Smelt Bay Provincial Park

Located on the southern peninsula of Cortes Island, Smelt Bay Park is named for the capelin fish that spawn ashore by the tens of thousands. Females lay up to 65,000 eggs on the shore in late September and early October, which hatch within three weeks. These small, silver fish draw a variety of other marine life to the area. The park features a beautiful beach that extends from the south end of Smelt Bay around the shoreline to Sutil Point. It is a great place for marine exploration at low tide. The beach is backed by mounds which are believed to have been built by Coast Salish First Nations as a form of defense. This is the only provincial campground on remote Cortes Island. It offers 22 spacious campsites laid out in a delightful setting in the woods, overlooking Smelt Bay.