South Island · Saanich/South Gulf Islands
Ruckle Park
About this Park
Ruckle Park on Salt Spring Island is one of the most beautiful parks in the southern Gulf Islands area. Pitch your tent in the grassy meadow overlooking Swanson Channel then lie back and relax, watching pleasure boats and ferries sail by in a stately and colourful parade.
With its seven kilometres of shoreline, rocky headlands, and tiny coves and bays, Ruckle Park provides hours or even days of enjoyable exploration. Forest, field, and shore habitats make it one of the most productive wildlife viewing areas on Salt Spring.
Watch for sea lions and killer whales out at sea, as well as mink and river otters cavorting along the shoreline. Tidal pools are filled with a brightly coloured mix of crab, mussel, limpet, oyster, sculpin, starfish, and more.
Scuba divers frequent the waters off Ruckle Park, drifting among the castle-like caves or floating above the bountiful ocean floor, where they find a profusion of Plumose anemones, sponges, octopuses, seastars, and giant barnacles. On shore, birdwatchers can often catch sight of cormorants, grebes, guillemots, eagles, grouse, and quail.
Special notes
Ruckle Park Active Farm
The active farm portion of Ruckle Park is not open to the public. Visitors are asked to respect this property and not to interfere with farming operations. To learn more, read the management and operations information sheet [PDF].
Dogs
Due to ongoing interactions with farm livestock, BC Parks has designated some portions of the park trail system as closed to dogs. This change is in effect until further notice. Park visitors will still be able to enjoy dog on-leash areas in the lower day-use and campground areas and the coastal trail to Yeo Point. Signs identify restricted areas and direct you to dog-appropriate locations. Thank you for your cooperation.
Vegetation
Carpet burweed (Soliva sessilis) is an invasive, introduced plant that has been discovered in Ruckle Park. Efforts to eradicate the plant are ongoing and include the creation of a fenced quarantine area to exclude seed dispersers (in other words, people) from one of the large meadows, and the use of work crews to locate and effectively deal with the plants. To find out more about the origin of burweed, its spread throughout the world, its effects on playing fields and golf courses, and its history at Ruckle Park, view the burweed poster [PDF].
During April, May, and June, wildflowers will be in bloom in some areas of the park, particularly around the groupsites. People who are prone to allergic reactions should take necessary precautions and use the mowed paths and main trails as much as possible. The remainder of the grasses and wildflowers will be cut in early July after the bloom has completed its cycle.
Water
The water system is shut down for winter between November 1 and March 15. To learn more about the drinking water system at Ruckle Park, read the 2021 annual report [PDF].
Location notes
Ruckle Park is on Salt Spring Island in the southern Gulf Islands area. The park is 10km from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal along Beaver Point Road. BC Ferries offers service to Salt Spring Island from Victoria (Swartz Bay) and Crofton on Vancouver Island, and Vancouver (Tsawwassen) on the Lower Mainland.
The closest communites are Ganges, Fulford Harbour, Sidney, and Victoria.
Activities
- 267:Hiking Ruckle Park has more than 15km of trails. A shoreline trail runs from the heritage farm area right through to Yeo Point, along with other inland trail routes that range from easy walks to more difficult hikes. Detailed trail maps are at information shelters and convenient points along the trails. For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
- 267:Swimming There is no designated swimming area at this park.
- 267:Fishing There are saltwater fishing opportunities at Ruckle Park. Fishing is permitted in line with provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada before fishing.
- 267:Interpretive programs There are regularly scheduled naturalist programs offered during the summer season.
- 267:Wildlife viewing Ruckle Park features beautiful ocean views from the day-use area and along the trails, as well as scenic pastoral views of the neighbouring farm. The Heritage Farm feature a number of old farm buildings, that are still used today. The big orchard barn has open access (a schedule is posted at the site). Other buildings are available for viewing from the outside only.
- 267:Pets on leash Dogs and other pets must be leashed and under control all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. It is extremely important that dogs be kept away from the working farm and livestock within the park.
- 267:Cycling Ruckle Park is a popular location for cyclists wishing to explore the rest of picturesque Salt Spring Island. Bicycles are allowed on the main roads only and cyclists are asked to walk their bikes into the main campground area. Bicycles are not allowed on the walking trails in the park. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.Bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Ruckle Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
- 267:Windsurfing There are opportunities for windsurfing at this park.
- 267:Scuba diving Scuba divers frequent the waters off Ruckle Park, drifting among the castle-like caves or floating above the bountiful ocean floor, where they find a profusion of plumose, anemones, sponges, octopuses, sea stars, and giant barnacles.
- 267:Kayaking Ocean kayaking opportunities are available at this park.
- 267:Canoeing Canoeing is not recommended at this park but there are opportunities for ocean kayaking.
Facilities
- 267:Picnic areas Ruckle Park has a day-use and picnicking area. Facilities include pit toilets, picnic tables, and an information shelter. A large grassy area and rugged shoreline provide great views of passing boats and ferries. To find the day-use parking lot, continue straight on the main park road past the campground turnoff.
- 267:Pit or flush toilets This park has pit toilets at the campground, day-use area, and heritage farm.
- 267:Drinking water There are six pressurized drinking water stations throughout the campground and day-use areas. The water system is shut down for the winter season between November 1 and March 15. For more information on the drinking water system at Ruckle Park, read the 2024 annual report [PDF].
- 267:Accessibility information Accessibility information is available for this park.
- 267:Campfires There are a number of group fire rings throughout the campground. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. We encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead.To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or anywhere else in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds valuable organic matter to the soil.
Location
48.78465, -123.38522 · Saanich/South Gulf Islands