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Skookumchuk Rapids looking towards Sechelt Islets ' Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
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park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
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vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
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wildlife viewing
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Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • There are no park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

This park was established in 1957. Skookumchuck Narrows Provincial Park provides trails and viewing areas for visitors who wish to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a 3 metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt and Jervis Inlet.

The difference in water levels between one side of the rapids and the other sometimes exceeds 2 metres in height. Current speeds can exceed 30km/hr. The rapids are famous for their spectacular whirlpools and whitewater.

There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities.

Click here to find out the best viewing times (the Skookumchuck Best Viewing Times timetable has been compiled by the Sechelt Visitor Information Centre), or consult with the tide tables for this area to get a schedule of the best viewing times of the rapids.

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Park Size: 123 hectares

Special Notes:

When using these waters, know the tides and cross the narrows at high or low slack tide. Only very experienced paddlers should attempt the rapids at high tide.

Private land adjoins the access road to the park, your respect of these lands is appreciated. Please, no trespassing over private property.

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

Location:

Following Highway 101 past Sechelt and Madeira Park take Egmont Road for approximately 6 km to the parking lot. Egmont Road is one km before Earl’s Cove ferry terminal. To reach the rapids, you will need to walk an easy 4km trail past Brown Lake.

Map/Brochure:

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
  • Location Map

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Nature & Culture:
  • History - “Skookumchuck” is a Chinook name meaning turbulent water or rapid torrent. The park was originally included as part of the Sechelt Provincial Forest in 1934 and remained provincial forest until the 1950’s when the Department of Recreation and Conservation studied the recreational and tourism potential of the site. As a result, the outstanding scenic and interesting features of the rapids (covering 40.5 ha) were removed from the provincial forest and established as a Class A park. Over the years, more area has been added to the park, to bring it to its current size of 123 hectares.
  • Conservation - This park protects south coast inlet shoreline, small islets, a small lake, maturing second growth hemlock and the phenomenal rapids.
  • Wildlife - Birds, ground squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, sea stars, urchin, anemone, chiton, flounder, red snapper, ling and rock cod, salmon species, crab, oysters, clams and mussels can all be found in the park.

    An abundance of marine life is found in the ocean area around the park. At low tide you can often find tidal pools that harbour urchins, star fish, small fish, and small crabs. Please do not disturb their habitat. At Brown Lake you can view many types of water fowl.


    • Visitor Safety:
     When using these waters, know the tides and cross the narrows at high or low slack tide. Only experienced paddlers should attempt the rapids at high tide.

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

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    Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
    group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

    No camping at this park.

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

    Contact Information:

    Swens Contracting
    E-mail address: info@sunshinecoastparks.com
    Phone: (604) 885-3714
    Click here for Swens Contracting website

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    vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

    No vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.
    wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping

    No wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping.
    group camping - 15 or more campers

    No group campsites.
    picnic, day-use facilities, no camping

    This park has no day-use or picnic facilities.

    wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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    drinking water

    Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
    toilets

    This park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.

    showers

    No showers.
    sani-stations, sani-dumps

    No sani-station/dump facilities.
    firewood, campfires

    Campfires are not permitted.
    There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park.
    interpretive, educational programs

    There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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    walking, hiking 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 has a fairly flat and easy 4 km (approx 1 hour) hiking/walking trail leading from the parking lot at Egmont to the prime viewing area for the tidal phenomenon at Roland Point.
    playgrounds

    This park does not have a playground.
    swimming

    No swimming.

    There is no swimming at this park due to the dangerous nature of the tidal effects, currents and whirlpools.
    canoeing, kayaking

    There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Please use caution.
    When using these waters, know the tides and cross the narrows at high or low slack tide. Only very experienced paddlers should attempt the rapids at high tide.
    Kayaking the “surf” during the tidal effect has become a popular activity. Please use caution. Please minimize your impact on the intertidal zone. There are rentals available nearby at Egmont and Garden Bay.

    Charts of the area
    # 3512 Strait of Georgia Central Portion
    # 3514 Jervis Inlet including Sechelt Rapids.
    Topo Map for this area: Sechelt Inlet 92G12

    power boats, boat launch

    This park does not have a boat launch. Boats cannot be left in the water or beached overnight. There is a nearby marina to moor boats.
    fishing

    Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park.Fishing activities are limited in Rockfish Conservation Areas. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO.

    Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
    cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

    Cycling is not permitted.
    horses, horseback riding

    No horseback riding.
    pets, domestic animals in parks Due to the dangerous conditions of the rapids, dogs should not be allowed to enter the water.

    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.
    wildlife viewing

    There are opportunities to view tidal rapids, waterfowl and abundant marine life at various tidal levels. Brown Lake provides further waterfowl viewing opportunities.

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    winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

    No winter recreation opportunities.
    scuba, snorkelling

    There are SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities in this park.
    windsurfing

    No windsurfing opportunities.
    waterskiing

    No waterskiing opportunities.
    hunting

    No hunting in the park.
    climbing, rock climbing

    No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
    spelunking, caving

    No spelunking or caving opportunities.
    cabins, yurts, lodges

    No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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