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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- Due
to poor tidal circulation in Desolation Sound, Prideaux
Haven is closed to sewage discharge by Federal Regulation;
Grace Harbour is closed to discharge by Provincial Regulation.
- In
addition, to help preserve the natural values in this park,
we ask that vessels do not discharge sewage in any anchorages,
but keep sewage contained in holding tanks while at anchor.
- This
park contains parcels of private land (these parcels are
noted on the brochure map). Please do not trespass.
Park
Info:
This park is a yachter’s paradise at the confluence
of Malaspina Inlet and Homfray Channel. Desolation Sound
Marine Provincial Park has more than 60 km of shoreline,
several islands, numerous small bays and snug coves. The
warm waters of the park are ideal for swimming and scuba
diving; the forested upland offers a shady refuge of trails
and small lakes and wilderness tent sites.
This park can be split up into three major destination anchorages:
Prideaux Haven, Tenedo’s Bay and Grace Harbour.
Park
Size: 8,449
hectares
Management
Planning:
Management Planning Information
Location:
North
of Powell River and Lund on the Sunshine Coast; 90 miles
north
of Vancouver. Lund is the closest community, town or city.
Prideaux
Haven: Strategically located as a base for exploring the Sound,
this anchorage is an elongated bay dotted with islands and
small coves at the far north end of the park. A pit toilet
is also located here.
Tenedos
Bay: A sheltered bay east of Mink Island in Homfrey Channel.
Nearby Unwin Lake provides a great opportunity for a freshwater
swim. Pit toilets, wilderness camp sites and an information
shelter are also located here.
Grace
Harbour: A large sheltered bay located in Malaspina Inlet
and surrounded by Gifford Peninsula. This area provides pit
toilets, wilderness camp sites, an information shelter and
an upland hiking shelter.
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature
& Culture:
- History - Captain George
Vancouver first sailed these waters in 1792 - and seeing the land
and seascape so remote and forbidding, he was inspired to name it
Desolation Sound. The park was created in 1973 and continues to be a popular destination in the marine park system.
- Conservation - Due to dry and shallow soils, many areas within this park can be easily impacted by human use; please refer to the Outdoor and Marine Ethics section under General Wildlife, Marine and Outdoor Ethics Information.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.Reservations are not accepted at this park for the walk-in style campsites.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
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No
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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Wilderness,
backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no
facilities are provided. There are two (2) tent
pads and one (1) pit toilet available at both Tenedoes
Bay and Grace Harbour. Grace Harbour also has an
information shelter. The park is open year round.
(see online maps.)
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No
group campsites.
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No
day-use or picnic facilities.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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Bring
your own drinking water as potable water is not available
in the park.
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Pit
toilets are located at Grace Harbor, Tenedoes Bay and at the head of
Melanie Cove. There are no flush toilets. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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Campfires
are not permitted.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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There
is a short hiking trail to Unwin Lake from Tenedos
Bay. This is an easy 10 minute walk one way. For
your safety and the preservation of the park, obey
posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting
trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
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This
park does not have a playground.
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There
are no designated swimming areas in the park. Fresh
water swimming is available at Unwin Lake located
about a 10 minute walk from Tenedoes Bay. Please
do not use soaps or shampoos in the Unwin Lake or
the creek that flows into Tenedoes Bay. There
are no lifeguards on duty at provincial
parks.
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This
is a very popular kayak destination. Kayakers can
access the two camping areas. Kayak rentals
are available in Lund.
This
park does not have a boat launch. However, the park
can be split up into three
major destination anchorages:
Prideaux Haven, Tenedos Bay and Grace Harbour.
Due
to poor tidal circulation in Desolation Sound,
Prideaux Haven is closed to sewage discharge by Federal
Regulation; Grace Harbour is closed to discharge
by Provincial Regulation. To help preserve the
natural
values in this park, we ask that vessels do not
discharge sewage in any anchorages, but keep sewage
contained
in holding tanks while at anchor.
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This
park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat
launch is in Lund. It is a good concrete ramp located
in
the main harbour.
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There
are several fishing opportunities in this park including
both saltwater and freshwater fishing for Salmon,
Rockfish, Oysters, Prawns,
Cod, Snapper etc. Rockfish Conservation Areas
occur within this park.
Fishing
activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas.
Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish
Conservation Area
descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO. Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate
licence.
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Cycling
is not permitted. |
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No
horseback riding.
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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. |
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No
wildlife viewing opportunities but the entire park comprises an
outstanding marine viewscape..
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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There are
SCUBA diving and snorkelling opportunities in the park but there are
no facilities available. Divers must be self-sufficient.
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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No
hunting in the park. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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