Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve/Haida Heritage Site    

Contact Information:
Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve/Haida Heritage Site 
P.O. Box 37
Queen Charlotte, B.C.
Canada V0T 1S0
250-559-8818

Size: 1,470 sq. km of land on 138 islands. 

Location: Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve/Haida Heritage Site is located in the southern part of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands), a remote archipelago off the British Columbia coast, 640 km north of Vancouver. It is accessible only by boat or float plane. More than 50 commercial operators offer services in the Archipelago from May-September. BC Ferries offers year-round service from Prince Rupert to Skidegate Landing on a seven-hour crossing. An Inside Passage ferry runs between Port Hardy (Vancouver Island) and Prince Rupert. Reservations are highly recommended. For more information call 1-888-223-3779 or go online. There are two main islands: Graham Island to the north and Moresby Island to the south, with a population of about 5000 people living in the communities of Sandspit, Village of Queen Charlotte, Skidegate, Tlell, Port Clements, Masset and Old Massett. 

Description: The rugged San Christoval Mountains, rocky coastline, and the remnants of native village sites offer a unique experience combining wilderness, solitude, spirituality and Haida culture. One of the finest old-growth temperate rainforests left on the Pacific coast remains relatively intact. Diversity of wildlife includes gray whales (migrating north during the spring), killer whales, humpback, sei, finback and minke whales, dolphins, porpoises, and harbor seals. Gwaii Haanas also includes an estimated 750,000 nesting seabirds and a large breeding colony of Steller's sea lions, located near Cape St. James.

Facilities and Activities: Facilities in the park are limited; there are no trails or designated campsites. Haida Gwaii Watchmen base camps have been established at major sites of cultural and natural significance. Watchmen provide site security and protection of the cultural features, and also provide visitors with the opportunity to hear firsthand of the living Haida culture. Visitor activities include camping, sea kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. It is mandatory that all Gwaii Haanas visitors attend an orientation session, which covers visitor safety, current hazards, and natural and cultural heritage.

Places to Stay: Parks Canada operates all campgrounds in Banff National Park. Demand is heaviest from June through September, with July and August being the busiest. Campground reservations can be made online or by calling  1-877-737-3783. 

Operating Hours: Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is open year round. The number of visitors entering the park each day is limited. Reservations are required for travel between May 1st and September 30th, with July being the busiest month. Available space is distributed between guided and independent travelers. A reservation is not required when traveling with a licensed tour operator.

History: Established in 1988.

See other Canadian National Parks
See other British Columbia National Parks