Originally established for its distinctive landmark viewing point in 1938, Mount Maxwell Park contains one of the highest points on Salt Spring Island in the Southern Gulf Islands. This point, called Baynes Peak, offers superb views of Vancouver Island, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the mainland of British Columbia.
Also found in this day-use only park and surrounding protected area are stands of old-growth douglas fir, garry oak meadows, salmon bearing creeks, and the largest undeveloped estuary in the Gulf Islands. Mount Maxwell Park is a popular destination for residents and visitors, who come here to picnic, hike, and enjoy the spectacular views. From the top of Mount Maxwell visitors have a unique opportunity to see the topside of soaring raptors, or to peer through the mist and marvel at the panoramic views.
Mount Maxwell Park, contiguous with Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve and Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, combine to create over 1100ha of protected area stretching from mountain top to shoreline and across Burgoyne Bay to the slopes of Mount Bruce.
Accessibility information is available for this park.
Mount Maxwell Park offers a number of walking/hiking opportunities with spectacular views. Approximately 6km of maintained trails all start at the parking lot and range from easy strolls to more demanding hikes. Trails to the north and east travel through wooded areas of old-growth and second-growth douglas fir. The trail to the west follows along the ridge of Mount Maxwell and links up with the park entrance road approximately 2km from the parking lot. Excellent views can be had from various points along the trails, particularly at Baynes Peak, Salt Spring Island’s highest point. From here visitors can get a panoramic look at Vancouver Island, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the mainland of British Columbia.
Please stay on designated trails. Some sections of the trail travel very close to the cliff edge. Use extreme caution in these areas.
A viewing area at the top of Mount Maxwell offers spectacular vistas of Burgoyne Bay and Samsun Narrows, and is an excellent location to watch the sun set. Visitors to the park may also see a variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, black bears, feral sheep and goats, as well as turkey vultures, peregrine falcons, and several bat species.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Mount Maxwell Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Mount Maxwell Park is located on Salt Spring Island, in the southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries offers service to Salt Spring Island from Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Crofton on Vancouver Island, and Vancouver (Tsawwassen). From the Salt Spring ferry terminal, head south on the Fulford Ganges Road to Cranberry Road. Turn left at the junction with Mount Maxwell Road and continue slowly on the rough road to the park. This gravel road is steep and narrow and bumpy; caution should be taken when traveling this road.
This park proudly operated by:
K2 Park Services Ltd.
k2parks@shaw.ca
1-877-559-2115
k2parks.ca
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.