Mount Maxwell Provincial Park

Salt Spring Island Protected Areas Management Planning Project:

The Ministry of Environment (BC Parks) is undertaking a management planning process for the six Salt Spring Island Protected Areas including Burgoyne Bay, Mount Erskine, Mount Maxwell and Ruckle Provincial Parks and Mount Maxwell and Mount Tuam Ecological Reserve. Click here for more information on the Salt Spring Island Protected Areas Management Planning project.

About This Park

Mount Maxwell Provincial Park contains one of the highest points on Saltspring Island in the Southern Gulf Islands. This point, called Baynes Peak, offers superb views of Vancouver Island, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the mainland of British Columbia.

Also found in this day-use only park are stands of old-growth Douglas fir, Garry oak meadows, salmon bearing creeks and the largest undeveloped estuary in the Gulf Islands. Mount Maxwell Provincial Park is a popular destination for residents and visitors, who come here to picnic, hike, and enjoy the spectacular views. From the top of Mount Maxwell visitors have a unique opportunity to see the topside of soaring raptors, or to peer through the mist and marvel at the panoramic views.

Originally established for its distinctive landmark viewing point in 1938, the 197-hectare mountain-top park was expanded to nearly 1,000 hectares in 2001 to conserve Burgoyne Bay. The park now stretches from mountaintop to shoreline and across Burgoyne Bay to the slopes of Mount Bruce.

Park Size: 231 hectares

Stay Safe:

The gravel road to Mount Maxwell is steep, narrow and bumpy. Drive slowly and use caution when traveling this route.
Please stay on designated trails. Some sections of the trail travel very close to the cliff edge. Use extreme caution in these areas.
Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.

Location and Maps

Location Map

Mount Maxwell Provincial Park is located on Saltspring Island, in the southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries offers service to Saltspring Island from Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Crofton on Vancouver Island, and Vancouver (Tsawwassen). From the Saltspring ferry terminal, head south on the Fulford Ganges Road to Cranberry Road. Turn left at the junction with Mount Maxwell Road and continue slowly on the rough road to the park. This gravel road is steep and narrow and bumpy; caution should be taken when traveling this road.

Nature and Culture

History - Originally established for its distinctive landmark viewing point in 1938, the 197-hectare mountain-top park was expanded to nearly 1,000 hectares in 2001 to conserve Burgoyne Bay. The park now stretches from mountain top to shoreline and across Burgoyne Bay to the slopes of Mount Bruce. The park lies adjacent to Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve, which was also expanded in 2001 to protect Canada’s largest Garry oak meadow.
Cultural Heritage - Mount Maxwell is an important place in the Cowichan First Nation traditions. Known as Hwmat’etsum, or “bent over place”, it features in origin stories about the relationship of man and the land. Archaeological sites of spiritual significance lie below the adjacent Mount Maxwell Ecological Reserve, while extensive middens marking 3,000 year-old settlements circle the bay, known as Hwaaqwum, or “place of the merganser”. Pioneers, such as the Maxwell brothers, cleared the lowlands and remnants of their settlements remain in the park today.
Conservation - Mount Maxwell is one of the largest contiguous protected areas in the Gulf Islands and includes a mosaic of habitats – from estuary to Garry oak ecosystems. Old-growth Douglas fir forest and cliffs serve as important nesting areas for species at risk, including turkey vultures, Peregrine falcons and several species of bat. The estuary has three species of salmon and Burgoyne Bay is home to eel-grass beds and seabird populations. Several threatened plant species are protected in the park, including scalepod, Gray’s desert parsley, California hedge parsley and elfin moss

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is available in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Hiking

Mount Maxwell Provincial Park offers a number of walking/hiking opportunities with spectacular views. Approximately 6 km of maintained trails all start at the parking lot and range from easy strolls to more demanding hikes. Trails to the north and east travel through wooded areas of old-growth and second-growth Douglas fir. The trail to the west follows along the ridge of Mount Maxwell and links up with the park entrance road approximately 2 km from the parking lot. Excellent views can be had from various points along the trails, particularly at Baynes Peak, Saltspring Island's highest point. From here visitors can get a panoramic look at Vancouver Island, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the mainland of British Columbia.

Please stay on designated trails. Some sections of the trail travel very close to the cliff edge. Use extreme caution in these areas.

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control 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 encounters with wildlife.

Wildlife Viewing

A viewing area at the top of Mount Maxwell offers spectacular vistas of Burgoyne Bay and Samsun Narrows, and is an excellent location to watch the sun set. Visitors to the park may also see a variety of wildlife, including black-tailed deer, black bears, feral sheep and goats, as well as turkey vultures, Peregrine falcons and several bat species.

Facilities Available at this Park

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area at the summit of Mount Maxwell. Facilities include a parking lot, pit toilet, picnic tables and a viewing area with spectacular vistas of Burgoyne Bay and Samsun Narrows. The gravel road to Mount Maxwell Park is steep, narrow and bumpy. Drive slowly and use caution when traveling this route.

Pit or Flush Toilets

A pit toilet is located at the day-use area.

Wheelchair Access

There are some wheelchair accessible facilities in this park. A gravel road leads to the summit of Mount Maxwell and the day-use area.