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Saltery Bay
Overview
Saltery Bay Provincial Park offers a tranquil escape nestled within the lush coastal rainforest of the Northern Sunshine Coast. This park provides a scenic coastal experience that captures the rugged beauty of British Columbia. The air is often filled with the scent of salt water and cedar, creating an immediate sense of relaxation for arriving guests. Unlike high-density commercial resorts, this provincial park focuses on preserving the natural environment while providing spacious sites for RVers. It serves as a peaceful gateway for those looking to immerse themselves in the wilderness without leaving the comfort of their rig.
Location & Surroundings
Situated just south of Powell River, the park is perched on the shores of Jervis Inlet. The geography is defined by towering Douglas fir trees and rocky shorelines that offer breathtaking views of the water. The proximity to the Saltery Bay Ferry Terminal makes it an incredibly convenient stop for travelers navigating the Sunshine Coast. The drive along Highway 101 to reach the park is one of the most scenic routes in the province, winding through dense woods and past ocean overlooks. Despite the nearby ferry traffic, the campground remains secluded and quiet.
Amenities & Park Features
As a provincial park, the facilities are designed for a rustic camping experience. RV travelers will find large, private sites that can accommodate various rig sizes, though it is important to note there are no power or water hookups. The park features well-maintained pit toilets and hand-pumped water stations. Each site includes a sturdy picnic table and a fire ring, perfect for evening gatherings under the forest canopy. The park staff keeps the grounds in pristine condition, ensuring the gravel pads are level and the surrounding vegetation is neatly managed to maintain privacy between neighbors.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
One of the most unique draws is Mermaid Cove, which features an underwater bronze mermaid statue that is world-renowned among scuba divers. Visitors can explore various hiking trails, including access points to the prestigious Sunshine Coast Trail. For those who enjoy the water, the rocky beach is perfect for tide pooling or launching a kayak to explore the intricate coastline. The town of Powell River is a short drive away, offering local breweries, artisan shops, and the historic Townsite district, which provides a nice contrast to the park's wilderness.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for travelers who value natural solitude and scenery over modern luxuries like Wi-Fi and sewer connections. It is a fantastic choice for outdoor enthusiasts, particularly scuba divers and hikers looking for a quiet basecamp. Families who enjoy traditional camping activities and those seeking a quiet transition point along the coast will find Saltery Bay to be a perfect fit. It is best suited for self-contained RVs and travelers who appreciate the slower, more intentional pace of the British Columbia coast.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Robert Forseth
This is an incredibly clean and beautiful campground! Well spaced and large campsites, it is an absolute must stay for a coastal camping experience. A short walk takes you down to Mermaid Cove, where you get lost in time as you become immersed in the beauty around you. I highly recommend this campground to round off your camping journey.
Chris Call
The park op called this the best campground on the sunshine coast and I agree. The roads in the park are wide and unobstructed. The sites are well maintained and generously far apart from each other. There is cell signal in the park. I was able to stream with it, but individual sites may vary. The beach front is wonderful. The nearby highway is far enough from the sites to not be heard, and even then it is only used when vehicles get on or off the ferry. There's no shower buildings or flush toilets or wonderful front window views that you might find at the real top tier BC park (Field is the gold standard), but they do have paper recycling, which most places do not. Overall, it's a very welcome quality level stop on the sunshine coast.
Leo Sieczka
The campground is quite large and the rangers are quite diligent in running the place. The beach is also pretty small and not really great for small children. There are no flushing toilets here, only pit toilets.
Juan Marcos Percy
A Beautiful campground, situated along an old grove forrest with a serene and tranquil vibe, only minutes away from the ferry terminal. I just camped here with my family for three nights, at site 33. All of the sites are large and private with plenty of privacy (trees) between sites. The campground is only 30 minutes by car from Powell River, with two small grocery shops located about 10 and 15 minutes along the highway to Powell River. The scenic mermaid cove is just a walk down the campground with easy access to the calm water. Bring your water shoes because it’s rocky. The beaches in the area are gorgeous, our personal favorite was Donkersley Beach with its never ending sand banks during low tide and its calm blue waters. Powell River is a great place to restock your supplies and enjoy the day. With beautiful views along the Sea Walk and great food in the heart of Marine Ave. We had no issues with mosquitos in our site. The reason I gave this campground 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the Pit Toilet situation. Probably the worst pit toilets i have ever experienced at a provincial park. Without going into too much detail, the smell and the flies simply made me and the rest of my family dread having to go into the neglected worn down stalls. Of course this can improve a bit depending on the time of year, but we had the unfortunate luck of camping here at the end of august when the flies were at plague like numbers and the smell was just nauseating. If they would upgrade the dated old pit toilets to a modern flush toilet system this place will be a gem among BC’s provincial campgrounds. I will definitely be back here if I’m ever in the area again.
Mel NB
A great campsite, lots of space and privacy between sites. Dave the park ranger was very friendly and helpful. The beach is very accessible and there are picnic tables, benches and showers near the beach. Wildfire smoke arrived not long after us but it was still pretty spectacular!
