Naikoon - Agate Beach and Misty Meadows Provincial Park
A campfire ban is currently in effect for this park. For more information about campfire bans and about provincial parks with park closures and campfire bans in effect, visit the BC Parks campfire ban webpage.
Updated August 28, 2009.
Responsible All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Use in Naikoon Park
REMEMBER ATV and 4 x 4 vehicles are permitted on North Beach and East Beach ONLY!
To minimize your impact, travel high upon the beach but below the driftwood line - Avoid the sensitive lower beach and upper sand dunes.
ATV use is NOT permitted anywhere else in Naikoon Park - Do NOT use ATVs on Naikoon’s environmentally-sensitive hiking trails. You are responsible for your vehicle and any damage caused by use of your vehicle.
From Rose Point, or "Naikun" as it was called by the Haida,
at the northeast tip of Graham Island, largest of the Queen Charlotte
Islands, broad, sandy beaches seem to stretch endlessly to form the eastern
and northern boundaries of this unique and intriguing park. The park occupies
part of the Hecate Depression, a trough between the Outer Mountains to
the west and the Coast Mountains on the mainland to the east. The park
is largely low and flat. Most of its topographic features are formed by
underlying glacial deposits. In the northeast corner, Argonaut Hill, the
highest point in the park, rises only 150 metres above sea level. Tow
Hill, an outcrop of basalt columns, is a prominent landmark about 100
metres high on the north beach. Almost 100 km of beaches is the primary
attraction for visitors.
Park Size: 69,166 hectares
Special Notes:
The climate here is mild, moderated by moist Pacific air throughout the year. Cool, rainy, or foggy weather and high winds can occur at any time; campers and hikers should always be equipped with warm clothing and wet-weather gear.
Naikoon Park is bordered by a hundred kilometres of expansive beach, attracting thousands of park visitors each summer - hikers, beach walkers, fishers, cyclists and motorized vehicle users. In recent years, motorized traffic has been on the rise, increasing the potential for damage to Naikoon Park’s sensitive ecosystems and cultural sites. To respect the environment and other visitors, keep the following guidelines in mind as you travel the Park.
Avoid travelling on Rose Spit Ecological Reserve. Rose Spit supports an endangered plant community and is critical habitat for many local and migratory bird species.
Avoid travelling on the sand dunes as disturbance can lead to loss of plant life, increased erosion, exposure and damage to cultural sites. Tire tracks and repeated foot traffic through the sand dunes cause extensive environmental damage. The root systems of plants are broken and wind causes erosion. Once the stabilizing grasses are damaged, the wind continues to shift the dunes, burying the forest, trails, and camping spots.
Be prepared for emergency situations. Carry what you will need to rescue yourself and your vehicle should it become stuck on the beach.
ATV use within Naikoon is limited to North and East Beaches. Trail use, travel to the interior of Naikoon and ATV use on the Dune areas is not allowed. ATV's are not allowed to be used in the campsites and must be moved by trailer to the beach access points. It is illegal to run ATV's on Tow Hill road or any other highway unless they are registered and displaying licence plates. The fine for running non licenced ATV's on roadways is $600.00.
If you see any environmental or cultural damage, please record and report to the Naikoon Park office in Tlell at 250 557-4390.
Campground hosts are often available at the Misty Meadows campground at Naikoon Provincial Park during the summer months to provide information on the park and surrounding area. Check with the Park Facility Operator to see if one is available during your stay.
Wet weather gear is necessary year-round.
Be aware of undertows along beaches and at river mouths.
Please be extremely careful with fire, matches, and cigarettes. Primus-type stoves should be utilized for all cooking.
Firearms are prohibited except during a valid hunting season. Please consult BC Hunting Regulations for dates.
The park's lakes and streams are the source of drinking water. Help protect the delicate balance of the water system by washing yourself, your clothes, and dishes at least 30 metres from lakes or streams and please don't clean fish in them.
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 if accessible
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
– Agate Beach campground
June 5 – September 15
– Misty Meadows campground
June 5 – September 15
Off-season: no fee, no services
Campground Reservable Dates:
Not applicable
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:
Agate Beach = 43
Misty Meadows = 30
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable:
(all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)
Not applicable
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.
General Visitor Information
A warning: persons contemplating a visit to Naikoon Provincial Park are reminded that it is a wilderness area with no supplies of any kind. Accommodation in nearby communities is limited. Suitable clothing should be worn and proper equipment carried for outdoor living. Visitors should be in possession of suitable maps. Hikers planning to travel the beaches should inform a responsible person or agency of their intentions. This information should include estimated departure and return times. For more information trails or hiking in this park, click here.
The Queen Charlotte Islands are served by scheduled air transportation from Vancouver and Prince Rupert and by BC Ferries between Prince Rupert and Skidegate. Highway 16 that connects the island communities passes close to the south and west boundaries of the park providing access at Tlell, Mayer Lake, and north east of Masset. There is no developed access to the interior of the park. Park headquarters are on the highway just south of the Tlell River bridge, 45 km north of Queen Charlotte city.
Old Massett Village Council
E-mail: ecdev@mhtv.ca
Phone: 250 626-5115
Activities Available At This Park
Canoeing
There are no opportunities for multi-day canoeing or kayaking trips in this park. Day trip kayaking or canoeing is an option at Mayer Lake or Pure Lake Parks, but no camping facilities are available (day-use only).
Cycling
Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Fishing
Angling can be productive in the Tlell River, other park waterways, and Mayer Lake. The Tlell River is famous for its coho salmon and steelhead runs. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Hiking
There are many trails to explore in Naikoon. It is recommended that you hike from south to north to avoid prevailing winds, driving rain or sun in your eyes. Naikoon Provincial Park is a remote wilderness area. Safety is your personal responsibility. It is recommended that hikers inform a responsible person or agency of their hiking plan, including departure and return times and dates. For more information on these trails or hiking in this park, click here. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails, switchbacking, and trampling meadows destroy plant life and soil structure which keep rain and snow melt from eroding the trails.
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. 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
There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
Facilities Available At This Park
Boat Launch
There is a rustic car-top boat launching ramp at Mayer Lake.
Cabins / Huts / Yurts
There are emergency shelters along the east beach and a new Haida long house style cabin at Cape Fife is finished to the point that the public can use it.
Campfires
While campfires are allowed and campfire rings are provided at each campsite, we encourage visitors to conserve wood and protect the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using campstoves instead. Firewood can be purchased in the park or you may bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary from park to park. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park (this 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.
Drinking Water
Cold water taps are located in the park campgrounds. Hikers are advised to carry their own supply of drinking water and to treat the water prior to consumption.
Group Camping
There are group campsites at this park.
Group Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
Youth
Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night
Picnic Areas
This park has day-use/picnic areas that are located at the Tlell River bridge, Misty Meadows, and Mayer Lake in the park and at Pure Lake Provincial Park, midway between Port Clements and Masset.
Pit or Flush Toilets
This park has pit toilets – no flush toilets.
Vehicle Accessible Camping
This park offers vehicle accessible campsites on a first-come, first-served basis.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder
Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed, but no facilities are provided.
Wheelchair Access
Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.
