Miracle Beach Provincial Park

Attention Visitors – Important Notice!

November 30, 2018: Public information session on Sunday, December 9

BC Parks will be hosting a public information session Sunday, December 9, 2018 from 1:00pm-2:30pm at the Oyster River Fire Hall.

The purpose of the session is to discuss the closure of a section of trail within Miracle Beach Park, potential riparian restoration work, proposed trail improvements in other areas of the park, as well as other upcoming work in Miracle Beach Park.

We encourage you to attend the event, where you will have an opportunity to provide feedback and discuss your ideas with us throughout the afternoon. After some presentations and discussion inside the Oyster River Fire Hall, we invite you to join us for a walk through some of the trails we will be discussing. For the field portion of this information session, we will meet at the main day-use parking trailhead at around 2:45pm. We should be finished our walk in the park by 4:00pm.

We look forward to an open dialogue and thoughtful discussions on December 9.

About This Park

As a family holiday destination, few locations can beat popular Miracle Beach Provincial Park in the Comox Valley. A broad safe sandy beach on the ocean is the main attraction at Miracle Beach, which also features spacious private campsites, group camping facilities, a playground for the kids, hot showers, a large picnic area overlooking the water and a series of lovely trails winding through lush forest. At low tide, the beach features rich tide pools, perfect for observing a variety of marine life.

Located on the waterfront midway between Courtenay and Campbell River, this park provides easy access to both communities and a wealth of entertainment. On the beach, sandcastle building, sunning, swimming, exploring tide pools or just frolicking along the shore are all part of the Miracle Beach experience. And don’t miss the non-competitive annual sandcastle building day in June, where playful people of all ages create fantastic sculptures for all to enjoy. Nearby you’ll find horseback riding, golf, fishing and almost any other recreational activity you can imagine.

Miracle Beach is a very popular destination during the summer – campsites reservations are highly recommended. Next door to Miracle Beach is sandy Saratoga Beach. With its many resorts and campgrounds, Saratoga Beach is a good alternative if Miracle Beach is full.

Established Date: October 16, 1950
Park Size: 137 hectares (109 ha upland, 28 ha foreshore)

Know Before You Go

Special Notes

In your exploration, please remember to carefully place overturned rocks in their original position. Look but do not touch or remove any shells or marine organisms from the park.
During the winter, horses are only allowed on the road between the gatehouse and group site. Horses are not permitted on any other trails within the park. Commercial trail riding operations are located in the vicinity of the park.

Reservations

All campsite, group site and group picnic shelter reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.

Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted at this park and first-come, first-served sites may also be available.

Group Campsite Reservations:
Group campsite reservations are accepted for the group campsites through Discover Camping.

Group Picnic Shelter Reservations: Group picnic shelter reservations are accepted for the picnic shelter through Discover Camping.

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.

Location Map

Miracle Beach Provincial Park is located 22 km north of Courtenay and 22 km south of Campbell River off Hwy 19a. From Hwy 19 take exit #144 (Hamm Road) to Hwy 19a (the Oceanside Route). Head north a short distance to Miracle Beach Drive, then drive 2 km straight into the park. Nearby communities include: Campbell River, Comox Valley, Merville.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Campground Map [PDF]

Nature and Culture

History: Miracle Beach Provincial Park was previously privately owned by Mr. Frank Pottage. In 1950, the BC government purchased 57 hectares of land from Mr. Pottage, and Miracle Beach Class “A” Provincial Park was established. In 1952, a game reserve was created over the foreshore area of the park, and in 1956 this was added to the park. Additional lands were purchased and donated over the years until 1972, when the park reached its present size of 135 hectares.
Conservation: A viewing platform and fish weir located near the BC Parks office at the entrance to the park provides an interesting opportunity to view the Black Creek, particularly in the spring and fall when salmon are spawning. Interpretive signage at this location offers information about the fish weir. Miracle Beach is also a good place for bird watching, and from the beach visitors have excellent views out over the Strait of Georgia.
General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

Management Planning

Management Planning Information
Approved Management Plan for Miracle Beach Provincial Park [PDF]
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

Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are welcome at this park. Please familiarize yourself with ocean currents prior to paddling in this area.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways and are not permitted on park trails. A bike rack is located next to the change house at the south beach day-use area and at the shower building in the campground. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Fishing

There are opportunities for salt water and fresh water fishing 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 or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

There are about 2 km of walking trails in the park. Trails lead from the campground and day-use parking lots through second-growth and some old-growth forest. The majority of the trails start at the north beach parking lot. Some follow the Black Creek and the Estuary at the northwest end of the park. A dog-walking trail is designated and accessible from the north beach parking lot.

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.

Interpretive Programs

Beginning on the May Long Weekend, the Nature House will be open every weekend until Labour Day. The Nature House is open daily from late June through Labour Day. Interpretive Programs are regularly available during the summer months at the Nature House or amphitheatre.

Pets on Leash

During the summer months, dogs are only allowed on designated trails starting at the North Beach parking lot. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

During the winter months, dogs are allowed on all trails in the park but 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 wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Swimming

Wide sandy beaches make for good ocean swimming. The beach has rocky areas with barnacles and shells; footwear is recommended. The most popular swimming area is located at the south beach day-use area. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

Wildlife Viewing

A viewing platform and fish weir located near the BC Parks office at the entrance to the park provides an interesting opportunity to view the Black Creek, particularly in the spring and fall when salmon are spawning. Interpretive signage at this location offers information about the fish weir. Miracle Beach is also a good place for bird watching, and from the beach visitors have excellent views out over the Strait of Georgia.

Facilities Available at this Park

Campfires

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campfire rings are provided at each campsite, as well as communal ring for the group campsite. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary.

Gathering firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park damages vegetation and ground cover and 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. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

Drinking Water

Cold water taps are located throughout the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.

Group Camping

There is one group site capable of accommodating up to 10 parties or 50 people, located in an open grassy field well back of the campground. Facilities include pit toilets, fire rings, fresh water and picnic tables. Reservation information »

Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum. Read the Youth Group policy about Criteria for Youth Groups.

Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, which is $120.00/group site/night, plus $5/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15). Children under 6 are free!

Picnic Areas

This park has two day-use/picnic areas. The south parking lot will lead you to a day- use area on the beach with a covered, semi-enclosed picnic shelter, picnic tables, change building with flush toilets, an information shelter and a large parking area. The north parking lot will lead you to nature trails, the Black Creek Estuary and beach. Pit toilets and an info shelter are located at the parking lot.

Please note: dogs are prohibited during summer months at the South Beach day-use area. A dog walking trail is designated at the North Beach day-use area. The picnic shelter is open year-round.

There are group picnicking opportunities available. Reservation information »

Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group

Pit or Flush Toilets

Pit toilets are located throughout the park. A flush toilet/change house is located at the south beach day-use area. Flush toilets are also located in five areas of the campground.

Playground

There is an adventure playground at this park, located in the campground next to the shower house.

Sani-Station/Dump

A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season.

Sani-station Use Fee: $5.00 per discharge

Showers

There is one hot shower building at this park, located in the center of the campground, including one separate wheelchair accessible shower stall. Showers are for registered campers only.

Vehicle Accessible Camping

This park offers vehicle accessible campsites, set in a second-growth forest of douglas fir, alder, hemlock and maple. Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites may also be available.

Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $33.00 per party/night

BC Senior’s Rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only): $16.50 per senior party/night. Read the User Fees Policy for information on Senior Camping Discounts.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

There are three walk-in/cycle in campsites at this park, Reservation information »

Wheelchair Access

The flush toilet/change house at the south beach day-use area is wheelchair accessible. The shower building at the campground is also wheelchair accessible, as are several pit toilets located throughout the park. A ramp at the south beach day-use area will allow wheelchairs access to the beach under the right tide conditions.

Winter Camping

Winter camping is offered at this park during a portion of the winter. Check the Campground Dates of Operation for the dates available. The nearest campground that has campsites available year-round is Quinsam Campground in Elk Falls Provincial Park, located 5 km west of Campbell River on Gold River Hwy 28.

Campers must be self-sufficient.

Winter Camping Fee: $13.00 per party/night

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