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Naikoon Park

Advisories

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Total number of campsites
Total vehicle-accessible sites: 69
Total cabins: 1
Cabins and huts
There is a Haida long house-style cabin along East Beach at Cape Fife with four rustic bunks and a woodstove. A rustic cabin with wood stove and sleeping bunks is at Cape Ball. These cabins are available on a first come basis and not reservable, so bring a tent as a backup. These cabins are user-maintained.
Group camping
There is group camping at Misty Meadows campground available on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted.

Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.

Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $20.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

Vehicle-accessible camping
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis. No reservations are accepted. As in most BC Parks, the maximum stay permitted is 14 days per calendar year.
Vehicle-Accessible Camping Fee: $18.00 per party/night
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $9.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for these areas of the park:

Picnic areas
This park has day-use/picnic areas that are located at the Tlell River Bridge, Misty Meadows, Mayer Lake in the park, at Pure Lake Provincial Park, midway between Port Clements and Masset, and Tow Hill day-use site which has 2 wheelchair-accessible tables at the trailhead.
Pit or flush toilets
This park has pit toilets – no flush toilets.
Drinking water
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.
Boat launch
There is a rustic boat launch at the Mayer Lake Day Use Area suitable for launching canoes, kayaks, and small boats.
Campfires
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. 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. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented so watch out for notices of fire bans due to risk of wildfires, and always ensure that fires are completely extinguished when they will be untended. 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.
Hiking

There are many opportunities to explore the wonders of NaikoonPark, 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 1km) 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 2.5km). 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 10km (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 20km 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 (4km), 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 this 264 foot log carrier. Best to approach this hike on a low or receding tide to avoid walking the riverbank during high water – 6km 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 – ~1km.

East Beach Trail

For the dedicated and well-prepared, the East Beach Trail is a truly remote experience. The 90km 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.
Swimming

Pure Lake day use area is a popular family swimming spot. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Canoeing
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).
Fishing

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 or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Interpretive programs
There are no current or planned interpretive programs, however visitors may drop in at Parks HQ in Tlell and speak with a Park Ranger.
Pets on leash

Tow Hill: 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.

Cycling

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 Provincial 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.

Windsurfing

North Beach offers surfers an expansive coastline to explore.

Hunting

This park is open to hunting. Please check the Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.