Midway between Courtenay and Campbell River, a broad sandy beach is the main attraction at Miracle Beach Provincial Park. At low tide, the same shore is broken by rich tide pools, and a short network of forest trails leads down to the sand from the campground and the day-use parking lots.
The park is 22 kilometres north of Courtenay and 22 kilometres south of Campbell River, off Highway 19A. From Highway 19, take exit 144 (Hamm Road) to Highway 19A, head north a short distance to Miracle Beach Drive, and drive about two kilometres straight into the park. Nearby communities include the Comox Valley and Merville. The park covers 135 hectares. BC Parks says the government purchased the first 57 hectares in 1950 from Frank Pottage, and that later additions brought the park to its present size by 1972.
Beach, trails and tide pools
There are about two kilometres of walking trails in the park, through second-growth and some old-growth forest. Most of the trails start at the north beach parking lot; some follow Black Creek and the estuary at the northwest end of the park. A designated dog-walking trail is accessible from the same parking lot. Dogs are prohibited from the estuary and north beach areas. Bicycles must keep to roadways and are not permitted on park trails, including e-bikes.
Wide sandy beaches make for good ocean swimming, especially at the south beach day-use area. The beach has rocky areas with barnacles and shells, so footwear is recommended. There are no lifeguards on duty. In your exploration of the tide pools, BC Parks asks visitors to put overturned rocks back in their original position, and to look but not touch or remove shells or marine organisms.
A viewing platform and fish weir near the BC Parks office at the park entrance offer a place to watch Black Creek, particularly in spring and fall when salmon are spawning. The Nature House, according to the park page, opens on weekends from the May long weekend until Labour Day, and daily from late June through Labour Day. The park is operated with BC Parks by Quality Recreation Ltd. Check the official park page for current dates and advisories before you go.
Good to know
- The park is 22 kilometres north of Courtenay and 22 kilometres south of Campbell River, off Highway 19A via exit 144.
- About two kilometres of walking trails lead through the forest to the beach and along Black Creek.
- Bicycles are not allowed on the trails. Dogs are prohibited from the estuary and north beach areas.
- Leave tide-pool life where you find it, and put overturned rocks back in place.
Photo: Brian Burger, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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