Lax ka'gaas/Campania Conservancy

Highlights in this conservancy

Lax Ka’gaas/Campania Conservancy is mostly low-lying and flat, with very shallow soils and much exposed bedrock (mostly granitic). The central portion of the island contains Mount Pender, which rises to 740 m (2,427 ft).

Marine features include a rare white sandy beach in McMicking Inlet, small estuaries, and many inlets on the west coast, several of which are safe anchorages. The conservancy protects all of Campania Island and Alexander Islands at the south end, including remote fish and wildlife habitats, small lakes, streams, bogs, fens, and scrub forest.

Other nearby protected areas include:

Dewdney and Glide Islands Ecological Reserve, 10 km to the west
K’nabiyaaxl/Ashdown Conservancy, 5 km to the east
Lax Kwil Dziidz/Fin Conservancy, 10 km to the east
Monckton Nii Luutiksm Conservancy, 3 km to the north
Moksgm’ol/Chapple – Cornwall Conservancy, 8 km to the east

These are all remote backcountry conservancies that protect large terrestrial and marine areas.

Lax Ka’gaas/Campania Conservancy is one of a number of areas that were identified for conservancy status from the North Coast Land and Resource Management Plan (LRMP). The Gitga’at and Gitxaala First Nations have identified interests in Lax Ka’gaas/Campania Conservancy and contains 21 known archaeological sites. This conservancy was designated and established on July 14, 2006. See News Release for more information.

Know before you go

Advisories

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Conservancy Map

Getting there

Lax Ka’gaas/Campania Conservancy covers 17,075 ha of upland habitat in the Hecate Lowlands Ecosection and 3,429 ha of foreshore in the North Coast Fiords Marine Ecosection, for a total of 20,504 ha. It is located 35 km southwest of Hartley Bay, 120 km southwest of Kitimat and 135 km southeast of Prince Rupert. Access to the Conservancy is primarily by boat and there are a number of sheltered inlets suitable for anchoring. Floatplane access to the shoreline is possible, and helicopter access is possible at suitable landing locations such as wetlands and along the shoreline. For reference, use marine charts #3719 (Inlets in Campania Island), #3724 (Caamano Sound) or #3742 (Otter Passage to McKay Reach).

Camping

Marine-accessible camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Marine-access only. All sites are on a first come, first served basis.

When visiting marine-accessible sites, be respectful of the sensitive wildlife habitats, and learn how to stay safe using our marine visitor guide.

Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Marine-access only. All sites are on a first come, first served basis.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Winter camping

There are winter camping opportunities in this conservancy, as it can be accessed year-round.

Things to do

Hiking

Although there are no established trails in the conservancy, hiking can be enjoyed through the rolling granitic hills and scrub forests on the west side of the island. It is also possible to hike across the middle of the island (east-west), following the valley bottom and the chain of mid island lakes.

Canoeing

Adventurous and experienced canoeists or kayakers may enjoy exploring the many inlets, bays and shorelines in this conservancy. There are some nice white sand beaches in McMicking Inlet. Wilderness camping is allowed. Kayak rentals are available in Prince Rupert.

Kayaking

Fishing

Excellent tidal water fishing opportunities for salmon and groundfish. Fishing licenses are available for purchase in Kitimat and Prince Rupert. Please refer to current fishing regulations.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

Wolves, otters, waterfowl, eagles, spawning salmon and the occasional deer can be seen in the conservancy. Humpback whales, killer whales, Dall’s porpoises, Pacific white-sided dolphins, sea lions and harbour seals can also be seen in the adjacent marine waters.

Wildlife Safety

Scuba diving

There are opportunities for scuba diving in the many inlets and bays of this conservancy. The water clarity is best during winter and spring.

Hunting

This conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.

Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Facilities

Campfires

No firewood or fire rings are provided. If you must make a fire, please keep it minimal. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of campfires and using camp stoves instead. Before you leave, make sure the campfire is extinguished and spread the ashes and rocks about.

Campfire bans may be in place. Before lighting a fire, check for bans or restrictions on BC Wildfire Service and on local or Indigenous government websites.

About this conservancy

Cultural heritage

Lax Ka’gaas/Campania Conservancy also protects a historically and currently used area of marine harvesting and its associated cultural values, and provides First Nations with an opportunity to conduct social, ceremonial and cultural uses.

Conservation

Lax Ka’gaas/Campania Conservancy helps to protect the areas biological diversity and natural environments by protecting representative coastal flora and fauna, plant communities and animal species at risk, and special features, particularly extensive lowland coastal muskeg (bogs and fens) with associated rare and unusual plants.

Campania Island is part of the Milbanke Strandflat, a geological formation that is mostly composed of granitic bedrock. This formation has many well-defined lineaments, which are filled with many peatlands or shallow lakes in the interior of the island, and form narrow inlets near the coast. Much of the vegetation is open bog or bog forest, with some scrub forest. Combined with the exposed bedrock, the result is a very open landscape. Glacial cirques also occur at sea level in the area.

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.

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