




Ever-changing stand of Arbutus trees along the ŦÁ,WEN Trail in St. John Point Regional Park (042125).
Photographs, videos, audio, and text Copyright © 2026 Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca.
Worth knowing: The Mayne Island Brewing Company is another of the Southern Gulf Islands’ special secrets. Owners Annette and Michael started the gig in 2016 and now produce more than a dozen ales and lagers in their small-batch brewing on Fernhill Road. I’ve consumed six of the varieties and loved them all. Their unique “tasting room” is outdoors and in typical island style.
WALKS
Campbell Point Trail (GINPR) • Last walked by RP: September 2026 • Out & Back or Loop • EASY • Trailhead off Wilks Road • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.84711, -123.25258 • 1.5 km (approx. .9 mi) • 30 mins • Highest Elevation: 10 m/33 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level • Parking lot for half-dozen vehicles off Wilks Road • Amenities: Campbell Point Trail map, bike racks, information board, pit toilet, resting benches, beach access • NO fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 141 species at Bennett Bay since 2018 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Wide, flat main trail to Campbell Point; loop back along single-track above Bennett Bay for views of the bay and shoreline (trail marked by Caution! sign in places); new-growth trees in Bennett Bay ecological restoration area • Best time of year: Anytime, but a clear sky reveals a stunning view of Mount Baker on the Washington State mainland.
Georgina Point Heritage Park & Lighthouse (GINPR) • Last walked by RP: September 2026 • Loop • EASY • Lighthouse and park at end of Georgina Point Road • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.87334, -123.29117 • .5 km (approx. .3 mi) • Allow 30-45 mins to explore the park and sandstone shoreline • Elevation Gain: Sea level • Parking lot at end of Georgina Point Road • Amenities: Heritage lighthouse and plaques: Active Pass Lighthouse, disability parking spot, bike racks, information kiosk, pit toilet, picnic tables/shelter, wildlife education signs, hand-crank W̱SÁNEĆ and whale education tool (auditory), resting benches • NO fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 98 species since 2003 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Spectacular views of Active Pass and marine mammals, access to sandstone shoreline and intertidal pools; Car Stop at corner of Georgina Point and Cherry Tree Bay Roads; be aware of Active Pass tides and BC Ferries-generated waves • Best time of year: Anytime.
Japanese Memorial Garden (MIPRC) • Last walked by RP: September 2026 • Loop • EASY • Located adjacent to Dinner Bay Park, off Williams Place • Garden Coordinates: 48.833658, -123.317748 • .35 km (approx. .22 mi) • 20 mins • Parking at the end of gravel road next to baseball diamond or on Williams Place • Amenities: Japanese Memorial Garden—bicycle rack, resting benches; Dinner Bay Park—beach access, covered picnic shelter, washrooms, picnic tables, disc golf course, synthetic putting green (with complimentary putters and golf balls), horseshoe pit (with complimentary horseshoes), baseball diamonds, senior’s fitness circuit, children’s play structure, Ed Williams Memorial Trail • Highlights/Notes: Plethora of coloured plants, Japanese toriis, peace bell, lanterns, and ornaments, arched bridge over a pond to an island, waiting pavilion, karesansui (dry landscape garden), Zig Zag bridge, and replica of Japanese charcoal pit kiln (read Remembering Strangers); Dinner Bay Park • Best time of year: Anytime, but mornings in spring and early summer are best.
HIKES
Mount Parke Summit Trail (CRD) • Via Plumper Pass Community Park and the Old Gulch Trail/Mount Parke Regional Park • Last hiked by RP: June 2025 • Loop • STRENUOUS • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates (Kim Road): 48.84381, -123.28822 • 4 km (approx. 2.5 mi) • 75-90 mins • Highest Elevation: 238 m/781 ft (Gain: 156 m/approx. 512 ft) • Road parking at trailhead, end of Kim Road cut-de-sac • Amenities: Trail network map and information sign, bike rack, toilet, resting benches, old interpretive sign at Halliday Ridge viewpoint • NO fresh water • Dogs under control • Birders: 81 species seen since 1996 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: The woodland trail leads to sweeping 180-degree panoramic views of neighbouring islands and the Salish Sea • Best time of year: Anytime under a clear sky.
Orca Trail/Fred & Bette Cotton Community Park (MIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: September 2026 • Out & Back • EASY (with good footing) • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.87123, -123.29406 • .5 km (approx. .3 mi) • Orca Trail: 15 mins • Elevation Gain: Sea level • Parking lot at end of Cotton Road, past main park sign • Amenities: Handicap parking spot, pit toilet, bike rack (in Cotton Park near trailhead), marine mammal information sign, binoculars, Bette’s Bulletin Board, fenced and rock gardens, and resting benches (park and along trail) • NO fresh water • NO dogs allowed (wildlife refuge/eagle nesting area) • Highlights/Notes: Allow 45-60 mins to explore the trail, park, and foreshore; oceanside Orca Trail overlooks the east entrance of Active Pass and Georgia Strait; likely to see Pacific harbour seals, but possibly River otters, porpoises, sea lions, or orcas; intertidal pools in the sandstone foreshore contain an assortment of life, but watch your footing and the ship wash from BC Ferries vessels entering and exiting Active Pass; make time to read the Fred & Bette Cotton Community Park plaque on a large rock in the middle of the park and the educational sign: Can you spot any of these marine mammals? • Best time of year: Anytime.
St. John Point Regional Park ŦÁ,WEN Trail (CRD) • Last hiked by RP: August 2026 • Loop • MODERATE • MAP • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.82319, -123.24264 • 4 km (approx. 2.5 mi) • 2 hrs • Highest Elevation: 63 m/207 ft; Lowest Elevation: Sea level • Parking lot for 12 vehicles at trailhead, off Horton Bay Road • Amenities: NEW parking lot, visitor information kiosk with trail map, and pit toilet; two beaches • NO fresh water • Dogs on leash • Birders: 64 species seen since 2023 (eBird) • Highlights/Notes: Beautiful loop trail with access to two beaches, the finest shoreline stand of Arbutus in the SGI, a wonderful Spring-Summer array of wildflowers, and heritage apple trees • Best time of year: Anytime, but especially nice during wildflower season.
Vulture Ridge Viewpoint Trail (VRVT), Henderson Park (MIPRC) • Last hiked by RP: June 2026 • Loop • STRENUOUS • MAP • Trailhead sign on right side, hidden in fir branches just north of parking • Trailhead Coordinates: 48.82677, -123.26515 • Approx. 1.8 km (approx 1.1 mi) • 45 mins • Highest Elevation: 125 m/410 ft (Gain: 70 m/approx. 230 ft) • Parking for six vehicles 200 metres beyond the cul-de-sac at the end of Beechwood Drive (past open yellow gate and Henderson Park parking sign on right side of the dirt road access • Amenities: Interactive information board with map, bike rack, picnic table, pit toilet, benches, trailside educational/interpretive signs • NO fresh water • NO biking on trail • Dogs leashed • Birders: Turkey vultures, Bald ealges, ravens (No eBird data) • Highlights/Notes: Steep 70-step and 36-step wooden staircase followed by several human-made earth stairs and natural root/earth hollows make for a physically demanding start, but worth the effort; wonderful stretch of Arbutus and views of Navy Channel, North Pender Island, and beyond; VRVT trail is also accessible via the Doreen McLeod Beach Access Trail (north end from Punch’s Alley and Briggs Landing Beach for paddlers) • Best time of year: Anytime.
CRD - Capital Regional District
GINPR - Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
MIPRC - Mayne Island Parks & Recreation Commission