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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- There
are no park alerts at this time.
Park
Info:
Mansons Landing Provincial Park was established in 1974
to expand the diversity of marine park experiences in the
northern Gulf Islands archipelago. Located on Cortes Island,
this beautiful park fronts the water on both Hague Lake and
Manson Bay. Recreational opportunities include fresh water
swimming in Hague Lake, and marine wildlife viewing in Mansons
Lagoon. Camping is not permitted at this park, however camping
is available at nearby Smelt Bay Provincial Park.
Park
Size: 100 hectares (47 ha upland, 53 ha foreshore)
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Located on the west side of Cortes Island, this park is
accessible by boat and by car ferry from Campbell River via
Quadra Island. Ferry service is offered by BC Ferries; sailing
times are approximately 15 minutes from Campbell River to
Quadra Island, and 45 minutes from Quadra to Cortes. The
park can be reached via Seaford Road on Cortes Island.
The
park can also be accessed by private boat, which can moor
at the adjacent federal government wharf (space permitting).
Nearby
communities include: Whaletown, Squirrel Cove. Cortes,
Quadra
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 - Mansons Landing is the sixth park designated in the northern Gulf Islands. It was established in 1974.
- Cultural
Heritage - The park lies within the asserted traditional territory of the Sliamon First Nations. Early explorers included Galiano and Valdes, who named Cortes Island after Hernando Cortes, the conqueror of Mexico.
In 1880, Michael Manson, an immigrant from Scotland established a trading post in the present park area to trade with First Nations and provide supplies to a slowly developing logging and fishing industry. A small general store was built on the trading post site but was moved in 1995 to a site adjacent to the community centre. This site now functions as a museum.
- Conservation - The natural features of the park, including Hague Lake, the sand spit and the lagoon, add significantly to the natural integrity of the island community.
All salmon species are found offshore and Hague Lake contains some Cutthroat trout. The lagoon provides opportunities to view oysters, clams, crabs, moon snails and nudibranches. Dominant trees include Douglas fir, Western red cedar, Arbutus, Shore Pine, Red Alder and Broadleaf Maple.
- Wildlife - Wildlife is transient and present only on occasion, the exceptions being red squirrels and ravens. Columbia blacktail deer, although not resident to the park are frequently seen.
- 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.
Camping is not permitted in this park.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
Contact
Information:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
E-mail address: office@rlcenterprize.com
Phone: (250) 474-1336
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There
are no
vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
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There
are no
wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping at this
park.
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There
are no
group campsites at this park.
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This park
has two day-use/picnic areas – one
at Mansons Lagoon and one at Hague Lake. Facilities
at Mansons Lagoon include picnic tables, 1 pit toilet,
a sandy spit and a parking lot. This parking lot also
accesses the federal wharf. Hague Lake has a pit toilet,
information shelter, sandy beach and a small parking
area. Both areas can be accessed from Seaford Road
on Cortes Island. A rough trail, approximately 1 km
long, links the two day-use areas.
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Portions of Mansons Lagoon, including the sand spit,
are accessible to wheelchairs
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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 Mansons Lagoon (near the parking lot) and Hague
Lake (near the Lake). |
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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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This park offers a few informal hiking or walking
trails, as well as beach walks. A short trail extends
from the sand spit at Mansons Lagoon to the local school
(approximately 1 km). Another short trail with steep
sections runs from Hague Lake around the perimeter
of the lagoon to the sand spit (approximately 1 km).
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.
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This
park does not have a playground. |
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Visitors can swim in Hague Lake or in Mansons Lagoon
when the tide is in. There are no lifeguards on duty
at provincial parks.
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Kayaking and canoeing is possible in Hague Lake or
within Mansons Lagoon at high tide. Paddlers can set
in at the natural boat launch on the west side of the
spit at Mansons Lagoon.
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There is a natural boat launch (no facility) on the
west side of the spit at Mansons Lagoon. Motorboats
are not permitted on Hague Lake.
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There
are opportunities for freshwater fishing for trout
in Hague Lake and saltwater fishing for a variety
of salmon in the waters offshore. 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 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 and under control at all times and are not allowed
in beach areas. 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.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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This
park is closed to hunting. |
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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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