West Coast · Nootka
Tahsish-Kwois Park
About this Park
Tahsish-Kwois Park is located in Kyuquot Sound on northwestern Vancouver Island. The closest settlement to the park is the village of Kyuquot, which lies about 20km to the west.
This rugged, isolated park is one of the largest parks on Vancouver Island and features old growth forest, two lakes, a scenic river canyon and river valleys. The south end of the park encircles the Tahsish River Ecological Reserve, with the river portion of the ecological reserve providing the primary access into the park.
Accessible primarily by boat, this park offers outstanding wilderness recreation opportunities, including wildlife viewing, old-growth forest exploration, backcountry hiking and camping, nature study and fresh water fishing. Tahsish-Kwois also contains one of the most important Roosevelt elk winter ranges on Vancouver Island. Bald eagles are common year-round, particularly during salmon runs.
Safety information
- Logging road access to Kyuquot Sound can be potentially hazardous due to encounters with heavy industrial traffic. The chance of encountering loaded logging trucks while traveling these roads is highly likely. Logging trucks have the right of way at all times. Drives should use caution and yield to logging trucks; use pullouts whenever possible.
Special notes
- Campfires: This park is closed to campfires except for within 2km of the coastline.
Location notes
Tahsish-Kwois Park is located approximately 40km south of Port McNeill and 20km east of the village of Kyuquot on northern Vancouver Island. Access to the park is primarily by boat up the mouth of Tahsish Inlet. Boaters can reference marine chart # 3682 (Kyuquot Sound) for more information on this area.
Vehicles can reach the shore of Kyuquot Sound at either Fair Harbour or Artlish River by way of roads to Zeballos. The park can also be entered on foot at its eastern boundary via a logging road that branches from the road to Zeballos. Travel in the park is restricted to boating or walking.
Activities
- 9459:Canoeing There are opportunities for canoers and kayakers to access this park via Tahsish Inlet, however visitors must first paddle through Tahsish River Ecological Reserve. Recreational use of the Ecological Reserve is prohibited however paddlers are allowed to travel through the river portion of the Ecological Reserve to reach the park. Camping, campfires and hunting are prohibited in all British Columbia Ecological Reserves.
- 9459:Swimming There is no designated swimming area at this park.
- 9459:Fishing Fishing is permitted (as per provincial and federal fishing regulations) up the Tahsish and Kwois rivers however these areas are difficult to access. Both rivers are home to Coho, Chinook, chum and pink salmon as well as three species of trout and Char. Fly fishing is the most popular method of angling in this area. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.
- 9459:Hunting The discharge and carrying of firearms is permitted in this park for the purposes of hunting during open season. Please consult the BC Government Hunting and Trapping Regulations Synopsis for more information. Contact BC Parks at parkinfo@gov.bc.ca with any specific questions.NOTE: Hunting is prohibited in all British Columbia Ecological Reserves.
Facilities
- 9459:Campfires While fires are allowed, we encourage visitors to conserve the environment by minimizing the use of fire and using stoves instead. If you must use a campfire, please practice “ Leave No Trace” camping ethics.
Location
50.18903, -127.16075 · Nootka