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Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park is a magnificent remote area with rugged terrain. It is famous for its old-growth rainforest, beautiful white sand beaches, coastal bog, lots of historical places, heavy rain, and intense storms.
The area offers opportunities for hiking, wilderness camping, and wildlife viewing.
A variety of flora and fauna can be found at the park. The forest in upland areas is covered with red and yellow cedar, true fir, hemlock, and lodgepole pine. In the rugged coastline, old-growth Sitka spruce, evergreen huckleberry, salal, salmonberry, and fern are observable.
You can see large mammals such as bears, wolves, deers, cougars, and Roosevelt elks at the park's open uplands and various species of birds along the coastline. Seals, sea otters, sea lions, gray whales, and killer whales are inhabitants in the waters offshore.


Cape Scott Provincial Park Location

Cape Scott Provincial Park has 22,294 hectares (55,090 acres) surface area and is located north of San Josef Bay, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Mt. St. Patrick is the highest point of the park overlooking San Josef Bay at 422 m (1,385 ft.) above sea level. The Eric Lake is the park's largest lake at 44 hectares (110 acres) located in the park's southeast, the largest freshwater source.
Cape Scott Provincial Park is a popular destination for backpackers during summer. A well-known backpacking trip is to hike Cape Scott Trail to Nels Bight, which is 16.8 km (10.4 miles) and takes about 4-7 hours. The trails are mostly flat but often very muddy and consist of a wooden boardwalk mainly.


How to Get to Cape Scott Provincial Park by Car

From Nanaimo:
Nanaimo's fastest route is via BC-19 N, which is 452 km (280.8 miles) and takes about 5 hours and 28 minutes.
Take Third St to BC-19 N. After 3.3 km (2 miles) turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Drive for 379 km (235.5 miles). Take Holberg Rd, NE 60 Rd and San Josef Main/San Joseph Rd to Cape Scott Park Rd in Mount Waddington B. After 69.6 km (43.2 miles), you will reach the Cape Scott Parking Lot.

From Victoria:
The Fastest route from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N Rd. It is 563 km (349.8 miles) and takes about 6 hours and 41 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Continue to Port Hardy for 492 km (305.7 miles). Take Holberg Rd, NE 60 Rd and San Josef Main/San Joseph Rd to Cape Scott Park Rd in Mount Waddington B. Keep driving for 69.6 km (43.2 miles) to reach the Cape Scott Parking Lot.


The Hike to Get to Cape Scott Provincial Park

1- Cape Scott Trail is an out-and-back difficult trail located near Mount Waddington B, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has a 48 km (29.8 miles) length and 1048 m (3438.3 ft) elevation gain. It features a lake and is mainly used for hiking, camping, backpacking, and sea kayaking. The best time to use the trail is from May until September.

2- San Josef Bay is an out & back easy trail located near Mount Waddington B. It has 8.7 km (5.4 miles) length and 201 m (659.4 ft) elevation gain. It is a year-round trail, which features a river and offers several activities. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be kept on a leash.


History of Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park was established in 1973 and named after a lighthouse site, which has guided mariners since 1960.
This region was first inhabited by the Nakumgilisala, Tlatlasikwala, and Yutlinuk, native peoples who shared the realm before white settlement.
From 1897 to 1907, the primary attempt was made to house whites at Cape Scott. The settlers were Danes, mostly from Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and Nebraska, who wanted to establish an ethnic society around Hansen Lagoon and Fisherman Bay. But Due to living issues, they could not stay long, and the area became uninhabited soon.


Things to do around the Cape Scott Provincial Park Area

Cape Scott Provincial Park is a popular destination for backpackers during summer. Also, it offers several activities, such as hiking through the trails while enjoying the presence of vegetation and various animals, camping in the wilderness, swimming, fishing, and kayaking at Nels Bight and San Josef Bay.
Based on the BC Act, Cape Scott Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.

The Best Parks Near Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park is famous for its old-growth rainforest, beautiful white sand beaches, coastal bog, historical places, heavy rain, and intense storms. It is a popular destination for backpackers during summer, with hiking, wilderness camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Bears, wolves, deer, cougars, Roosevelt elks, seals, sea otters, sea lions, and whales are inhabitants.

Cape Scott Provincial Park Activities

Hiking

Whether you are looking for a two-hour scenic trail or a long, challenging hike, Cape Scott Park offers some of the best hikes on Vancouver Island, BC. Just Be aware that you may face wolves and bears. Keep your distance if you encounter them.

Wildlife Viewing / Bird Watching

A variety of flora and fauna can be found at the park, and wherever you are, you'll find incredible scenery. St. Patrick, which is the highest point of the park, overlooks San Josef Bay, Sea Otter Cove, and the pristine wilderness of Cape Scott Park.

Camping

If you are interested, you can have more adventure by wilderness camping. The closest campsite to Cape Scott Provincial Park is San Josef Heritage Campsite.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in Cape Scott Provincial Park, but you should have an appropriate licence.

Kayaking

Kayaking is so prevalent in this area, especially in San Josef Bay, where you find the BC Parks boat launch. In the spring and fall, when waves are more extended, surf kayaking becomes common too.

Swimming

There is no designated swimming area at the park, but the beaches at Nels Bight and San Josef Bay can be known as popular destinations for swimming. Be careful; there is no lifeguard on duty at provincial parks.

What you Can Expect to Do Near Cape Scott Provincial Park

Raft Cove Surfing

Raft Cove Surfing

Write a diary now, but save your memories to review for the rest of your life. Assign one page to the adventure you will experience in Raft Cove Provincial Park. Nothing can be fascinating as much as a beach you can surf and camp on simultaneously, but the sandy beach there provides that for you. Low tides at Raft cove will motivate you to get on a surfing board and make your day meaningful.

Cape Scott Provincial Park Outline

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1- The numbers are estimated on average.

What you Can Expect to See Near Cape Scott Provincial Park

Palmerston Beach

Palmerston Beach

Welcome to Palmerston Beach, a secluded and breathtaking destination on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, near Winter Harbour in the Mount Waddington region. This hidden gem is a true escape, celebrated for its wild, untouched shoreline, where waves crash against sandy stretches and rugged rocks, offering a raw connection to the Pacific Ocean. Its remote location at Palmerston Beach Rd, Mount Waddington, BC V0N 1Z0, Canada, makes it a haven for adventurers craving solitude and natural beauty. Unlike more crowded Vancouver Island beaches, Palmerston Beach delivers a serene, off-the-grid experience, with opportunities to spot seals, sea lions, and bald eagles against a backdrop of misty forests and ocean vistas. Perfect for hikers, photographers, and nature lovers, this article dives deep into why to visit, how to get there, top activities, planning tips, and nearby attractions—everything you need for an unforgettable Vancouver Island adventure!

Ronnings Garden

Ronnings Garden

Tucked near the northwest tip of Vancouver Island, Ronning’s Garden is a surreal blend of wilderness and curated beauty. Established in 1910 by Norwegian settler Bernt Ronning, this secluded garden thrives amid old-growth rainforests and rugged coastal landscapes. Known for its rare rhododendrons, towering Sitka spruces, and alpine blooms, Ronning’s Garden feels like a secret Eden. Located just 12 km from Cape Scott Provincial Park, it’s a must-visit for hikers, history buffs, and nature lovers seeking solitude. This guide covers how to visit, seasonal highlights, and tips for exploring this off-grid treasure

Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park

Cape Scott Provincial Park is famous for its old-growth rainforest, beautiful white sand beaches, coastal bog, historical places, heavy rain, and intense storms. It is a popular destination for backpackers during summer, with hiking, wilderness camping, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Bears, wolves, deer, cougars, Roosevelt elks, seals, sea otters, sea lions, and whales are inhabitants.

Planning for Cape Scott Provincial Park

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Tips

Packing




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