Morne Trois Pitons National Park: Your Ultimate Guide
Written By: Global Grit and Glam
March 2025
Biodiversity abounds (Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica)
Let’s be honest here, Dominica isn’t your typical Caribbean island. Known as the Nature Island of the Caribbean, Dominica’s natural beauty (think rainforests, waterfalls and colorful marine life), the opportunity for endless adventure (think hiking, whale-watching and river tubing), and the profound cultural immersion afforded visitors (say hello to the Kalinago people!), are what set this island apart from the many others that surround it.
From the moment your ship docks, you’ll feel the pulse of a place unlike anywhere else. For those of you cruising to Dominica, we’ve written a comprehensive guide for your day on shore, as well as detailed guides to Roseau and Titou Gorge. This article provides a deeper dive into the raw beauty that awaits you in Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
Note: A reminder, fellow adventurers, that Dominica should not be confused with the Dominican Republic (which is a completely separate country and almost 600 miles (6.5 hours by air) from Dominica).
Quick Tips
Safety warnings at Titou Gorge (Dominica)
Here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to Morne Trois Pitons National Park.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Getting to Morne Trois Pitons National Park is easy: join an organized tour, take a private taxi, rent a car, or take a local bus.
There is a lot to see and do in the park – you could easily spend an entire day here!
The park offers a variety of hiking trails for all fitness levels, including one to a lake where you can literally boil eggs!
Take a dip in the peaceful, natural watering hole known as the Emerald Pool, right below a cascading waterfall.
Swing by the towering Trafalgar Falls, a set of stunning twin waterfalls.
Enjoy the “extreme power shower” at the end of Titou Gorge.
Follow these tips and you’ll be ready to visit Morne Trois Pitons National Park and enjoy your day ashore!
Plan Your Trip
Map of Morne Trois Pitons National Park (Dominica)
Some of the links in this post might earn us a small commission if you make a purchase – but don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! Supporting us this way helps us continue sharing our best travel content and tips. See our full disclosures for details. Thanks a million, and happy travels!
Planning to visit Morne Trois Pitons National Park? Take advantage of the following resources curated just for you.
Book Your Morne Trois Pitons National Park Adventure Now!
Prefer additional options? Click below to discover more incredible experiences tailored just for you!
Select your choice of tours in Morne Trois Pitons National Park! or
-
Book a cruise to Roseau, Dominica with Celebrity. We are big fans of this cruise line.
Book a cruise to Roseau, Dominica with Royal Caribbean
Research Caribbean cruises with CruiseDirect
-
While it’s tempting to skip the extra cost, travel insurance should be considered for domestic travel, and it’s a must for international travel.
TravelInsurance.com is an excellent comparison tool.
EKTA provides affordable plans with different coverage levels.
If you're planning outdoor activities like hiking or kayaking, consider travel insurance that covers those activities.
Visit our Resources page for additional planning tips, strategies, and companies we recommend.
The Raw Beauty of Dominica
Freshwater Lake (Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica)
There’s no denying it: Dominica is an outdoor enthusiast’s and nature lover’s playground. Whether you’re seeking hot springs with mineral-rich properties, wish to hike through lush tropical forests to volcanic peaks and pristine lakes, or have the desire to swim in fizzy waters (check out our main guide to Dominica for more on this!), Dominica’s natural environment offers a wide range of activities for everyone.
A visit to the stunning Morne Trois Pitons National Park in particular is a must-visit for any nature lover or adventure-seeker. The park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site, established in 1975 and gaining UNESCO status in 1997 – is considered one of the most beautiful national parks in the Caribbean.
How to Get to Morne Trois Pitons National Park
Grab your ride from near the park's sulphur springs
There are several ways to get to Morne Trois Pitons National Park. The entrance to the park is just over 11km (7mi) from the Dominica Cruise Port – a breathtaking drive in and of itself, directly north-east of Roseau.
The most popular way to get to the park is as part of an organized group tour. If you haven’t booked yourself a shore excursion in advance through your cruise line or another independent tour operator (we highly recommend researching your options in advance), you will find numerous local tour vendors greeting you in the port of Roseau, ready to whisk you away in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle within a few minutes. Most tours will include several stops within the park itself, including those we list below.
If you’re not really into the whole group tour thing (and that’s totally okay!), taking a private taxi from Roseau will be your next best option. This will usually be a quicker – but also most certainly a more expensive – way to get you to the park, with plenty of taxis available near the cruise pier, hassle- free. If you plan to explore Dominica extensively – and not just Morne Trois Pitons National Park – we recommend hiring a private taxi and tour guide for the day (as we did), to help you get the most out of your visit. Our driver drove us from Roseau to the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, where we were able to take in several attractions within the park’s boundaries.
Insider tip. Whilst there are plenty of taxis in Dominica (from small cars to large multi-person vans), they do not have set fares. Be prepared to haggle to get a price that seems fair to both parties. We found most taxis were asking for US$60, at a minimum, to get us to the park and back.
Another option to get to the national park is to rent a car. Renting a private vehicle permits you to explore the island at your own pace, stopping wherever you want on your own terms. Car rental companies such as Avis, Hertz and Budget have offices right near the port of Roseau. Just a reminder that you will be driving on the left side of the road in Dominica and that the island’s roads are often narrow, steep, and can be very winding (it’s a mountainous island, after all!). Many roads are also unpaved and not always in the best condition.
Local (mini) buses are also available to get you to Morne Trois Pitons National Park – and are an excellent option if you’re on a budget. The main bus station in Roseau is located on River Bank, less than a 10-minute walk from the Dominica Cruise Port pier. Any bus heading to Laudat, Wotten Waven or Trafalgar will get you where you need to go – simply ask the driver for help in locating the best jumping-off point for you. Mini vans leave from early in the morning and cost less than 10ECD (US$4) each way, per person.
Insider tip. Local buses are a wonderful way to truly experience local life in Dominica.
Insider tip. For the way back to Roseau, make sure to leave plenty of time if you have to return in time for your cruise ship to sail away. If you can get yourself to a main road after exploring the park, you’ll have a better chance of flagging down a bus heading back to the capital.
Morne Trois Pitons National Park: Things to See and Do
Berky, our local guide for the afternoon (Dominica)
Hiking
Handmade walking sticks and hiking poles (Dominica)
A treasure trove of natural wonders, Morne Trois Pitons National Park is an area of significant volcanic activity and home to three stunning volcanic peaks that afford visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. There is a large diversity of hiking trails within the park, and visitors can even choose to tackle the challenging (yet rewarding) hike to the summit of the park’s namesake peak, the 1,342-meter high Morne Trois Pitons (“mountain of three peaks”), the second-highest peak on the island. The stunning views at the top will not disappoint!
If the hike to the top of Morne Trois Pitons isn’t for you, fear not: the park offers a network of hiking trails for all fitness levels. Today there are six different sign-posted trails, ranging from gentle walks (great for families with kids or those with some mobility challenges) to strenuous hikes (with steep slopes and elevation gains as high as 2,385 feet / 727 meters above sea level). These trails wind through volcanic landscapes and lush tropical forests, and will take you past nutrient-rich hot springs and towering waterfalls. Morne Trois Pitons National Park also has picnic sites and weather shelters.
Boiling Lake
Inside the Morne Trois Pitons National Park you’ll find Dominica’s Boiling Lake. And for the more adventurous amongst you, dear readers, the hike to Boiling Lake – the second largest bubbling cauldron in the world – is a challenge worth tackling.
Fed by volcanic activity and just a 25-minute drive from the Dominica Cruise Point to the start of the trail, the hike to Boiling Lake is considered one of the most challenging hikes in Dominica and can take several hours to complete. It’s tough – but certainly rewarding! – and takes you through Dominica’s wild interior and the dramatic Valley of Desolation.
Insider tip. Whilst it’s not necessary to hire a guide to hike to Boiling Lake, we highly recommend you consider doing so, especially if this is your first visit. A local hiking guide can help you navigate the sometimes challenging terrain and ultimately keep you safe along the trail, as well as provide information on the local wildlife you’re bound to see along the way.
Fun fact. Dominica’s Boiling Lake really is boiling. We hear it’s possible to even boil eggs in it!
The Emerald Pool
On the way to the Emerald Pool (Dominica)
Another highlight of the Morne Trois Pitons National Park is the Emerald Pool. Nestled deep in the heart of the park you’ll find the trailhead that winds scenically through the lush tropical forest and ends at a beautiful waterfall that drops into a peaceful watering hole known as the Emerald Pool.
This popular natural swimming pool is not only scenic, but also a serene haven of respite. Without question, the pool’s emerald-green waters are a cool retreat after a hike through the rainforest on a balmy day, no matter what time of year you choose to visit. Visitors can take a dip in the cool, crystal-clear waters beneath the 50-foot (15-meter) cascading waterfall, else simply sit and enjoy the views of the lush green vegetation and the peaceful ambiance surrounding you.
The Emerald Pool is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the unique wonders of this Caribbean island: indeed, it is the epitome of Dominica – it’s a place to connect close-up with nature and also experience the calmer side of the island’s wild beauty.
Trafalgar Falls
Trafalgar Falls from a distance (Dominica)
Whilst you’re visiting Morne Trois Pitons National Park, take a moment to stop by the towering twin waterfalls of Trafalgar Falls, one of the most popular attractions in Dominica, with easy access and stunning views.
Up close, the Trafalgar Falls are indeed awe-inspiring, surrounded by deep, lush vegetation that will make you feel like light years away from your cruise ship. The falls are also close to several natural hot springs, fed by volcanic activity – perfect for a moment of relaxation following your hike.
Titou Gorge
Entrance to Titou Gorge (Dominica)
Thought that was all Morne Trois Pitons National Park had to offer? Think again! Because it’s official: a visit to Titou Gorge, also nestled within the park, is now amongst Beck’s list of “The Top 10 Things I’ve Ever Done”. Like wow – what a rush!
Does swimming through volcanic-carved canyons to reach a hidden waterfall sound enticing? Check out our detailed guide to Titou Gorge!
There’s no entrance fee to visit Titou Gorge, but for safety reasons all visitors are required to wear a life vest / PFD if choosing to enter the gorge waters (rented for US$5 each from the friendly vendors at the entrance).
Insider tip. Whilst there is no need to book a visit to Titou Gorge in advance, it can definitely get crowded during the day. We recommend visiting either first thing in the morning (though there won’t be much sun and the water may feel quite cold!), else mid-afternoon. We visited at the very end of the day and by the time we exited the gorge, we were the only visitors remaining on site.
Freshwater Lakes
Freshwater Lake (Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica)
Visit Freshwater Lake and Boeri Lake – both easy, family-friendly hikes near Laudat – for incredible lake views and numerous bird-watching opportunities. You might even catch sight of endemic species that include the Blue-headed Hummingbird and the Mountain Whistler!
Both lakes shimmer in shades of blue and green, and Freshwater Lake is the largest of Dominica’s four lakes – and also the source of the Roseau River. There is no need for a guide at either Freshwater or Boeri Lake, but both hikes can be slippery after rain, so mind your step. Boeri Lake is great for swimming, but beware of the deep water and strong currents if you choose to take a dip in Freshwater Lake.
Insider tip. Bring a sweater on either hike. This might be a Caribbean island, but it sure does get chilly at this elevation!
Flora, Fauna and Conservation Efforts
Dominica’s national bird, the Sisserou Parrot
Morne Trois Pitons National Park is home to diverse wildlife, including endemic vascular plant species and rare birds such as Dominica’s national bird – the Imperial Parrot (Sisserou Parrot) – and the Red-necked Parrot (Jaco Parrot).
Despite challenges from invasive alien species (including feral cats), biodiversity within the park remains remarkable, supported in part by international conservation recognition from organizations such as BirdLife International.
Protected under Dominica’s National Parks and Protected Areas Act, Morne Trois Pitons National Park also aims to preserve unique geological formations, volcanic landscapes, and its diverse ecosystems. We found it fascinating that nearby human settlements such as Wotten Waven and Laudat coexist harmoniously with nature (for example, Wotten Waven’s groundwater is heated naturally by geothermal energy), exemplifying the island’s ongoing conservation efforts since Hurricane Maria brought catastrophic devastation to Dominica in 2017.
Final Thoughts
Natural sulphur springs (Morne Trois Pitons National Park, Dominica)
It’s indisputable: Dominica is a country unlike any other island in the Caribbean. And whilst you’re there, a visit to the Morne Trois Pitons National Park should be on your list of things to do and see!
Whether you’re into hiking dramatic volcanic peaks (or any hiking, really!), exploring geothermal wonders, visiting lush rainforests, relaxing in emerald-green pools beneath cascading waterfalls, witnessing the roar of twin waterfalls, or simply want to test your inner fearlessness with a swim through Titou Gorge, then this UNESCO World Heritage national park is the place for you.
So what are you waiting for? Let’s pack your sense of adventure and start planning your trip to Morne Trois Pitons National Park!
