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Advisories

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Vehicle-accessible camping

This park offers 42 vehicle-accessible campsites. There are 2 double sites and no pull-through sites. Campsites are located under mature forest canopy. There is no gatehouse or locked gate. There is room for two vehicles at each site and extra parking is available for a fee. If no staff is available to help find a site, find an unoccupied site that has no camping receipt posted at the site. Pay for camping by self-registration. There is a pay phone located approximately 1 km away at the ferry terminal south of the park. The closest store is in Black Point enroute to Powell River approximately 6 km away. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available. 
 

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $20.00 per party/night. 
There is room for two vehicles at each site, with a $10 fee/night for a second vehicle. Extra parking is available for additional vehicles for a fee of $10/night.
BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $10.00 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.
Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas
This park has a day-use/picnic area. There are no covered shelters available. The day-use area is located 1 km from the campgrounds. There is a concrete boat ramp, hand pump for water, grassy area, large paved parking lot and two wheelchair-accessible pit toilets. The beach is mostly rocky with some sandy areas at high tide. No fires are permitted in the day-use area.
Pit or flush toilets
This park only has pit toilets – no flush toilets. There are 6 pit toilets (2 are wheelchair-accessible) in the campground, 1 at Mermaid Cove (wheelchair-accessible) and 2 at the day-use area (all are wheelchair-accessible).
Drinking water
There are 5 water taps located throughout the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Boat launch
There is a concrete boat launch in the day-use area 1.5 km north of the campground; double ramp and tie up groin; no closures, parking for trailers available. No commercial activity is permitted at boat launches in BC Parks. Overnight parking is available at the owner’s risk. Boats cannot be left in the water or beached overnight. There is a marina 1 km south by boat or car to moor boats over night.
Sani-station
Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge
Campfires
Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings only. There is a fire ring in each campsite. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
Hiking
The Mermaid Cove Trail starts at the bridge over Park Creek near the entrance to the Campground. It is an easy 1 km hike through 90 year old second growth stand of forest. Some sections of the trail traverse short sections of rocky out crops where footing may be slippery. The trail is for hiking only and is not suitable for wheel chairs. It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk its length. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, please obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Swimming
Good summer swimming in the ocean is available. There is no designated or roped-off swimming area. The beach is quite rocky with some sandy areas at high tide at the day-use site. Caution: beaches are rocky and subject to tidal action and sudden changes in weather. Mermaid Cove is best suited for experienced scuba divers. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Canoeing
Canoeing and kayaking in ocean area; know the ocean currents. Contact the Powell River Chamber of Commerce 604 485-4051 for information on kayak/canoe rental companies.
Fishing

Good tidal fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Wildlife viewing
Typical marine shoreline environment with opportunities to view seals, otters, mink, seabirds and bald eagles.
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.
Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. There are no specific bicycle trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Saltery Bay Provincial 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.

Scuba diving
There are excellent scuba diving opportunities. Scuba diving provides a close–up look at the abundant marine life and a 3-metre bronze mermaid statue. The Emerald Princess statue and wheelchair access ramp were placed in the park through efforts of local scuba enthusiasts. There is a diver change house and cold showers are available. Scuba rentals are available in Powell River approximately 27 km north.