North Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- There are no developed trails in this park.
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
Special notes
- The park does not have a boat launch. The nearest boat launches are at Whaletown on Cortes Island and Heriot Bay on Quadra Island.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
The park is located on the southern tip of Read Island in the Quadra Island Group, off the east coast of central Vancouver Island. Access to the park is by boat only. Boaters can reference marine chart #3538 and #3539 for more information on this area. The closest communities are Read Island, Cortes Island, Quadra Island and Campbell River.
Camping
Marine-accessible camping
There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Read Island is accessible year-round. Please practice “Leave no trace” camping ethics.
When visiting marine-accessible sites, be respectful of the sensitive wildlife habitats, and learn how to stay safe using our marine visitor guide.
Winter camping
There are no designated campsites at this park, however random wilderness camping is allowed. No facilities are provided and there is no fee. Read Island is accessible year-round. Please practice “Leave no trace” camping ethics.
Things to do
There is no designated swimming area at this park however opportunities exist for ocean swimming and fresh water swimming at Rosen Lake.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Ocean fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. 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.
About this park
Read Island Park is an excellent place to see bald eagles, who make their nests in the park’s tall trees. Other wildlife includes river otters, seals and sea lions along the water’s edge, and black-tailed deer, weasels, mink, beaver, cougars and wolves in the uplands.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
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