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.
Naikoon - Agate Beach and Misty Meadows Provincial Park
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.
- Here is a copy of the Responsible All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Use in Naikoon Park poster (2 MB PDF in size - may take longer than normal to download due to file size)
About This Park
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.
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Campground Hours of Operation
All dates are subject to change without notice |
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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 |
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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. | |
Location and Maps
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.
Maps and Brochures
Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
Park Map [PDF] - Updated June 2008
Activities Available at this Park
Canoeing
Cycling
Fishing
Hiking
Hunting
Interpretive Programs
Pets on Leash
Swimming
Facilities Available at this Park
Boat Launch
Cabins / Huts / Yurts
Campfires
Drinking Water
Group Camping
Youth group camping charges per night are $1/person (6+), with a $50 minimum and $150 maximum.
Regular group camping charges per night are the base rate for the site, listed in the fee schedule, plus $4/adult (16+, minimum charge for 15 adults), plus $1/child (6-15).
Picnic Areas
Pit or Flush Toilets
Vehicle Accessible Camping
Walk-In/Wilderness Camping
