Mount Richardson Park

Backcountry camping is allowed, but limited facilities are provided. There are three areas to camp:

• Tuwanek: This area is generally used as a day-use area as it is the closest to the community of Tuwanek. It has one wooden tent pad, plus three other hard packed ground camping areas. It has a pit toilet. A stream runs through the campsite area, however as the summer progresses it can become intermittent. Bring your own water. There is a “boil water advisory.” Beach is gravel, with barnacle covered rocks. Water is relatively warm to swim in. Anchorage in the bay is poor when there is a Southeaster or a “Small Craft Advisory.” Monitor the Coast Guard Radio Weather channel, listening for the Merry Island Light station report. Beware of local daily winds picking up in the Inlet
• Oyster Beach: Is a small camping area two to three sites of hard packed gravel. The beach is gravel with barnacle covered rocks. It has a pit toilet and a group fire ring. Firewood is not provided. Water is not available at this site. Anchorage in the bay is poor when there is a Southeaster, Westerly or a “Small Craft Advisory.” Monitor the Coast Guard Radio Weather channel, listening for the Merry Island Light station report. Beware of local daily winds picking up in the Inlet.
• Nine Mile Point: Is the largest of the three marine sites, and can be easily reached in a day. It has 2 group fire rings. Firewood is not provided. It has one pit toilet. Water is available, however there is a “boil water advisory.” The beach is gravel with barnacle covered rocks. Anchorage in the bay is poor when there is a Southeaster, Westerly or a “Small Craft Advisory.” Monitor the Coast Guard Radio Weather channel, listening for the Merry Island Light station report. Beware of local daily winds picking up in the Inlet. This is an excellent site to watch the sunset.

Campfires are permitted. Fires must be kept to fire-rings if provided, or below the high tide line on the beach. While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act ). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil.

For the Mount Richardson west side trail follow the driving directions as far as the “west road,” then, about 800 metres after this junction, an old grown-in logging road off to the left leads in the direction of the peak. This road ends in a forest plantation and from there it is a bush whack to the ridge leading to the summit. You can also reach the summit from the lake by bush wacking through the timber to the summit.

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.

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. There are rentals available in Tillicum Bay and Sechelt.
Charts of the area are #3512 Strait of Georgia Central Portion and #3514 Jervis Inlet including Sechelt Rapids.

The Topographic Map for this area is Sechelt Inlet 92G12.

Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Pets/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.

Hunting is permitted only during lawful game hunting season. Check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for regulations.