Clayoquot Arm Park is a BC Parks site on the west coast of Vancouver Island, encompassing the lower Clayoquot River, Clayoquot Lake, and forested slopes northwest of Clayoquot Arm on Kennedy Lake. Access is by boat, canoe, or kayak from Kennedy Lake.
BC Parks says the park protects rare old-growth Sitka spruce forest, secluded sandy beaches, uninhabited islets, First Nations cultural sites, and a freshwater lake setting.
Clayoquot Arm is a wilderness park for paddlers, anglers, campers, and wildlife watchers prepared for remote travel. Visitors can canoe or kayak along Kennedy Lake's shoreline, fish for cutthroat trout, swim where conditions allow, and plan wilderness camping along the lake.
The conservation story is strong. The park protects rare Sitka spruce old-growth in the Clayoquot Lake and lower Clayoquot River areas, plus excellent sockeye salmon spawning conditions. BC Parks notes an unusual phenomenon in Clayoquot Arm where sockeye salmon spawn 20 metres below the water surface.
The park lies in the traditional territory of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, and BC Parks asks visitors to respect the connection of Nuu-chah-nulth peoples to this land. Access to Indian Reserves is prohibited unless prior permission has been granted from the band office.
Plan around canoeing, kayaking, Kennedy Lake shoreline travel, wilderness camping, freshwater fishing, wildlife viewing, swimming without a designated area, waterskiing or windsurfing from nearby Kennedy Lake access, and seasonal hunting where permitted.
This wilderness area is not regularly serviced or patrolled. Bring rain gear, emergency equipment, spare clothing, fishing licences, and water treatment. Expect active logging roads, yield to logging trucks, avoid pets where bears, wolves, and cougars may be present, and watch afternoon westerly winds on Kennedy Lake.
