Bamberton Park | BC Parks

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Benches arranged on a hill with various flowers and vegetation.

Close up of tree with the lake and mountains in the background.

Park overview

For years, the warm waters surrounding Vancouver Island’s Mill Bay have been a popular destination for local salmon fishers. The inviting water and the 225-metre long sandy beach have also made nearby Bamberton Provincial Park an ideal spot for parents to bring their families.

While the kids frolic in the warm waves, parents can lounge in the sand and enjoy the views across the inlet – to the east are the shores of the Saanich Peninsula, with the southern Gulf Islands and Mt. Baker beyond. Rising sharply to the west are the mountains of south Vancouver Island.

Fronting on the west side of Saanich Inlet, of particular interest in this park is the abundance of arbutus trees, identified by its thick, leathery green leaves, reddish trunk and peeling bark. The arbutus is Canada’s only broadleaf evergreen and is found only on Vancouver Island and the lower coast of mainland British Columbia.

A vehicle accessible campground is nestled in this forest environment, where eagles and osprey can be seen circling high above. Waterfowl and seals are frequent visitors to the surrounding waters.

The park is very popular in the summer months, and can be busy as well in June, when a number of nearby schools make field trips to study the intertidal life on the beach. With Victoria just a 30-minute drive south over the scenic Malahat Drive, Bamberton is within easy reach of many tourist attractions. You can also hop on the Mill Bay ferry for the 25-minute trip to Brentwood Bay and visit the world-renowned Butchart Gardens.

Advisories

Dates of operation

All dates are subject to change without notice.

Open to public access year-round

Current status:Open to public access

Be sure to check advisories above before visiting

The day-use gate is open from 8:00am to dusk.

Bamberton Campground

Facility type

Vehicle-accessible camping

Number of campsites

Reservable frontcountry sites: 48
Vehicle-accessible sites: 53

Main camping season dates

2023: Year-round

Reservable dates

2023: May 13 to October 8

Off season dates

2023: January 1 to March 31

Camping

Reservations

All campsite reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available, all campsites function as first-come, first-served.

Campsite Reservations

Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Vehicle-accessible camping

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites, nestled amongst a mixed woodland forest. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. Bamberton Provincial Park is open year-round, with limited facilities in the off-season.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $20.00 per party / night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $10.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Winter camping

Bamberton Provincial Park is open year-round, with limited facilities in the off-season.

Winter Camping Fee: $11.00 per party / night

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

There is a picnicking and day-use area available at this park with a large vehicle parking lot, picnic tables, flush toilets, fresh water and a large grassy area where children can be let loose to play. The day-use area provides easy access to the beach.

The day-use gate is open from 8:00am to dusk.

Pit or flush toilets

Pit toilets are located at the campground and day-use area. Flush toilets can also be found at the day-use area and are accessible from April 1 to September 30.

Drinking water

Cold water taps are located at the campground and day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Campfires

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campfire rings are provided at each campsite. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act ). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

Activities

Hiking

A 1.5 km trail connects the campground to the beach at the day-use area. This trail is steep in parts. The route from the day-use parking lot to the beach is wheelchair-accessible and paved. For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroy plant life and soil structure.

Swimming

There is no designated swimming area at this park; however, the inviting warm water and the 225-metre long sandy beach at the day-use area provide excellent opportunities for ocean swimming. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing

Canoes and kayaks may be used in the inlet. Paddlers can put in at the beach area. The sheltered inlet around Bamberton is a great paddling location, offering views of Mount Baker and the Saanich Peninsula.

Fishing

The warm waters surrounding Mill Bay are a popular destination for local fishers seeking a variety of salmon and rock fish. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Interpretive programs

There are interpretations services available at this park.

Pets on leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. From May 1 to September 15th, dogs are not allowed in the lower day-use area (beach and lawn area). You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Bamberton Provincial Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Windsurfing

There are opportunities for windsurfing at this park.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

The park is located on southern Vancouver Island, approximately 45 km north of Victoria off Highway 1. Turn east off Highway 1 onto Mill Bay Road, near the north end of the scenic Malahat Drive. BC Ferries offers service from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay, a distance of 8 km by sea with a crossing time of 25 minutes. Bamberton Park is located a 5-minute drive south of Mill Bay. Nearby communities include: Mill Bay, Shawnigan Lake, Cobble Hill, Duncan, Victoria.

Park and activity maps

Park Map [PDF] (Oct, 2018)

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: March 28, 1960
Size: 27 hectares

Park contact

This park proudly operated by:
K2 Cowichan Park Services Ltd.
k2cowichan@shaw.ca
1-877-559-2115
k2parks.ca

Nature and culture

History: Bamberton Park was given to the province by the British Columbia Cement Company in 1959. The name Bamberton was chosen by the donors and commemorates H.K. Bamber, managing director of the British Portland Cement Manufacturing Company, a predecessor of the BC Cement Company, now known as Ocean Cement.
Cultural Heritage: Traditionally, local First Nations used Johns Creek, which runs through the park, for trout fishing and still utilize the area today for ceremonial purposes in the fall and winter.
Conservation: Bamberton protects a mixed woodland of second-growth Douglas fir and arbutus, a salmon-bearing creek and eel-grass beds in the estuary. Over time, natural weathering forces may return the creek outflow area to a floodplain with salt marsh communities. The park also features an interesting intertidal zone, popular with school groups who visit the park to study the marine life. In your observation of the intertidal zone, please remember to carefully place overturned rocks in their original position. Do not touch the marine life or remove any shells or marine organisms from the park.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.