Gulf
Islands National Park Reserve
Almost one half of Saturna’s stunning landscape of bays,
valleys and high rock bluffs is protected within Gulf Islands National
Park Reserve. Officially
established in 2003, the park is indeed something special to experience
while you’re on-island. The Southern Gulf Islands are one
of the most ecologically important — and most at risk natural
regions in southern Canada.
Join Parks Canada in 2011 and come celebrate its 100th birthday
as the world’s first national parks service and a world leader
in conservation, education and visitor
experience programming. Visit the park website or park kiosks for
more information on upcoming centennial events and programming.
Exploring the national park reserve is best done at a leisurely
pace, and in ways that leave little trace of your passing through.
Some of the best park experiences can be found on Saturna Island.
Try a picnic and a short walk at Winter Cove. Enjoy a hike
along Lyall Creek or down to the serene setting of Narvaez Bay where
camping is also available (7 walk-in sites) — be sure to take
the loop trail to the viewpoint at Monarch Head. Drive up to the
top of Mount Warburton Pike to take in a panoramic vista of ocean
and islands laid out at your feet or experience the breath-taking
sunset at East Point where orcas can often be seen. If traveling
by boat or kayak, stop to see the stone house ruins at Taylor Point.
For those of you who are interested in finding hidden treasure (using
your GPS device), take the park’s new Centennial Geocache
Challenge — the first 100 visitors to complete the cache will
receive a limited edition centennial geocoin.
While in Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
on Saturna Island, REMEMBER:
• Be a no-trace visitor: please take all of your trash
off-island with you • No fires • Pets must be leashed
• Bring drinking water with you • Stay on designated
trails • View wildlife from a distance
• Respect private property
For more information: www.pc.gc.ca/gulfislands
Toll Free 1-866-944-1744
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