Read Island Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Read Island Park encompasses old-growth and second-growth forest, bog, fertile lowlands and protects important high density bald eagle habitat. The park is an excellent spot to see bald eagles, who nest in the tall trees.

This variety of habitat allows a wide array of wildlife to flourish. This includes river otters, seals and sea lions along the water’s edge as well as black-tailed deer, weasels, mink, beaver, cougars and wolves in the uplands.

This area is part of the BC Marine Trail Association network, which is a series of campsites, resting areas and safe havens cared for by recreational boaters and paddlers. Once connected, this marine trail will extend from Vancouver to Prince Rupert and down into Puget Sound.

Wildlife and nature enthusiasts will enjoy a visit to Read Island, located off the tip of Quadra Island. Visitors to the park will find plenty to do, including rustic hiking, kayaking, wilderness camping and swimming at Rosen Lake.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

There are no developed trails in this park.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Special notes

The park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are at Whaletown on Cortes Island and Heriot Bay on Quadra Island.

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

The park is located on the southern tip of Read Island in the Quadra Island Group, off the east coast of central Vancouver Island. Access to the park is by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3538 and #3539 for more information on this area. The closest communities are Read Island, Cortes Island, Quadra Island and Campbell River.

Camping

Marine-accessible camping

There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Read Island is accessible year-round. Please practice “Leave no trace” camping ethics.

Winter camping

There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Read Island is accessible year-round. Please practice “Leave no trace” camping ethics.

Things to do

Swimming

There is no designated swimming area at this park however opportunities exist for ocean swimming and fresh water swimming at Rosen Lake.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

This area is a popular destination for paddlers, who come here to experience paddling in the sheltered waters and see a variety of wildlife.

Fishing

Ocean 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 on leash

Pets and 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.

Scuba diving

There are opportunities for scuba diving in this park.

About this park

Wildlife

Read Island Park is an excellent place to see bald eagles, who make their nests in the park’s tall trees. Other wildlife includes river otters, seals and sea lions along the water’s edge, and black-tailed deer, weasels, mink, beaver, cougars and wolves in the uplands.

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.

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