Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Encyclopedia
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is the 40th National Park
in a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada
. Located in British Columbia
's Gulf Islands
, it covers 33 square kilometers over 16 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 5 kayak-in (or boat-in), backcountry campsites on Cabbage Island. There is no potable water available on Cabbage Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 7 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites on D'Arcy Island. There is no potable water available on D'Arcy, and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 3 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites on Isle-de-Lis(Rum Island). There is no potable water available, and there are no campfires allowed, regardless of season. Neighboring Gooch Island is private property; do not trespass.
Hiking: There is an easy 1.5km loop trail at Bennett Bay that leads to Campbell Point. Campbell Point features remnant old-growth forest and views of Georgeson Island. Bennett Bay has a sandy beach which is suitable for sunbathing and swimming [4]. Georgina Point is the location of a historic lighthouse. Built in 1885, the Georgina Point lighthouse marks the entrance to Active Pass. Orca whales, harbour seals and seabirds can all be seen at Georgina Point
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 49 drive-in, frontcountry campsites at McDonald Campground, which is located near the quaint town of Sidney-by-the-Sea. McDonald Campground's proximity to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal http://www.bcferries.com/ makes it an excellent base of operations for exploring the Southern Gulf Islands. Municipal bus service into Sidney, Victoria, or to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal is also available from McDonald Campground. McDonald Campground offers amenities like potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits (seasonally available). Reservations for McDonald Campground can be made by calling 1-877-737-3783 http://www.pccamping.ca.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has two options for campers on Pender: the drive-in, frontcountry sites at Prior Centennial Campground or the walk-in (or boat-in) backcountry sites at Beaumont. Prior Centennial has 17 reservable sites and amenities include potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits(seasonally available). Beaumont has 11 sites, and amenities include pit toilets and 15 mooring buoys for boaters. There is no potable water at Beaumont and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season.
Hiking:A difficult 1.5km trail at Beaumont leads from the Ainslie Point parking lot to the shoreline via steep switchbacks that cut through dense temperate rainforest. The difficult 1.5km trail at Mt. Norman ascends 244 metres to a panoramic look-out with views of the San Juan Islands. The moderate 1.5km trail at Roe Lake meanders through the Shingle Bay uplands to one of the Southern Gulf Island's only freshwater lakes.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 24 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites at three locations on Portland Island: 6 at Shell Beach, 12 at Princess Bay and 6 at Arbutus Point. There is no potable water available on Portland Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.
Hiking: A 6.5km loop trail follows the shoreline of Portland Island, and is accessible from any of the three camping areas (Shell Beach, Princess Bay, Arbutus Point). This moderately challenging hike requires approximately 3 hours to complete, but can be shortened to about 1 hour by taking one of the cross-island forest trails.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 10 kayak-in (or boat-in), backcountry campsites at James Bay on Prevost Island. There is no potable water available on Prevost Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.
Hiking: A moderate 1km loop trail from the boat access that leads to the historic Mahoi House.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 7 walk-in (or kayak-in) backcountry campsites at Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island. The trailhead to Narvaez Bay is located at the parking lot at the end of Narvaez Bay Road. There is also a bike rack available for cyclists to lock up their bikes. There is no potable water at Narvaez Bay, and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season [10].
Hiking:At Narvaez Bay, there is a challenging 2.5km (approx. 1.5hr) trail to the viewpoint at Monarch Head. At Monarch Head there are views of Boundary Pass and the American San Juan Islands[3]. At East Point, there is a sand-and-pebble beach for sunbathing and swimming. Harbour seals, sea lions, river otter, Dall's porpoise and orca whales are commonly seen from East Point. The Lyall Creek trail (2km; approx. 40 mins 1 way) cuts through second growth Douglas-fir forest to a waterfall that feeds into one of the Southern Gulf Island's only salmon-bearing creeks. At 397 metres (1,303 feet) Mt. Warburton Pike is Saturna Island's highest point. At Mt. Warburton Pike there are panoramic views of Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands. Feral goats, bald eagles, turkey vultures and falcons can all be seen from Mt. Warburton Pike. At Winter Cove, the 1.5km loop trail travels through skunk cabbage wetland, spruce-salal upland and salt marsh, before arriving at the turbulent waters of Boat Pass.
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 26 backcountry campsites at Sidney Spit on Sidney Island. Sidney Island is accessible from May until September by private marine vessel or by the privately-operated walk-on passenger ferry that departs daily from the town of Sidney . Potable water is available at Sidney Spit, but because of high sodium content it should not be consumed by those with heart or kidney ailments. There are also pit toilets available, 21 mooring buoys and a sheltered group picnicking area which can be reserved in advance by calling the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve office (1-866-944-1744).
Hiking: An easy 2km loop trail with cross trails, as well as 1.5km spur trails.
Hiking: A gentle 3.5km trail provides ocean views of Cabbage Island and the San Juan Islands
National park
A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or owns. Although individual nations designate their own national parks differently A national park is a reserve of natural, semi-natural, or developed land that a sovereign state declares or...
in a system of 43 parks and park reserves across Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Located in British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
's Gulf Islands
Gulf Islands
The Gulf Islands are the islands in the Strait of Georgia , between Vancouver Island and the mainland of British Columbia, Canada....
, it covers 33 square kilometers over 16 islands. It also includes numerous islets and reef areas.
Getting There
- Mayne IslandMayne IslandMayne Island is a rustic 21-km² island in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated midway between the Lower Mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, and has a population of around eleven hundred.-History:...
, Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
and Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
are all serviced by BC Ferrieshttp://www.bcferries.com/. Schedules vary seasonally by island. - Float plane service is available from the Vancouver International Airport and Victoria Airports to the larger islands of Mayne, Pender and Saturna http://www.patbayair.com/http://seairseaplanes.com/.
- Sidney Spit(on Sidney Island) is serviced by a privately-operated walk-on ferry. Call the National Park Reserve office at 1-866-944-1744 for more information.
- Dinghy docks are available at Winter Cove (Saturna Island), Roesland (Pender Island), Russell Island, and at Princess Bay and Royal Cove on Portland Island. All marine-accessible GINPR properties have beach accesses suitable for pulling up kayaks, canoes or small boats.
- Cabbage Island, Sidney Spit (Sidney Island) and Beaumont (Pender Island) all offer mooring buoys to larger marine vessels. Dock space is available at Sidney Spit (Sidney Island).
- Many companies offer marine charters to Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. Refer to the Licensed Operators List on the GINPR website for a list of business licensed to operate in GINPR http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/bc/gulf/activ/activ9/list.aspx.
The Islands
- Cabbage Island
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 5 kayak-in (or boat-in), backcountry campsites on Cabbage Island. There is no potable water available on Cabbage Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.
- D'Arcy IslandD'Arcy IslandD'Arcy Island is an 83-ha island in Haro Strait, south of Sidney Island and east of the Saanich Peninsula .The island was used as a leper colony for Chinese immigrants from 1894 to 1924, and ruins of the building built during that time are still visible...
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 7 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites on D'Arcy Island. There is no potable water available on D'Arcy, and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season.
- Isle-de-Lis (or Rum Island)
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 3 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites on Isle-de-Lis(Rum Island). There is no potable water available, and there are no campfires allowed, regardless of season. Neighboring Gooch Island is private property; do not trespass.
- Mayne IslandMayne IslandMayne Island is a rustic 21-km² island in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated midway between the Lower Mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, and has a population of around eleven hundred.-History:...
Hiking: There is an easy 1.5km loop trail at Bennett Bay that leads to Campbell Point. Campbell Point features remnant old-growth forest and views of Georgeson Island. Bennett Bay has a sandy beach which is suitable for sunbathing and swimming [4]. Georgina Point is the location of a historic lighthouse. Built in 1885, the Georgina Point lighthouse marks the entrance to Active Pass. Orca whales, harbour seals and seabirds can all be seen at Georgina Point
- McDonald CampgroundMcDonald CampgroundMcDonald Campground is located in the town of Sidney on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. McDonald Campground is 20 hectares of forested parkland and can be accessed from the Pat Bay Highway . Previously, McDonald Campground was managed by the province of British Columbia...
(Vancouver Island)
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 49 drive-in, frontcountry campsites at McDonald Campground, which is located near the quaint town of Sidney-by-the-Sea. McDonald Campground's proximity to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal http://www.bcferries.com/ makes it an excellent base of operations for exploring the Southern Gulf Islands. Municipal bus service into Sidney, Victoria, or to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal is also available from McDonald Campground. McDonald Campground offers amenities like potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits (seasonally available). Reservations for McDonald Campground can be made by calling 1-877-737-3783 http://www.pccamping.ca.
- Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has two options for campers on Pender: the drive-in, frontcountry sites at Prior Centennial Campground or the walk-in (or boat-in) backcountry sites at Beaumont. Prior Centennial has 17 reservable sites and amenities include potable water, pit toilets, picnic tables and fire pits(seasonally available). Beaumont has 11 sites, and amenities include pit toilets and 15 mooring buoys for boaters. There is no potable water at Beaumont and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season.
Hiking:A difficult 1.5km trail at Beaumont leads from the Ainslie Point parking lot to the shoreline via steep switchbacks that cut through dense temperate rainforest. The difficult 1.5km trail at Mt. Norman ascends 244 metres to a panoramic look-out with views of the San Juan Islands. The moderate 1.5km trail at Roe Lake meanders through the Shingle Bay uplands to one of the Southern Gulf Island's only freshwater lakes.
- Portland Island (or Princess Margaret Island)
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 24 kayak-in (or boat-in) backcountry campsites at three locations on Portland Island: 6 at Shell Beach, 12 at Princess Bay and 6 at Arbutus Point. There is no potable water available on Portland Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.
Hiking: A 6.5km loop trail follows the shoreline of Portland Island, and is accessible from any of the three camping areas (Shell Beach, Princess Bay, Arbutus Point). This moderately challenging hike requires approximately 3 hours to complete, but can be shortened to about 1 hour by taking one of the cross-island forest trails.
- Prevost IslandPrevost IslandPrevost Island is an island in the southern Gulf Islands of the South Coast of British Columbia, Canada, located east of Ganges Harbour and midway between the southeastern extremity of Salt Spring Island and the southern end of Galiano Island...
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 10 kayak-in (or boat-in), backcountry campsites at James Bay on Prevost Island. There is no potable water available on Prevost Island and no campfires are allowed, regardless of season.
- Russell IslandRussell IslandRussell Island may refer to:* Russell Island , in Queensland, Australia* Russell Island , in Queensland, Australia* Russell Island , United States* Russell Island , Canada...
Hiking: A moderate 1km loop trail from the boat access that leads to the historic Mahoi House.
- Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 7 walk-in (or kayak-in) backcountry campsites at Narvaez Bay on Saturna Island. The trailhead to Narvaez Bay is located at the parking lot at the end of Narvaez Bay Road. There is also a bike rack available for cyclists to lock up their bikes. There is no potable water at Narvaez Bay, and no campfires are permitted, regardless of season [10].
Hiking:At Narvaez Bay, there is a challenging 2.5km (approx. 1.5hr) trail to the viewpoint at Monarch Head. At Monarch Head there are views of Boundary Pass and the American San Juan Islands[3]. At East Point, there is a sand-and-pebble beach for sunbathing and swimming. Harbour seals, sea lions, river otter, Dall's porpoise and orca whales are commonly seen from East Point. The Lyall Creek trail (2km; approx. 40 mins 1 way) cuts through second growth Douglas-fir forest to a waterfall that feeds into one of the Southern Gulf Island's only salmon-bearing creeks. At 397 metres (1,303 feet) Mt. Warburton Pike is Saturna Island's highest point. At Mt. Warburton Pike there are panoramic views of Vancouver Island, the Southern Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands. Feral goats, bald eagles, turkey vultures and falcons can all be seen from Mt. Warburton Pike. At Winter Cove, the 1.5km loop trail travels through skunk cabbage wetland, spruce-salal upland and salt marsh, before arriving at the turbulent waters of Boat Pass.
- Sidney Spit (on Sidney Island)
Camping:Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers 26 backcountry campsites at Sidney Spit on Sidney Island. Sidney Island is accessible from May until September by private marine vessel or by the privately-operated walk-on passenger ferry that departs daily from the town of Sidney . Potable water is available at Sidney Spit, but because of high sodium content it should not be consumed by those with heart or kidney ailments. There are also pit toilets available, 21 mooring buoys and a sheltered group picnicking area which can be reserved in advance by calling the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve office (1-866-944-1744).
Hiking: An easy 2km loop trail with cross trails, as well as 1.5km spur trails.
- Tumbo Island
Hiking: A gentle 3.5km trail provides ocean views of Cabbage Island and the San Juan Islands
Learning Experiences
- Interpretive Programs are held from June through September on the larger islands of Saturna and Pender, as well as on Sidney Spit (Sidney Island).
- The Russell Island Host Program is a collaboration between Parks Canada and the Mahoi family. The Russell Island hosts are descendents of Maria Mahoi, a pioneering woman of Kanaka (Hawaiian) and First Nations descent.
- The Fog Alarm Building (FAB) at East Point on Saturna Island was rehabilitated by members of the Saturna Heritage Committeehttp://www.saturnaheritage.ca/. In the summer months, visitors can speak with FAB volunteers and learn about Saturna Island's cultural heritage.
- The Roe House at Roesland on Pender Island is a 1908 farmhouse that was rehabilitated by members of the Pender Islands Museum Societyhttp://www.penderislandmuseum.org/. In the summer months, visitors can speak with Roe House volunteers and learn about Pender Island's cultural heritage.
Areas included in the park
- Beaumont/Mount Norman (South Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
) - Bennett Bay (Mayne IslandMayne IslandMayne Island is a rustic 21-km² island in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated midway between the Lower Mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, and has a population of around eleven hundred.-History:...
) - Blunden Islet Authorized Access Only
- Brackman Island Authorized Access Only
- Cabbage Island
- Channel Islands Authorized Access Only
- D'Arcy IslandD'Arcy IslandD'Arcy Island is an 83-ha island in Haro Strait, south of Sidney Island and east of the Saanich Peninsula .The island was used as a leper colony for Chinese immigrants from 1894 to 1924, and ruins of the building built during that time are still visible...
- Georgeson Island Authorized Access Only
- Georgina Point (Mayne IslandMayne IslandMayne Island is a rustic 21-km² island in the southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated midway between the Lower Mainland of BC and Vancouver Island, and has a population of around eleven hundred.-History:...
) - Greenburn Lake (South Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
) - The Islets Authorized Access Only
- James Bay and Selby Cove (Prevost Island)
- Loretta's Wood (North Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
) - Lyall Creek (Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
) - McDonald Park Campground (SidneySidney, British ColumbiaSidney is a town located at the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula, on Vancouver Island in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It is one of the 13 Greater Victoria municipalities. It has a population of approximately 11,300. Sidney is located just east of Victoria International Airport,...
) - Mount Warburton PikeMount Warburton PikeMount Warburton Pike is a mountain on Saturna Island in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, Canada. It is the highest summit in the Gulf Islands, other than Saltspring Island, and is part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.-Name origin:...
(Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
) - Narvaez Bay Day Use Area (Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
) - Portlock Point (Prevost Island)
- Princess Margaret (Portland IslandPortland Island (British Columbia)Portland Island is an island in the Southern Gulf Islands of the South Coast of British Columbia, Canada. It is located west of Moresby Island and off the south tip of Saltspring Island, adjacent to the main BC Ferries route just offshore from the terminal at Swartz Bay at the tip of the Saanich...
) - Prior Centennial Campground (North Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
) - Roesland/Roe Lake (North Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
) - Isle-de-Lis (Rum Island)
- Russell Island
- Sidney Spit (Sidney IslandSidney IslandSidney Island is one of the southern Gulf Islands located between the southwest coast of British Columbia, Canada and Vancouver Island, BC. It is located just east of the town of Sidney which is on the east coast of the Saanich Peninsula...
) - Taylor Point Day Use Area (Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
) - Tumbo Island Day Use Area
- Winter Cove Day Use Area (Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
)
See also
- National Parks of Canada
- List of National Parks of Canada
External links
- BC Ferries
- Mayne Island Chamber of Commerce
- Pender Island Chamber of Commerce
- Saturna Island Tourism Association
- Town of Sidney
- Official Site
- Mothership Kayaking Trip that visited 3 of the park properties Sidney Spit (Sidney Island), Beaumont (Pender IslandPender IslandPender Island is one of the Southern Gulf Islands located in the Gulf of Georgia, British Columbia, Canada. Pender Island is approximately in area and is home to about 2,500 permanent residents, as well as a large seasonal population...
) and Narvaez Bay (Saturna IslandSaturna IslandSaturna Island is a mountainous island, about 31 km² in size, in the Southern Gulf Islands chain of British Columbia. It is situated approximately midway between the Lower Mainland of B.C. and Vancouver Island, and is the most easterly of the Gulf Islands. It is surrounded on three sides by...
). - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve