Conservancy overview
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.
Advisories
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Marine-access only. All sites are on a first come, first served basis.
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Marine-access only. All sites are on a first come, first served basis.
Facilities
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.
Activities
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.
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.
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.
This conservancy is open to hunting during lawful hunting seasons. Please check the BC Hunting and Trapping Regulations for more information.
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).
Conservancy and activity maps
Learn more about this conservancy
Conservancy details
- Date established: July 13, 2006
- Size: 20,504 hectares (17,075 ha upland and 3,429 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
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.
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.
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.