Hiking on Saturna Island Coast Salish Culture on Sidney Island Harbour Seals in the Salish Sea Welcome Discovery Wildlife Gulf Islands National Park Reserve protects a portion of Strait of Let us awaken your family’s sense of wonder this summer. Pinch me—this can’t be real! Georgia lowlands natural region and is part of the homeland of Discover the magic and history of the world around you with the Coast Salish First Nations, who have cared for the land and help from a park interpreter. Weekly offerings in July and August An amazing variety of wildlife awaits you as you discover the sea since time immemorial. include family campfires, craft stations and cultural presentations. Gulf Islands. Killer whales, porpoises, sea lions, seals and otters Look for the event calendar on our website for full details. call the waters surrounding the park reserve home; eagles, Breathe in the fresh ocean air. Feel the warm, west coast sun on falcons and turkey vultures fly overhead. Many species of your face. Feast your eyes on the beautiful islands surrounding you. Prefer to go at your own pace? Search for geocaches using your seabirds, shorebirds and waterfowl live here or stop over on Spot a whale. Fall asleep to the sound of the waves. Learn about GPS enabled device. For the perfect kids’ adventure, pick up a copy their annual migrations. nature with a park interpreter. Experience firsthand the distinct of our Xplorers booklet and complete the challenges to earn a prize! culture and lifestyle of each Gulf Island! For a chance to spot whales, sea lions and seals from land check out East Point, Saturna Island! East Point, Saturna Island Interpretive Programming at The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Looking across Tumbo Channel from East Point, Saturna Island Hiking Coast Salish Traditions Plan Your Visit From easy shoreline trails to invigorating shore-to-sky mountain Coast Salish First Nations have lived in this region for thousands GETTING HERE: Set sail aboard BC Ferries to reach Pender, climbs, Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has walks and hikes of years and their knowledge, culture, and oral history have been Saturna, Mayne, and Vancouver islands. Hop aboard the seasonal for all energy levels. Stroll barefoot along the sandy beaches for passed from generation to generation. Since time immemorial, walk-on ferry to reach Sidney Island. Explore the park reserve hours. Let your feet carry you to mossy waterfalls, salt marshes the land and sea have nourished and sustained First Nations at your own pace by boat, kayak or water taxi. and jaw-dropping ocean views. Along the way, happen upon communities and their ties to the natural world can be seen in SEASON OF OPERATION: May 15 – September 30 history: ancient clam gardens being actively tended, heritage all aspects of their culture. orchards, former cottages, and Hawaiian homesteads. CAMPSITE RESERVATIONS: reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca Discover these connections first-hand by participating in a Coast or by phone 1-877-737-3783. Open this guide to see the full park map and detailed trail maps! Salish Traditions activity this summer! Find full details on our Some backcountry campgrounds are first-come first-served. online event calendar. PROGRAMS & EVENTS: Check our online event calendar for details. Paddling off Pender Island Science and Culture Camp on Russell Island Arbutus Point Campground on Princess Margaret (Portland Island) Boating + Kayaking Outreach Camping Float your boat at one of Canada’s premier boating destinations. Learn fun facts and enjoy conversations and short presentations Whether you are new to camping or a seasoned pro, you’ll love it Dig in your paddle as eagles soar overhead. Drop anchor at Russell about BC’s coastal wildlife, marine life, culture, history, geography here. We offer outdoor overnight experiences for everyone. Book Island and hike to a historic Hawaiian Homestead. You’ll be greeted and Parks Canada’s incredible places through our partners. your favorite campsite, pack the car and take the family for a by sheltered waters, sandy coves, and unbelievable views. relaxing escape to a sun dappled forest. Looking for an adventure? Find us this summer hosting programs at The Shaw Centre Go backcountry! Cycle, paddle or hike to a rustic waterfront Discover spectacular coastlines around every corner. Spot seals, for the Salish Sea in Sidney and at the Royal BC Museum in campsite. Add some stars and you’ve got the perfect evening! sea lions and porpoises. If you are lucky you may even come home downtown Victoria. with stories of sighting a pod of killer whales. Campground details are located on the back side of this guide. Look for Coastal Naturalists on board select BC Ferries sailings. Prior Centennial Campground, North Pender Island CAMPGROUNDS, DOCK AND MOORAGE Interpretive Programming at Sidney Spit Frontcountry Campgrounds PLACES NUMBER $ PER NIGHT ACCESS Outhouses available at all locations OF SITES McDonald, Prior Centennial and Sidney Spit Vancouver Island Easy access, spectacular scenery, and the ability to book your campsite in advance make a vacation to one of our frontcountry McDonald R 49 17.99 / site campgrounds a dream come true. Detailed descriptions of Sidney Island (Accessible by foot passenger ferry) Visitor each location accompany the park map inside this brochure. When planning a trip please note that McDonald and Prior Centennial SidneySpitFerry.com I Telephone: 250-656-7599 campgrounds offer potable water, garbage disposal, and fire rings. Sidney Spit R 29 17.99 / site Guide Sidney Spit Campground has no water, no garbage facilities (pack-in Mooring Buoys 21 14.00 pack-out), and does not allow campfires at any time of year. Dock 2.96 / metre Group campground. Reservations required. Sidney Spit Campground, Sidney Island For more information or bookings, phone 1-877-944-1744. Backcountry Campgrounds Pender Islands D'Arcy, Isle-de-Lis (Rum), Princess Margaret (Portland), Prior Centennial R 17 17.99 / site Pender, Prevost, Saturna and Cabbage islands Beaumont R 10 10.02 / person Volunteer Behind the Scenes Beaumont Mooring Buoys 14 14.00 Hike, bike, or paddle your way to one of our rejuvenating backcountry Share in our work, get behind the scenes, learn something new getaways. These rustic locations require you to bring your own Shingle Bay 10 10.02 / person R and make a difference. We offer a wide range of opportunities from drinking water, and to pack-in pack-out (no garbage facilities available). D’Arcy Island event volunteers, to getting your hands dirty removing invasive Reservations are recommended at: D’Arcy Island 7 10.02 / person species, to becoming a campground host and welcoming visitors • Shingle Bay Campground, North Pender Island from around the world to the national park reserve. • Beaumont Campground, South Pender Island Isle-de-Lis (Rum Island) • Narvaez Bay Campground, Saturna Island Isle-de-Lis 3 10.02 / person Want to learn more? Check out the volunteering section of All other backcountry campgrounds are first-come first-served. Princess Margaret (Portland Island) our website. Consult the kiosk upon arrival for registration info. Shell Beach 6 10.02 / person Princess Bay 12 10.02 / person Arbutus Point 6 10.02 / person MORE INFORMATION Campground Information Shingle Bay Campground, North Pender Island Prevost Island Hands-on learning at Russell Island WEBSITE: parkscanada.gc.ca/gulfislands • Camping permit holders must be 19+ years of age. James Bay 10 10.02 / person • Pets must be kept on leash at all times and their waste removed. TELEPHONE: 250-654-4000 Saturna Island • Alcohol consumption is only permitted on a registered campsite. Narvaez Bay R 7 10.02 / person TOLL FREE: 1-866-944-1744 • Cannabis consumption is prohibited in all frontcountry campground common areas (washrooms, kitchen shelters, campsite trails, Cabbage Island PARK EMERGENCY CONTACT: 1-877-852-3100 and roads). Cabbage Island 5 10.02 / person EMAIL: [email protected] • Fire restrictions: campfires, briquette-fueled barbecues and Mooring Buoys 10 14.00 portable campfire apparatuses are prohibited at Sidney Spit, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @GulfIslandsNPR at all backcountry campgrounds, and at all day use areas Visit: reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca Telephone: 1-877-737-3783 LIKE US ON FACEBOOK! facebook.com/GulfIslandsNPR (including below the high tide mark). • Maximum length of stay is 14 days per year. Drive-in Campsite Boat Tie-up Hike Campfires Aussi disponible en français. • Maximum group size per campsite: Camping Accessible Boat R Reservable – Frontcountry 6 adults (or 7 people including children); Gulf Islands National Park Reserve, 2220 Harbour Road, Sidney, BC V8L 2P6 – Backcountry 5 people. Mooring Buoys Potable Water Car Hiking, Camping I Cabbage Island Cabbage Island Campground This small oasis lies on the and Boating Guide outermost reaches of the Gulf Islands archipelago. It is a very popular destination for paddlers and boaters alike, featuring a beautiful sandy beach for easy access. Rich and dense eelgrass meadows thrive in this area, and river otters and raccoons can A Prevost Island often be spotted playing in the intertidal. 5 backcountry campsites. James Bay Campground is only accessible by water, and is popular Boating Facilities First-come first-served mooring buoys. with kayakers. There are no tent pads in this open field style camping Fees apply daily after 3 p.m. area. 10 backcountry campsites. I Tumbo Island B Russell Island TEMOSEN (te-mo-son) Trail Easy 5 km 90 minute loop. Tumbo Haumea Trail Easy 1.2 km 30 minute loop. This island is steeped in Island has recovered well from the fur farming, timber harvesting rich history. Coast Salish clam gardens have been used here for at and coal mining activities that are part of its rich and varied past. least 1000 years. A spur off the main loop trail leads to one of the last Today, the island is largely forested with mature Douglas fir and surviving Hawaiian homesteads in the region.