FAQs
Preserve and maintain public camping opportunities at the park and to ensure the opportunity is not lost to private development;
Better manage activities to ensure all visitors and campers can have a safe and enjoyable experience;
Protect the remaining beachfront on Tribune Bay;
Secure public access from Shields Road to Tribune Bay beach; and
Resolve outstanding trespass issues with the forested parcel.
In November 2021, the Province completed the purchase of two private properties on Hornby Island adjacent to Tribune Bay Park. The two properties were purchased with the goal of adding them to the park system to improve recreational opportunities.
The benefits of acquiring the two parcels include: eliminating the threat of development and the opportunity to create a more sustainable, lower impact, environmentally friendly and accessible camping experience compared to the existing private campground service.
BC Parks has developed a concept plan for the recreation enhancements, reflecting the proposed improvements. Please see the “BC Parks Tribune Bay Conceptual Plan Updated April 2024”, now available in the Documents and Maps section of the webpage.
We heard the request from the public for improved camping experiences, including more privacy and more dispersed campsites. Since there will be a decrease in the number of campsites at the existing campground, the new walk-in campsites will ensure the overall number of campsites is maintained.
Walk-in sites require a smaller footprint than vehicle campsites and require less road development, therefore reducing the overall impact of the camping footprint.
Smaller forested walk-in sites will provide the option of a quieter, low-impact camping experience and will reduce the number of RVs and larger vehicles taking up space on the ferries.
A similar number of campsites will be maintained, but the type of campsites will change and the layout will be reconfigured. The updated camping will be more dispersed and include lower-impact campsites, creating a more private and natural setting and experience.
New accessible facilities, including accessible pit toilets, and updated playground equipment, will be added.
A range of camping opportunities will be provided, including walk-in sites, vehicle campsites and bunkies.
The new camping configuration will include a higher proportion of walk-in/bike-in campsites vs. vehicle or RV campsites, promoting more sustainable and low-impact camping opportunities.
No. The current number of campsites is approximately 135. The total overall number of proposed campsites is 120 sites.
There will be a decrease in the number of sites at the existing campground, to improve the camping experience there.
Approximately 40 new walk-in/bike-in campsites will be provided adjacent to the access road to the day-use parking lot.
Please see the “BC Parks Tribune Bay Conceptual Plan Updated April 2024”, now available in the Documents and Maps section of the webpage.
The purpose of the walk-in campground is to encourage camping without vehicles, although some parking is required to accommodate guests who opt to drive and park their vehicles before walking or biking to their campsite.
BC Parks is committed to accessibility improvements and recognizes that nearby parking is required for some visitors with mobility challenges to use the walk-in camping opportunities.
The new parking area is intended to mitigate other problems that would arise if no additional parking were available, such as overflow parking on the road.
BC Parks is committed to inclusion and is prioritizing accessibility improvements for all front-country camping and day-use areas. As part of this commitment, the section of the Katimavik Trail from the camping area to the beach will be receiving improvements to increase accessibility for individuals of all ages and abilities.
The walk-in campsites will be located a minimum of 30 metres away from the trail, allowing for a thick vegetative buffer to minimize noise and views from the trail.
Foot traffic on Katimavik Trail will not be impacted as the campsite will provide a separate pathway system for people to access their campsites.
The designation of the remaining area of foreshore will become effective October 1st. Until that time there is no change to the current approach of allowing dogs on the area of the beach that is outside of the park at Tribune Bay.
In the future, BC Parks will work with the local community to explore options for providing limited opportunities for allowing leashed dogs on the beach if ecological values can protected.
We will consider seasonal, temporal or spatial restrictions for dog walking to minimize any potential negative impacts to wildlife or other beach users, and adapt our approach as we monitor interactions between dogs, wildlife, ecological values and beach users.
BC Parks has completed an extensive tree survey aimed at evaluating the health and potential hazards posed by trees, as well as important wildlife features of trees within the vicinity of 5305 Shields Road and within the portion of Tribune Bay Provincial Park where walk-in campsites may be developed. This survey will help to guide walk-in campsite development, and it will also provide recommendations to enhance forest health over time.
The flags on the trees indicate the trees to be retained, as well as those that may require mitigation for safety reasons. More information on the results of the tree survey can be found in the Wildlife/Danger Tree Assessment Report, available in the Documents and Maps section of the project website.
In response to community concerns about potential traffic on Shields Road, campsites will be operated under a self-registration model to reduce traffic lineups and congestion to do with camping registration. Self-registration will mean that guests make reservations for their campsite before they arrive, eliminating the need for a gatehouse check-in.
To prioritize public safety, a separate trail adjacent to Shields Road has been constructed to bring foot traffic safely off the road.
Reporting out on what we heard during the Public Information Session in May 2024.
Project to be tendered for construction in May/June 2024.
Phase 1 of construction including the new walk-in campsites, associated parking, and amenities will take place in October 2024 -May 2025
Phase 2 of construction including the improvements to the existing campsites will take place October 2025- June 2026.
Why did the Province buy these lands?
The properties were purchased under BC Parks' recreation expansion mandate with the goal of adding the properties to the park system to ensure recreation opportunities and other park values are protected for future generations.
Acquisition of the existing campground and the adjacent waterfront parcel helps support and accommodate the growing public pressure for recreation and camping while considering and managing for impacts on park values. Specifically, it allows the Province to:
What is the process for designating these lands as provincial park land?
The acquired lands and 3 hectares of foreshore in front of the forested property are proposed to be added to Tribune Bay Park through an amendment to the park's description in a Schedule of the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act. Any amendments to the schedules of the Protected Areas of British Columbia Act requires the approval of the Legislature. This legislative amendment was introduced as part of Bill 9 this Spring (2024).
Will you be developing a new management plan for Tribune Bay Park?
BC Parks has prepared draft management guidance for the addition of land and camping opportunities to Tribune Bay Park. This high-level management guidance will guide the development and long-term management of the new properties that have been acquired as well as the development of camping opportunities in the park, and is intended to be supplemental to the existing master plan for Tribune Bay Park. The draft management strategies, by theme, are available under the Documents and Maps tab on this page.
Do the acquired lands have significant ecological values?
Although these properties were purchased primarily for their recreational value, BC Parks wants to better understand the values of these lands. A full ecological assessment, as well as an archaeological and hydrological assessment, are underway and will be completed prior to finalizing the site design or initiating any substantial work.
Why are changes being made at Tribune Bay Park?
Why is a new walk-in campground being developed?
How will the camping experience at the Tribune Bay campground be improved?
How do I make a reservation for the Tribune Bay Campsite?
BC Parks intends to have the campground continue to operate in a similar manner as previous years during this transition period. A private campground operator will continue to operate the Tribune Bay Campground for the upcoming camping season. Please refer to the Tribune Bay Campground website for up-to-date information on the campground and reservations. These camping opportunities will not be available through the BC Parks reservation system this year.
Will the beach (foreshore) be part of the park?
Much of the foreshore (approximately the area between the high tide line and low tide line) in Tribune Bay is already within the park. Feedback suggests that increased clarity is needed on the activities that are allowed on the beach. In order to provide consistent management on the beach to promote a safe and pleasant experience for all park users, BC Parks is proposing to add the foreshore in front of Parcel B into the park. BC Parks has consulted with First Nations, community members, and stakeholders regarding this potential foreshore addition. The map sketch below indicates the area of foreshore that is proposed as an addition to the park. 
What are the plans for the forested property (Parcel B) ?
Parcel B was acquired to enhance the recreational opportunities at Tribune Bay, and will be partially developed to provide campsites and associated amenities, and trails. While Parcel B is now owned by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, it will not be fully integrated into the park until consultation and planning are complete, and the land has been designated as Park. However, the Ministry does have authority to manage public use. Signage will be added to this area, and regular patrols will be carried out by the campsite contractor and BC Parks staff to ensure any public use of the property is compatible with the protection of park values. The path from Shields Rd to the beach will be available for public use.
What about the local zoning for these two properties?
Provincial activities in Provincial Parks are exempt from local zoning. The Interpretation Act (s.14(2)) exempts the government from any enactment that would restrict the use or development of land, or in the planning, construction, alteration, servicing, maintenance or use of improvements. This applies to government agencies, such as Crown corporations (e.g. BC Housing, BC Transit, BC Hydro, etc.) or contractors working for the government.
Will the overall number of campsites be increased?
Why is a new parking lot required for a walk-in campground?
How was the proposed location selected for the new walk-in campground?
Environmental assessments of the newly acquired forested property on Shields Road revealed a sedge meadow-wetland complex that holds significant moisture, as well as a large number of dead and decaying trees. This ecological community has high wildlife values. Therefore, this part of the property is not well-suited for campground development. By extending development into the existing park, walk-in camping is focused within the drier forested area, where campsites can be carefully located to preserve existing healthy trees.
Will there be changes to Katimavik Trail?
How will trees be preserved during the construction of the new camping area?
As part of the construction process for the new walk-in campsites, every effort will be made to preserve the existing trees in the area. The layout of the campsites will follow a "field fit" approach, which provides the contractor with the flexibility to customize the location of each campsite to ensure that most of the trees are retained.
What measures will be taken to reduce impacts on wildlife?
To minimize wildlife disturbance, the construction will be scheduled outside of sensitive seasonal windows (e.g. bald eagle nesting, migratory breeding birds. Environmental monitors will be onsite during construction. Furthermore, additional measures will be taken, such as installing fences, designating trails, and putting up signs to protect rare ecological values from recreational impacts. Campsites will be designed to reduce user-created trail systems from developing and trampling vegetation between campsites.
Will dogs be allowed on the beach?
Could the proposed walk-in campsites be moved to the site of the Outdoor Education Centre?
BC Parks staff are meeting with school district representatives and others to explore options for continuing the unique offering of outdoor education at Tribune Bay Park. Outdoor education remains the focus for this area of the park.
I have seen some flags on some trees in the park, what does this mean?
Will there be impacts to Shields Road?
What are the next steps for the project?