Desolation Sound Marine Park: Backcountry camping

Desolation Sound is an extremely popular kayak and boating destination. 

There are 11 designated campsites throughout Desolation Sound, the Copeland Islands, and Malaspina Provincial Marine Parks. 

Map of marine park campsites [PDF]

Middle Copeland campsite

Middle Copeland campsite map Nuxwum Island [PDF] 

Distance: 5 km north of Lund Harbour. This is the closest campsite to Lund Harbour.

Access: There is excellent kayak access on the north tip of Nuxwum Island. There is suitable kayak access on the southwest shore of Nuxwum Island.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Georgia Strait. With a west facing aspect the island gets lots of sun and is the perfect spot to watch the sun set. Campers may be exposed to westerly winds in this location. This campsite is centrally located in the Copeland Islands, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the coastlines of the islands nearby.

Nuxwum Island was named after Sliammon Elder Norman Gallagher. Norman Gallagher, whose traditional Sliammon name is Nuxwum, shared a great deal of traditional knowledge about the cultural values and heritage of the Desolation Sound area. 

Facilities: 10 tent pads, outhouse, and shared picnic table and benches.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. Campsite is exposed to westerly winds. Please check forecast for wind speed and direction. 

North Copeland campsite

North Copeland campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 7 km north of Lund Harbour.

Access: There is excellent kayak access on the north and south side of the campsite. There are 14 tent pads on the north and west sides of the island that can be accessed from the north side of the island. There are 7 south facing tent pads accessed from the south of the island.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Georgia Strait from the northand west sides of the island. The south facing campsites get great sun exposure. This campsite is centrally located in the Copeland Islands, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the coastlines of the islands nearby.

Facilities: 21 tent pads, outhouse, and shared picnic table and benches.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. Campsite is exposed to westerly winds. Please check forecast for wind speed and direction.

Sarah Point campsite

Sarah Point campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 11 km north of Lund Harbour. 14 km from Okeover Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the campsite is difficult due to steep granite bluffs. This camping area, at the north end of the Sunshine Coast Trail, was primarily intended for hikers at the beginning or the end of the Sunshine Coast Trail; however, it can be used by kayakers if access is suitable. There is a boulder beach access about 400 m to the south of the camping area.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Georgia Strait. The south facing campsites gets great sun exposure and views of the sunset. This campsite is centrally located in Desolation Sound, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the area. Due to the difficult landing sites, it may less populated at this campsite than others in the park. 

Facilities: 3 tent pads and an outhouse. Please bring personal toilet paper for the open-air-privy experience.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. Sarah Point is exposed to southerly, westerly, and northerly winds. The winds and waters near the point can be difficult to navigate in a kayak. Please check weather forecast to ensure a safe trip.

Feather Cove campsite

Feather Cove campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 12 km from Okeover Harbour. 13 km from Lund Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the Feather Cove campsite is excellent. There is a long sloping beach and lots of room for storing kayaks.

Features: The campsites offer views of Desolation Sound and the Redonda Islands. This campsite is well protected from southerly and westerly winds. 

Facilities: 9 tent pads, and an outhouse. Please bring personal toilet paper for the open-air-privy experience.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. Hare Point is a good alternative to Feather Cove only 2.5 km away.

Hare Point campsite

Hare Point campsite map [PDF]

Distance: 10 km from Okeover Harbour 16 km from Lund Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the Hare Point campsite is best from inside the bay to the east of Hare Point.

Features: The south facing campsite has great sun exposure. There are several unique tent pads locations offering privacy and views of Okeover Inlet. The campsite is centrally located in Okeover Inlet, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the area. 

Facilities: 17 tent pads, a shared picnic area and two outhouses.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. If Hare Point is full then Feather Cove is a good alternative only 2.5 km away.

Grace Harbour campsite

Grace Harbour campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 8.5 km from Okeover Harbour

Access: The kayak access to the Grace Harbour camping area is excellent.

Features: This protected harbour offers excellent refuge from weather and winds for boaters. This is a very popular anchorage for boaters. There are unique tent pads locations offering privacy and views of Grace Harbour. The waters of Grace Harbour can become very warm in the summer, and are popular for swimming. There is access to fresh water at a small creek near this campsite. All water must be treated!

Facilities: 3 tent pads, grassy area for camping and an outhouse. Camping is permitted on grass areas at this designated campsite. 

Notices: No fires.

Bold Head campsite

Bold Head campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 22 km from Lund Harbour. 20 km from Okeover Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the Bold Head campsite is difficult due to steep granite bluffs. There is a boulder beach access on the north side of the camping area. The access to this campsite is exposed to westerly winds.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Desolation Sound. The south facing campsites get great sun exposure and the sunset. This campsite is centrally located in Desolation Sound, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the area. Due to the difficult landing sites, it may less populated at this campsite than others in the park. 

Facilities: 9 tent pads, and an outhouse. Please bring personal toilet paper for the open-air-privy experience.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. The westerly winds can be difficult to navigate in a kayak. Please check weather forecast to ensure a safe trip.

Tenedos Bay campsite

Tenedos Bay campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 22.5 km from Okeover Harbor. 24 from Lund Harbour

Access: The kayak access to the Tenedos Bay camping area is excellent.

Features: This protected harbour offers excellent refuge from weather and winds for boaters. This is a very popular anchorage for boaters. There is a large camping area which is suitable for large groups. Fires are permitted in this location. You must use the designated fire rings and bring your own firewood. There is access to fresh water at a small creek near this campsite. All water must be treated!

Facilities: 3 tent pads, grassy area for camping and an outhouse. Camping is permitted on grassy areas at this designated campsite. 

Notices: Fires are permitted in designated fire rings only at Tenedos Bay and Roscoe Bay. Firewood is not provided. It is an offense under the Park Act to remove wood from the park (for a fire)

Curme West campsite

Curme West campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 19 km from Lund Harbour. 21 km from Okeover Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the West Curme campsite is very good. There are numerous haul out spots on the east side of the island.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Desolation Sound. The south facing campsites get great sun exposure and the sunset. This campsite is centrally located in Desolation Sound, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the area. This is the most popular camping destination in Desolation Sound. You must have a contingency plan if the Curme Island tent pads are full. Bold Head campsite is only 2 km away. 

Facilities: 9 tent pads, and an outhouse.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. There is a long exposed paddle to reach the Curme Islands. Please check weather forecast to ensure a safe trip.

Curme East campsite

Curme East campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 19 km from Lund Harbour. 21 km from Okeover Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the Curme East campsite is very good. There is a good haul out spot on the west side of the island.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Desolation Sound and the Coast Range Mountains. This campground is centrally located in Desolation Sound, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the area. This is the most popular camping destination in Desolation Sound. You must have a contingency plan if the Curme Island tent pads are full. Bold Head campsite is only 2 km away. 

Facilities: 12 tent pads, a shared picnic area and an outhouse. There are also outhouses on south and west Curme Islands. You can walk to Curme West on a low tide.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. There is a long exposed paddle to reach the Curme Islands. Please check weather forecast to ensure a safe trip.

Curme South campsite

Curme South campsite map [PDF] 

Distance: 19 km from Lund Harbour. 21 km from Okeover Harbour.

Access: The kayak access to the Curme South campsite is very good. There are numerous haul out spots around the island.

Features: The campsites offer spectacular views of Desolation Sound. The south facing campsites gets great sun exposure and the sunset. This campsite is centrally located in Desolation Sound, and is an ideal base camp for exploring the area. This is the most popular camping destination in Desolation Sound. You must have a contingency plan if the Curme Island tent pads are full. Bold Head campsite is only 2 km away. 

Facilities: 8 tent pads, and an outhouse.

Notices: No fires. The vegetation is extremely dry due to shallow soils and wind exposure. Please stay on designated routes to protect the sensitive ecosystem values. There is a long exposed paddle to reach the Curme Islands. Please check weather forecast to ensure a safe trip.