Featuring open meadows, towering forests, white shell beaches, tidal lagoons, and craggy headlands, Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park is nothing short of an RV camper’s paradise. Sitting in the southern Gulf Islands, at the southwestern end of Galiano Island, about 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Sturdies Bay, this provincial park is a popular destination for vacationers for its beautiful scenery and wonderful camping opportunities.
The park features 16 RV campsites available by reservations only, as well as walk-in/backcountry campsites. Amenities and facilities in the park include group camps, picnic areas, water taps, pit/vault toilets, wheelchair accessible areas, and a boat launch. You'll also find firewood, garbage stations, picnic shelter, and a swimming beach, so you can be sure of having everything you need at your fingertips.
Amazing recreational opportunities are available at Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, including refreshing walks along trails that lead to the shore. The sea is idea for fishing for salmon and shellfish, or for canoeing and kayaking for experienced paddlers. Flora and fauna observation, nature viewing, and bird viewing are all popular activities in the park. The more intrepid visitors try swimming in the park’s cold water, while others partake in picnicking, photography, and pet walking.
One of the special features of the park is a spectacular rock ledge on the northwest edge of Gray Peninsula that was carved by the movement of glaciers several millennia ago.
The area was inhabited by the First Nations tribe before the Spanish explorer Dionisio Galiano arrived in 1792.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park was established in 1959.
Located on the southwestern end of Galiano Island, about 10 km (6 miles) northwest of Sturdies Bay, Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park is accessible via Montague Park Road. The network of roads within the park make navigation to the various areas in the park easy. There are no driving restrictions within the park.
There are three parking areas for RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles in Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park, and two of the three parking lots are located around the RV campsites. The third parking lot is situated at the walk-in camping area in the southwestern end of the park.
Passenger and vehicle services are provided by BC Ferries from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen to Sturdies Bay.
Montague Harbour Campground in Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park features 16 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. There are no RV hookup options at the campground. RV length limit at the campground is 32 ft (10 m), however, vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if there is space available.
Amenities available at the campground include water taps, pit/vault toilet, garbage station, picnic tables and shelter, Information Center, trailhead access, access to waterfront, and parking lots.
None of the campsites in the campground are available on first-come first-served basis.
Scenic walking trails are available in Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park leading to spots around Gray Peninsula and along Shell Beach. Along the trails, RV campers enjoy nice views of the islands that surround the park and local wildlife and marine life. Posted signs are available along the trails to offer guidance to hikers.
Moreover, RV campers can enjoy bicycle rides along the roads in the park, as long they wear bicycle helmets.
Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park features resplendent flora and diverse fauna that make the park a beauty to behold. Examples include acorn barnacles, edible mussel, giant barnacle, and Japanese oyster, as well as western red cedar, Douglas fir, arbutus, and grand fir.
Moreover, over 130 species of birds are available in the area, including wintering birds such as diving ducks, goldeneyes, buffleheads, and mergansers.
Exciting canoeing and kayaking opportunities are available for experienced paddlers at Montage Harbour Marine Provincial Park. The boat launch which sits in the northern part of the park is the ideal place to begin such adventures, however, paddlers are advised to pay attention to ocean currents to ensure safe pursuits in the park. The park is a popular destination among RV campers because it doubles as a starting and end point for kayakers looking to explore the Gulf Islands.
Fishing opportunities are available at Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park as the park has a long history among anglers. The sheltered waters in the park are replete with salmon and shellfish that provide RV campers amazing angling opportunities. Hence, coming along with your fishing gear and tackle to the park is a must-do!
All RV campers can enjoy ocean swimming at Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park. However, the park’s waters are very cold, and no lifeguards are available in the park, hence swimmers are advised to exercise caution.
A picnic area is available in Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park for RV campers to enjoy outdoor meals with family and friends while on vacation at the park. Picnic tables and pit toilets are available in the picnic area which sits in an open grassy field. Even more, picnickers enjoy the view of the harbour while having lunch in the area.
