Waterfront Camping in Vancouver, British Columbia
Porteau Cove Park
On Howe Sound between Vancouver and Squamish, Porteau Cove Park puts campsites, cabins, picnic areas, a rock-and-pebble beach, paddling access, and two paved boat launches beside the same shoreline. The current operator notice says drinking water is unavailable, so bring your own water and recheck the advisory before leaving.
Porteau Cove Park
Plan your visit
What to know before you go.
BC Parks places the park 38 km north of Vancouver.
Full service runs March 1 to November 11, with partial winter service.
The operator says drinking water is unavailable until further notice.
The operator lists two paved boat launches and dock/mooring options.
BC Parks lists a beach but no lifeguards.
Daytime parking is open until 10pm; overnight day-use parking requires a gatehouse permit.
Showers are listed as a facility, with winter closure noted by the operator.
BC Parks says marine life is protected within park boundaries.
Best For
Good To Know
The operator's current advisory says water is unavailable due to lead contamination, so bring enough potable water for cooking, drinking, and cleanup unless the notice changes.
Do not leave a vehicle in day-use parking overnight without a gatehouse permit; the operator lists limited overnight permits and separate second-vehicle fees.
Camping Setup
- Camping and cabins
- BC Parks and the operator list vehicle-accessible camping, walk-in camping, winter camping, and cabins at Porteau Cove.
- Service season
- The operator lists full service from March 1 to November 11 and partial service from November 12 to February 28.
- Reservations
- Use BC Parks' reservation service for camping and recheck operator fees for the specific site, cabin, docking, mooring, or parking setup you need. Open BC Parks reservations
Water Access
- Boat launches
- The operator lists two paved boat launches, with docks and mooring available through the park fee schedule.
- Paddling
- BC Parks lists canoeing and kayaking, but says the nearest canoe and kayak rentals are in Squamish.
- Beach
- The shoreline is a rock-and-pebble beach with no lifeguards, and BC Parks warns that offshore winds can pick up quickly.
Services And Rules
- Water advisory
- The operator currently tells visitors to bring their own water until further notice.
- Washrooms and showers
- BC Parks lists pit toilets, flush toilets, and showers, while the operator notes winter shower closure during partial service.
- Marine protection
- BC Parks says all marine life is protected inside park boundaries, with fishing or harvesting not allowed there.
Official Info
- BC Parks page
- Use BC Parks for park rules, activity notes, reservations, and conservation guidance. Open BC Parks page
- Operator page
- Use Sea to Sky Park Services for current water, parking, gatehouse, fee, and facility notices. Open operator page
- Phone
- 604-986-9371
Questions People Ask
Is Porteau Cove Park open for camping year-round?
Yes. The operator lists year-round camping with full service from March 1 to November 11 and partial service from November 12 to February 28.
Do I need to bring drinking water to Porteau Cove?
Yes, unless the operator advisory has been lifted. The current notice says water is unavailable due to lead contamination and visitors should bring their own.
Can I launch a boat at Porteau Cove?
Yes. The operator lists two paved boat launches, with dock and mooring options also listed in the park services and fees.
Is the beach supervised?
No. BC Parks says there are no lifeguards on duty at Porteau Cove.
Can I fish or collect shellfish in the park?
No. BC Parks says all marine life is protected within park boundaries and that fishing or harvesting is not allowed there.
Where do I arrange overnight parking if I am not parking at a campsite?
The operator says overnight day-use parking permits are available only from the gatehouse and that space is limited.
SourcesShow source links
Page facts are backed by official, operator, map, or supporting source links. Internal social research signals are not shown here.
Official And Operator
- BC ParksOfficial page
- Sea to Sky Park ServicesOperator page
- BC ParksOfficial page
Google And Maps
- CampnabSupporting article