Oceanview RV Park & Little Bay: Where History Meets Breathtaking Beauty

Kim Martinez
Jul 6
3 min read

Beachside Sunrises & Capelin Fish

Don't let Little Bay, NL fool you. At first glance, it appears to be just another charming "cove town" with a population under 100 – the kind that dots Newfoundland's many harbor roads throughout the island. But Little Bay holds secrets that make it far more fascinating than its quiet present suggests.

A Town That Once Rivaled St. John's

In 1878, copper was discovered in Little Bay, and by 1891, this previously unoccupied settlement had exploded to over 2,000 residents – making it one of Newfoundland's largest communities at the time. The Little Bay mine became one of the world's top copper producers, earning nicknames like "the gem of the island" and "the El Dorado of Newfoundland" in period media coverage.

Historic Little Bay boasted impressive late 19th-century amenities: a telegraph office, hospital, public hall, courthouse, hotel, advanced industrial wharfage, and even a regionally competitive cricket team. Today, approximately 100 people call it home, and there hasn't been a store here for many years.

By 1905, Little Bay had become a ghost town due to a perfect storm of disasters: two major fires, a mine cave-in, and plummeting copper prices. The mine briefly reopened in the 1960s but closed again shortly after.

Modern Little Bay: Small Town, Big Heart

Today's Little Bay may be small, but it's mighty. The active town mayor has helped build Oceanview RV Park right on the beach – a project funded by a tourism development grant early in the pandemic. The community has also developed a beautiful 10-kilometer loop trail that winds through town and up to the old mining site.

Our Oceanview RV Park Experience

We spent three nights at Oceanview RV Park and quickly discovered what makes this place special. The friendly, tight-knit community has incredibly deep roots, and the views are absolutely stunning. I could sit in my chair outside the RV for hours, watching the water, listening to the birds, and soaking in the peaceful quiet.

With only five spaces, you get to know all your neighbors – and Phyllis, Little Bay's mayor, who runs the park. She stops by to chat and is a wealth of knowledge about the area, having lived there almost her entire life.

Fenced RV sites - Full Service! Views, Views, Views. Sunrise Heaven

A Sunrise Worth Setting an Alarm For

Phyllis mentioned it would be worth waking up early for sunrise, so I dragged myself out of bed at 4:15 AM and walked to the picnic table. What I witnessed was truly the most spectacular sunrise I'd ever seen – as if the sun wasn't rising anywhere else but right here in this Little Bay cove.

The colors were breathtaking: soft pinks, vibrant oranges, and pale yellows painted against a soothing canvas of deep blue and purple sky. Then, to make the moment even more magical, the capelin fish came rolling in to spawn right before my eyes!

Beachside: The Perfect Finale

Just up the road from Little Bay is another tiny community called Beachside – probably fewer than 100 people and no stores. You can't miss it; Beachside sits at the dead end of the only road through town.

But as you climb the mountain, the view at Beachside becomes something truly special. The beach cove is stunning, and when the sun hits the water, it transforms from pretty to absolutely amazing. The view practically calls to you to take those 100 or so steps down to the beach, where you can walk along the shores and rocks while gazing out to the islands.

Exploring the Beachside steps

Bright and aqua like waters

The Perfect Three-Day Stop

Some destinations don't need a week's worth of activities to be worth the visit. Three nights at Little Bay were perfect – we explored, we relaxed, and we fully immersed ourselves in nature. Sometimes the most memorable stops are the ones that surprise you with their quiet beauty and rich stories.