The best camping near Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park

On Galiano Island, between BC’s Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park is rich in natural and cultural history. In addition to shell beaches, meadows, tidal lagoons and towering forests, the park features a saltwater marsh and evidence of First Nations culture that dates back more than 3,000 years. Visitors can moor their boats to one of 35 buoys in calm, sheltered Montague Harbour or arrive by ferry and camp in designated individual or group campsites in the park, all with easy access to and a view of the water.

• Best for walk-in and car camping: Montague Harbour has 16 scenic, vehicle-accessible campsites and 28 walk-in campsites with ocean and harbour views.
• Best for boaters: Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park has 35 buoys for boaters to moor in the sheltered waters of the harbour.

1. Make your plans early to reserve a campsite in Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park. Campsites can be reserved for stays between May and September, and you can reserve campsites two months in advance of your arrival date, beginning in March.
2. All campsite and group site reservations must be made by phone or online at Discover Camping, BC Parks’ reservation portal. First-come, first-served sites are not available from May 12 to September 2.

The park is open to public access from mid-March to the end of October and is busiest in July and August. Consider a fall visit in September or October, when the crowds and ferry traffic dwindle. 

• The park is accessible by sailboat or by the BC Ferries Gulf Islands ferry, either from Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island or Tsawwassen on the Lower Mainland. It’s important to reserve ferry spots in advance, as it often sails at capacity during the busy summer months.
• Montague Harbour Marine Provincial Park doesn’t have wifi, but cell phone service is fairly good.
• The park has regular campfire restrictions to ensure air quality, so imited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented. Visitors must use provided campfire rings.
• Campers can purchase supplies and visit restaurants in Sturdies Bay on Galiano Island.