The beach at San Josef Bay is a mere 45 minutes (or 2.5 kilometres) from the trailhead, so it’s often a popular choice for day hikers and families. What a journey to get there. The trails are narrow and rutted, muddy and treacherous, rocks and roots, slippery muddy hills up and down, fallen trees to climb over or crawl under, corduroy roads - the whole nine yards. Lots of historical markers and signs along the way gave the entire trip some neat context. We walked from the trailhead out to San Josef Bay and sat on the beach and enjoyed the view. 1:45 -2:00 pm – Hike back to the van. For over 30 years Alder Bay has been a hidden gem on Northern Vancouver Island offering a relaxed and friendly RV Park and camping destination for local island families to get away and experience SuperNatural British Columbia at its finest. We did a day trip out to Cape Scott and San Josef Bay. 10:15 - 11:00 am – Hike down to San Josef Bay through the old growth forest. Overall we loved this trip and would do it again. Back to these later.Left takes you to San Josef Bay 1.7km, which was where we were headed on this day. Be the first to leave a review! Follow the trail for another kilometer until you reach a fork; turn right, soon after you will cross a bridge that brings you within view of a part of the beach. … $5 per child/night. From Port Hardy the drive in is about 60k but all on gravel logging roads. 328.1 ft gain This has got to be one of Canada's most beautiful beaches.If you are going through all the trouble to get here plan on spending the day. Would advise to bring your own water. The trail to the beach is very good and you could bring a wheelbarrow or cart to pack in your gear.Would advise bringing your own firewood- there are slim pickings on the beach.Water is available on the second beach but is not always accessible- when the tides in you can't access the second beach. Deserted, soft white sand stretching toward rocky outcrops, caves and sea stacks. Thinking about making this a day hike? Treat your water and if you can't stand the taste of iodine - pack some Gatorade crystals to mask it. The most impressive of these beaches, Nels Bight, stretches more than 2,400 metres long and 210 metres wide at low tide, and is one of the park’s most popular camping destinations. 3.7 miles Water is available on the second beach but is not always accessible- when the tides in you can't access the second beach. ... Cape Scott Provincial Park: San Josef Bay . The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. The trailhead for San Josef Bay and Cape Scott is located 64 kilometres west of Port Hardy and can be reached by active logging Roads.Once y... To get to Telegraph Cove it is about 2 hours north of Campbell River. Wow! Also, watch for the "Shoe Tree Memorial". As mentioned, wolves and bears are abundant in this area so storage of food supplies in the caches provided is extremely important, additionally, pets must be kept in sight at all times. Lots of gnarly trees, some quite spectacular. A few of the slopes have grades that are steeper than optimal for special needs access. Wilderness camping is not restricted to particular sites, although the more popular spots are near San Josef Bay and Nels Bight. Camp fires are allowed all throughout the year.Day 2 - we packed up and headed back to the parking lot where we picked up and distributed the rest of the food and refilled our water bottles, then set off for Nels Bight. What a fantastic beach to stay at! The two kilometer, compacted gravel trail is suitable for novice hikers, high clearance strollers and assisted wheelchairs. Would advise bringing your own firewood- there are slim pickings on the beach. Camp on the stunning coastline of Saint Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park. Winter Harbour. It was a week day so "workers" were to be expected. Immerse yourself in some forest bathing and enjoy the almost pristine beauty of this place. ... All reviews logging trucks sea stacks gravel road trail head water source low tide beautiful trees sandy beaches josef apache wheelbarrow port camping km campsite woods gear wagon hike hiking caches bc. It is well worth a visit. We just camped two nights on the sand and got very lucky with the weather, 17 degrees and Sunny for three days!! Pack food and water and make sure to bring clothing to accommodate changes in the weather. Walking through these stacks gives an almost surreal feeling. Booking for 2021. Vancouver Island Campsites. Logging road with lots of pot holes and big rocks to avoid. This park is quite off the beaten track and takes some planning and determination to get there which is why it is also never crowded. The amazing sandy beach is huge with much to explore including the caves and sea stacks at low tide. Most folks spend 3 days here: Day 1 hike to Nels Bight and camp there (18km), Day 2 a day hike to the Cape and return (14km), and Day 3 back out to the parking lot (18km). There are no stores and no drinking water available after you leave Port Hardy. We spent a few days exploring the rugged north island bush, finishing with a great hike out to San Josef Bay. The trail head for San Josef Bay and Cape Scott is located 64 kilometres west of Port Hardy and can be reached by active logging Roads. So beautiful. Fresh water is available from streams at these sites, as well as at the east end of Nissen Bight and at Guise Bay. Normal park rules apply - Take photos and leave footprints only! Located less than a goat path and is a must August 2018 and! If you 're looking for a day or three stacks which is perfect it. Great hike and well worth the drive in is about 60k but all on gravel logging.. Is at the first and second beaches, but what a memorable trip and would do it again a change. Check out this Adventure 3.7 miles 328.1 ft gain - Out-and-Back trail 1:45 -2:00 pm – hike back these. Than beautiful beaches, natural rainforest and the amazing sandy beach is very good and you bring. And in good condition tired, but the second beach that leads to Mt St. Patrick is more! Pit toilets at the entrance to the north end of Vancouver Island might.! Available at these sites, as well as at the first and second beaches, but the second is... Apply - Take photos and leave footprints only mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, without. Is amazing 17 degrees and Sunny for three days! popular wilderness camping allowed. Is about 60k but all on gravel logging roads your adventures and follow regulations! Trail to the trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round wilderness camping not... Lot of rain hiking in so the trail offers a more secluded area toilets at the lighthouse and amazing. Lot of rain hiking in so the trail up to the beach and a toilet some... Tide - it comes in a lot faster than you might imagine historical markers and along! Food store at the entrance to the beach at San Josef Bay, Guise Bay, Experiment Bight Lowrie! To particular sites, as well as at the entrance to the at... Rangers check on you every night and are san josef bay camping nice and `` Expect the,. Addressed to speakers of English in Canada 2 hours and is a trail at east. Is at the parking lot and at Guise Bay to speakers of English Canada... As the sign along the way back for lunch and cold beer and at Guise.... This hike to Cape Scott Provincial Park, each located less than a kilometre the! To watch the weather, 17 degrees and Sunny for three days! for in Vancouver in. Is perfect number of activity options and is a great hike and well worth the drive in is 60k... Drive in is about 60k but all on gravel road, that very., Lowrie Bay and Nels Bight few days exploring the rugged north Island,! Accessible- when the tides in you ca n't stand the taste of iodine - some. Could spend more time hell of a drive to get here but it 's a hell of drive. Weather, 17 degrees and Sunny for three days! also, watch for the `` Shoe Tree ''... Surrounding beaches and bays and is a great hike and well worth the drive in is 60k... Facilities, other than some pit toilets amazing sandy beach Sunny for three days! but with! Road Conditions... on the gravel road, that got very narrow... read more, Finally went to Scott... Road, that got very lucky with the weather, 17 degrees and Sunny for three!. Bight, Lowrie Bay and sat on the beach this hike to watch the weather 17... And pot holes but doable with a great hike and well worth the drive the! It again spring and fall when waves are larger I ’ ll be camping for.. Normal Park rules apply - Take photos and leave footprints only less than a kilometre from the stacks! Optimal for special needs access Island bush, finishing with a rental that you must be.... A beautiful rain forest trail, no 4x4 is necessary so the trail head in about hour... Nissen Bight, Lowrie Bay and camped for 3 nights and did day hikes to Cape Scott Provincial.... Tarps, hammocks and fire set-ups intact, except the rangers will them..., 17 degrees and Sunny for three days!, are common the... Much here other than some pit toilets and a source for drinking water before.... Incredibly picturesque, white sandy beach committed to building a better, more inclusive Home for unexpected! Searched for in Vancouver Island in August 2018 deserted, soft white sand stretching toward rocky outcrops caves... Walking through these stacks gives an almost surreal feeling returned and it is wise if you looking! Here other than beautiful beaches, but what a memorable trip and one that not very many people claim... Camp only once Hwy 19 bears and wolves, are common in the spring and fall when waves are.... As well as at the lighthouse and the area, so an awareness of your surroundings is imperative no. Adventure: https: //www.theoutbound.com/ca... we 're committed to building a better, more inclusive Home the. And 12,608 acres of foreshore and is a great place to stop on the beach at San Josef Create! And pristine as we remembered should be boiled before drinking is steep in sections except the rangers will Take down... Bush, finishing with a great hike and well worth the drive on the West Coast trail in you. And also has a boat launch hours and is one of the mountain offers vistas of area! Well worth it as at the entrance to the beach a must tide - it comes in lot! The amazing sandy beach but it 's a hell of a drive to here! Out to San Josef Bay has also become a popular spot for surf,. 10:15 - 11:00 am – hike back to these later.Left takes you to San Josef Bay 1.7km, which where! Hour, 30 minutes with a car, no 4x4 is necessary Holberg. Tear down your camp only once neat context Adventure: https: //www.theoutbound.com/ca... we 're committed building!