Say Nuth Khaw Yum Park [aka Indian Arm Park]

Marine access camping is available on the south side of Bishop Creek. There is camping available on North Twin Island. There are 20 elevated wooden tent pads at the North Twin Campground. 

There is also marine access camping available at South Granite Falls. Gravel tent pads are available at the South Granite Campground. Grassy forest clearings are available at the South Bishop campground. There are pit toilets available at each camping area. There are no mooring facilities at South Bishop Creek. There is day moorage available for vessels under 5.5 metres in length at North Twin Island and North Granite Falls.

There are no fires permitted in Say Nuth Khaw Yum Provincial Park [aka Indian Arm Park]. Bear and raccoons are common throughout the park so please hang your food and garbage in a tree out of reach of bears or use the bear-proof containers when available. Weather up Indian Arm can change rapidly, so please be prepared for heavy rains, high winds and cool temperatures.

There are no camping fees charged at this time.

A day-use area is located on the north side of Granite Falls near a small dock. This day-use area has a grassy area of approximately 80 x 30 metres. There is also a large grassy area at the South Bishop backcountry site. There are rocky beaches at both North and South Granite Falls. There is also a tidal beach at the mouth of Grant Creek below Granite Falls. It is a mixed sand and cobblestone beach. No fires are permitted. There are no picnic tables. Barbeques must be placed on the ground when in use, and are not permitted on the dock.

Racoon Island and South Twin Island are day-use areas, only.

There is no boat launch within the Park.

The nearest boat launch is at Cates Park (North Vancouver Municipal Park) located on Dollarton Highway. This launch has four paved lanes with a moderate grade. There is parking available for vehicles/trailers. Overnight parking it available at Cates Park, within the boat launch parking. This parking area is intended for the use of boat launch patrons. An overnight parking pass is required. This pass can be obtained through the District of North Vancouver at 604 990-3800. If you need overnight parking and do need the boat launch, you must find alternate overnight parking for your vehicle. Parking is available in Deep Cove.

Boats can be left in the water or beached overnight. However, overnight moorage is not permitted at any of the docks within the park. Overnight moorage is available in Deep Cove.

Sewage cannot be disposed of within the Port of Vancouver. Indian Arm Provincial Park falls within the Port of Vancouver. All Sewage must be contained within a holding tank and removed.

All hiking times are for return trips, distances in kilometres, elevation gains in meters. It should be noted that hikes in this area tend to be very steep and require vigorous effort. Exceptions are the B.C. Hydro trails near Buntzen Lake. Remember any elevation gain must also be lost and travelling down a steep slope can be slow and arduous. As well, these hikes are at elevation and are subject to harsh weather conditions. Snow can fall in the spring and fall. Also the weather can close in very rapidly. Most of the hikes (except Diez Vistas) are ridge-top hikes and are therefore exposed to the elements.

• Trail information

There is cool water ocean swimming with no roped off area. There is a sandy beach at the mouth of Granite Falls; it is only dry at low tide. There is also a small sandy beach in the lagoon between N. and S. Twin islands. This beach is also dry only at low tide. All other beaches throughout the park are rocky or cobble stone.

Caution: previous Quarry work in the North Granite Falls area has left the cliffs unstable. Large debris flows occur infrequently along steep mountain creeks. There are no lifeguards on duty in provincial parks.

Kayaking/canoeing is available for the experienced paddler. Paddlers can travel up the arm to either the Bishop Creek or Granite Falls camping areas (travel time with the current is approximately two hours). The estuary at the head of the arm is a unique paddling experience. At high tide the first kilometre of the river can be navigated upstream in a Kayak or canoe.

A tide chart must be referenced for travels up Indian arm. Travelling up toward the head of Indian Arm on a rising tide allows the paddler to work with the current. Conversely, while heading south, leaving the Arms towards Burrard inlet, paddlers should be travelling with a dropping tide.

All four camping areas can be accessed by kayak/canoe (see the above Camping information).

The Indian River supports five species of salmon, sea-run cutthroat, and small steelhead populations. The Pink salmon run starts in July and runs into October. The estuary is vital habitat for prawns and crab. A wide variety of rockfish and other bottom fish are available. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

There are no viewing platforms but the entire area is surrounded by snow-capped peaks in the winter. At the head of Indian Arm several large peaks can be seen up the Indian River and Grant Creek Valleys. There are two hydro electricity generating stations on the east shore of the Arm which can be spectacular in full flow. Silver falls on the north shore of Indian Arm is a beautiful waterfall at the outflow of Elsay Creek. It is located just south of South Bishop Campground. No wildlife viewing opportunities.

There are also locations within the park which offer good wildlife viewing. The Indian River estuary has excellent migratory bird watching. The entire Indian Arm has excellent sea duck activity in the winter. A variety of wildlife can be found in the park including black bear, black-tailed deer, cougar, coyote, red fox, and a variety of smaller mammals and amphibians. Seventy-nine bird species have been identified in the park area. Harbour seals are also common throughout Indian Arm. During salmon runs they can often be seen fishing. Black bear sightings are common along the shoreline. A large run of pink salmon (approximately 60,000 fish) make their way up the Arm on odd numbered years. They can be seen jumping all along the shoreline. The fish concentrate in the Indian River estuary and then work their way up the Indian River. The Chum Salmon make their way up the Arm annually in large numbers. Smaller numbers of Coho and Chinook salmon find their way back to the Indian River each year. With the concentration of salmon in the fall, large numbers of eagles can be view overhead, and amongst the salmon there are many seals feeding.

There are scuba diving and snorkelling opportunities at this park. The shoals around Raccoon and Twin Islands offer good scuba diving. Outside the park near Lighthouse Park and Whytecliff Park in West Vancouver and Porteau Cove Provincial Park in Howe Sound, are well known scuba diving locations.

Hunting is allowed in this park. Please check the BC Hunting & Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information.