Parks
Park in BC (JF Bergeron photo)
The most famous images of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) feature massive mossy trees, exponentially wider than a human hug.
Many have the ocean in the background and some have Haida totem poles, hundreds of years old, in the foreground.
The majority of these photos were taken in one of the Queen Charlotte's two nature parks, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve or Naikoon Provincial Park. Both offer endless opportunities for adventure and to experience breathtaking sights of pristine nature and wildlife.
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve
Gwaii Haanas encompasses the lower half of Haida Gwaii and is accessible by boat or plane. In addition to a large chunk of Moresby Island and thousands of diverse, secluded islands and islets covered in thick vegetation and wildlife, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve features a natural hot spring island and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, SGang Gwaay.
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This is one of the last authentic examples of a west coast First Nations village that has totem poles still standing in their original locations. The youngest totem pole here is 160 years old. SGang Gwaay is naturally decomposing, and in keeping with Haida Gwaii customs, will not be preserved or resurrected.
All visitors need a permit to enter and are required to attend an orientation in Skidegate or Sandspit before visiting. Most visitors go as part of a tour that takes care of all accommodation, travel, and logistics. Tours are conducted by helicopter, floatplane, or boat. Kayak tours are also available with guests sleeping on a bigger boat at night.
Visitors can explore Gwaii Haanas on their own – and many do in kayaks or personal boats. However, adventurers need to be aware of the isolation of the area and be prepared for any type of emergency. Several watchmen, stationed at individual stations within the park, are available for help, but they are few and far between and could take hours to reach a party in trouble.
Naikoon Provincial Park
Another popular, and more easily accessible park on Haida Gwaii is Naikoon Provincial Park. The park encompasses the north east section of Graham Island, north of Tlell. The park's two most popular access points are by the Tlell River in the south and by the road that runs along North Beach, east of Masset. No roads access the park's interior.
The park has two official campgrounds, both near the access points. Wilderness camping is also permitted. Popular hikes include the Pesuta Shipwreck Trail, Tow Hill, East Beach Trail and Cape Fife Trail.
For more information about the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Naikoon Provincial Park, contact the Sandspit Visitor Centre or the Queen Charlotte Visitor Centre.
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2 Parks in Haida Gwaii/Queen Charlotte Islands
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Haida Heritage Centre
Skidegate, British Columbia
V0T 1S0
Websitehttp://www.pc.gc.ca/gwaiihaanas
Toll-free
Phone250-559-8818
Explore the edge of the world. In the southern portion of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands) lies Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve & Haida Heritage Site, a wild & remote place of haunting beauty. Reservations required May 1-Sep 30.
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2
Hwy 16
Masset, British Columbia
V0T 1M0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free800-663-7867
Phone604-660-2421
From Rose Point, at the northeast tip of Graham Island, lay broad, sandy beaches that stretch to form the eastern and northern boundaries of this unique park. Naikoon lies within the Hecate Depression, a trough between the Outer Mountains to the west & the Coast Mountains on the mainland to the east.
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