North Island · Von Donop
Miracle Beach Park
About this Park
As a family holiday destination, few locations can beat popular Miracle Beach Park in the Comox Valley.
A broad safe sandy beach on the ocean is the main attraction at Miracle Beach, which also features spacious private campsites, group camping facilities, a playground for the kids, hot showers, a large picnic area overlooking the water, and a series of lovely trails winding through lush forest. At low tide, the beach features rich tide pools, perfect for observing a variety of marine life.
Located on the waterfront midway between Courtenay and Campbell River, this park provides easy access to both communities and a wealth of entertainment. On the beach, sandcastle building, sunning, swimming, exploring tide pools or just frolicking along the shore are all part of the Miracle Beach experience. And don’t miss the non-competitive annual sandcastle building day in June, where playful people of all ages create fantastic sculptures for all to enjoy. Nearby you’ll find horseback riding, golf, fishing, and many other recreational activities.
Miracle Beach is a very popular destination during the summer. Campsites reservations are highly recommended. Next door to Miracle Beach is sandy Saratoga Beach. With its many resorts and campgrounds, Saratoga Beach is a good alternative if Miracle Beach is full.
Special notes
- In your exploration, please remember to carefully place overturned rocks in their original position. Look but do not touch or remove any shells or marine organisms from the park.
- During the winter, horses are only allowed on the road between the gatehouse and group site. Horses are not permitted on any other trails within the park. Commercial trail riding operations are located in the vicinity of the park.
Location notes
Miracle Beach Park is located 22km north of Courtenay and 22km south of Campbell River off Hwy 19a. From Hwy 19 take exit #144 (Hamm Road) to Hwy 19a (the Oceanside Route). Head north a short distance to Miracle Beach Drive, then drive 2km straight into the park. Nearby communities include Campbell River, Comox Valley, and Merville.
Activities
- 45:Hiking There are about 2km of walking trails in the park. Trails lead from the campground and day-use parking lots through second-growth and some old-growth forest. The majority of the trails start at the north beach parking lot. Some follow the Black Creek and the Estuary at the northwest end of the park. A dog-walking trail is designated and accessible from the north beach parking lot.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.
- 45:Swimming Wide sandy beaches make for good ocean swimming. The beach has rocky areas with barnacles and shells therefore footwear is recommended. The most popular swimming area is located at the south beach day-use area.
- 45:Fishing There are opportunities for saltwater and freshwater fishing at this park. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.
- 45:Canoeing Canoeing is welcome at this park. Please familiarize yourself with ocean currents prior to paddling in this area.
- 45:Interpretive programs Beginning on the May Long Weekend, the Nature House will be open every weekend until Labour Day. The Nature House is open daily from late June through Labour Day. Find fun summer outdoor learning experiences with Discover Parks Ambassadors here all summer long. For specific dates, along with many more seasonal and year-round activities, visit discoverparks.ca.
- 45:Wildlife viewing A viewing platform and fish weir located near the BC Parks office at the entrance to the park provides an interesting opportunity to view the Black Creek, particularly in the spring and fall when salmon are spawning. Interpretive signage at this location offers information about the fish weir. Miracle Beach is also a good place for bird watching, and from the beach visitors have excellent views out over the Strait of Georgia.
- 45:Pets on leash Please refer to our trail map [PDF] for appropriate dog on leash areas. You are responsible for their behavior and must dispose of their excrement. To help protect conservation values, dogs are prohibited from the estuary and north beach areas.Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
- 45:Cycling Bicycles must keep to roadways and are not permitted on park trails. A bike rack is located next to the change house at the south beach day-use area and at the shower building in the campground. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Miracle Beach Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
- 45:Kayaking Kayaking is welcome at this park. Please familiarize yourself with ocean currents prior to paddling in this area.
Facilities
- 45:Bike park A children’s bike park is available for the use and enjoyment of visitors staying in the campground.
- 45:Picnic shelters The south parking lot leads to a day-use area on the beach. This area offers a picnic shelter that is covered, semi-enclosed, and has picnic tables, changing facilities, flush toilets, an information shelter, and a parking area. You can make a reservation online at camping.bcparks.ca or by calling 1-800-689-9025 (1-519-858-6161 internationally). For detailed information, see the picnic shelters page. Group picnicking fee: $50.00 per groupA $20 fee is added for anyone who is not a B.C. resident. For more information, visit the non-resident fee section of the camping fees page.
- 45:Picnic areas This park has two day-use and picnic areas. The south parking lot leads to a day-use area on the beach. This offers a covered, semi-enclosed picnic shelter, picnic tables, changing facilities, flush toilets, an information shelter, and a parking area. The north parking lot leads to nature trails, the Black Creek estuary, and beach. Pit toilets and an information shelter are available at this parking lot. The Miracle Beach trail map [PDF] shows areas you can go with your on-leash dog. To help protect conservation values, dogs are prohibited from the estuary and north beach areas.
- 45:Pit or flush toilets Pit toilets are located throughout the park. A flush toilet and change house is located at the south beach day-use area. Flush toilets are also located in five areas of the campground.
- 45:Showers There is one hot shower building at this park, located in the center of the campground, including one separate wheelchair-accessible shower stall. Showers are for registered campers only.
- 45:Drinking water Cold water taps are located throughout the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season.
- 45:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
- 45:Playground There is an adventure playground at this park, located in the campground next to the shower house.
- 45:Sani-station A sani-station is available during the collecting season.Sani-station use fee: $5.00 per discharge
- 45:Campfires While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. Campfire rings are provided at each campsite, as well as communal ring for the group campsite. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. Gathering firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park damages vegetation and ground cover and is a ticketable offence under the Park Act. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small.
Location
49.84796, -125.09807 · Von Donop