Park overview
Mansons Landing Park was established in 1974 to expand the diversity of marine park experiences in the northern Gulf Islands archipelago. Located on Cortes Island, this beautiful park fronts the water on both Hague Lake and Manson Bay.
Recreational opportunities include fresh water swimming in Hague Lake, and marine wildlife viewing in Mansons Lagoon. Camping is not permitted at this park, however camping is available at nearby Smelt Bay Park.
Hague Lake has two pit toilets, an information shelter, sandy beach and a small parking area. Both areas can be accessed from Seaford Road on Cortes Island. A rough trail, approximately 1 km long, links the two day-use areas.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Park status:
Open
The park is open year-round
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season
- 2023: Year-round
- Winter season
- Limited services
- Facility type
- Picnic areas
- Main operating season
- 2023: Year-round
- Winter season
- Limited services
Safety info
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Facilities
There is a natural boat launch (no facility) on the west side of the spit at Mansons Lagoon. Motorboats are not permitted on Hague Lake.
An information shelter is located at Hague Lake.
This park has two day-use and picnic areas: one at Mansons Lagoon and one at Hague Lake. Facilities at Mansons Lagoon include picnic tables, one pit toilet, a sandy spit and a parking lot. This parking lot also accesses the federal wharf. Hague Lake has a pit toilet, information shelter, sandy beach and a small parking area. Both areas can be accessed from Seaford Road on Cortes Island. A rough trail, approximately 1 km long, links the two day-use areas.
Hague Lake has two pit toilets, an information shelter, sandy beach and a small parking area. Both areas can be accessed from Seaford Road on Cortes Island. A rough trail, approximately 1 km long, links the two day-use areas.
Activities
This park offers a few informal hiking or walking trails, as well as beach walks. A short trail extends from the sand spit at Mansons Lagoon to the local school (approximately 1 km). Another short trail with steep sections runs from Hague Lake around the perimeter of the lagoon to the sand spit (approximately 1 km). 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.
Visitors can swim in Hague Lake or in Mansons Lagoon when the tide is in. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Kayaking and canoeing is possible in Hague Lake or within Mansons Lagoon at high tide. Paddlers can set in at the natural boat launch on the west side of the spit at Mansons Lagoon.
There are opportunities for freshwater fishing for trout in Hague Lake and saltwater fishing for a variety of salmon in the waters offshore. 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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Located on the west side of Cortes Island, this park is accessible by boat and by car ferry from Campbell River via Quadra Island. Ferry service is offered by BC Ferries; sailing times are approximately 15 minutes from Campbell River to Quadra Island, and 45 minutes from Quadra to Cortes. The park can be reached via Seaford Road on Cortes Island.
The park can also be accessed by private boat, which can moor at the adjacent federal government wharf (space permitting).
Nearby communities include: Whaletown, Squirrel Cove, Cortes Bay and Smelt Bay.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: March 21, 1974
- Size: 100.3 hectares (47 ha upland and 53 ha foreshore)
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
Quality Recreation Ltd.
250 308-4479
info@explorebcparks.ca
Nature and culture
History:
Mansons Landing is the sixth park designated in the northern Gulf Islands. It was established in 1974.
Cultural Heritage
The park lies within the asserted traditional territory of First Nations. Early explorers included Galiano and Valdes, who named Cortes Island after Hernando Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico.
In 1880, Michael Manson, an immigrant from Scotland established a trading post in the present park area to trade with First Nations and provide supplies to a slowly developing logging and fishing industry. A small general store was built on the trading post site but was moved in 1995 to a site adjacent to the community centre. This site now functions as a museum.
Conservation
The natural features of the park, including Hague Lake, the sand spit and the lagoon, add significantly to the natural integrity of the island community.
All salmon species are found offshore and Hague Lake contains some cutthroat trout. The lagoon provides opportunities to view oysters, clams, crabs, moon snails and nudibranchs. Dominant trees include Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Arbutus, shore pine, red alder and broadleaf maple.
Wildlife
Wildlife is transient and present only on occasion, the exceptions being red squirrels and ravens. Columbia blacktail deer, although not resident to the park are frequently seen.
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.