Haida Gwaii. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- Be aware of undertows along beaches and at river mouths.
- Please be extremely careful with fire, matches, and cigarettes. Cookstoves should be utilized for cooking when possible.
- On beaches and headlands, always be aware of tides and weather, as it is possible to become isolated on disappearing sand bars as tides rise or heavy weather increases wave height. Never turn your back on the sea.
- Warning: Persons contemplating a visit to Naikoon Park are reminded that it is a wilderness area with no supplies of any kind. Accommodation in nearby communities is limited. Suitable clothing should be worn and proper equipment carried for outdoor living. Visitors should be in possession of suitable maps. Hikers planning to travel the beaches should inform a responsible person or agency of their intentions. This information should include estimated departure and return times. See more information about trails or hiking in this park.
Special notes
- The climate here is mild, moderated by moist Pacific air throughout the year. Cool, rainy, or foggy weather and high winds can occur at any time. Campers and hikers should always be equipped with warm clothing and wet-weather gear.
- There is no internet access at Misty Meadows campground or Agate Beach campground.
- Only cash payments are accepted at the campgrounds.
- Off Road Vehicle Use: Naikoon Park is bordered by a hundred kilometres of expansive beach, attracting thousands of park visitors each summer. In recent years, motorized traffic has been on the rise, increasing the potential for damage to Naikoon Park’s sensitive ecosystems and cultural sites. To respect the environment and other visitors, keep the following guidelines in mind as you travel the park.
- Motorized vehicles on Rose Spit Ecological Reserve are prohibited off designated routes. Rose Spit supports an endangered plant community and is critical habitat for many local and migratory bird species.
- Vehicles are PROHIBITED from driving on sand dunes, from leaving designated roads, or traveling above or below the tide zone. Damage to these delicate ecosystems can lead to loss of plant life, increased erosion, exposure and damage to cultural sites. Tire tracks and repeated foot traffic through the sand dunes cause extensive environmental damage. The root systems of plants are broken and wind causes erosion. Once the stabilizing grasses are damaged, the wind continues to shift the dunes, burying the forest, trails, and camping spots.
- Be prepared for emergency situations. Carry what you will need to rescue yourself and your vehicle should it become stuck on the beach.
- ATV use within Naikoon is limited to North and East Beaches. Trail use, travel to the interior of Naikoon and ATV use on the Dune areas is prohibited. ATVs are prohitbited from being used in the campsites and must be moved by trailer to the beach access points. It is illegal to run ATVs on Tow Hill road or any other highway unless they are registered and displaying licence plates. The fine for running non licenced ATVs on roadways is $600.
- Responsible All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Use in Naikoon Park
- ATV and 4x4 vehicles are permitted on North Beach and East Beach only!
- To minimize your impact, travel high upon the beach but below the driftwood line. Avoid the sensitive lower beach and upper sand dunes.
- ATV use is not permitted anywhere else in Naikoon Park. Do not use ATVs on Naikoon’s environmentally-sensitive hiking trails. You are responsible for your vehicle and any damage caused by use of your vehicle.
- Responsible All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Use in Naikoon Park poster [PDF]
- If you see any environmental or cultural damage, please record and report to the Naikoon Park office in Tlell at 250-557-4390 to the Report All Poachers and Polluters line 24/7 at 1-877-952-7277 or #7277 on you cell.
- Wet weather gear is necessary year-round.
- Firearms are prohibited except during a valid hunting season. Please consult BC Hunting Regulations for dates.
- The park’s lakes and streams are the source of drinking water. Help protect the delicate balance of the water system by washing yourself, your clothes, and dishes at least 30 metres from lakes or streams and please don’t clean fish in them. Use responsible backcountry toilet practices. Potable water is available at Agate Beach and Misty Meadows (seasonally) and year-round at BC Parks Headquarters in Tlell.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
Haida Gwaii is served by scheduled air transportation from Vancouver and Prince Rupert and by BC Ferries between Prince Rupert and Skidegate. Highway 16 that connects the island communities passes close to the south and west boundaries of the park providing access at Tlell, Mayer Lake, and north east of Masset. There is no developed access to the interior of the park. Park headquarters are on the highway just south of the Tlell River bridge, 45 km north of the Village of Queen Charlotte.
Camping
Cabins and huts
Frontcountry camping
At Naikoon Park there are two vehicle accessible campgrounds, Agate Beach, and Misty Meadows. Agate Beach has 30 campsites, and Misty Meadows has 32 campsites. This park offers campsites on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not accepted. As in most BC Parks, the maximum stay permitted is 14 days per calendar year.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $18 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $9 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
Frontcountry campgrounds
Group camping
There is group camping at Misty Meadows campground available on a first come, first served basis. There are 10, walk-in tent sites in a group formation with no RV/trailer spaces in the groupsite. Reservations are not accepted.
| Youth group camping fee | $1 per person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Children under 6 are free! |
| Regular group camping fee | $20.00 per group site per night, plus $5 per adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1 per child (6-15). Children under 6 are free! |
For information on the youth group policy see the group camping page.
Groupsites
Wilderness camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.
Things to do
There are many opportunities to explore the wonders of Naikoon Park, including several popular trails.
Safety
- Naikoon Park is a remote wilderness area. Safety is your personal responsibility.
- There are very remote areas of Naikoon Park where injuries, getting lost, exposure, and safe drinking water should always be considered.
- It is recommended that you hike from south to north to avoid prevailing winds, driving rain, or sun in your eyes.
- Hikers should inform a responsible person or agency of their hiking plan, including departure, and return times and dates.
- For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails, switchbacking, and trampling meadows destroy plant life and soil structure which keep rain and snow melt from eroding the trails.
Trails
Tow Hill/Blow Hole Boardwalk
Hike to the Blow Hole (about 1 km) on a universally accessible boardwalk with interpretive signage which is suitable for wheelchairs. The boardwalk continues up Tow Hill to two additional lookouts with binoculars and interpretive signage then loops back to the trailhead (about 2.5 km). This hike will introduce you to Haida legends and culture, old growth forest, the Hiellen River, open ocean, fascinating geologic features, and wonderful views and wildlife.
Cape Fife Trail
For more adventurous and better equipped hikers, the 10 km (one way) hike to the Cape Fife Cabin on East Beach offers the chance to hike old-growth forest on a semi-maintained and well marked trail that takes you past bogs, evidence of settler structures, and to endless beaches. The cabin has four bunks, a woodstove, outhouse, and is available on a first come basis (no reservations), so be sure to have a tent for backup if you wish to stay the night. There is little water on this route so be prepared. The shortest return is back along the trail to Tow Hill, however you can take a 20 km hike along the beach north to Rose Spit then back to Tow Hill on North Beach.
White Creek Trail
Starting at the beach where White Creek meets the sea a rustic trail leads inland along an old settler road, through old growth forest of cedar and spruce, and up to the bog. Fascinating plant and animal life live in this delicate ecosystem, and beautiful views stretch to the horizon into Naikoon Park. Wear waterproof footwear, be very careful of the delicate landscape, and avoid leaving the trail as it is easy to get lost. The trail continues to the Heralda Lakes (4 km), then you return the way you came.
Pesuta Shipwreck Trail
Starting at the Tlell River Day Use area the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail takes you through old-growth forest down to the bank of the Tlell River, leading you to the dunes and seemingly endless East Beach where the remnant bow of the log barge “Pesuta”, which was beached in December 1928, is all that remains of 80 m log carrier. Best to approach this hike on a low or receding tide to avoid walking the riverbank during high water, 6 km one way.
Misty Meadows
Starting near the Misty Meadows day-use picnic shelter, there is a trail that winds through the meadows and forest to the dunes and beach, then circles to the trail that brings you back to the picnic shelter in 1 km.
East Beach Trail
For the dedicated and well-prepared, the East Beach Trail is a truly remote experience. The 90 km hike from Tlell to Rose Spit and then to Tow Hill is a multi-day adventure requiring proper planning. Please see the East Beach Trail map for information on the route and the planning involved.
Getting the most out of your visit
- Some of the best places for bird watching include: Tow Hill, Rose Spit, Mayer Lake, the Tlell River and nearby beaches, and the meadows near the BC Parks headquarters in Tlell.
- The most interesting beach and dune plant communities are at Rose Spit, East Beach, and the Misty Meadows and Pesuta beach areas north of Tlell.
- The best place to experience the bogs in Naikoon Park are along the White Creek Trail.
- There are a number of private property owners and environmentally sensitive areas adjacent to the beaches. Please respect them and always avoid travelling through the dunes.
- To get the most out of Naikoon Park, include binoculars and a camera with your personal safety gear. Read up on the natural and human history of these islands before you set out to gain some in-depth knowledge of the landscape you travel through. It will serve only to enhance your experience.
Pure Lake day use area is a popular family swimming spot.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Multiday canoeing is available in Mayer Lake with backcountry camping. Day trip kayaking or canoeing is an option at Mayer Lake or at nearby Pure Lake Park (day-use only).
Angling can be productive in the Tlell River, other park waterways, and Mayer Lake. The Tlell River is famous for its Coho salmon and steelhead runs.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Tow Hill Advisory: While walking up the Tow Hill trail, ensure your pet is leashed at all times. There are steep cliffs obscured by thick brush. Numerous dogs have lost their lives while running loose on Tow Hill.
It is an offence under the Parks Act to permit a dog to be off leash in a provincial park or ecological reserve, or to permit it to cause annoyance, injury, damage, or to molest wildlife. You are responsible for your pet’s 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.
Fat-tire beach bikes are permitted on the beaches. Use the same precautions as ATVs. Otherwise, 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 Naikoon 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.
North Beach offers surfers an expansive coastline to explore.
This park is open to hunting. Please check the Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.
Anyone hunting in British Columbia must comply with BC hunting regulations. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:
There is a rustic boat launch at the Mayer Lake day-use area. It is suitable for launching canoes, kayaks, and small boats.
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. Always ensure that fires are completely extinguished when they will be untended.
Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park.
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.
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.
Potable water is available in park campgrounds and at the parks headquarters in Tlell. Hikers are advised to carry plenty of drinking water and must treat surface water due to risk of water-borne illness.
This park has day-use and picnic areas located at the Tlell River Bridge, Misty Meadows and Mayer Lake. The Tow Hill day-use site has two wheelchair-accessible tables at the trailhead and Pure Lake Park is nearby.
This park has pit toilets, no flush toilets.
About this park
Haida Gwaii has been called “The Misty Islands”, referring not only to the moist, mild climate, but to the mystique of its inhabitants, the Haida Nation. Visitors to Naikoon can easily find the solitude to reflect on the highly developed culture of these legendary seafarers, with their reputation for adventure, 20 metre dugout canoes, fascinating ceremonies and ferocious exploits. The art of the Haida Nation is famous throughout the world. Majestic and intriguing cedar totem poles and carvings, argillite statuary and intricately designed woven baskets and hats of spruce root were once representations of a clan’s wealth and prestige. These and many items were frequently given away at potlatches to help cement the socially complex kinship system.
Juan Perez, exploring under the orders of the Spanish Viceroy of California, is credited with being the first European to see Haida Gwaii in 1774.
In the early 1900s, the provincial government encouraged settlers to farm at Haida Gwaii. There were many who chose to homestead in the area that is now Naikoon Park, growing vegetables, raising cattle and taking gold from the sand beaches. However, difficult drainage, poor access, World War I and the lack of markets caused most people to abandon their efforts before the Great Depression. Many of the place names in the area are reminders of their presence.
Naikoon park is the traditional territory of the Haida Nation and figures prominently in their present lifestyles and history. There are many places of cultural and spiritual importance as well as historic village sites and important food gathering sites throughout the park.
Naikoon is a corruption of “Nai-kun” meaning “house point” – the Haida name for Rose Spit. This five kilometre point of land juts northward from the park separating the riotous waters of Dixon Entrance and Hecate Strait. The park was created to help preserve the natural diversity of this unique coastline.
The park occupies part of the Hecate Depression, a trough between the Outer Mountains to the west and the Coast Mountains on the mainland to the east. The park is largely low and flat. Most of its topographic features are formed by underlying glacial deposits. In the northeast corner, Argonaut Hill, the highest point in the park, rises only 150 metres above sea level. Tow Hill, an outcrop of basalt columns, is a prominent landmark about 100 metres high on the north beach.
Wildlife is a curious mixture of introduced and native species. Sitka Blacktail deer were brought in about 80 years ago and, with abundant forage and no wild predators, they have prospered. Other species such as raccoons, red squirrels, beaver, and muskrat have been introduced. Small herds of wild cattle, remnants of domestic stock from the days of early settlement, have been seen along the east coast.
Species native to the park area include black bear, marten, river otter, and several other mammals that made the salt water crossing from the mainland. Sea mammals include dolphins and harbour porpoises. Hair seals can be seen regularly at Rose Spit and all along the north and east beaches. Northern fur seals and California grey whales migrate northward during May and June.
The bird population of Haida Gwaii is similar to the nearby mainland although many species have not crossed Hecate Strait. Others, such as the hairy woodpecker, the saw-whet owl and Steller’s Jay, have developed into unique sub-species. A sub-species of pine grosbeak is found only on Haida Gwaii and Vancouver Island. A sub-species of song sparrow is found here and on the Alaskan Islands.
Rose Spit is an excellent spot for observing migrating birds travelling south on the Pacific Flyway. Upwelling currents produce much food along the spit, attracting pelagic species rarely seen from the shore. Sandhill cranes gather here after nesting in the park bogs and shorebirds abound.
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.
Contact
| Park operator | This park is proudly operated by the Secretariat of the Haida Nation. |
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| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
