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Park Contact
Old Massett Village Council
1-250-626-3337
omvcfin@oldmassett.ca


Naikoon Provincial Park
About This Park
Naikoon is the traditional territory of the Haida Nation and figures prominently in their present lifestyles and history. There are many places of cultural and spiritual importance as well as historic village sites and important food gathering sites throughout the park. Colonial settlement began in the early 1900s; although it failed to prosper, evidence of settlements can still be found within the park.
Naikoon was designated a Class A park in 1973. The area is comprised of a mixture of coastal temperate rainforest ecosystems, wetlands and bogs, sand dunes and approximately 100 km of beaches. Tow Hill and Rose Spit are iconic natural features that are also prominent in Haida traditional stories. Naikoon lies entirely within the Queen Charlotte Lowland eco-region. Primary attractions for visitors include Haida cultural history, 100 km of beaches, hiking, fishing, and wilderness camping.
Park Size: 69,071 hectares (upland: 66,961 ha; foreshore: 2,110 ha)
Campground Dates of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water, security, etc.) |
year-round if accessible |
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: | |
– Agate Beach campground | June 1 – September 30 |
– Misty Meadows campground | June 1 – September 30 Off-season: no fee, no services |
Campground Reservable Dates: | Not applicable |
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: | Agate Beach = 39 Misty Meadows = 30 |
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
Not applicable |
Note: The above information is for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. |
Know Before You Go
Stay Safe
- Be aware of undertows along beaches and at river mouths.
- Please be extremely careful with fire, matches, and cigarettes. Cookstoves should be utilized for cooking when possible.
- On beaches and headlands, always be aware of tides and weather, as it is possible to become isolated on disappearing sand bars as tides rise or heavy weather increases wave height. Never turn your back on the sea.
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Warning: Persons contemplating a visit to Naikoon Provincial Park are reminded that it is a wilderness area with no supplies of any kind. Accommodation in nearby communities is limited. Suitable clothing should be worn and proper equipment carried for outdoor living. Visitors should be in possession of suitable maps. Hikers planning to travel the beaches should inform a responsible person or agency of their intentions. This information should include estimated departure and return times. More information about trails or hiking in this park »
Special Notes
- The climate here is mild, moderated by moist Pacific air throughout the year. Cool, rainy, or foggy weather and high winds can occur at any time; campers and hikers should always be equipped with warm clothing and wet-weather gear.
- There is no internet access at Misty Meadows Campground or Agate Beach Campground.
- Only cash payments are accepted at the campgrounds.
- Off Road Vehicle Use:
- Naikoon Park is bordered by a hundred kilometres of expansive beach, attracting thousands of park visitors each summer – hikers, beach walkers, fishers, cyclists and motorized vehicle users. In recent years, motorized traffic has been on the rise, increasing the potential for damage to Naikoon Park’s sensitive ecosystems and cultural sites. To respect the environment and other visitors, keep the following guidelines in mind as you travel the park.
- Motorized vehicles on Rose Spit Ecological Reserve are prohibited off designated routes. Rose Spit supports an endangered plant community and is critical habitat for many local and migratory bird species.
- Vehicles are PROHIBITED from driving on sand dunes, from leaving designated roads, or traveling above or below the tide zone. Damage to these delicate ecosystems can lead to loss of plant life, increased erosion, exposure and damage to cultural sites. Tire tracks and repeated foot traffic through the sand dunes cause extensive environmental damage. The root systems of plants are broken and wind causes erosion. Once the stabilizing grasses are damaged, the wind continues to shift the dunes, burying the forest, trails, and camping spots.
- Be prepared for emergency situations. Carry what you will need to rescue yourself and your vehicle should it become stuck on the beach.
- ATV use within Naikoon is limited to North and East Beaches. Trail use, travel to the interior of Naikoon and ATV use on the Dune areas is prohibited. ATVs are prohitbited from being used in the campsites and must be moved by trailer to the beach access points. It is illegal to run ATVs on Tow Hill road or any other highway unless they are registered and displaying licence plates. The fine for running non licenced ATVs on roadways is $600.00.
- Responsible All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Use in Naikoon Park
- ATV and 4x4 vehicles are permitted on North Beach and East Beach only!
- To minimize your impact, travel high upon the beach but below the driftwood line – Avoid the sensitive lower beach and upper sand dunes.
- ATV use is not permitted anywhere else in Naikoon Park; do not use ATVs on Naikoon’s environmentally-sensitive hiking trails. You are responsible for your vehicle and any damage caused by use of your vehicle.
- Responsible All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Use in Naikoon Park poster [PDF 1.9MB]
- If you see any environmental or cultural damage, please record and report to the Naikoon Park office in Tlell at 250 557-4390 to the Report All Poachers and Polluters line 24/7 at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on you cell.
- Wet weather gear is necessary year-round.
- Firearms are prohibited except during a valid hunting season. Please consult BC Hunting Regulations for dates.
- The park’s lakes and streams are the source of drinking water. Help protect the delicate balance of the water system by washing yourself, your clothes, and dishes at least 30 metres from lakes or streams and please don’t clean fish in them. Use responsible backcountry toilet practices. Potable water is available at Agate Beach and Misty Meadows (seasonally) and year-round at BC Parks Headquarters in Tlell.
Location and Maps
Maps and Brochures
- Park Map [PDF] (June 2008)
- East Beach Trail Map [PDF] (June 2018)
Nature and Culture
Management Planning
- Management Planning Information
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Naikoon Provincial Park management plan provides direction for the long-term management of Naikoon Provincial Park on the northeast corner of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands).
The approved Naikoon Management Plan is available in PDF format. Because of the large size of the file, the plan is divided into 11 separate files for ease of access:
- Acknowledgments/Plan Overview/Plan Highlights [PDF]
- Section One: What is a Management Plan? [PDF]
- Section Two: Role of Naikoon [PDF]
- Section Three: Managing with the Island Community [PDF]
- Section Four: Park Zoning [PDF]
- Section Five: Natural and Cultural Resources Management [PDF]
- Section Six: Recreation Opportunities and Management [PDF]
- Section Seven: Communications [PDF]
- Section Eight: Plan Implementation [PDF]
- Appendices [PDF]
- Map Folio [PDF]
Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Hunting

Interpretive Programs

Pets on Leash
Tow Hill: While walking up the Tow Hill trail, ensure your pet is leashed at all times. There are steep cliffs obscured by thick brush. Numerous dogs have lost their lives while running loose on Tow Hill.
It is an offence under the Parks Act to permit a dog to be off leash in a Provincial Park or Ecological Reserve, or to permit it to cause annoyance, injury, damage, or to molest wildlife. You are responsible for your pet's behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Swimming
Pure Lake day use area is a popular family swimming spot. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Windsurfing
North Beach offers surfers an expansive coastline to explore.
Facilities Available at this Park

Accessibility

Boat Launch

Cabins / Huts

Campfires

Drinking Water

Group Camping
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $20.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Vehicle Accessible Camping
