Powell River Sea Kayak: Camping Guidelines

Camping Guidelines

Get in Touch with Nature!

We are all aware that enjoyment of our wilderness means taking responsibility for its continued health and preservation. We are fortunate that the west coast offers many opportunities for us to explore unique wilderness and as the sport of kayak touring becomes increasingly popular. we must all take a hand in protecting our waters and lands for future use. Responsibility now will ensure you can return to the same wilderness in future. The following are a few suggestions to assist us in exploring these areas in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Camping Guidelines:

Please pack out everything you pack in, this includes any organics. Keep this in mind when planning and packing for your trip and minimize potential garbage. Remain on established trail systems when hiking and refrain from picking wildflowers or any vegetation. As much as you may feel isolated and alone while you are paddling remember that others have gone before and will come after you, be sure to leave the environment as you would like to find it. For every action you take think of the repercussions of fifty other campers doing the same thing in the same spot. Keep your impact to a minimum and pass your knowledge onto others. Enjoy yourself and the lush wilderness that is our west coast. Happy Paddling!

Campsites:

Select areas which will be the least impacted by your presence, do not cut trees and branches or hack out tent sites. If there is an established campsite make use of it and remember to leave your campsite as you would like to find it. Waste water (dishwater, cooking water etc.) should be drained directly into the ocean. Make minimal use of cleaning products, there are many environmentally friendly products on the market to choose from. Wash yourself and dishes in saltwater, if need be you can rinse in fresh water.

While Paddling:

Keeping as quiet as possible will help avoid disturbing wild animals. This will also increase the frequency and quality of your encounters with wildlife, they will tend to view you as less of a threat and be more comfortable with you if you minimize your intrusion into their environment. Avoid coming too close to any wildlife you may encounter - binoculars are a great idea! Remember that mother seals frequently leave their pups "abandoned" while they search for food. Please do not interfere with any lone seal pups - mom will return. Do not go ashore in areas which are obviously breeding colonies for birds or mammals. Seeing a bear can be one of the most memorable experiences of a wilderness vacation, but it is our responsibility to respect the bear in its home. Preparation and education are essential to ensure our encounters with bears in the wild are positive and free from conflict. Odours attract bears, reduce or eliminate odours from yourself, your camp, your clothes and your kayak. Don't sleep in the same clothes you cook in, store food so bears cannot reach or smell it. Hang food away from your camp area, don't keep food in your tent or store it in kayak hatches- not even a chocolate bar!

Fires:

Be sure to check current fire regulations with the Ministry of Parks or Ministry of Forests. Use of a campstove is preferable and in many areas the only type of fire allowed. If you must have an open campfire collect driftwood for fires and keep them as small as possible. Construct campfires below the high tide line where possible and ensure that they are fully extinguished by dousing them with copious amounts of seawater and tossing any ashes and embers into the ocean.

Sanitation:

In many areas B.C. Parks and Parks Canada have provided outhouses - please make use of these facilities. In areas where no outhouses exist we recommend that you bury your waste in a shallow hole at least 50 metres from any water sources, campsites and trails. All toilet paper should either be packed out or burned. Please respect commercial oyster farming areas. Contamination from human waste can shut down oyster operations.

Collecting Wild Edibles:

There is an endless variety of wild edibles available to us, from the delicacy of fresh oysters, clams and fish to wild mushrooms, berries and greens. Although the temptation to "live off the land" is certainly one of the reasons many of us enjoy kayak touring please remember that you are one of many paddlers who will pass this way. If you can resist the temptation so much the better; if you must indulge in this limited resource do so sparingly and return all shells and other debris to the ocean. When collecting bivalves (clams, oysters, mussels etc.) remember that these organisms are affected by paralytic shellfish poisoning (also known as "red tide"). Check with the local Department of Fisheries to obtain information regarding red tide closures for your paddling area as well as information on regulations including licensing. We recommend that only people who are qualified and have previous experience consider harvesting wild mushrooms, plants and berries.

Camping Fees and Reservations:

All water-access camping sites are on a first come first serve basis. If you are camping from your vehicle on route to your launch site, there are several provincial park campsites as well as forest service camp sites. Services vary from site to site and many are pit toilet style campsites located in well treed and scenic areas close to main roads. Reservations are possible for many Provincial Park campsites and can be made by contacting BC Parks at 1-800-689-9025. Fees are charged for both provincial park and forest service campsites that are accessible by vehicle. For more information on local campsites, please click on 'local information'.