Plan Ruckle Park on Salt Spring Island with shoreline camping, 15 km of trails, Gulf Islands wildlife, kayaking, diving, farm closures, winter water, and pet rules.
Ruckle Park is on Salt Spring Island in the southern Gulf Islands, 10 kilometres from the Fulford Harbour ferry terminal along Beaver Point Road. BC Parks describes seven kilometres of shoreline, rocky headlands, small coves, fields, forest, and shore habitat.
The meadow campsites overlook Swanson Channel.
The park is reached by BC Ferries service to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
Why Visit Ruckle Park
Ruckle is one of the largest provincial parks in the Gulf Islands and one of Salt Spring’s major shoreline destinations. More than 15 kilometres of trails include a shoreline route from the heritage farm area to Yeo Point, plus inland routes ranging from easy walks to more difficult hikes.
Wildlife viewing is a major reason to linger. BC Parks notes sea lions, killer whales, mink, river otters, tide-pool life, cormorants, grebes, guillemots, eagles, grouse, and quail. Offshore kelp forests support rich marine life, and scuba divers use the waters for caves, anemones, sponges, octopuses, sea stars, and barnacles.
Things To Do
Camp, hike shoreline and inland trails, swim without a designated area, ocean kayak, fish under saltwater regulations, join summer naturalist programs, view the heritage farm from allowed areas, windsurf, scuba dive, and cycle only on main roads.
Planning Notes
The active farm is not open to the public. Some trails are closed to dogs because of livestock interactions, and dogs must stay away from the working farm. The water system is shut down from November 1 to March 15. Maps are informational only. Bikes and e-bikes are not allowed on walking trails.