Park overview
This small picturesque park on the north side of Denman Island offers an idyllic location to enjoy a picnic and spend a quiet afternoon.
The land that is now Fillongley Park was bequeathed to the province of British Columbia by George Beadnell, an Englishman who settled here at the turn of the century. Over the years, Beadnell developed Fillongley into one of the most beautiful estates in the Gulf Islands. A large, flat grassy field, once the site of a bowling green, comes alive with vibrant wildflowers in the spring. Set amongst a canopy of imported deciduous trees, this park is also noted for its beautiful display of colours in the fall.
Ten campsites are located along the ocean, and there are several walking trails through the park where visitors can observe the old growth cedar forest, a salmon spawning stream and remains of the old homestead.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open year-round
Current status:
Open
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 10
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 10
- Main operating season
- 2023: March 24 to October 29
- Off season dates
- 2023: January 1 to March 17, October 30 to December 31
- 2024: January 1 to March 23
- Reservable dates
- 2023: March 24 to October 28
- Service note
- open year-round
- Winter note
- Winter fee from Nov. 1 to March 31, 2020 with no services provided. Campers must be self-sufficient.
Special notes
- Fillongley only has 10 campsites and is usually full on weekends and throughout July and August. All sites are reservable and reservations are highly recommended. When the campground is full, there is limited space for one night overflow camping at the park. If you do not have a reservation during the summer months, we recommend having alternate camping plan on Denman Island as this park is very popular and is usually at capacity.
- The nearest sani-stations are located at the Esso gas station in Cumberland or the Mohawk gas station in Courtenay on Vancouver Island.
- The closest boat launch is at Bill Mee Park, approximately 10 km away on East Road on Denman Island.
Camping
All campsite reservations must be made the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
This park offers 10 vehicle-accessible campsites, located next to the beach. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. During the summer, the campground very popular and is 100 percent reservable.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $23 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $11.50 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
This park offers winter camping but no services are available during the off-season. Campers must be self-sufficient.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
A cold water tap is located approximately 50 metres from the campground. The tap is shut off during the off-season.
Campfires fires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Bring a portable stove for cooking.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.
This park has a large grassy field that is suitable for picnicking. Pit toilets and an information shelter are located at the parking area.
Activities
There are 2 km of wheelchair-accessible walking trails through the park. One of these trails is a short loop from the parking area through the field (approximately 10 minutes to the field).
Another trail heads west from the parking area and follows Beadnell Creek canyon through lush second-growth forest. This trail connects with Swan Road. Visitors can return to the parking lot either back down the trail or along Beadnell Road. One-way walking time to Swan Road is approximately 30 minutes.
For your own 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 opportunities for ocean swimming at the sand and pebble beach. There are no lifeguards on duty. There are also opportunities for windsurfing in this park.
From Fillongley Park, paddlers can easily explore the waters around Denman Island and Hornby Island. Canoes and kayaks can set in at the beach.
There are opportunities for saltwater fishing in this park. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing. 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.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Fillongley Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted.
Fillongley Park is located on Denman Island. Take the Denman Island Ferry from Buckley Bay, off Highway 19A on central Vancouver Island. Once on Denman island, follow Denman Road to Swan Road. Turn left on Swan Road, then right on Beadnell Road. Nearby communities include Hornby Island, Buckley Bay, Fanny Bay and the Comox Valley.
Park and activity maps
- Trail and Campground Map [PDF] (March 6, 2020)
- Park Boundary Map [PDF]
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: January 19, 1954
- Size: 26 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Quality Recreation Ltd.
250 308-4479
info@explorebcparks.ca
Nature and culture
History
Fillongley Park was once owned by George Beadnell, an Englishman who settled here at the turn of the century. Over the years, Beadnell developed Fillongley into one of the most beautiful estates in the Gulf Islands. Beadnell deeded the property to the provincial government in 1953 on the condition that they allow him to live out his days at his home and they retain the name Fillongley. As a part of the transfer Beadnell, who died in 1958, wished to be buried on the property.
Today his gravesite can be seen along the Homestead Trail. Remains of his homestead are also visible, as are a number of unusual heritage trees that Beadnell imported from England and transplanted on the property. The flat meadow in the park was once the site of his bowling green.
Conservation
Little George Creek which flows through the park, is a salmon spawning stream. Please protect this delicate habitat. The park is also home to wildflower meadows and a variety of unusual trees that George Beadnell imported from England.
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.