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.  - Out-and-Back Trail. Bring an old pair of shoes if you wish to make a contribution.Finally you will come to a sizeable parking lot but the later in the day the more cars there are. Would advise to bring your own water. There are several campsites with pit toilets, metal food caches, and wooden tent platforms along the original Cape Scott trail and the North Coast Trail. read more. Water is available on the second beach but is not always accessible- when the tides in you can't access the second beach. That’s right! We hiked in to San Josef with only the food and water we needed for that night, spent the balance of the day setting up camp and enjoying the beach. Next time I go I’ll be camping for sure. Self-registration vaults are located at the San Josef River boat launch and trailhead or you can use the Backcountry … This trek allows for easy access to an incredibly picturesque, white sandy beach. Fees: May 1 to September 30. Walking through these stacks gives an almost surreal feeling. What a journey to get there. walk.Just before you reach the beach you will come to a sign post with the times for high and low tides listed. 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. Some of the most popular wilderness camping areas are Nels Bight, San Josef Bay, Nissen Bight, and Guise Bay. Pay attention to this if you plan to travel to the second beach.If the tide is coming in BEWARE: if you get to the second beach and linger there you could find that the way back is under water forcing you to wade through the surf or taking an alternative overland route. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. Cape Scott Park comprises 55,089 acres of land and 12,608 acres of foreshore and is one of the most beautiful parks in British Columbia. A few of the slopes have grades that are steeper than optimal for special needs access. There are 2 small campgrounds just outside the park, each located less than a kilometre from the trailhead parking lots. Did the 16k hike to Nels Bight and camped for 3 nights and did day hikes to Cape Scott and area. The traverse to the second beach is cut off at high tide so plan your trip accordingly. Be the first to leave a review! Finally went to Cape Scott! From Port Hardy the drive in is about 60k but all on gravel logging roads. Backcountry camping . The road is a bit bumpy with rocks and pot holes but doable with a car, no 4x4 is necessary. … It was a week day so "workers" were to be expected. Normal park rules apply - Take photos and leave footprints only! Middens and other remains of settlements serve as evidence that local First Nations groups have been present in the area for hundreds if not thousands of years. In... Vancouver Island Campsites. Port Hardy. Logging road with lots of pot holes and big rocks to avoid. Henry Ohlsen Home - Home, store, and post office (1908-1944). Treat your water and if you can't stand the taste of iodine - pack some Gatorade crystals to mask it. From San Josef Bay, trails lead to Sea Otter Cove past the summit of Mount St. Patrick, a distance of 10 km, 5 hours. Camp on the stunning coastline of Saint Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park. Boil, filter or treat all drinking water before consuming. Camping season is May to September. Winter Harbour Campground & RV . 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). San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park is a hike-in park at the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. So beautiful. Would advise bringing your own firewood- there are slim pickings on the beach. 63km on gravel road, that got very narrow... Fresh water is available at these locations, although it should be boiled before drinking. Fresh water is available from streams at these sites, as well as at the east end of Nissen Bight and at Guise Bay. Back to these later.Left takes you to San Josef Bay 1.7km, which was where we were headed on this day. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your We had seen people carrying large coolers in the parking lot when we arrived at the park on our first day—that’s how you know the trail is short and easy. 3.7 miles Also, watch for the "Shoe Tree Memorial". 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. It is well worth a visit. San Josef Bay Create Your Own Adventure Road Report. $5 per child/night. read more, Finally went to Cape Scott! Booking for 2021. San Josef Bay has also become a popular spot for surf kayaking, particularly in the spring and fall when waves are larger. 1:45 -2:00 pm – Hike back to the van. Once you reach the parking lot, the trail to San Josef Bay is a family friendly 2.5 kilometres from the trailhead, taking about 45 minutes one way. San Josef Bay is a 5.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Mount Waddington B, British Columbia, Canada that features a river and is good for all skill levels. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Booking for 2021. We walked from the trailhead out to San Josef Bay and sat on the beach and enjoyed the view. What a fantastic beach to stay at! Wow! Port McNeill. We drove from Port Hardy to the trail head in about 1 hour, 30 minutes with a rental that you must be careful. Broughton Strait Campground . Camping. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. If you are lucky when you arrive at Nels Bight, take a site that already has a tarp to offer sun and rain protection if you have not brought one of your own. There is a trail at the end of the second beach that leads to Mt St. Patrick. Please use them or pack out your garbage. 11:00am – 1:45 pm – Individual time to explore, participate in guided walks of the area with guides, light lunch and chillaxing. There are boat launching ramps for cartop boats and canoes at both of these campgrounds. Raft Cove is located just south of San Josef Bay. The city is known as the heart of Silicon Valley, but it’s also home to some of the best hikes in the entire Bay Area. Hike to Cape Scott from Nels takes about 2 hours and is a great hike and well worth it. We spent a few days exploring the rugged north island bush, finishing with a great hike out to San Josef Bay. Wildwoods Campsite . Lots of gnarly trees, some quite spectacular. When you emerge from the forest you will find yourself on a long stretch of flat sandy beaches where the views of the surrounding bay are spectacular and provide an ideal place to stop for lunch. Lots of historical markers and signs along the way gave the entire trip some neat context. What a journey to get there. 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. The campground is right on the water and also has a boat launch. Very unique aspects to this area are the wonderful rock stacks that emerge like towering pillars from the sand. There are no stores and no drinking water available after you leave Port Hardy. Thinking about making this a day hike? Immerse yourself in some forest bathing and enjoy the almost pristine beauty of this place. adventures and follow local regulations. There is only camping and the pleasure of enjoying a digital free world for a day or three. 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Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. Coming back it had rained for two days and lots of mud, rock and exposed tree roots that somehow we did not remember on the hike in. Check out this adventure: https://www.theoutbound.com/ca... We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. The restaurant in Holberg was a great place to stop on the way back for lunch and cold beer. It is wise if you plan to do this hike to watch the weather and try for a dry period. ¾ of the way up the trees start to become smaller and start to share resemblance with bonsai trees. The San Josef Bay Trail is an easy, 30 minute afternoon stroll. The trail to the beach is very good and you could bring a wheelbarrow or cart to pack in your gear. Camping is allowed at the first and second beaches, but the second beach located one kilometer further down offers a more secluded area. Tour Schedule. We watched wales for hours that afternoon, explored the beach and played in the surf. Things to do near Cape Scott Provincial Park, Commonly searched for in Vancouver Island. BC's largest Marine Park has hundreds of islands dotting the waters that range from a ... Kayak Camp Telegraph Cove, Johnstone Strait, and Broughton Archipelago. It's a hell of a drive to get here but it's worth it.Camping on the beach at San Josef bay is amazing. There’s a bear proof food store at the end of the beach and a toilet. For their own safety dogs are not allowed in the park.Following the main trail you will come to a sign post directing you either left or right.Right takes you to Eric Lake 2.4km, Nissen Bight 14.2km, Nels Bight 16.4km and Cape Scott 21.7km. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! Immerse yourself in some forest bathing and enjoy the almost pristine beauty of this place. Was a nice change from the West coast trail in that you set up and tear down your camp only once. We were unable to get to the second beach since we missed the lowest tide to access it that day.A great place for a picnic and to soak up the views at the northernmost tip of vancouver island!! If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Drive cautiously and "Expect the Unexpected" as the sign along the road advises. The top of the mountain offers vistas of the surrounding beaches and bays and is a wonderful day trip from San Josef Bay. San Josef Bay in the Cape Scott Provincial Park is one of those magical places and … Though tech giants like eBay and IBM steal the city’s spotlight, the South Bay marshes and surrounding hills are home to many spectacular trails. Cape Scott Road Conditions ... On the other side of Port Hardy is the Scotia Bay Campground. The trail meanders through the lush Pacific Northwest forest for most of the trip and then follows along a beach for the last part, ending at the camping areas. Type: Backcountry/Backpacking. The amazing sandy beach is huge with much to explore including the caves and sea stacks at low tide. Nice easy trail through beautiful old forests. Wilderness camping is not restricted to particular sites, although the more popular spots are near San Josef Bay and Nels Bight. Booking for 2021. Be prepared for the unexpected, yield to logging trucks, and be bear aware! Please explore responsibly! 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. 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. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. We hiked up to the top of Mt Patrick which is a rugged 1.5 hr hike through tree roots and mud but well worth the climb for the amazing views from 1400ft. A day hike or overnight Winter Harbour. 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. Wonderful easy walk through a beautiful rain forest trail. We reached Nels Bight mid afternoon, set up camp and relaxed. $10 per person/night. Head north as if you are driving to Port Hardy, the road is paved and in good condition. The only parking lot is located in the southeast corner of the park, providing easy access to Cape Scott and San Josef Bay trailheads. San Jose has a secret. Hotels near San Josef Bay, Holberg on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews, 76 candid photos, and prices for hotels near San Josef Bay in Holberg, Canada. Cape Scott has six designated camping areas – Nels Bight, Nissen Bight, San Josef Bay, Eric Lake, Fisherman River and Guise Bay. © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. Half-Day Whale Watching Adventure from... Zodiac Whale Watching Adventure from Victoria. We visited San Joseph Bay a number of years ago and always vowed we would go back when we could spend more time. The trail meanders through the lush Pacific Northwest forest for most of the trip and then follows along a beach for the last part, ending at … San Josef Bay Hiking Tours. This trek allows for easy access to an incredibly picturesque, white sandy beach. Miracle Beach Provincial Park is located 23 km north of Courtenay beside Hwy 19. All of that aside, enjoy the beach. The park rangers check on you every night and are super nice. I haven’t camped there but did see a couple of tents and some very friendly campers who looked pretty happy to be staying on such a stunning beach. It starts out as two lanes but gets narrower and narrower until finally it is down to one lane of winding, bumpy gravel roads where you will have to dodge potholes and working vehicles. View fishing reports for the 13 lakes, reservoirs and streams near San Josef Bay (British Columbia) complete with San Josef Bay bait shops, San Josef Bay tackle shops, fishing charters and fishing guides, and inside information on fishing spots. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Camping on the beach at San Josef bay is amazing. Not a lot of rain hiking in so the trail was decent with lots of boardwalk. ... 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. 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