It’s natural to drift off at South Pender’s Brooks Point
- Richard Philpot
- Mar 22
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
What’s the most common sight along Brooks Point Regional Park’s stunning shoreline? Orcas? Bald eagles? Wildflowers? Nope. It’s people dozing, slumbering against enormous driftwood logs. Many times, I’ve unintentionally roused a snoozing beachcomber. It must be the sound of the ocean lapping against the South Pender Island shore that lulls visitors into a daytime nap. With luck, you’ll be startled awake by an orca’s surfacing breath or a Bald eagle cackling or whistling.
Table of Contents
Photographs, videos, audio, and text Copyright © 2026 Richard Philpot/SGIOUTSIDE.ca.
The breathtaking southwest-facing seascape from the shoreline trail to Gowlland Point (061525).
BROOKS POINT REGIONAL PARK
Capital Regional District (CRD) & Pender Islands Community Parks & Recreation Commission (PIPRC)
RP’s most recent visit: March 16, 2026
The Brooks Family Legacy/Park Overview
Betty and Allan Brooks were aware of the ecological significance of their property. Throughout the 90s, they failed to convince the government to purchase the land and ensure its protection in perpetuity. In 1996, a group of islanders formed the Friends of Brooks Point. The group began fundraising with the help of the Pender Islands Conservancy and other community members.
A successful fundraising campaign, coupled with the Brooks’ donation of one of three lots on the 12-acre site, enabled the CRD to acquire the balance of the property in January 2000. Allan Brooks died the following month, realizing his long-time dream of safeguarding Brooks Point.
Neighbouring Canadian and US islands form the backdrop to the sweeping panorama from Gowlland Point. The Brooks Point peninsula’s grasslands showcase a marvellous wildflower array every spring and summer. One hundred and fifty-one bird species have been sighted in the park. Orcas, Humpbacks, and other marine mammals are seen in Boundary Pass. The shoreline tide pools in wave-eroded conglomerate and sandstone are home to sea urchins, sea stars, and various bivalves, chitons, snails, and anemones. Of all this, the most dramatic sight might be snow-capped Mount Baker on the Washington State mainland (061225).
Brooks Point Regional Park FACTS
Distances/elevations may vary depending on the GPS tracker device and the digital mapping software.
Established: 2000
Park Size: 12 acres
Best time of year: Year round, but preferably on a clear-sky day to see Mount Baker
Difficulty Rating: EASY
Trail Type: Out & Around (when also exploring Drummond Bay and Higgs and Gowlland Point beaches)
Distance (Garmin): 3.5 km (just over 2 mi)
Time Allowance: 1.5 hours minimum
Highest Elevation (Garmin): 18 metres (59 feet)
Lowest Elevation (Garmin): Sea level
Dogs Permitted: Yes, leashed at all times (but this law is frequently ignored, so be prepared)
Amenities: Trailhead information sign/map, bike rack, bathroom
Freshwater Availability: None
Parking: There are probably ten spots on the south side shoulder of Gowlland Point Road, just before Kloshe Road, and a half-dozen additional spots at the end of the road
Travelling to the Trailhead: By vehicle—14.7 km (21 minutes) from Driftwood Centre (left off Bedwell Harbour Road onto Canal Road, cross single-lane bridge to South Pender Island, follow Canal, Spalding, and Gowlland Point Roads to trailhead; On foot—Car stops heading in either direction at the Pender Islands Health Centre/Pender Islands School, Poets Cove Resort & Spa, and at Gowlland Point Road/Craddock Road (nearest to Brooks Point Regional Park)
Birders: 155 species since 1998 (eBird)
Trailhead Coordinates (Gowlland Point Road): 48.73743, -123.18727
Park Map: Brooks Point Regional Park
A “Welcome to Brooks Point Regional Park” information sign marks the trailhead, provides visitor information (041925), and features a park map.
Route Description
Gowlland Point Road Trailhead and Boardwalk
A “Welcome to Brooks Point Regional Park” information sign greets visitors, provides information about the area and a park map, and marks the trailhead. The bike rack beside the trail entrance is a stone’s throw from more signage: a Fire Hazard and No Smoking or Open Fire sign and a “dos and don’ts” sign at the start of a raised wooden boardwalk. The 135-metre-long (approx. 440 feet) wire-covered walkway cuts through a bog. Red alder, Salmonberry, and blackberry bushes are the dominant plant species in this always mucky section of the park. The first portion of the walkway is railingless; watch your step.
Just beyond where the boardwalk ends, a spur trail on the left leads to the park’s only bathroom. Returning to the wider, hard-packed-earth trail, surrounded by towering Douglas firs, you’re directed to the second boardwalk, shorter than its predecessor and bordered on both sides by berry and rose shrubs. The boardwalk opens into a grassy meadow, bound on three sides by the rocky Boundary Pass shoreline. During the wildflower season, the meadow sprouts Common Stork’s-Bill, Field chickweed, Common camas, Chocolate lily, Ribwort plantain, and others. Please stay on the trodden paths to avoid trampling these delicate plants.
Beyond the park’s confines: Drummond and Higgs beaches
After scanning Boundary Pass’s near shore for foraging marine mammals, including orcas, proceed to the peninsula’s west side, a beach access sign, and a narrow, single-track path down to Drummond Beach. The highlights of Drummond Beach are a weathered shed housing a chess set (whose pieces haven’t moved in my 22 years of watching) and a towering but leafless fir, often with multiple Bald eagles perched at the top. Pacific harbour seals commonly swim in the bay and haul out on rock outcrops at low tides.
A truck-sized conglomerate boulder separates Drummond and Higgs beaches, dividing beachcombing into distinct crescent-shaped halves. Climbing the divide to Higgs Beach is easy, but the short, west-side descent is challenging. The stepless rock face requires the utmost caution. The hand of your companion or walking stick is helpful.
The driftwood above Higgs Beach’s pebble composition is plentiful, sometimes massive, and fascinating to explore. Be on the lookout for the Red alder on the oceanfront property nearest the stairs to Higgs Road. The tree’s branches are chock-full of accidentally forgotten or lost FOOTWEAR! There appear to be equal numbers of left- and right-foot sandals, water shoes, and sneakers. Do the shoe owners ever reclaim their footwear?
Weathered shed with a chess table set for a game (081825).
From the Higgs Road staircase and resting platform, it’s a short walk up the road to a stop sign. Turn right on Gowlland Point Road and enjoy a pleasant stroll to its termination at the PIPRC’s GOWLLAND POINT Ocean Access signpost. A large willow (Scouler’s willow, according to Seek), a picnic table, a wood-framed orca art installation, an ocean viewing platform, and a staircase mark your return to the Boundary Pass shoreline. Be sure to check out the colourful tile paintings by penderpod.ca members of nine orcas born into the Southern Resident’s J pod since 1999 and the hand-drawn illustration of Boundary Pass mounted on the viewing platform railing.
Gowlland Point Beach is a favourite spot for pebble hunters. Every shape, size, and colour pattern can be found here, from the north-end rock wall to the metal staircase or path to Gowlland Point.
Back into the park proper
For years, the only means of reaching Gowlland Point and its green and white maritime navigation beacon was on a narrow earth path from usually wet and slippery high intertidal zone rock. I stubbornly use this ticklish route as an ineffectual taxpayer protest against the CRD’s steel staircase; the fabricated eyesore no doubt cost thousands.
The two-tone-coloured navigation beacon that stood tall at Gowlland Point for decades was recently replaced with a stunted all-white version. Its non-traditional shape doesn’t fit the elements as the classic version did, but times change. What hasn’t changed is the breathtaking panoramic view from the point, from north and east to southwest: Brown Ridge and Monarch Head on Saturna Island, Mount Baker on the Washington State mainland, the big humps on Orcas Island, and others of the US San Juan Islands, including Stuart Island’s Turn Point. On the Canadian side of Haro Strait are the Inner Southern Gulf Islands and, beyond these, Vancouver Island.
Before following the shoreline ridge down to the Brooks Point Regional Park beach, divert along the grassy path on this side of the split-rail fence (signed as an area closed to protect the rare sharp-tailed snake). The meadow on each side of the path bursts with wildflowers starting in mid-April. An abundance of Chocolate lilies makes it one of the best spots in the Southern Gulf Islands to see this delicate flower. Before long, Common camas and Field chickweed join the mix.
I snuck down to South Pender the day before and printed “WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?” on the sand between the “house” and bluff using pieces of driftwood.
On the ocean side of the fence, a well-worn trail descends to another meadow overlooking the beach. From the elevated edge of the meadow, you have a clear view of a driftwood “house” below and the conglomerate rock bluff you just departed. A few February 14s ago, I snuck down to South Pender the day before and printed “WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?” on the sand between the “house” and bluff using pieces of driftwood (I’d checked the tides before doing so). I brought Lisa here on Valentine’s Day for the big reveal. FYI, she said yes.
Brooks Point Regional Park has an impressive driftwood beach, as interesting as any I’ve seen in my travels. Look for ever-present but ever-changing driftwood “buildings.” The constructors rebuild the structures whenever wind, tide, or humans demolish them. The beach is accessible from several places, all of which require sure-footed climbing over enormous logs. Even the most agile individuals should exercise caution when stepping on ocean-smoothed driftwood. Locals can tell you a fall hurts.
The beach is a mix of gravelly sand, stones, rock shelves, and, of course, driftwood. The conglomerate rock and sandstone are well worth exploring at the lowest tides for intertidal life. Navigating the rock barriers can be difficult for some; compacted-earth options are available to return to the peninsula. Blackberry bushes and apple trees are just above the beach, offering seasonal fruit nourishment.
Returning to the start
The trek back to your vehicle reverses your arrival route: peninsula meadow, boardwalk, and a short earth section (last chance to divert to the bathroom) to the bog boardwalk, which leads to the “Welcome to Brooks Point Regional Park” greeting sign.
Did you catch some Zs on the beach?
Back to the start via the raised boardwalk (061525).
