Named after a historical lighthouse that has guided mariners since 1960, Cape Scott Park is situated at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island, known for its practically endless scenic shorelines and remote beaches.

The provincial park stretches from Shushartie Bay in the east to Cape Scott in the west. In the middle, you’ll find everything from rocky cliffs to white-sand beaches to salt marshes. Take your pick and spend the day exploring!

While its namesake lighthouse is not technically located within the park boundary (and is inaccessible to the public), there are plenty of unique natural features to enjoy at this rugged park.

Sea stacks and Sitka Spruces

During low tide, the shoreline reveals towering sea stacks that come in all shapes and sizes. On the eastern half of the park, a number of estuaries are accessible by boat, offering visitors a glimpse into some truly fascinating bird species.

Cape Scott is also covered in lush old-growth forest, including giant Sitka Spruces that measure over three metres in diameter. There are also some impressive Western Red Cedars of similar sizes found throughout the park, including on the easy hike to the famed San Josef Beach.

According to BC Parks, one of the most significant trees can be found about 20 minutes north of the Eric Lake campsite: a Sitka Spruce measuring more than seven metres in circumference!

The most well-known beach, Nels Bight, is over 2,400 metres long (and 210 metres wide at low tide), and is one of the park’s most popular camping spots.

Other notable scenic beaches to check out include San Josef Bay, Guise Bay, Experiment Bight, Lowrie Bay, and Nissen Bight.

Those on the hunt for an other-worldly sight will find panoramic views of San Josef Bay and down into Sea Otter Cove from the top of Mount St. Patrick, accessible via a hike. Though BC Parks notes that the natural scenery at Cape Scott is incredible from anywhere you are!

Visitors can choose between a day hike or a backpacking excursion to explore the sandy beaches, rainforests, and lowland bogs and muskeg of this wilderness park.

Note that dogs are only permitted on a leash at San Josef Bay and prohibited altogether in all other areas of the park, including the North Coast Trail.

Cape Scott Park 

How to get there: Take a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo or Victoria and drive to Port Hardy. Drive approximately 64 km west of Port Hardy to the only parking available at Cape Scott Park, near the San Josef Bay Trailhead.

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Isabelle Vauclair

Staff Writer, Vancouver – Isabelle is a West Coast native with an appreciation for Vancouver’s natural landscape, patio scene, and community spaces. She loves to discover new hidden gems in her neighbourhood and share them with readers across the city.

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