Read Island Park | BC Parks

Welcome to the new BC Parks website

Park overview

Read Island Provincial Park encompasses old-growth and second-growth forest, bog and fertile lowlands and protects important high density bald eagle habitat. This variety of habitat allows a wide array of wildlife to flourish, including river otters, seals and sea lions along the water’s edge, and black-tailed deer, weasels, mink, beaver, cougars and wolves in the uplands. The park is an excellent spot to see bald eagles, who nest in the tall trees.

Octopus Islands is part of the BC Marine Trail Association network – a series of campsites, resting areas and safe havens designed and 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.

Established Date: April 30, 1996

Park Size: 637 hectares (625 hectares upland, 14 hectares foreshore)

Stay Safe:

There are no developed trails in this park.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
The park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are at Whaletown on Cortes Island and Heriot Bay on Quadra Island.

Advisories

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

Activities

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 at provincial 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 or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Pets on leash

Pets/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.

Maps and location

View a more detailed map.

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.

Learn more about this park

Park details

Date established: April 30, 1996
Size: 637 hectares

Nature and culture

Wildlife: Read Island Provincial 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.