South Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Special notes
Ruckle Park Active Farm
The active farm portion of Ruckle Park is not open to the public. Visitors are asked to respect this property and not to interfere with farming operations. To learn more, read the management and operations information sheet [PDF].
Dogs
Due to ongoing interactions with farm livestock, BC Parks has designated some portions of the park trail system as closed to dogs. This change is in effect until further notice. Park visitors will still be able to enjoy dog on-leash areas in the lower day-use and campground areas and the coastal trail to Yeo Point. Signs identify restricted areas and direct you to dog-appropriate locations. Thank you for your cooperation.
Vegetation
Carpet burweed (Soliva sessilis) is an invasive, introduced plant that has been discovered in Ruckle Park. Efforts to eradicate the plant are ongoing and include the creation of a fenced quarantine area to exclude seed dispersers (in other words, people) from one of the large meadows, and the use of work crews to locate and effectively deal with the plants. To find out more about the origin of burweed, its spread throughout the world, its effects on playing fields and golf courses, and its history at Ruckle Park, view the burweed poster [PDF].
During April, May, and June, wildflowers will be in bloom in some areas of the park, particularly around the groupsites. People who are prone to allergic reactions should take necessary precautions and use the mowed paths and main trails as much as possible. The remainder of the grasses and wildflowers will be cut in early July after the bloom has completed its cycle.
Water
The water system is shut down for winter between November 1 and March 15. To learn more about the drinking water system at Ruckle Park, read the 2021 annual report [PDF].
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
Any maps provided on this page are for information only. They may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Getting there
Ruckle Park is on Salt Spring Island in the southern Gulf Islands area. The park is 10km from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal along Beaver Point Road. BC Ferries offers service to Salt Spring Island from Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Crofton on Vancouver Island, and Vancouver (Tsawwassen) on the Lower Mainland.
The closest communites are Ganges, Fulford Harbour, Sidney, and Victoria.
Camping
Frontcountry camping
Ruckle Park has eight sites for recreational vehicles or campers. Four are reservable, and the remainder are available on a first come, first served basis.
There are also approximately 78 walk-in sites that are available on a first come, first served basis. See walk-in camping for details.
Fees (per night)
| Vehicle-accessible camping |
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| Winter season vehicle-accessible camping |
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| BC Senior Camping Discount rate | Day after Labour Day to June 14 only
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Frontcountry campgrounds
Group camping
There are three group campsites at this park, set in an open field. Facilities include pit toilets, a group fire ring, fresh water, and picnic tables. Campsites are approximately a five-minute walk from the parking lot. The site holds a maximum of 25 people.
Fees (per night)
| Regular group camping |
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|---|---|
| Youth group camping |
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For more information, see the youth group policy and group camping page.
Groupsites
Walk-in camping
There are 78 walk-in campsites along the edge of the forest and extending across an open, grassy area overlooking Swanson Channel. Twenty of these sites have tent pads, 10 are reservable, and the rest are filled on a first come, first served basis. Facilities include pit toilets, cold-water taps, and group fire rings.
These sites are located approximately five minutes walk from the parking lot and are popular with cyclists.
Fees (per night)
| Walk-in or cycle-in camping |
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|---|---|
| Winter walk-in or cycle-in camping |
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| BC Senior Camping Discount rate | Day after Labour Day to June 14 only
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Walk-in campgrounds
Winter camping
There are eight vehicle-accessible campsites, which are available for use during the winter season. Facilities include pit toilets, cold-water taps, and group fire rings.
Reservations are not available and sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
For more information, see camping, above.
Fees (per night)
| Winter season vehicle accessible camping |
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Things to do
Ruckle Park has more than 15km of trails. A shoreline trail runs from the heritage farm area right through to Yeo Point, along with other inland trail routes that range from easy walks to more difficult hikes. Detailed trail maps are at information shelters and convenient points along the trails.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
There is no designated swimming area at this park.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Canoeing is not recommended at this park but there are opportunities for ocean kayaking.
Ocean kayaking opportunities are available at this park.
There are saltwater fishing opportunities at Ruckle Park. Fishing is permitted in line with provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada before fishing.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
There are regularly scheduled naturalist programs offered during the summer season.
Ruckle Park features beautiful ocean views from the day-use area and along the trails, as well as scenic pastoral views of the neighbouring farm. The Heritage Farm feature a number of old farm buildings, that are still used today. The big orchard barn has open access (a schedule is posted at the site). Other buildings are available for viewing from the outside only.
Dogs and other pets must be leashed and under control all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
It is extremely important that dogs be kept away from the working farm and livestock within the park.
Ruckle Park is a popular location for cyclists wishing to explore the rest of picturesque Salt Spring Island. Bicycles are allowed on the main roads only and cyclists are asked to walk their bikes into the main campground area. Bicycles are not allowed on the walking trails in the park.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Ruckle Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
There are opportunities for windsurfing at this park.
Scuba divers frequent the waters off Ruckle Park, drifting among the castle-like caves or floating above the bountiful ocean floor, where they find a profusion of plumose, anemones, sponges, octopuses, sea stars, and giant barnacles.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
There are a number of group fire rings throughout the campground. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. We encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or anywhere else in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds valuable organic matter to the soil.
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.
There are six pressurized drinking water stations throughout the campground and day-use areas. The water system is shut down for the winter season between November 1 and March 15. For more information on the drinking water system at Ruckle Park, read the 2024 annual report [PDF].
Ruckle Park has a day-use and picnicking area. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, and an information shelter. A large grassy area and rugged shoreline provide great views of passing boats and ferries.
To find the day-use parking lot, continue straight on the main park road past the campground turnoff.
This park has pit toilets at the campground, day-use area, and heritage farm.
About this park
First Nations used this area for shellfish gathering, camas harvesting, and settlement.
Irish emigrant Henry Ruckle first homesteaded here in 1872, marrying Ella Anna Christensen in 1877. Their descendants have farmed the Salt Spring property for more than a century. The Ruckle family donated their land to BC Parks in 1972 for the creation of Ruckle Park. The family still operates the Active Farm area of Ruckle Park and maintains several residences through a Life Tenancy Agreement established with BC Parks at the time of the donation. Ruckle Farm is one of the oldest continually operating farms in British Columbia.
Ruckle Park is one of the largest provincial parks in the Gulf Islands and protects a mosaic of wetlands, flowering Garry oak meadows, older forest, and shoreline habitats. Strong tidal currents create the environment for rich kelp forests offshore. Kelp forests are important feeding areas for fish and attract many birds and mammals. Endangered and threatened species on land include Macoun’s meadowfoam, Nutall’s quillwort, sedges, and the western screech owl. Habitat for the rare brittle prickly-pear cactus and northern alligator lizard is protected.
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.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by RLC Park Services. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
