Rugged Point Marine Park

Highlights in this park

Rugged Point Marine Park, located on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island, is a must-see destination for boaters traveling this area. Accessible by boat only, Rugged Point is home to one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline on the entire west coast and offers spectacular views of the open Pacific Ocean and Kyuquot Sound.

Its quiet, protected beaches on the north side of the peninsula are a sharp contrast to the wild, surf-swept beaches of the outer coast. A variety of safe places to anchor at Rugged Point make this park a popular destination for boaters. In bad weather, more sheltered anchorages can be found in nearby Dixie Cove, located 8 km to the east.

Inland, visitors will find old-growth forest with majestic Douglas fir trees, which adds to the scenic value of this undeveloped park. There are opportunities for walk-in wilderness camping here, as well as a small day-use and picnic area with a pit toilet, bear-proof food cache and an open-walled picnic shelter near the beach. Kapoose Creek runs through the park to empty into the Pacific, providing a supply of fresh water for boaters and campers.

Know before you go

Advisories

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

This park is located on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island on the southwest end of Kyuquot Channel in the mouth of Kyuquot Sound. Access to this park is by water only from the Village of Kyuquot, Fair Harbour or the Artlish River boat launch. The closest communities are Kyuquot and Zeballos. Boaters can reference marine chart #3682 (Kyuquot Sound) for more information on this area.

Camping

Backcountry camping

There is one designated backcountry campground in this park, with four individual tent platform sites. A shared cooking shelter and picnic table are close by. Random beach camping is allowed along the western beaches of the park. Visitors are discouraged from camping at the beach areas east of the designated camping area. This park is accessible year-round. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

When visiting the backcountry, always follow Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. To learn more about staying safe in the backcountry, read our backcountry guide.

Winter camping

There is one designated wilderness campground in this park, with four individual tent platform sites. A shared cooking shelter and picnic table are close by. Random beach camping is allowed along the western beaches of the park. Visitors are discouraged from camping at the beach areas east of the designated camping area. This park is accessible year-round. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

Things to do

Hiking

There is a short, maintained, five minute trail connecting the primary camping area to the west-facing beaches. 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.

Swimming

There is no designated swimming area at this park.

There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.

Canoeing

Rugged Point is popular with ocean kayakers and canoers. Typically, kayakers utilize the west-facing beaches because they are able to pull their kayaks right up on the sandy shore. The beach that faces Kyuquot Sound is more popular with the sail and motorboat crowd because of the semi-sheltered anchorage.

Kayaking

Rugged Point is popular with ocean kayakers and canoers. Typically, kayakers utilize the west-facing beaches because they are able to pull their kayaks right up on the sandy shore. The beach that faces Kyuquot Sound is more popular with the sail and motorboat crowd because of the semi-sheltered anchorage.

Fishing

The waters around Rugged Point are popular with recreational anglers for salmon fishing. Sport fishers camping at Rugged Point must ensure their catch is stored in their boats at anchor overnight to avoid attracting black bears to the camping area. 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 and under control all times. 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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Windsurfing

The outer west-facing beaches of Rugged Point Marine Park have become quite popular for surfing. Visitors planning on surfing can make arrangements for water taxi services from Kyuquot or Zeballos.

Facilities

Campfires

While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire, please utilize previously constructed fire rings and use small pieces of wood that will burn completely.

If you can’t find a previously used site, try to construct your fire rings below the high tide mark. There is a fire ring located in front of the picnic shelter at the primary camping area facing Kyuquot Sound. Never leave your fire unattended and practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics.

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.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use and picnic area with a pit toilet, fire ring and open-walled picnic shelter near the beach at the primary camping area facing Kyuquot Sound. A bear-proof food cache is located behind the picnic shelter.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has one pit toilet, located at the primary camping area facing Kyuquot Sound.

About this park

Cultural heritage

Rugged Point Marine Park lies within the traditional territory of the Ehattesaht First Nation and is also adjacent to the Kyuquot/Checleset First Nation territory. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Kyuquot/Checleset First Nation band office in Kyuquot prior to exploring Rugged Point Park.

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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