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photo of Mitlenatch Island Nature ' Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
 winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park is home to the largest seabird colony in the Strait of Georgia. All sedentary marine life, including abalones, scallops and sea cucumbers, are fully protected within the park’s boundaries, which extend 300 meters out from the shore. This nature reserve is an important nesting colony for thousands of Glaucous-winged Gulls, as well as pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, black oystercatchers, rhinoceros auklets and many other species of birds. Marine life around the island includes river otters and harbour seals throughout the year, and Steller's and California sea lions from late fall to May.

Mitlenatch, which means ‘calm waters all around' in the Coast Salish language, is a small rocky island that features semi-arid conditions caused by the island’s location in the ‘rain shadow’ of Vancouver Island. The park receives less than 75 cm (30 inches) of rain each year - about half the Campbell River average. Rain-bearing clouds pass eastward from the Pacific Ocean and drop much of their moisture on Vancouver Island. As they descend across the Strait of Georgia, they warm and pick up new moisture, which will be dropped on the Coast Mountains of mainland British Columbia

Accessible by boat only, Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park offers excellent opportunities to observe and photograph wildflowers and birds. Birders should approach observation blinds slowly and quietly – the island is a very sensitive ecosystem that is extremely prone to damage by visitors who venture off the designated trails. Pets are not permitted on the island. Visit in May when the island's meadows of spring wildflowers are in bloom, or in July when the harvest brodia and coastal cactus bloom.

Collecting of any kind is NOT permitted at Mitlenatch Island, including all shellfish.

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Park Size: 155 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

Mitlenatch Island Nature Provincial Park is located east of Black Creek in the Strait of Georgia off central Vancouver Island. The park is accessible by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3513 and #3538 for more information about this area. The park is usually accessed from Northwest Bay and East Bay. The closest communities are Comox Valley and Campbell River.

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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Nature & Culture:
  • History
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Conservation
  • Wildlife


    • Visitor Safety:

    Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

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    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 at this park.

    Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

     

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    vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

    There are no vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
    wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping

    Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is not permitted at this park.
    group camping - 15 or more campers

    There are no group campsites.
    picnic, day-use facilities, no camping

    There is no designated picnic area at this park.
    wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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    drinking water

    Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
    toilets

    This park has 1 pit toilet, located near the host cabin.
    showers

    No showers.
    sani-stations, sani-dumps

    No sani-station/dump facilities.
    firewood, campfires

    Campfires are not permitted.
    There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
    interpretive, educational programs

    There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park, however interpretive signage along the trails provides details about the flora and fauna on the island.

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    walking, hiking trails

    Due to the sensitive bird habitat, most of the island is closed to the public. A short trail from Camp Bay to Northwest Bay is the only area accessible to visitors. This trail ends at a bird blind located on the north tip of the island. 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.
    playgrounds

    This park does not have a playground.
    swimming

    There are opportunities for ocean swimming at this park. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

    canoeing, kayaking

    Mitlenatch Island is accessible by canoe or kayak, and is a popular destination for paddlers.
    power boats, boat launch

    This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are located at Pacific Playgrounds and Salmon Point Resort in Black Creek.

    fishing

    This park offers limited opportunities for saltwater fishing. 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.

    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.

    cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

    Cycling is not permitted in this park.
    horses, horseback riding

    No horseback riding.
    pets, domestic animals in parks No pets allowed.

    Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
    wildlife viewing

    There is no viewing platform but Mitlenatch Island is home to the largest seabird nesting colony in the Strait of Georgia and offers excellent viewing opportunities of thousands of Glaucous-winged Gulls, pelagic cormorants, pigeon guillemots, black oystercatchers, rhinoceros auklets and many other species of birds. Marine life around these island includes river otters and harbour seals throughout the year, and Steller's and California sea lions from late fall to May.

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    winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

    No winter recreation opportunities.
    scuba, snorkelling

    No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
    windsurfing

    No windsurfing opportunities.
    waterskiing

    No waterskiing opportunities.
    hunting

    No hunting in the park.
    climbing, rock climbing

    No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
    spelunking, caving

    No spelunking or caving opportunities.
    cabins, yurts, lodges

    No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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