Desolation Sound Marine Park has more than 60 km of shoreline, several islands, numerous small bays and snug coves. The warm waters of the park are ideal for swimming and scuba diving. The forested upland offers a shady refuge of trails.
This park is a very popular kayak and boating destination. Located at the confluence of Malaspina Inlet and Homfray Channel, yachters have been enjoying the spectacular vistas and calm waters for generations. In recent years, kayakers have enjoyed exploring the islands and coves that make up the unique shoreline.
This park can be split up into three major destination anchorages: Prideaux Haven, Tenedo’s Bay and Grace Harbour.
Prideaux Haven: This is a very popular anchorage strategically located as a base for exploring the Sound. This anchorage is an elongated bay dotted with islands and small coves at the far north end of the park. A pit toilet is also located here. There is no camping allowed in this area.
Tenedos Bay: A sheltered bay east of Mink Island in Homfrey Channel. Nearby Unwin Lake provides a great opportunity for a freshwater swim. Tenedos Bay is a designated campsite with pit toilets and an information shelter is located here.
Grace Harbour: A large sheltered bay located in Malaspina Inlet and surrounded by Gifford Peninsula. This area provides pit toilets, designated camp sites, an information shelter and an upland hiking shelter.
Please Note:
A Desolation Sound backcountry registration is valid for overnight use in the Copeland Islands, Roscoe Bay and Malaspina Parks. The campsites are not reservable and function as first come, first served. Click here to view detailed information about the campgrounds.
The BC Parks backcountry permit registration service allows you to purchase a backcountry camping permit before leaving home. Although this does not reserve a campsite, it provides the convenience of prepaying for your 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 Arm Park or Lund Harbour. Look for the registration information at the BC Parks kiosks.
There are 11 designated campgrounds [PDF] throughout Desolation Sound, the Copeland Islands, and Malaspina Marine Parks. There is an average of nine tent pads at each campground.
Details about these campgrounds including campground maps, access descriptions, facilities and features, are available here. These campsites function as first come, first served.
Please note:
Okeover Arm Park is located next to the Okeover Harbour Government Dock. There are 21 vehicle access campsites at Okeover Arm Park. Many people will camp and get an early start the next day to explore the Desolation Sound Parks. There is a campground attendant at Okeover Arm Park. Please keep in mind that there is a separate fee to camp there and it is not on the backcountry registration system.
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 which is a cost effective way of providing a sanitary camping experience. Be sure to 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 for human waste only.
There is a short hiking trail to Unwin Lake from Tenedos Bay. This is an easy 10 minute walk one way. For your safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
There are no designated swimming areas in the park. Fresh water swimming is available at Unwin Lake which is a 10 minute walk from Tenedoes Bay. Please do not use soaps or shampoos in the Unwin Lake or the creek that flows into Tenedoes Bay. There are no lifeguards on duty.
This is a very popular kayaking destination with numerous guided kayak tours available. Several kayak rentals can be found near Powell River and Lund. 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.
Most kayaker and boaters launch their vessels from either Lund Harbor or Okeover Harbor Government Dock which is located next to Okeover Arm Park.
There are several fishing opportunities in this park including both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Salmon, rockfish, oysters, prawns, cod and snapper are in the area.
The Department Of Fisheries routinely monitors the level of marine biotoxins, bacteria and other harmful contaminants. They will also close bivalve shellfish areas when levels of these substances exceed safe limits. When an area is officially closed, it is illegal and unsafe to harvest in that area. Areas that have been assessed and deemed contaminated are posted with signs indicating the area is closed. It is your responsibility to find out if an area is closed to shellfish harvesting. Please refer to the Fishing and Shellfish Harvesting page (BC Centre for Disease Control).
Desolation Sound and Copland Island Marine Parks are within Rockfish Conservation Areas (RCAs). Hook and line fishing is not permitted and fishing activities are limited in these 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.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
North of Powell River and Lund on the Sunshine Coast, 145 km north of Vancouver. Lund is the closest community.
This park proudly operated by:
1312768 BC Ltd
DesolationSound.Camping@outlook.com
History
Desolation Sound falls within the traditional territories of the Tla'amin, Hamalco, and Klahoose First Nations. The First Nations have occupied many sites throughout Desolation Sound for thousands of years. The First Nations still rely on the abundant sea life in waters of Desolation Sound to harvest traditional foods.
Captain George Vancouver first sailed these waters in 1792. Seeing the land and seascape so remote and forbidding, he was inspired to name it Desolation Sound. The park was created in 1973 and continues to be a popular destination in the marine park system.
Conservation
BC Parks is implementing a designated campsite policy to protect the sensitive areas of the park. These marine parks protect globally significant ecological and cultural park values.
Due to dry and shallow soils, many areas within this park can be easily impacted by human use. Please refer to the Marine visitor guide for more information.
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.