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Park Info:

Special Notes:

• Please stay on designated trails to protect the petroglyphs and vegetation.
• Lock all vehicles and remove valuables.

Management Planning Information

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

Location:

• Location Map

Petroglyph Provincial Park is located just south of Nanaimo on southern Vancouver Island. Access to the park is via a pulloff from Hwy 1. Watch for signs.

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• There are no digital maps or brochures for this park

• Conservation - The high concentration of prehistoric rock carvings is the main attraction at Petroglyph Provincial Park, which was established in 1948 to protect the petroglyphs for future generations. Visitors can get a glimpse back to a time more than 1,000 years ago, when First Nations peoples created these traditional carvings. Locations for rock art carvings were chosen carefully, and were almost always made at places of power or mystery – places where the forces of nature were believed to be especially strong. These areas are usually marked by natural features such as waterfalls, rock formations or caves, and most are near water.
  
  The carving – depicting everything from mystical wolf-like creatures to fish and human figures – were made for a variety of reasons, including territorial ownership and to commemorate special events among a people with no written language.
  
  
• General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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

Camping is not permitted at this park. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

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

Contact Information:

R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
E-mail address: office@rlcparks.ca
Phone: (250) 474-1336

	No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
	No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
	No group campsites.
	There is a day-use/picnicking area.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
	Pit toilets only.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	Campfires are not permitted.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
	Interpretive panels at the petroglyphs offer information about the history of the area and help to decipher the petroglyphs. Concrete replica castings of the petroglyphs can be found in the main interpretation area. Here, visitors can make rubbings of the castings by stretching cloth or paper across the carving and lightly rubbing with a crayon, charcoal or wax, which leaves a reverse imprint. These rubbings make a great souvenir of a visit to this intriguing and educational park.
	A short trail leads from the parking lot to the interpretation area.
	This park does not have a playground.
	No swimming.
	There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
	This park does not have a boat launch.
	No fishing.
	Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia
	No horseback riding.
	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.
	The high concentration of prehistoric rock carvings are the main attraction at Petroglyph Provincial Park. Visitors can get a glimpse back to a time more than 1,000 years ago, when First Nations peoples created these traditional carvings. This park offers excellent viewing opportunities of these petroglyphs. The images – depicting everything from mystical wolf-like creatures to fish and human figures – were made for a variety of reasons, including territorial ownership and to commemorate special events among a people with no written language. The sandstone gallery of petroglyphs, located on a hill overlooking Nanaimo Harbour, is just a short distance from the interpretive area along the walkway.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	No windsurfing opportunities.
	No waterskiing opportunities.
	No hunting in the park.
	No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
	No spelunking or caving opportunities.
	No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.