Park Info
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. For your convenience the park has a concession managed by the Park Facility Operator.
Park Size: 137 hectares
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.
| Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
Opening and Closing Campground Dates:
(campground is accessible but may not offer full services such as water,
security, etc.) |
Year round |
| Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees: |
May 1 – September 30 |
| Campground Reservable Dates: |
May 8 – September 8 |
| Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites: |
201 |
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served) |
140 |
| Note: The above information is
for the campground only. Park users can still walk into the park
if conditions such as weather permit. Check the "Attention
Visitor Notice" above for park alerts. |
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General Visitor Information
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.
Location
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.
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Nature & 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
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Map / Brochure
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
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Activities Available At This Park
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| Canoeing |
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Canoeing and kayaking
are welcome at this park. Please familiarize yourself with ocean currents
prior to paddling in this area.
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| Cycling |
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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.
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| Fishing |
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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.
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| Hiking |
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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.
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| Interpretive Programs |
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Miracle Beach Provincial Park has an open air amphitheater and interpretive centre. Programs are held during July and August.
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| Pets on Leash |
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During the summer
months, dogs are only allowed on designated trails starting at the
north beach parking lot. Dogs must be on a least 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.
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| Swimming |
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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.
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| Wildlife Viewing |
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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.
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Facilities Available At This Park
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| Campfires |
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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 Facility 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.
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| Drinking Water |
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Cold water taps are located throughout the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
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| Group Camping |
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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.
Click here for reservation information.
Group Camping Fee: $24.00 per party / night
Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night
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| Picnic Areas |
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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 with two gas barbeques, 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.
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee:
$1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees,
click here.
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.
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| Pit or Flush Toilets |
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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 5 areas of the campground.
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| Playground |
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There is an adventure playground at this park, located in the campground next to the gatehouse.
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| Sani-Station/Dump |
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A sani-station/dump is available during the collecting season.
Sani-station Use Fee: $2.00 per discharge
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| Showers |
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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.
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| Vehicle Accessible Camping |
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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 are also available.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $24.00 per party / night
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| Walk-In/Wilderness Camping |
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There are 4 walk-in/cycle in campsites at this park, available on a first-come, first- served basis.
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| Wheelchair Access |
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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.
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| Winter Camping |
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Winter Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night
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