Descanso Bay Regional Park

Reservations and Information:
(250) 247-8255

Camp by the sea all year round at Descanso Bay Regional Park on scenic Gabriola Island. Descanso Bay Regional Park is located at 595 Taylor Bay Road, only a short distance from the ferry terminal. The Regional Park offers 32 camping sites on a beautiful 40-acre oceanfront property. Two oyster bays provide many delights for kayakers and other boaters as well as picnickers, campers and hikers. The Regional Park is also adjacent to the 113 acre Cox Community Park which has a network of trails through a well established forest setting. For information on other Gabriola parks, click here.

Camping Fees

High Season (April to September)

All sites: $17.00 per night
Extra vehicle: $8.50 per night
Extra vehicle consecutive-day stay pass: $55.00.
Off-season (October to March)

All sites: $10 per night
Extra vehicle: $5 per night
Non-profit youth group camping rate: $2.50 per head per night

Campground Rules

Maximum 4 adults (18 yrs and over) per site and 8 people total. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Maximum per site: 1 vehicle with a trailer or an RV; or 1 vehicle with up to 2 tents. Extra vehicle charge applies.
Dogs must be on leash including at campsites. Please pick up after your dog; deposit doggie-do bags into garbage dumpster.
Quiet time is enforced from 11 pm to 7 am. Generator run times are restricted to mid-day. At no time are disturbances accepted.
Alcohol is restricted to campsites; disruptive behaviour is not tolerated.
Campfires are permitted in campsite fire rings only. Please do not leave fires unattended, and do not cut or remove any underbrush, branches, shrubs or trees for use in a fire or for roasting food. Firewood may be purchased at the park.
Potable water is available throughout the park. Please do not wash at the water taps, leave taps running or waste water. NB: the sodium levels in the park water are higher than those recommended in the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines for persons on a severely sodium-restricted diet. For the average person, sodium levels are well within acceptable limits.
Park flora and fauna are protected. Please leave the trees, plants, flowers, sea weed and shells as they are: they are not surplus but each performing an important role in the park's ecosystem.

Park Use Regulation

Horne Lake Regional Park is governed by RDN Park Use Regulation Bylaws 1399 and 1399.01. Click here to view and print a copy of the Bylaws.

Park Use Permits
A permit is required for special use of a Regional District of Nanaimo Park. Special uses include but are not limited to events, commercial recreation, filming and research. Click here to view and print a Park Use Permit application form.

Water System Annual Report

2011 Water System Annual Report for Descanso Bay Regional Park