Park overview
Relax by the waterfall at this peaceful riverside park or explore the area by foot. Hiking trails weave their way through the lush forest and river rapids. Named for the pioneer who built Port Alberni’s earliest sawmill, Stamp River Park is an amalgamation of Stamp Falls and Money’s Pool.
One of the park’s main attractions is the annual run of thousands of Pacific salmon circling in the pool below Stamp Falls before ascending the fish ladders on their way to spawning beds. Lookout points along the river offer excellent views of the salmon fighting their way up the falls and fish ladders. This natural phenomenon occurs every year, starting in late August with sockeye and continuing with coho and chinook right into December.
The salmon are a draw for black bear as well, who head to the river for an easy meal. As always when in wilderness areas, safety precautions should be taken. While fishing within the park boundaries is not permitted, this park is a popular base camp for anglers fishing other parts of the Stamp River, as well as visitors traveling to and from the Pacific Rim.
Advisories
Dates of operation
The park gate is open year-round
Current status:
Open
- Facility type
- Vehicle-accessible camping
- Number of campsites
- Reservable frontcountry sites: 18
- Vehicle-accessible sites: 23
- RV-accessible sites: 1
- Main operating season
- 2023: April 1 to November 15
- Off season dates
- 2023: January 1 to March 31, November 16 to December 31
- 2024: January 1 to March 31
- Reservable dates
- 2023: May 12 to September 3
- Winter note
- Year-round – winter fee in effect from Nov. 16 to March 31 with no services provided.
Safety info
- Sections of this river contain high waterfalls, strong currents, fast running water and slippery rocks.
- Do not swim, use floating devices or boat in this park and above the waterfalls (a boat pull out is available approximately 500 m upstream of the falls adjacent to the campground).
Special notes
- Domestic animals must be on a leash at all times in the park and are not allowed on beach areas or in park buildings.
- Interpretive signage about the fish ladder, salmon runs and salmon species can be found on the trail leading to the fish ladder.
- There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs offered at the park.
- There is no motorized vehicle access on the trail network or in the day-use area in this park.
Camping
Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available.
Reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservations system. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first come, first served.
This park offers vehicle-accessible campsites set in a mature forest. A number of these sites overlook the river. Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available.
| Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $18 per party per night |
| BC seniors’ rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $9 per senior party per night |
For information on the BC seniors’ rate, see the camping fees page.
This park offers winter camping, but no services are available during the off-season.
Winter vehicle-accessible camping fee: $11 per party per night.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
A cold water hand pump is located near the entrance to the campground.
Annual Drinking Water System Report:
Campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite. We encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.
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.
This park has five pit toilets. There are four throughout the campground and one in the day-use area.
Activities
There are 2 km of interlinked hiking and walking trails at this park. A 0.5 km trail leads from the parking lot at the day-use area to the fish ladder.
A viewpoint above the fish ladder offers great views of the river, and in season, spawning salmon. Interpretive signage at this point offers information about the fish spawning cycle. From the fish ladder, trails continue through the forest. There is also a loop trail that overlooks the river.
Riverbanks can be very slippery. Stay away from cliff and riverbank edges. 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.
Fishing is allowed in Stamp River Park, but is closed 200 m above and 500 m below Stamp Falls from June 15 to November 15. Boundary markers are located on trees along the river. Changes to the regulations occur regularly along this river, so all anglers should check the current regulations prior to fishing. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
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 Stamp River 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.
Stamp River Park is located northwest of Port Alberni on central Vancouver Island. Follow Hwy 4 past Port Alberni and turn onto Beaver Creek Road. Follow signs to the park.
Park and activity maps
- Park Map [PDF] (updated Sept. 2015)
- Brochure [PDF]
- Park Trail Map [PDF 1MB] – this map was prepared by the local volunteer group that assists with trail conditions in the park.
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: December 20, 1940
- Size: 327 hectares
Park contact
This park proudly operated by:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
250 474-1336
office@rlcparks.ca
www.rlcparks.ca
Nature and culture
History
Stamp River Park was established when Stamp Falls and Money’s Pool were amalgamated.
Conservation and Wildlife
Beginning in August, thousands of sockeye, coho and chinook salmon circle in the pool below Stamp Falls before ascending the fish ladders on their way to spawning beds. Sockeye salmon begin running in August and the run continues with coho and chinook right into December. The salmon are a draw for black bears that head to the river for an easy meal. When in wilderness areas, take safety precautions to avoid wildlife.
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.