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.
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 are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.
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.
Bamberton Provincial Park is open year-round, with limited facilities in the off-season.
Accessibility information is available for this park.
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.
Cold water taps are located at the campground and day-use area. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
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.
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.
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.
This park proudly operated by:
K2 Cowichan Park Services Ltd.
k2cowichan@shaw.ca
1-877-559-2115
k2parks.ca
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.