Mistaken PointAbout Mistaken Point
Mistaken Point is an exceptional fossil site on the southeast coast of the island of Newfoundland, Canada, preserving abundant late Ediacaran macrofossils on bedding planes exposed on the shore. The site records an early chapter in the history of large multicellular life.
The coastal outcrops reveal hundreds of large impressions of soft-bodied organisms preserved in fine volcanic ash layers and sedimentary beds, offering unique information about Ediacaran ecosystems and organismal morphology. The fossil surfaces are among the most complete and diverse late Ediacaran assemblages known.
The deposits accumulated on the deep-sea floor during the late Ediacaran period, roughly 565 to 540 million years ago, and were later uplifted and exposed by geological processes. Scientific work at the site has established its global significance for understanding pre-Cambrian life.
The site lies on the southeastern tip of Newfoundland on the Avalon Peninsula in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, exposed along rugged coastal cliffs and shoreline platforms.
- Age and scientific importance: fossils date to the late Ediacaran period, roughly 565 to 540 million years ago, and represent some of the earliest large multicellular life known
- Access and protection: visits to the reserve are managed and access to fossil surfaces is restricted to protect the deposits and prevent damage
What to See#
- Fossil-bearing surfaces: Extensive seacliff and foreshore bedding planes that preserve abundant impressions of large soft-bodied organisms from the late Ediacaran period, exposed at low tide and along coastal rock surfaces.
Best Time to Visit Mistaken Point
Best visited in the cooler summer months for access and interpretive programming, and to avoid winter closures and hazardous conditions.
Weather & Climate near Mistaken Point
Mistaken Point's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with mild summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from -8°C to 20°C. Abundant rainfall (1467 mm/year), wettest in November, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -7° - 0° | -12° | 144 mm | overcast | 84% | 9.1 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Poor | -8° - 0° | -12° | 119 mm | overcast | 84% | 7.9 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.2h |
| March | Poor | -5° - 2° | -8° | 119 mm | overcast | 85% | 7.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 11.8h |
| April | Poor | -1° - 6° | -3° | 114 mm | overcast | 90% | 6.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.4h |
| May | Poor | 2° - 10° | 2° | 108 mm | overcast | 92% | 6.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.8h |
| June | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 10° | 109 mm | overcast | 94% | 5.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.6h |
| July | Good | 10° - 18° | 14° | 110 mm | overcast | 95% | 5.3 m/s | 1.5 high | 15.2h |
| August | Good | 12° - 20° | 16° | 112 mm | overcast | 92% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.0h |
| September | Good | 9° - 17° | 13° | 116 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 6.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Poor | 4° - 12° | 4° | 134 mm | overcast | 86% | 7.2 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | 0° - 7° | -2° | 146 mm | overcast | 85% | 8.0 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -4° - 2° | -8° | 136 mm | overcast | 84% | 8.8 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
How to Get to Mistaken Point
Mistaken Point is located on the Avalon Peninsula near Port aux Basques in Newfoundland and Labrador. The nearest services are in local towns; access to the provincial park’s trailhead typically requires a drive from St. John’s (about 1.5-2 hours from town depending on exact route). Check Parks Canada for guided walk schedules and parking instructions.
Tips for Visiting Mistaken Point
- Respect protected-area rules: stay on marked paths as erosion can damage fossil beds.
- Book a guided shore-walk with Memorial University or Parks Canada (depending on season) to see key fossil sites safely.
- Bring windproof clothing and sturdy footwear; coastal weather is sharp and unpredictable.