’s Harbour, Red Bay and L’Anse-au-Clair Newfoundland Time (a further half hour ahead); Blanc-Sablon in Québec Atlantic Standard Time all year with no daylight saving time – in summer 1.5 hours behind neighbouring L’Anse-au-Clair; St. Barbe Newfoundland Time again.
- Blanc-Sablon – St. Barbe ferry: operated by Labrador Marine (Province of Newfoundland and Labrador), seasonal, booking strongly recommended, fares by vehicle length. Sailings are cancelled in ice, storms or fog; allow a buffer day. Check the timetable and book on the province’s website.
- Road conditions: Québec 511 for Route 389 (including the construction zone between Fire Lake and Fermont), 511nl.ca or the province’s traffic pages for Labrador. No tolls, no low-emission zones.
- Emergency number 911; mobile coverage only in and around the settlements. Your own satellite messenger or a smartphone with satellite emergency calling is strongly recommended on this route. Leave your itinerary with expected arrival times with family or friends.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Two full-size spare wheels, jack, compressor and tyre repair kit: the gravel and frost heaves of Route 389 cut tyres, and the nearest garage may be 300 kilometres away.
- Satellite messenger or satellite phone: between settlements there is neither mobile coverage nor any significant traffic, and you should not rely on the province’s loan programme alone.
- Head net, fine-mesh insect screens for the door and roof hatch, repellent with DEET or icaridin: black flies crawl through ordinary mosquito screens.
- 20-litre spare jerrycan (diesel or petrol): gaps of up to around 390 kilometres and the limited opening hours of filling stations leave no margin.
- Stone-chip protection and a windscreen repair kit, plus tape and covers for the headlights: trucks on gravel throw up stones.
- Offline maps and a printed list of filling stations and phone numbers: without a signal, neither navigation apps that rely on online data nor a web search for the nearest accommodation will help.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Gouvernement du Québec – Route 389 : programme d’amélioration de la route](https://www.quebec.ca/transports/infrastructures-projets/projets/projets-routiers/cote-nord/route-389-programme-amelioration-route/)
- [Agence d’évaluation d’impact du Canada – Route 389 Improvement Project Between Fire Lake and Fermont](https://acee-ceaa.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/130888)
- [Tourisme Côte-Nord – Motel de l’Énergie (Manicouagan)](https://tourismecote-nord.com/en/motel-de-loeenergie-manicouagan-v/hotels)
- [ParksNL – Pinware River Provincial Park](https://www.parksnl.ca/?p=320)
- [Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – ParksNL Announces Changes and Dates for 2026 Camping Season](https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2026/tcar/0414n03/)
- [Government of Newfoundland and Labrador – Pinware River and Pistolet Bay Provincial Parks Opening Delayed to June 5](https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2026/tcar/0529n04/)
- [Destination Labrador – Travel Essentials (Zeitzonen)](https://www.destinationlabrador.com/guide/travel_essentials.htm)
- [Destination Labrador – Labrador Roads](https://www.destinationlabrador.com/guide/labrador_roads.htm)
- [CBC News – Trans-Labrador Highway satellite phone program](https://www.cbc.ca/1.6202138)
- [Town of Churchill Falls – Emergency Satellite Phone Loan Service (Trans Labrador Highway)](https://churchillfalls.ca/visitors/emergency-satellite-phone-loan-service-trans-labrador-highway/)

## Which stops are on the route from Baie-Comeau to St. Barbe?

1. **Baie-Comeau** (QC)
2. **Barrage Daniel-Johnson (Manic-5)** (QC)
3. **Fermont** (QC)
4. **Labrador City** (NL)
5. **Churchill Falls** (NL)
6. **Happy Valley-Goose Bay** (NL)
7. **Port Hope Simpson** (NL)
8. **Mary's Harbour** (NL)
9. **Red Bay** (NL)
10. **Pinware** (NL)
11. **L'Anse Amour** (NL)
12. **L'Anse-au-Clair** (NL)
13. **Blanc-Sablon** (QC)
14. **St. Barbe** (NL)

## When is the best time for the route from Baie-Comeau to St. Barbe?

The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## FAQs

**How long is Dams, taiga and Basque whalers – by camper along Route 389 and the Trans-Labrador Highway from Baie-Comeau to Red Bay?**
7-day road trip of about 1,674 km (1,040 mi) with 14 stops, from Baie-Comeau to St. Barbe. About 18 h 35 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Dams, taiga and Basque whalers – by camper along Route 389 and the Trans-Labrador Highway from Baie-Comeau to Red Bay?**
We suggest 7 days: about 18 h 35 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Dams, taiga and Basque whalers – by camper along Route 389 and the Trans-Labrador Highway from Baie-Comeau to Red Bay start and end?**
It starts in Baie-Comeau and ends in St. Barbe.

**Which provinces does Dams, taiga and Basque whalers – by camper along Route 389 and the Trans-Labrador Highway from Baie-Comeau to Red Bay pass through?**
Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador.