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Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Welcome
Majestic old growth trees, beautiful ocean sunsets, a wide sandy beach, and campsites nestled amongst mature Douglas-fir trees makes Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park in Parksville one of the premier vacation destinations on Vancouver Island. At low tide, the ocean recedes almost a kilometer, providing an ideal place for visitors of all ages to play in the sand and explore the shoreline. The warmed water is unbeatable for swimming, and a large day-use area, easy hiking, and bird watching can also be enjoyed.
location
3 km south of Parksville.
- Region: Central Vancouver Island - near Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
- Driving time from city centre: About 2 hours from Victoria
- For a regional map of the park's location, click here.
Recreation Opportunities
Hiking:
5.5 km of easy walking trails, most of which are wheelchair accessible. Trails meander along the beach, weave through mature forests of Douglas-fir, Western red cedar, hemlock, balsam, spruce and a variety of deciduous trees, including arbutus and maple. A variety of short trails link the walk-in, group and main campsites to the beach. Another trail loops from just before the main parking lot around a pretty heritage farm field. Detailed trail maps are posted at information shelters in the park.
Day-Use/Picnicking:
This park has a large day-use/picnic area near the beach and ocean with five parking lots, 150 picnic tables, two picnic shelters, pit toilets, two flush toilet/change buildings, walking trails and an adventure playground. The beach is also an excellent day-use/picnic area; at low tide the ocean recedes almost a kilometer, providing an ideal place to play in the sand, build sandcastles, go beachcombing, etc.
Swimming:
This park offers excellent ocean swimming opportunities. When the tide rolls in over the hot sand, the warmed water is unbeatable for swimming and saltwater fun.
Canoeing and Kayaking:
The park can be accessed by canoe or kayak from the beach. The tide can be very low; check the local tide guides for details.
Viewing Opportunities:
This park offers spectacular panoramic views of the ocean. Bird watching is a popular activity at the park, particularly in the spring when large numbers of seabirds congregate for the annual herring spawn. From March 15 to April 15, visitors can view the impressive Brandt Geese migration.
Other Recreation:
There are opportunities windsurfing and biking at this park (bicycles must keep to roadways.).
Camping opportunities
All campsites are within a 5-minute walk to the 2 km stretch of sandy beach.
Group Sites:
There are 4 group campsites at this park, located off Rath Road, before you reach the day-use parking lots. These sites are situated in an open field, with picnic tables, fire rings, flush toilets/change building and fresh water. Group Camping Fee: $22.00 per party / night; Youth Group Camping Fee: $50.00 per group / night.
Vehicle Accessible/Frontcountry Walk-in Sites:
Vehicle accessible campsites, set in the wooded upland - $22.00 per party / night
25 walk-in campsites, situated in a large open field (pit toilets and two 2 picnic shelters are located nearby) - $14 per party/night.
Backcountry Sites:
There are no backcountry campsites at this park.
interpretive programs
This park has an outdoor amphitheatre and nature house. There are programs held in July and August. Contact the Park Facility Operator for more information.
Additional fees
Click here to view BC Park's General Fee Information website.
- Day-use Area Vehicle Parking Fee: $1.00/hr to a maximum of $5.00 for the day.
- Group Picnicking Fee: $50.00 per group
safety and other important notes
There are no other safety considerations for this specific park. Be sure to read our more general park safety information page.
- This is a very popular park during the summer months and reservations are required between the last week of June and Labour Day in September.
- Alternative camping space may be available at nearby Englishman River Falls Provincial Park (13 km) or Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park (24 km).
- The park has a concession managed by the Park Facility Operator.
Water:
Cold water taps are located throughout the park at the day-use area and campsites. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
Toilets/Showers:
Pit toilets are located throughout the park. Flush toilets are located at the day-use area and throughout the campgrounds.Wheelchair Accessibility:
Campground roads are paved for easy access. Campsites, shower stalls, flush toilets, beaches, many walking trails and parking stalls at the day-use area are all wheelchair accessible.
In addition to this information, Project G.O.! recommends reviewing the BC Parks website for Rathtrevor beach Provincial Park for important updates and detailed information before visiting this park.
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
E-mail address: office@rlcenterprize.com
Phone: (250) 474-1336
other service providers at this park
There are no other listed service providers operating in this park.