Dionisio Point Provincial Park
- Notice: Water System repairs and upgrades have been completed and water service in this park has resumed. You are reminded that a boil water advisory is in place for this water system. Water must be boiled for a minimum of 5 minutes, filtered or treated prior to consumption. Water is available from May 15 to September 15.
- Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning can be a problem in this area. Check with Fisheries and Oceans Canada for shellfish closures prior to the consumption of any shellfish.
Volunteer Host Opportunity
Dionisio Point Provincial Park offers volunteer host opportunities. Click here for more information.About This Park
Dionisio Point Provincial Park on quaint Galiano Island features rocky headlands flanked by sandy beaches and picturesque bays. Overlooking Porlier Pass, this park is accessible by boat only and provides opportunities for walk-in camping, fishing, boating, kayaking, wildlife viewing and scuba diving.The forested uplands at Dionisio Point are rimmed by a varied and unique shoreline that includes sculpted sandstone shelves, pebble and sand beaches and colorful wildflower meadows. Fast flowing tidal currents have created a rich intertidal life - sea-stars, nudibranchs and chitons can be seen in the tide pools, and at times large quantities of swimming scallop shells can be found on the beaches.
This Gulf Island park has a rich human history. Large mounds along the shores mark the shell middens (refuse heaps) that indicate native occupation dating back more than 3,000 years. Castaway shells left by centuries of harvesting formed berms on the foreshore of the park. These middens contain many of the archaeological clues that help to unravel the history of earlier cultures. The park also contains well documented archeological sites previously used by the Penelakut First Nation. These sites are fenced to the public and identified though interpretive signage at Maple Bay.
Park Size: 142 hectares
Special Notes:
- Picking of wildflowers is not permitted.
- There is no bicycle or vehicle access to this park. Access is by water only.
- In your observation of tide pools, please remember to carefully place overturned rocks in their original position. Do not touch the marine life or remove any shells or marine organisms from the park.
- A mooring buoy in the park is for BC Parks staff use only.
Reservations
For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites and group sites must be reserved through Discover Camping.Reservations are not accepted at this park for the walk-in style campsites.
Location and Maps
Please note: Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation. Dionisio Point Park is located on the northeast tip of Galiano Island overlooking Porlier Pass in the southern Gulf Islands. Access to the park is by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3442, #3461, #3443 and #3473 for more information on this area.Nearby communities include: Galiano Island, Saltspring Island, Mayne Island, Valdes Island, Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, Vancouver.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Management Planning
Management Planning Information- The approved management plan for Dionisio Point Provincial Park [PDF 2.35MB] is available in PDF format. Because of the large size of the file, the figures and Appendix C are listed separately:
FIGURES
Figure 1 Park Location [PDF 133.77KB]
Figure 2 Regional Setting [PDF118.5KB]
Figure 3 Zoning [PDF 123.91KB]
Figure 4 Proposed Addition [PDF 143.14KB]
Figure 5 Development Concept [PDF 162.59KB]
Appendix C
Public Consultation Process and Summary of Public Comments [PDF 1.27MB]
DISCLAIMER:
This is NOT the original management planning product. This document has been scanned from the original format of the plan. It may contain some formatting changes, however the content is consistent with the original.
Activities Available at this Park
Cycling
Bicycles are permitted on some trails as identified on the park maps. Bicycles must remain on these identified trails and roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
The park offers a number of hiking opportunities on trails leading through the forest and along the shoreline. Information shelters at the camping areas contain maps of park trails, which are maintained on a regular basis. 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.
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 the potential for encounters with wildlife.
Scuba Diving
An abundance of marine life due to a high current zone makes this a good spot for scuba diving. As currents are strong, this area is only recommended for experienced divers.
Swimming
There is no designated swimming area at this park, however sandy beaches do offer nice opportunities for ocean swimming. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Wildlife Viewing
Dionisio Provincial Park offers great opportunities for year round viewing of marine life, including seals, sea lions and otters, as well as shorebirds and Bald eagles.
Facilities Available at this Park
Drinking Water
Water System repairs and upgrades have been completed and water service in this park has resumed. A boil water advisory is in place for this water system. Water must be boiled for a minimum of 5 minutes, filtered or treated prior to consumption. Water is available from May 15 to September 15.
View the Annual Drinking Water System Report [pdf]: Dionisio
Picnic Areas
This park has a day-use/picnic area in the vicinity of Coon Bay. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, a cold water hand pump and an information shelter. Camping is not allowed in the day-use or picnic area.
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park has a number of pit toilets located adjacent to campsites and day-use areas.
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
There are 30 walk-in sites in the park in two separate camping areas. Fees apply for overnight camping and are payable at the self registration vaults located at the information shelters in the designated camping areas.
Protect foodstuffs in tight containers to prevent raccoons and crows from stealing your provisions. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics. Garbage facilities are not provided; visitors must pack out all of their garbage.
Please ensure you camp and hike in designated areas. Human disturbance of the vegetation leads to erosion of the sensitive shoreline and the potential destruction of archeological sites.
Dionisio Provincial Park is open year round.
Protect foodstuffs in tight containers to prevent raccoons and crows from stealing your provisions. Please practice “Leave No Trace” camping ethics. Garbage facilities are not provided; visitors must pack out all of their garbage.
Please ensure you camp and hike in designated areas. Human disturbance of the vegetation leads to erosion of the sensitive shoreline and the potential destruction of archeological sites.
Dionisio Provincial Park is open year round.
Backcountry Camping Fee: $5.00 per person / night for all persons 6 years of age or older.
BC Parks Backcountry Registration System allows you to pre-pay your overnight fees for backcountry and/or marine site usage, where designated. This system will not be used for vehicle accessible (ie front country) campgrounds or controlled back country permits (ie Bowron Lakes canoe circuit and Berg Lake Trail).
