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Attention
Visitors - Important Notice!
As
of April 18, 2008:
- Marble
River Provincial Park trail is open to the public
again. The construction of the new trail re-route
has been completed; however, the Marble River campground,
which is owned and operated by Western Forest Products,
has a locked gate across the road. To access the park
you must walk from the parking lot outside the gate
through the campground to the trail head. This is an
extra kilometre of hiking one way.
Park
Info:
Marble River Provincial Park on northern Vancouver Island
offers excellent opportunities for wilderness hiking,
biking, wildlife viewing and fishing.
The Marble River Trail,
a well-maintained 4.2-km hiking and biking trail, provides
access to the river for visitors,
who come to watch the salmon spawning in the fall. Interpretive
signs along this trail offer information about the forest
environment. Salmon spawning viewing areas are located
near the trailhead and at Bear Falls, approximately 2/3 of
the
way down the trail. An interpretive sign and fish ladder
are also located at Bear Falls. Visitors should be aware
that black bears frequent the park, especially during salmon
spawning season. (see bear
safety)
Marble River Provincial Park is also a
very popular destination for recreational angling, including
fly fishing on the
river and tidal water fishing in the marine portion of
the park.
Chinook and Coho salmon, Steelhead, Cutthroat, Rainbow
and Dolly Varden trout can all be caught in this park.
The Marble
River Trail contains a number of angler-access routes
down to the river, which is considered to be one of the best
steelhead fishing rivers on Vancouver Island. The most
popular fly-fishing
location, known as the Emerald Pools, is located at the
end of the trail.
Walk-in wilderness camping is allowed,
and a Western Forest Products Recreation Site offers vehicle-accessible
camping
adjacent to the park.
Park
Size: 1,419
hectares
Special
Notes:
Management
Planning:
Management
Planning Information
Location:
Marble River Provincial Park is located on northern
Vancouver Island, at the juncture of Rupert Inlet, Holberg
Inlet, Quatsino Sound and Neroutsos Inlet. The park is
located approximately 15 km north of Port Alice and 15
km south of Port Hardy. The park can also be accessed
by boat from Coal Harbour. Boaters can reference marine
chart #3679 (Quatsino Sound) and the more detailed chart
for Quatsino Narrows, #3681 (Plans Quatsino Sound).
Map/Brochure:
Any maps listed are for
information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be
used for navigation.
Nature
& Culture:
- Cultural Heritage - Marble River Provincial Park lies in the traditional territory of the Quatsino First Nations.
- Conservation - The Marble River flows through a shallow canyon bordered by forest
covered bench lands. The park helps preserve spawning and rearing
habitat for a variety of fish species and contains portions of
the most important Chinook salmon producing system on the west
coast of Vancouver Island. The park also contains relatively rare
and unique karst features and contributes 56% of the protected
habitat within the under-represented Coastal Western Hemlock very
wet maritime biogeoclimatic variant in the Nahwitti lowlands ecosection.
- Wildlife - The park protects fish and wildlife values associated with the river and estuary, including Bald eagle nesting habitat near Quatsino Narrows, steelhead fishery and salmon spawning and rearing habitat, as well as waterfowl habitat.
- General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information
Visitor
Safety:
Visitor
Safety Information (park
safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)
Reservations:For
parks that accept reservations,
all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
group sites) must be reserved through Discover
Camping.
There are no designated campsites at this park.
Explore
Parks: Fees, park listings, what
you should know before you go and other useful links.
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There
are no vehicle-accessible camping facilities in this park, however a Western
Forest Products Recreation Site offers vehicle-accessible camping just outside
the park. |
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There are no designated campsites at this park, however
random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities
are provided. Please practice Leave
No Trace camping
ethics.
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There are no group campsites at this park.
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There
are no day-use or picnic facilities at this park.
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There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this
park. The Marble River Trail in the park is not suitable
for wheelchair access.
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Bring your own drinking water as potable water is
not available in the park. All surface water from the
river must be boiled, filtered or treated prior to
human consumption.
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There
are no toilets within the park. There are toilets at the Western Forest
Products Recreation Site near the park boundary and trailhead. |
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No
showers.
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No
sani-station/dump facilities.
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While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to
conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire
and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire,
please practice Leave
No Trace camping ethics.
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There are no electrical hook-ups in this park |
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Interpretive signs along the Marble River Trail offer
information about the forest environment.
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There is a well-maintained hiking and biking trail
that starts at the end of the upper loop of the Western
Forest Products Recreation Site. The trail is 4.2 km;
average hiking time one way: 1.5 hours. This trail
is in good condition, brushed and clear of all blockages.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park,
obey posted signs and keep to designated trails.
Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
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This
park does not have a playground. |
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Ocean swimming. There
are no designated swimming area at this park. There
are no lifeguards on duty at provincial parks.
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Opportunities for ocean kayaking and canoeing exist
in the marine portion of the park, which includes Varney
Bay and Quatsino Narrows.
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This park does not have a boat launch. A boat launch
is located at the Western Forest Products Recreation
Site adjacent to the park.
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Marble
River Provincial Park is a very popular destination
for recreational angling, including fly fishing on
the river and tidal water fishing in the marine portion
of the park. Chinook and Coho salmon, steelhead, Cutthroat,
Rainbow and Dolly Varden trout can all be caught in
this park. The Marble River Trail contains a number
of angler-access routes down to the river. The most
popular fly-fishing location, known as the Emerald
Pools, is located at the end of the trail.
Caution:
Anglers should be aware that black
bears frequent
the area along the river’s edge, especially
during spawning season.
All
anglers should check the current regulations
issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to
fishing. Anyone
fishing or angling in British Columbia must have
an appropriate licence.
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The 4.2 km Marble River Trail has been designed to
accommodate both mountain bikers and hikers. Please
obey all signs related to mountain biking safety and
ethics.
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No
horseback riding.
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Pets/domestic
animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. You are responsible
for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are
not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential
for problems with bears.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or
other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential
for problems with bears.
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No
wildlife viewing opportunities.
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No
winter recreation opportunities. |
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No
SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities. |
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No
windsurfing opportunities. |
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No
waterskiing opportunities. |
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Portions
of this park are open to hunting for specific species. Hunters must
have valid licences and tags. Please refer to the current Hunting and
Trapping Regulations and Synopsis publication for closures and regulations,
or visit http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/hunting.htm |
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No
climbing or rock climbing opportunities. |
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No
spelunking or caving opportunities. |
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No
cabins, yurts or lodges for public use. |
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