Highlights in this park
Located on the southern peninsula of Cortes Island, Smelt Bay Park is named for the capelin fish that spawn ashore by the tens of thousands. Females lay up to 65,000 eggs on the shore in late September and early October, which hatch within three weeks. These small, silver fish draw a variety of other marine life to the area.
The park features a beautiful beach that extends from the south end of Smelt Bay around the shoreline to Sutil Point. It is a great place for marine exploration at low tide. The beach is backed by mounds which are believed to have been built by Coast Salish First Nations as a form of defense.
This is the only provincial campground on remote Cortes Island. It offers 22 spacious campsites laid out in a delightful setting in the woods, overlooking Smelt Bay.
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
Smelt Bay is located on the southwest side of Cortes Island, 15 km south of the Whaletown Ferry Terminal on Sutil Point Road. This park is accessible by boat and by car via a ferry from Campbell River on central Vancouver Island to Quadra Island (approximately 15 minutes), then by another ferry from Quadra Island (Heriot Bay) to Cortes Island (Whaletown), approximately 45 minutes. Once on Cortes, follow signs to the park. Boaters can reference marine chart #3538 and #3539 for more information about this area.
Nearby communities include Squirrel Cove, Whaletown, Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Campbell River.
Dates of operation
The park gate is open May 9, 2024 to September 30, 2024
- Facility type
- Frontcountry camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 24
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 24
- Main operating season
- 2024: May 9 to September 30
- Winter season
- No services
- Booking required
- 2024: May 9 to September 29
- Winter season note
- No camping during the off-season.
Camping
All campsite reservations must be made using the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served on a nightly basis.
Please note, there is no overflow camping available.
The park offers vehicle-accessible campsites in a beautiful forest setting. This campground is ideal for tenters and smaller RVs. It is by reservations only but if campsites are not reserved, they may be used as first come, first served on a nightly basis. There is no overflow camping available.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $20 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $10 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
Things to do
There are canoeing opportunities at Smelt Bay. Paddlers can set in from the beach or the gravel boat launch at higher tides. This boat launch is located on the beach, at the northwest corner of the park.
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Smelt Bay Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted.
Visitors can saltwater fish for salmon and rock fish at this park. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. 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.
There are kayaking opportunities at Smelt Bay. Paddlers can set in from the beach or the gravel boat launch at higher tides. This boat launch is located on the beach, at the northwest corner of the park.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.
Ocean swimming is an option at this park. There is no designated swimming area.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
A gravel boat launch for small boats, is available at higher tides. This boat launch is located on the beach at the northwest corner of the park.
Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead.
Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere 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 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.
A cold water tap is located in the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Annual Drinking Water System Reports
This park has a day-use and picnic area beside the beach. Facilities include an information shelter, pit toilets, a grassy picnic area and a parking lot close to a sand and pebble beach. Nearby Mansons Landing Park offers additional day-use opportunities.
This park has pit toilets in the day-use area and campground.
About this park
Cultural Heritage
Smelt Bay was established in 1973 to protect existing native cultural sites and to provide camping and day-use opportunities. The mounds behind the beach are believed to have been built by First Nation peoples for defense purposes.
Conservation
Smelt Bay is named for the capelin fish that spawn ashore. These small fish draw a variety of other marine life to the area, including salmon, seals, sea lions and otters. Gulls, Bald eagles, cormorants, herons and oystercatchers are also found here.
For information on staying safe near wildlife, visit the wildlife safety page.
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
This park proudly operated by:
Quality Recreation Ltd.
250 308-4479
info@explorebcparks.ca