J.T. Cheeseman is a Natural Environment Park located approximately 15km east of Channel-Port aux Basques and 200km west of Corner Brook on the Trans Canada Highway. This is a popular park with visitors from all over Canada and the United States.
Situated on the Cape Ray barrens, J.T. Cheeseman has an exciting variety of natural features, ranging from bogs to rolling, forested hills. The park has an assortment of floral species. The yellow clintonia, violet Bog Aster, Bunchberry, Pearly Everlasting, Sheep Laurel, and Newfoundland's Provincial flower, the Pitcher Plant, may all be found at the park. Pine, Fir, Larch (or Juniper, as known by locals) and Mountain Ash surround the park's campsites. Watch for the White Admiral and Atlantis Fritillary butterflies, mink, rabbits and moose on your nature walks. If you are a bird watcher J.T. Cheeseman is an ideal stop. The Common Loon, Murre, Pine Grosbeak, sparrow, and the Canada Goose are just some of the species you may see.
Cheeseman Park has 101 campsites, each with its own picnic table, fireplace, garbage can and vehicle space. Water taps and pit toilets are conveniently located throughout the park. A new comfort station was built in this park in 2003 and offers visitors shower and laundry facilities. Cheeseman also has facilities for the handicapped, including 3 sites designed for easy access with cement runways and accessible picnic tables. Accessible pit toilets and water taps area also provided. The picnic, or day-use area is located past the campground. Each site provides picnickers with a table, fireplace and garbage can, and water taps and toilets are located nearby.
Smokey Cape Walking/Fitness Trail begins in the day-use area and ends at the beach parking lot. Completed in 1984, the trail has nine fitness stations near its entrance, designed to test your physical strength amidst the park's natural beauty. Beyond the stations the trail encompasses rocky hillsides and several viewpoints for your enjoyment. The trail is 2km, and is named for the windblown surf at its exit, creating a "smokey" effect.