Ruckle Park

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.

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 58 non-designated sites in the park that are filled on a first come, first served basis. Facilities include pit toilets, cold-water taps, and group fire rings. 

Fees

Ruckle Park has 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). These sites are located approximately five minutes from the parking lot and are popular with cyclists. Facilities include pit toilets, cold-water taps, and group fire rings.  

Fees

Ruckle Park has eight vehicle-accessible campsites, which are available for winter use. Facilities include pit toilets, cold-water taps, and group fire rings.

Campsite reservations are not accepted for the off-season, so these sites are available on a first come, first served basis. The winter camping fee is $11 per party per night.

For more information, see dates of operation, above.

Accessibility information is available for this park.

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.

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 2021 annual report [PDF].

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. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. 

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. 

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. No lifeguards are on duty at 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 salt-water 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 or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

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.