Park overview
Situated on the south side of the Strait of Georgia, Kitty Coleman Park is a popular destination for swimming, boating, fishing, and oceanfront camping. Facilities include a picnic shelter, two boat launches, and several nature trails.
The park protects a mature forest of Western hemlock, Western red cedar and Douglas fir in the upland portion, the estuary of Kitty Coleman Creek as well as 900 metres of shoreline. The eastern portion of the park is home to a single majestic old-growth Douglas fir, estimated to be more than 500 years old. Wild onions can also be found growing throughout the area.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open April 16, 2023 to September 30, 2023
Current status:
Open
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 65
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 16 to September 30
- Winter note
- The gate is closed during the off-season.
- Facility type
- Group camping
- Number of campsites
- Groupsites: 6
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 16 to September 30
- Winter note
- The gate is closed during the off-season.
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 16 to September 30
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total vehicle-accessible sites: 65
- Total groupsites: 1
Individual campsites are all available on a first come, first served basis.
Reservations for the group site are available by phone from April 16 to September 30 of each year. Contact the park caretaker at 250-338-1332 to book.
This park has one group camping area that can accommodate four to six units. Group camping reservations are available from April 16 to September 30. Phone 250-338-1332 for reservations.
There are 65 vehicle-accessible campsites available on a first come, first serve basis. Many of these sites overlook the beach. For camping fee rates, contact the park caretaker.
There is no sani-station or dump in this park. The closest facility is located at Miracle Beach Park.
Facilities
The hand pumps are under boil water advisory and should be used to extinguish fires only. There is potable water located by the park office.
There are two paved boat launches located in the park. The launch fee is $45 per year or $10 per daily launch.
Campfire rings are provided at most campsites and in the group campground. Firewood can be purchased from the park caretaker.
You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to 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 day-use and picnic area with a covered picnic shelter, tables, fresh water and pit toilets.
This park has a day-use and picnic area with a covered picnic shelter, tables, fresh water and pit toilets.
Activities
Kitty Coleman park offers a series of nature walking trails, which run through a mature forest and alongside a stream. To protect the sensitive creek habitat, keep to the trails and keep out of the creek bed.
Obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Visitors can swim all along the rocky beach. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Canoes and kayaks can put in at the boat launch.
The waters around Kitty Coleman Park are popular for angling. Salmon and rock fish are the most available species, along with a variety of shellfish that can also be found in the area. 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.
Seals, sea lions, whales, Dals porpoises, sea birds and bald eagles can all be spotted from Kitty Coleman Park. During the summer, passing cruise ships on their regular routes north and south offer a spectacular sight.
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.
Kitty Coleman Park is located 6 km northwest of Courtenay on central Vancouver Island. This park is accessed via Coleman Road off Hwy 19A, north of Courtenay. Turn on Left Road, then right on Whittaker Road until you reach the park. Nearby communities include Courtenay, Comox, Merville, Black Creek, and Campbell River.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: November 14, 1944
- Size: 10 hectares
Park contact
As a Class C park, Kitty Coleman is managed by a local community board
Frontcountry campground information:
Park caretaker
Nature and culture
History
The original park was donated to the settlers of Merville around 1900 and operated by the community until the 1940s, when financial difficulties led to the province assuming management responsibility. Kitty Coleman was established as a Class “C” provincial park in 1944, and a community park board was set up to oversee its operation.
Wildlife
The local park board has done extensive stream restoration. Kitty Coleman Creek is a sensitive habitat, home to coho and pink fry, cutthroat trout, crayfish and other marine life. Please keep to the trails along the creek. All adults, children and pets need to stay out of the creek.
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.