Park overview
Quatsino Park offers some of the most scenic protected coastline in the Quatsino Sound area. This undeveloped park protects some of the largest old-growth trees that texture Quatsino’s rich coastline.
Situated along the popular Quatsino Sound kayak touring route, this park can be used by visitors as an overnight stopover or as a scenic place to enjoy a picnic. Interior areas of the park encompass a wilderness lake where visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities. People visiting Koprino Lake are advised to use caution when approaching the lake as there is no maintained trail system to gain access.
Quatsino Park is primarily a marine-access recreational park. There are no established campsites or maintained trails within the park. Overnight camping is recommended only at the adjacent estuary campsites. This is a wilderness park that is not regularly patrolled.
Advisories
Safety info
- Access to Quatsino Park is either by boat or by active logging road. Logging trucks have the right of way; drivers should use caution.
- People visiting Koprino Lake are advised to use caution when approaching the lake as there is no maintained trail system to gain access.
Special notes
- There are no vehicle-accessible camping facilities at this park. A small campsite managed by Western Forest Products Ltd. Is located in nearby Koprino Harbour. The site has 10 campsites complete with fire rings, picnic tables and a pit toilet.
- Only surface water from streams or from Kaprino Lake is available, which must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption. Alternatively, bring your own water.
- This park does not have a boat launch. Boat launches in the vicinity of Quatsino Park can be found in Winter Harbour, Coal Harbour and Port Alice.
Camping
Wilderness camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided. Most visitors choose to camp on the beach at Quatsino. Campers must be totally self-sufficient. No fee is charged. Please practice “Leave no trace” no trace camping while visiting the park.
Facilities
While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice “Leave no trace” camping ethics.
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.
Activities
Ocean swimming is available at this park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
This park is occasionally used by kayakers. There are several good haul-outs for kayaks and canoes. However, there are no facilities.
This park is occasionally used by kayakers. There are several good haul-outs for kayaks and canoes. However, there are no facilities.
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 in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control all times. 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.
Pet owners should ensure their dogs do not enter streams used for drinking water as they can be carriers of Giardia. Please water your pet well away from drinking water sources.
There are no opportunities for cycling in this park.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Quatsino 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.
Portions of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures and regulations.
Quatsino Park is located on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island on the north side of Quatsino Sound. The park can be accessed by following the active forestry road between Port Hardy and Holberg. Once in Holberg, follow the Koprino Bay Main, and then turn left onto Simpson Main. From there turn right onto the S 200 road until you reach the park boundary (approximately 30 km from Holberg).
Marine travelers can launch their boats at neighbouring Koprino Harbour, which is accessible at the end of the Koprino Main road. Alternately they could launch from Winter Harbour, Coal Harbour or Port Alice.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: July 12, 1995
- Size: 654.2 hectares (622.2 ha upland and 32 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
History
Quatsino Park was established on July 12, 1995 as part of Vancouver Island Land Use Plan to protect its high ecological and wildlife values.
Cultural Heritage
Archaeological sites and middens are situated within this park’s boundaries.
Conservation
This undeveloped park protects mature forest, some small lakes, the Koprino Harbour, which is a sheltered inlet, and the Koprino River estuary, which is noted for its critical fish-rearing and waterfowl habitat. The park also protects nesting and feeding habitat that is used by a high concentration of Bald eagles.
Quatsino Park is part of the very wet maritime Coastal Western Hemlock (CWHvm1) biogeoclimatic zone variant within the Nahwitti Lowlands Ecosection.
Wildlife
Black bears are very common in Quatsino Park, as are coastal black-tailed deer and cougars.
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.