Ministry of Environment

Parks Listed Alphabetically: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

There is currently a position available for a Volunteer Park Host (the Volunteer Park Host Program is a hospitality service for park visitors). For more information, click here.
Water System Update: We are please to announce that the Water Treatment and Distribution System Project has been completed and is now serving campground and day use visitors. The park is now serviced by 6 pressurized drinking water and fire hydrant stations. Previous "Boil Water" advisories have been lifted. The new water treatment system employs a state of the art filtration and Ultra Violet (UV) disinfections process.
NOTE: The water system is shut down for the winter season between November 1 and February 28.
Special Note: Carpet burweed (Soliva sessilis) is an invasive, introduced plant that has been discovered in Ruckle Provincial Park. Efforts to eradicate the plant are ongoing and include the creation of a fenced quarantine area to exclude seed dispersers (people) from one of the large meadows, and the use of work crews to locate and effectively deal with the plants. To find out more about the origin of burweed, its spread throughout the world, its effects on playing fields and golf courses and its history at Ruckle Provincial Park go to burweed poster.

Park Info:

Ruckle Provincial Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the southern Gulf Islands. Pitch your tent in the grassy meadow overlooking Swanson Channel then lie back and relax, watching pleasure boats and ferries sail by in a stately and colourful parade.

With its 7 kilometers of shoreline, rocky headlands and tiny coves and bays, Ruckle Park provides hours or even days of enjoyable exploration. A mixture of forest, field and shore habitats makes it one of the most productive wildlife viewing areas on Saltspring Island. Watch for sea lions and killer whales out in the sea, and mink and river otter cavorting along the shoreline. Tidal pools are filled with a brightly-coloured world of crab, mussel, limpet, oyster, sculpin, starfish and more.

Scuba divers frequent the waters off Ruckle Park, drifting among the castle-like caves or floating above the bountiful ocean floor, where they will find a profusion of Plumose anemones, sponges, nudibranches, octopi, seastars and giant barnacles. On shore, birdwatchers can often catch sight of cormorants, grebes, guillemots, eagles, grouse or quail.

In addition to its natural beauty, Ruckle Park is an area rich in cultural history. Irish emigrant Henry Ruckle first homesteaded here in 1872, marrying Ella Anna Christensen in 1877. Their descendants have farmed the Saltspring property for more than a century. Although they donated most of their property to the province for a park in 1974, the Ruckle family still raises sheep on private land at the entrance to the campground.

Park Size: 486 hectares

Special Notes:

Ruckle Park borders private farming property. Visitors are asked to respect this property and to not interfere with the farming operation.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

Location Map

Located on Saltspring Island in the southern Gulf Islands, Ruckle Provincial Park is situated 10 km from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal along Beaver Point Road. BC Ferries offers service to Saltspring Island from Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Crofton on Vancouver Island, and Vancouver (Tsawwassen). The closest communites are Ganges, Fulford Harbour, Saltspring Island, Sidney and Victoria.

Map/Brochure:

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

Map (137 KB PDF)
Location Map

Nature & Culture:

Cultural Heritage - First Nations used this area for shellfish gathering, camas harvesting and settlement. The Ruckle Farm is the oldest continually operating farm in British Columbia. The Ruckle family began farming here in the 1870s, and continues to farm here today.
Conservation - Ruckle Park is one of the largest provincial parks in the Gulf Islands and protests a mosaic of wetlands, flowering Garry oak meadows, older forest and shoreline habitats. Strong tidal currents create the environment for rich kelp forests offshore. Kelp forests are important feeding areas for fish and attract many birds and mammals. Endangered and threatened species on land include Macoun’s meadowfoam, Nutall’s quillwort, sedges and the western screech owl. Habitat for the rare brittle prickly-pear cactus and northern alligator lizard is protected.

Visitor Safety:

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

Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping. Reservations are not accepted for individual campsites at this park; all campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service, click here.

Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite and/or group picnic site reservations are accepted at this park.

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

Contact Information:

K2 Park Services Ltd.
E-mail address: k2parks@shaw.ca
Phone/Fax: (250) 539-2115

This park has 8 vehicle accessible campsites, available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campsite reservations are not accepted. Facilities include pit toilets and group fire rings.
Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
BC Senior's Rate (Shoulder Season only): $7.50 per senior's couple/night
Winter Vehicle Accessible Camping Fee: $10.00 per party / night

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 (Gate is open during the off-season)
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:	March 15 - October 31 Off-season: a winter fee is charged from Nov 1 to March 14; no services)
Campground Reservable Dates:	Not applicable (See group camping reservations above)
Total Number of Accessible Campsites:	Vehicle accessible = 8 Walk-in sites = 78
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.

This park has 78 walk-in campsites, located along the edge of the forest and extending across an open grassy area overlooking Swanson Channel. These sites are located approximately 5 minutes from the parking lot and are popular with cyclists as well. Facilities include pit toilets, a cold water pump and group fire rings.
Walk/Cycle-in Frontcountry Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night

There are 3 group campsites at this park, set in an open field. Facilities include pit toilets, a group fire ring, fresh water and picnic tables. Click here for reservation information.
Group Camping Fee: $15.00 per party / night
Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night

This park has a day-use/picnic area; continue straight on the main park road past the campground turnoff to the day-use parking lot.
Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00 per vehicle / hour to a maximum of $3.00 per vehicle per/day. For information about yearly parking passes, or further information about parking fees, click here.

A large grassy area and rugged shoreline at the day-use area provide great viewing opportunities of passing boats and ferries. Facilities at the day-use area include pit toilets, picnic tables and an information shelter.
Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group

Some facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible.

There are 6 pressurized drinking water stations throughout the campground and day-use areas. Previous "Boil Water" advisories have been lifted. NOTE: The water system is shut down for the winter season between November 1 and February 28.

This park has pit toilets at the campground, day-use area and heritage farm.

No showers.

No sani-station/dump facilities. The nearest facilities are at Triangle RV in Sidney on Vancouver Island.

While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. There are a number of group fire rings throughout the campground. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented.

Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. 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. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.

There are regularly scheduled interpretive programs offered during the summer season. The scheduled programs are now finished for 2007. Hope to see you in 2008.

An extensive trail system exists at Ruckle Park, with more than 15 km of trail. A shoreline trail runs from the heritage farm area right through to Yeo Point, along with other inland trail routes that range from easy walks to more difficult hikes. Detailed park trail maps are located at information shelters and convenient points along the trails. 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.

This park does not have a playground.

There is no designated swimming area at this park. There are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.

There are ocean kayaking opportunities at this park. Canoeing is not recommended.

This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launch is at Fulford Harbour.

There are salt water fishing opportunities at this park. 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.

This park is a popular camping location for cyclists, as it serves as a good location for cyclists wishing to explore the rest of picturesque Saltspring Islands. Bicycles are allowed on the main roads only and are asked to walk their bikes into the main campground area. Bicycles are not allowed on the walking trails in the park. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

No horseback riding.

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. It is extremely important that dogs be kept away from the working farm and livestock within the park. Dogs MUST be on leash at all times.

Ruckle Park features beautiful ocean views from the day-use area and along the trails, as well as scenic pastoral views of the neighbouring farm. The Heritage Farm feature a number of old farm buildings, including a barn, an old residence and other buildings, still used as working buildingstoday). The big orchard barn has open access (schedule is posted at the site). Other buildings are available for viewing from the outside only – visitors are not permitted inside.

No winter recreation opportunities.

SCUBA divers frequent the waters off Ruckle Park, drifting among the castle-like caves or floating above the bountiful ocean floor, where they will find a profusion of plumose, anemones, sponges, nudibranches, octopi, seastars and giant barnacles.

There are opportunities for windsurfing at this park.

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.