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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
- The historic
3-km telegraph trail that runs East to West is closed due
to bridges
being out.
- BC
Parks is advising the public that there are wolves on
Vargas and Flores Islands. These wolves could become
habituated. Click
here for more information on wolves.
- PUBLIC
NOTICE - Currently NO FEES are collected for hiking
or camping in any of the Provincial Parks in Clayoquot
Sound. Should you be approached for payment while using
park trails, beaches or camping areas within any of
the Provincial Parks of Clayoquot Sound, please report
this to BC Parks by writing to the following address:
BC Parks, Clayoquot Area Supervisor, Box 495, Ucluelet,
B.C. V0R 3A0. To make sure of the location of the Provincial
Parks please consult the information shelter maps or
the Clayoquot
Area brochure (737 KB PDF format).
Park
Info:
Due to its close proximity to Tofino, Vargas Island Provincial
Park in Clayoquot Sound is a very popular paddling and
wilderness camping destination. Visitors also come here
for the exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities offered,
including the chance to see Gray whales in the area around
Ahous Bay. Naturalists are drawn to this area every spring
as the Gray whales pass by the island on their way to summer
feeding grounds in the Arctic Ocean and Bering Sea.
Vargas Island Provincial Park protects the rugged western
portion of Vargas Island, Blunden Island and the tiny
La Croix Group of islands immediately northwest of Tofino.
Much of the island is relatively flat and its interior
features a number of bogs.
Marine features including exposed rocky coast, sandy
beaches, sheltered channels and bays, an intertidal lagoon
and mudflats
are all protected within the park’s boundaries.
The park is also home to ancient sand berms - rows of
crescent-shaped
sand mounds that indicate earlier sea levels.
The park area also includes the Cleland Island Ecological
Reserve, home to a great diversity of nesting sea bird
colonies including the Rhinoceros auklet, Cassin's auklet,
Pigeon guillemot and the Black oystercatcher. Access to
the Ecological Reserve is prohibited, as the breeding seabirds
are very sensitive to disturbances.
Park
Size: 5,788
hectares.
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Vargas Island Provincial Park is located immediately northwest
of Tofino and west of Meares Island on the west coast of
Vancouver Island. The park is accessible by boat from Tofino.
Small planes can land on the beach of Ahous Bay. Nearby communities include: Tofino, Ucluelet, Ahousat, Flores
Island
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 - A number of
Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations heritage sites are located within
the park.
- Conservation - The
park protects the rugged, outer coast of Vargas Island,
Blunden Island and the marine environment. Many marine
features are represented in the park, including exposed
rocky coast, sand beaches, sheltered channels and bays,
a lagoon and mudflats. Gray whales migrate through the
off-shore waters. The park also encompasses ancient dune
berms, rows of crescent shaped sand mounds that indicate
earlier sea levels. Vargas Island Provincial Park includes
the Cleland Island Ecological Reserve, which is home
to a variety of nesting sea birds including the Rhinoceros
auklet, Cassin's auklet, Pigeon guillemot and the Black
oystercatcher. Access to the Ecological Reserve is prohibited.
Visitor
Safety:
- Habituated
Wolves on Vargas and Flores Islands - Wolves
have been known to frequent camping areas in the park.
Please ensure that all food and items smelling of food,
as well as any loose objects, are stored out of reach
of wildlife. At no time should food be offered or made
available to wildlife - to do so is in violation of
the Park Act. Click
here for more information on wolves.
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. 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.
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There are no vehicle accessible camping facilities
at this park
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There
are no designated campsites at this park, however
wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are
provided other than six pit toilets, located
in
popular camping areas. Vargas Island is accessible
year round; there is currently no winter camping
fee, however a fee may be implemented in the future.
Please practice Leave
No Trace camping ethics.
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There are no group campsites at this park.
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There
are no
day-use or picnic facilities at this park.
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There
are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.
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Bring
your own drinking water as potable water is not available
in the park.
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There
are six pit toilets located at Vargas Island's most popular camping
beaches. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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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.
Never leave your fire unattended and practice Leave
No Trace camping ethics.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park. |
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There
are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at
this park.
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An
historic 3-km telegraph trail crosses the island
from east to west, passing through bog areas and
ancient
dune berms. For your own safety and the preservation
of the park, obey posted signs.
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This
park does not have a playground. |
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There
are opportunities for ocean swimming at this park.
There are no lifeguards at provincial parks.
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Due to its scenic values and close proximity to Tofino,
Vargas Island is a very popular paddling and camping
destination. Gray whales frequent the Ahous Bay area
and the La Croix Group of small islands is a peaceful
spot for paddling, bird watching and viewing seals.
Kayakers can launch at the First Street Dock in Tofino.
Canoeing is not recommended.
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This park does not have a boat launch. The nearest
boat launch is the Fourth Street Dock in Tofino.
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The
waters of Clayoquot Sound may contain a variety of
fish species, including salmon, rockfish, halibut
and lingcod. One of the more popular areas is around
Wilf Rock at the southern portion of the 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.
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Cycling
is not permitted.
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No
horseback riding.
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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
wolves, bears and cougars. |
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This park has many opportunities for wildlife and
nature viewing, including bird viewing in the waters
around the Cleland Ecological Reserve, watching
for migrating Gray whales and exploring the geological
features of the park. These include ancient dune
berms - rows of crescent-shaped sand mounds that
indicate earlier sea levels. These berms can be
seen along the historic telegraph trail. NOTE:
Please abide to current DFO Marine Viewing
Guidelines when viewing marine wildlife in BC Parks.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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Portions
of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must
have valid licences and tags. Please refer to current printed Hunting
and Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures
and regulations. |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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