Park overview
Isolated Raft Cove Park on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island is wonderfully scenic, attracting wilderness adventurers on day hikes or backpackers carrying in overnight gear to set up camp on the long crescent shaped sandy beach.
This undeveloped, rustic park features a long spit and sandy bay at the mouth of the meandering Macjack River, rocky headlands and a wild coastal environment. Visitors should dress warmly and bring good rain gear at any time of the year, as Raft Cove is extremely exposed to the Pacific weather systems that pound this rugged coastline. Waterproof clothing is a must if you hope to stay dry.
Wilderness camping on the beach is popular at this park, as is surfing, fishing and hiking. During low tides, long shore walks over rock and beach can be made north or south of Raft Cove, at the edge of the pounding Pacific surf.
Access to the beach from the road is via a rugged 2 km route that cuts through coastal old growth forest of hemlock, western red cedar and Sitka spruce. This unmaintained route has some challenging sections and is extremely muddy in areas.
Advisories
Dates of operation
Park status:
Open
The park is open year-round
- Facility type
- Backcountry camping
- Main operating season
- 2023: Year-round
- Winter season
- Limited services
- Booking required
- 2023: May 1 to September 30
- Winter season note
- Winter camping is available; no fees, no services.
Safety info
- The first 300 metres of the Raft Cove Trail fall outside the park boundary and hikers should use caution when traversing this portion of the trail into the Cove.
- Surfers should be aware there are extremely dangerous undercurrents in this location.
- Be bear aware and practice wildlife safety.
- Exposed coastline is hazardous. Be wave and weather wise. Show respect for surf and waves. Watch for unusually large ‘rogue’ waves that occasionally hit the beach. These waves are capable of pulling a person into the water. Keep children away from the surf.
Special notes
- Access to this park is by active logging roads. The chance of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling these roads is highly likely. Logging trucks have the right of way; vehicles must yield to logging trucks and use pullouts when possible.
- Surface water is extremely limited in this park, so be sure to bring drinking water with you. Any water found in streams in the park must be boiled, treated or filtered prior to consumption.
Camping
Backcountry (beach) and hike-in camping is allowed, but no facilities other than simple pit toilets and food caches are provided.
This park is accessible year-round. Fees are only collected from May 1 to September 30 when backcountry services are provided. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.
Backcountry camping fee: $5 per person per night (age 6+)
The BC Parks backcountry permit registration service allows you to purchase a backcountry camping permit before leaving home. Although this does not reserve a campsite, it provides the convenience of prepaying for your trip and not having to carry cash. We encourage all visitors to register online so we can reduce the need to collect fees in the field.
Winter camping is available in this park. Keep in mind there are no fees and no services.
Facilities
There are two open-air pit toilets available at the main beach.
Activities
The trail from the parking lot in to the main beach is approximately 2 km long and takes on average 40 minutes. This trail has some challenging sections and is extremely muddy in areas. It receives minimal or no maintenance. At the end of the trail you will find yourself at the northwest end of the main beach, which stretches more than 2 km to the mouth of the Macjack River.
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 is no designated swimming area at this park. There are no lifeguards on duty.
Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park. Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Raft Cove offers visitors spectacular views of a rugged west coast beach environment. The park’s exposure and impressive waves make it a great place for storm watching. Visitors may also spot a variety of wildlife in the area, including black bears, cougars and wolves. Raft Cove has an estuary at the mouth of the Macjack River, which offers visitors the chance to see river otters and waterfowl.
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 the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife. 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.
Raft Cove Park is located on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, 65km southwest of Port Hardy. Access to the park is by a gravel logging road out of Holberg. Follow the signs for Cape Scott Park and turn left on Ronning Main. Continue along Ronning Main to the parking area at approximately km 25. The access trail is located on the far west corner of the parking area. Drivers must be aware that these are active logging roads and precautions should be taken. Logging vehicles have the right of way. The closest communities are Port Hardy, Holberg and Winter Harbour.
Park and activity maps
- Topographical Maps are available at local sporting goods stores and other outlets. For this park, see topographical map #102-1/9.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: March 8, 1990
- Size: 787 hectares (444 ha upland and 343 ha foreshore)
Nature and culture
Conservation
Raft Cove contains features characteristic of the Nahwitti Lowland Landscape such as rounded hills, poorly drained areas, rugged coastline and western hemlock and western red cedar forests. Other park features include a river estuary and a long spit and crescent-shaped sandy beach.
Wildlife
Raft Cove is home to a significant population of black bears, who forage along the creek beds and beach in the park. Wolves, cougars, black-tailed deer, raccoons, river otters, red squirrels and a variety of bird species can also be found in the area.
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.