Springdale: Nature, Sea Glass and Local History

Springdale brings together views of Halls Bay, a trail along Indian River and glimpses into local history. Glassy Beach adds colorful, wave-polished sea glass to the picture. This gives you several options for your vacation days: getting outdoors, taking in the coastal landscape or exploring Springdale’s cultural heritage. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Springdale, consider which of these experiences you’d like to shape your stay.

Along Indian River

The Town of Springdale has created a 5.6-kilometer walking trail that follows Indian River and leads to the Springdale Wetlands. The route thus links a river with the Wetlands destination. Its length is a useful point of reference when planning your vacation days and setting aside time for a walk. The trail is a nature-focused option for a day when you want to get to know Springdale beyond its exhibits. It’s a reason to consider Springdale as a vacation destination if rivers and wetlands are landscapes you’d like to experience.

Springdale’s history in two exhibitions

The H.C. Grant Heritage Museum is located in one of the oldest surviving buildings in the Town of Springdale. The Town has designated the museum and the surrounding property as a municipal heritage site for their aesthetic, historical and cultural value. The museum showcases the house itself, along with household objects and furnishings from the 1940s to the 1960s. This combination of building and furnishings gives the site a tangible connection to the history of domestic life. If you’re traveling with children, you can use the different objects as a chance to look closely at details together and talk about how styles of furnishings differ.

The Springdale Heritage Society Centre offers another perspective. It presents objects and photographs related to the historical and cultural heritage of Springdale and the immediate Hall's Bay area. Photographs on Springdale’s history cover fishing, mink and fox farming, mining, logging and boatbuilding. These subjects show several industries and lines of work connected to the town’s history. The Centre also has a taxidermy exhibit. For travelers who enjoy learning about different aspects of regional life, the Centre complements the glimpse into a former home with additional objects and photographs.

Halls Bay and Glassy Beach

Springdale’s waterfront promenade along Halls Bay offers views of eagles, whales and icebergs. Along with the river trail and heritage, the landscape of the bay is another aspect of the town. Glassy Beach, on the edge of Springdale, stands out for its smooth, colorful, wave-polished sea glass. A 140-meter trail leads from the road to the beach. You can factor in its length when planning your day if you’re considering a visit. Together, the promenade and Glassy Beach offer two distinct coastal experiences: views of wildlife and icebergs on the one hand, and sea-worn glass on the other.

More experiences and the right trip idea

Indian River Falls is near Springdale. At the fish ladder there, Atlantic salmon can be seen leaping upstream during the season. This seasonal timing is especially important for planning: the experience depends on whether your trip falls during the period when salmon can be seen there. Another community event is Springdale’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting. It features music, cookies and hot chocolate before the countdown to switch on the tree lights.

If you’d like to include nature watching and history in your stay, Springdale offers several different ways to do so.

More destination pages

You can also explore these destination pages: Fogo Island Region, Moreton's Harbour, Cottrell's Cove, Snooks Arm, Lewisporte, Herring Neck, Musgrave Harbour and Twillingate.

For the broader travel overview: Division No. 8.