Sitting on the southernmost fjord in North America and the shore of Howe Sound is Porteau Cove Provincial Park, a wonderful recreational getaway featuring waterfront campsites within a beautiful natural setting. Located 38 km (24 miles) north of Vancouver and 20 km (12 miles) south of Squamish along Highway 99, British Columbia, this provincial park offers RV campers opportunities to enjoy hiking, cycling, boating, canoeing, kayaking, wildlife viewing, scuba diving, picnicking, swimming, windsurfing, and a host of winter activities. Stargazing and Aurora Borealis viewing are activities that are becoming popular among campers and visitors at Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
Facilities and amenities at the park include RV campsites with electric hookups, cabins, picnic area, pit/flush toilets, showers, water taps, wheelchair accessible areas, boat launch, dump station, campfires, amphitheater, lookout point, a swimming beach, and parking lots.
The name of the park, “Porteau” (porte d’eau) is French and translates to “Water’s Gate” in English. This name dates from 1908 when John F. Deeks began mining the extensive sand and gravel deposits in the area to supply Vancouver.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park was established in 1981.
Located 38 km (24 miles) north of Vancouver and 20 km (12 miles) south of Squamish along Highway 99, Porteau Cove Provincial is easy to access by RV, trailers, and other motorized vehicles, since the park is located just along the highway, making it a simple-drive in park. The paved roads within the park favor driving and grant access to both campgrounds in the park. There are no driving restrictions within the park.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park features two parking areas, located around the day-use area, for RV campers to park their rigs while on vacation at the park. Additionally, campers can park their RVs at their designated campsites in the park. Overnight parking is also available.
Bus services are available from Vancouver and Waterfront Station to Porteau Provincial Park.
Campground B in Porteau Cove Provincial Park features seven pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. All the campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities available in the campground include fire pits, picnic tables, pit and flush toilets, and garbage station. Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 7 am.
Campground A in Porteau Cove Provincial Park features 37 pet-friendly campsites available for RVs and tents. All the campsites in the campground are equipped with electric hookups for RVs. RV length limit at the campground is 32 feet (10 m), however RV vacationers with larger rigs can call the park ahead to find out if space is available. Amenities available in the campground include fire pits, picnic tables, restrooms with showers, garbage station, water taps, dump station, entrance kiosk, and access to the swimming area. Quiet Hours are 10 pm to 7 am.
Howe Sound’s strong winds provide excellent windsurfing opportunities for RV campers who wish to enjoy windsurfing at the park. A popular spot for windsurfers in the area is the “Spit”, the confluence of Howe Sound and the Squamish River.
Along the shores of Howe Sound in Porteau Cove Provincial Park, there is a rock and pebble beach that is excellent for ocean swimming. The beach is well-loved by RV campers as it provides amazing opportunities for wonderful swimming experiences in Howe Sound. There are no lifeguards on duty at the beach and the weather conditions, wind, and tide are susceptible to sudden changes, hence caution is advised when swimming in the area.
As one of the most popular activities at Porteau Cove Provincial Park, RV campers with appropriate skills enjoy scuba diving in Howe Sound within the designated diving areas marked by buoys in the park. The set of man-made reefs and two sunken vessels in the ocean provide excellent scuba diving opportunities for campers to enjoy from depths ranging from 6m to 18m (20 ft to 60 ft). While scuba diving, campers enjoy the view of various fascinating marine life in the dive area.
RV campers enjoy picnics with family and friends at the day-use area in Porteau Cove Provincial Park, strategically located just by the waterfront and beach, from where campers can enjoy scenic views of Howe Sound. The picnic area is equipped with picnic tables with barbecue attachments, garbage bins, flush toilets, and outdoor shower. The site is well-loved by RV campers because the view and windy conditions of the area provides refreshing experiences as they enjoy their meals.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park features various wildlife that RV campers can see while hiking on the trails in the park or enjoying the view from the lookout. Wildlife available in the park vary from marine waterfowl and harbor seals, to harbor porpoises, mink, river otters, raccoons, coyotes, orcas, humpback whales, gray whales, and occasional salmon.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park features an easy 300 m (985 ft) hiking trail in the southern part of the park that leads to a lookout where RV campers can enjoy vantage point views of the park, Howe Sound, and mountains in the distance. Hiking on the trail will take campers through slight elevation gains and series of rock and wooden steps. This spot is a must-visit in the park
Additionally, RV campers enjoy riding their bicycles along the trails and roadways in the park. All cyclists are required to wear helmets while riding in Porteau Cove Provincial Park.
