Park overview
Malaspina Provincial Park is located in the Desolation Sound area and protects significant natural values while providing a low elevation coastal hiking and backcountry recreation experience.
This park features the northern portion of the Sunshine Coast Trail.
Special Notes
Desolation Sound is a very popular kayak and boating destination. There are 11 designated campsites throughout Desolation Sound, the Copeland Islands and Malaspina Provincial Marine Parks.
These three parks are grouped together for the backcountry registration system and described as Desolation Sound Parks .
BC Parks’ reservations system system allows you to purchase a backcountry permit before leaving home. Although the system does not reserve a campsite, the system provides visitors the convenience of prepaying for their trip and not having to carry cash. We encourage all visitors to register online so we can reduce the need to collect fees in the field. If the online system is not available to you then you can pay with cash at Okeover Park or Lund Harbour. Look for the registration information at the BC Parks kiosks.
A Desolation Sound Parks backcountry registration is valid for overnight use in the Copeland Islands, Malaspina, Roscoe Bay, and Desolation Sound Provincial Marine Parks.
Most kayaker and boaters launch their vessels and start their adventure from either Lund Harbour or Okeover Harbour Government Dock to access the Desolation Sound Parks . Many boaters will arrive by boat from Georgia Strait.
Okeover Arm Park is located next to the Okeover Harbour Government Dock. There are 21 vehicle access campsites at Okeover Park. Many people will camp at Okeover Park and get an early start the next day to explore the Desolation Sound Parks. There is a campground attendant at Okeover Park.
Kayak Rentals and Guided Tours: There are several kayak rentals available in the Powell River and the Lund area. There are several guided kayak tours available. All guided visitors are required to pay overnight camping fees, in addition to any guiding fees. Please discuss with your guide outfitter prior to your trip.
Parking: There is limited free parking near to Okeover Park and boat launch. Private pay parking is also available in Lund Harbour.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Open to public access year-round
Current status:
Open to public access
- Facility type
- Marine-accessible camping
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: June 1 to September 15
- Reservable dates
- 2023: June 1 to September 15
- Facility type
- Marine-accessible camping
- Main camping season dates
- 2023: June 1 to September 15
- Reservable dates
- 2023: June 1 to September 15
Safety info
Backcountry Camping fees are in place for Desolation Sound Parks backcountry campgrounds (includes Desolation Sound Marine, Copeland Islands Marine, Malaspina and Roscoe Bay Provincial Parks) from June 1st to September 15th.
To purchase a backcountry camping permit, click on the “Get A Backcountry Camping Permit Now” button. Thank you for your support!
Please note: BC Parks is implementing a designated campsite policy to protect the sensitive areas of the park.
- These marine parks protect globally significant ecological and cultural park values.
- Recreational activities have caused inadvertent negative impacts to sensitive park areas.
Camping
- Total number of campsites
- Total backcountry sites: 7
- Total boat-accessible sites: 7
Marine Access – Backcountry Camping:
Malaspina has two designated campsites: Sarah Point and Feather Cove. There are 11 designated campsites [PDF] throughout Desolation Sound, the Copeland Islands and Malaspina Parks. There is an average of 9 tent pads at each site.
Details about these campsites, including campsite maps, access descriptions, facilities and features, are available here.
- Camping is only permitted in designated campsites.
- Campers must use tent pads, please prevent erosion by placing tents, and other equipment on the tent pads.
- Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please do not hold sites for other parties.
Please Note:
- These parks protect very sensitive ecosystem values. Please stay on designated routes to avoid causing damage to these park values.
- Campfires are not permitted throughout the marine parks; observe posted signs.
- Fees are collected from June 1st to September 15th.
Camping fee: $5 per person per night (age 6+)
Activities
Maps and location
Malaspina Provincial Park is located approximately 30 km to the northwest of Powell River, on the eastern and northern shoreline of Malaspina Peninsula. The closest communities are the communities of Lund and Malaspina Inlet.
Nearby provincial parks include Desolation Sound, Okeover Arm, Copeland Islands, Roscoe Bay, Teakerne Arm and Walsh Cove.
Park and activity maps
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: April 11, 2001
- Size: 572 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
1312768 BC Ltd
DesolationSound.Camping@outlook.com
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.