Copeland Islands Marine Park

Park overview

Copeland Islands Marine Park consists of a small chain of islands, islets and rocks in Thulin Passage. It is an excellent destination for kayakers, since it is a good stopover point between Lund and Desolation Sound.

This area also provides opportunities for scuba diving, wildlife viewing, wilderness camping, swimming and fishing. There are limited anchorages for small vessels.

Advisories

Dates of operation

Check advisories before visiting. Dates may change without notice.

The park is open year-round

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Middle Copeland Island

Facility type

Marine-accessible camping

Main operating season

2024: May 15 to September 15

Winter season

2024: January 1 to May 31, September 16 to December 31
2025: January 1 to May 31

Booking required

2024: June 1 to September 14

Winter season note

Off-season; no fees, no services.

North Copeland Island

Facility type

Marine-accessible camping

Number of campsites

Boat-accessible sites: 20

Main operating season

2024: May 15 to September 15

Winter season

2024: January 1 to May 31, September 16 to December 31
2025: January 1 to May 31

Booking required

2024: June 1 to September 14

Winter season note

Off-season; no fees, no services.

Special notes

To help preserve the natural values in this park, please do not discharge sewage in anchorages, but keep sewage contained in holding tanks while at anchor.
A Desolation Sound Parks backcountry registration is valid for overnight use in the Copeland Islands, Malaspina, Roscoe Bay, and Desolation Sound Marine Parks.
Most kayaker and boaters launch their vessels and start their adventure from either Lund Harbour or Okeover Harbour Government Dock to access the Desolation Sound Parks. Many boaters will arrive by boat from Georgia Strait.

Kayak Rentals and Guided Tours: There are several kayak rentals available in the Powell River and the Lund area. There are several guided kayak tours available. All guided visitors are required to pay overnight camping fees, in addition to any guiding fees. Please discuss with your guide outfitter prior to your trip.

Parking: There is limited free parking near to Okeover Park and boat launch. Private pay parking is also available in Lund Harbour.

Camping

Total number of campsites: Total boat-accessible sites: 20

Marine-accessible camping

There are 11 designated campsites [PDF] throughout Desolation Sound, the Copeland Islands and Malaspina Marine Parks. There is an average of nine tent pads at each site. These three parks are grouped together for the backcountry registration system and described as Desolation Sound Parks .

For details about these campsites, including campsite maps, access descriptions, facilities and features, see Desolation Sound Marine Park: Backcountry camping.

Camping is only permitted in designated campsites.
Campers must use tent pads, please prevent erosion by placing tents, and other equipment on the tent pads.
Campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. Please do not hold sites for other parties.
Campfires are not permitted throughout the marine parks.
These parks protect very sensitive ecosystem values. Please stay on designated routes to avoid causing damage to these park values.

Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person per night (6 years of age or older). Fees are collected from June 1st to September 15th.

Get a Backcountry Permit for Desolation Sound

The BC Parks reservations system allows you to purchase a backcountry camping permit before leaving home. Although the system does not reserve a campsite, the system provides visitors the convenience of prepaying for their trip and not having to carry cash. We encourage all visitors to register online so we can reduce the need to collect fees in the field.

If the online system is not available to you then you can pay with cash at Okeover Park or Lund Harbour. Look for the registration information at the BC Parks kiosks.

Okeover Park is located next to the Okeover Harbour Government Dock. There are 21 vehicle-access campsites at Okeover Park. Many people will camp at Okeover Park and get an early start the next day to explore the Desolation Sound Parks. There is a campground attendant at Okeover Park.

Facilities

Pit or flush toilets

Pit toilets are located at Grace Harbor, Tenedos Bay, Curme Islands, Bold Head, Hare Point, Feather Cove, Copeland Islands, and Melanie Cove. There are no flush toilets.

Many of the outhouses throughout Desolation Sound are an open-air-privy design. This simple outhouse design is a cost effective way of providing a sanitary camping experience. While the open-air-privy design experience may be slightly more adventurous than the traditional outhouse building, it will also provide a much more pleasant view and allow for a fresh air experience. Please bring your own toilet paper.

Please note that all outhouses in Desolation Sound have above ground pump out tanks. Due to the shallow soils and potential for exposing cultural features buried in the ground, digging traditional outhouse holes is not possible. Please do not put garbage in the outhouse tanks! It is very costly to pump out tanks, so please only human waste in the tanks.

Activities

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Swimming

Swimming, snorkeling and scuba diving opportunities are available throughout the park although no support facilities exist. This is a cold ocean environment.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. It is an excellent destination for kayakers, since it is a good stopover point between Lund and Desolation Sound. Rentals are available in nearby Lund, adjacent to the park on the mainland. Canoeists and kayakers can access both of the camping areas.

Fishing

Tidal fishing is available. Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.

Information about Fishing and Shellfish Harvesting.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but the park provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities for bald eagles, harbour seals, sea lions and even the occasional deer.

Scuba diving

The park is made up of many islands, channels and reefs that present excellent diving opportunities. There are no facilities or commercial operators active within the park, so scuba divers must be self sufficient.

Copeland Islands Marine Park is accessible only by boat and located northwest of Lund (20km north of Powell River) just off the Malaspina Peninsula and southwest of Bliss Landing. The community of Lund is located a short distance from the park by water. Lund supports a hotel and pub, bakery, fuel, general store, marine ways, marine mechanical facilities and kayak rentals.

Park and activity maps

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: July 29, 1971
Size: 423 hectares (145 ha upland and 278 ha foreshore)

Park contact

This park proudly operated by:
1312768 BC Ltd
DesolationSound.Camping@outlook.com

Nature and culture

History

Copeland Islands Marine Park was named after Joe Copeland, a veteran of the American civil war, who eventually settled in the area.

Wildlife

Sea Lions, deer, porpoises, killer whales and bald eagles can all bee viewed from this park. While diving, you may see cod, salmon and giant oysters.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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.