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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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.
This park proudly operated by:
1312768 BC Ltd
DesolationSound.Camping@outlook.com
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.
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.