Ministry of Environment - Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park

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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

WARNING COUGAR IN AREA!

Cougars at Rugged Point Provincial Park

BC Parks is advising the public that in recent years there have been increasing accounts of a cougar frequenting camping and beach areas of the park. Normally, cougars are secretive and run away when encountering people. However, cougars can lose their fear for humans and may approach camping areas and hikers. It is extremely important to be aware of and use preventative measures when in cougar country to ensure your safety. If you encounter a cougar in the park please report the sighting and details to BC Conservation Office Service at 1- 877- 952 - 7277 (RAPP) or BC Parks at 1-250-337-2406.

Here is a link to information about visitor safety and cougars.

Park Info:

Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park, located on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island, is a must-see destination for boaters traveling this area.

Accessible by boat only, Rugged Point is home to one of the most beautiful stretches of shoreline on the entire west coast and offers spectacular views of the open Pacific Ocean and Kyuquot Sound. Its quiet, protected beaches on the north side of the peninsula are a sharp contrast to the wild, surf-swept beaches of the outer coast.

A variety of safe places to anchor at Rugged Point make this park a popular destination for boaters. In bad weather, more sheltered anchorages can be found in nearby Dixie Cove, located 5 miles to the east.

Inland, visitors will find old-growth forest with majestic Douglas fir trees, which adds to the scenic value of this undeveloped park. There are opportunities for walk-in wilderness camping here, as well as a small day-use/picnic area with a pit toilet, bear-proof food cache and an open-walled cooking/picnic shelter near the beach. Kapoose Creek runs through the park to empty into the Pacific, providing a supply of fresh water for boaters and campers.

Park Size: 308 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan

Location:

Location Map

This park is located on the west coast of northern Vancouver Island on the southwest end of Kyuquot Channel in the mouth of Kyuquot Sound. Access to this park is by water only from the Village of Kyuquot, Fair Harbour or the Artlish River boat launch. The closest communities are Kyuquot and Zeballos. Boaters can reference marine chart #3682 (Kyuquot Sound) for more information on this area.

Map/Brochure:

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

Nature & Culture:

Cultural Heritage -

Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park lies within the traditional territory of the Ehattesaht First Nation and is also adjacent to the Kyuquot/Checleset First Nation territory. Visitors are encouraged to contact the Kyuquot/Checleset First Nation band office in Kyuquot prior to exploring Rugged Point Park.

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.

There are no designated campsites at this park. Walk-in campsites are on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

	There are no vehicle-accessible camping facilities at this park.
	There is one designated wilderness campground in this park, with four individual tent platform sites. A shared cooking shelter and picnic table are close by. Random beach camping is allowed along the western beaches of the park. Visitors are discouraged from camping at the beach areas east of the designated camping area. This park is accessible year round. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.
	There are no group campsites at this park.
	This park has a day-use/picnic area with a pit toilet, fire ring and open-walled cooking/picnic shelter near the beach at the primary camping area facing Kyuquot Sound. A bear-proof food cache is located behind the picnic shelter.
	There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
	Fresh water is very difficult to come across at Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park, so be sure to bring all that you require. Any surface water you may find in the park must be well boiled, filtered or treated prior to consumption.
	This park has one pit toilet, located at the primary camping area facing Kyuquot Sound.
	No showers.
	No sani-station/dump facilities.
	While small fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you do have a fire, please utilize previously constructed fire rings and use small pieces of wood that will burn completely. If you can’t find a previously used site, try to construct your fire rings below the high tide mark. There is a fire ring located in front of the picnic shelter at the primary camping area facing Kyuquot Sound. Never leave your fire unattended and practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.
	There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
	There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.
	There is a short, maintained, five minute trail connecting the primary camping area to the west-facing beaches. 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.
	Rugged Point is popular with ocean kayakers and canoers. Typically, kayakers utilize the west-facing beaches because they are able to pull their kayaks right up on the sandy shore. The beach that faces Kyuquot Sound is more popular with the sail and motorboat crowd because of the semi-sheltered anchorage.
	This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are at Fair Harbour and Artlish River. A semi-sheltered anchorage off the beach that faces Kyuquot Sound is a good place for sailboats and other large vessels to anchor.
	The waters around Rugged Point are popular with recreational anglers for salmon fishing. Sport fishers camping at Rugged Point must ensure their catch is stored in their boats at anchor overnight to avoid attracting black bears to the camping area. 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.
	Cycling is not permitted.
	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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
	No wildlife viewing opportunities.
	No winter recreation opportunities.
	No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
	The outer west-facing beaches of Rugged Point Marine Provincial Park have become quite popular for surfing. Visitors planning on surfing can make arrangements for water taxi services from Kyuquot or Zeballos.
	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.