Roberts Memorial Park

Highlights in this park

Peaceful Roberts Memorial Park is near Nanaimo on south Vancouver Island. This park offers a small day-use area on the beach overlooking scenic Stewart Channel and is an ideal spot for a quiet afternoon picnic.

An easy 1 km trail through mature forest leads to the rocky beach, which offers good opportunities for wildlife viewing. From here, visitors can often see Steller’s and California sea lions, who haul out to bask in the sun on the park’s unique sandstone ledges during the summer months.

The park contains unique sandstone ledges. These ledges are part of the geological heritage of Vancouver Island and represent ancient sea beds. The ledges serve as a haul-out location for sea lions, which can often be spotted basking in the sun in this area.

Great blue herons, Bald eagles and a variety of seabirds can also be spotted in the park, which was donated to the province by May Vaughan Roberts in memory of her husband and daughter.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Lock all vehicles and remove valuables.

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

Park map [PDF]

Getting there

Roberts Memorial Park is located 15 km south of Nanaimo on central Vancouver Island. From Hwy 1 take the Cedar Road exit, then turn on Yellowpoint Road. Follow signs to the park.

Things to do

Hiking

An easy 1 km trail from the parking lot leads to a small picnic area on the beach overlooking scenic Stewart Channel. This trail travels through second-growth Douglas fir. 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.

Fishing

Salmon fishing from the rocks is a popular activity at this park. 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.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but the rocky beach provides good opportunities for wildlife viewing. Visitors can often see Steller’s and California sea lions, who haul out on the sandstone ledges in the park during the summer months. Great blue herons, Bald eagles and a variety of seabirds can also be spotted from the park.

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.

Cycling

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 Roberts Memorial 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.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

An easy 1 km trail from the parking lot leads to a small picnic area on the beach overlooking scenic Stewart Channel. Facilities include two picnic tables and pit toilets.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has two pit toilets, one at beach and one at parking lot.

About this park

History

Established in 1980, this park was donated by May Vaughan Roberts in memory of her husband and daughter. A shell midden on the beach demarcates the site of First Nations harvesting of the rich intertidal life.

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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