The first phase of the campground redevelopment at Tribune Bay Park is nearing completion, giving people a mix of camping experiences at the popular destination known for its sprawling, white sandy beach and warm, shallow bay.

“Tribune Bay Park is a jewel in B.C. and people are drawn to this area to experience the natural beauty,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “The campground redevelopment provides a wider range of options for accommodation, supports the local economy and helps ensure people can enjoy this special area for years to come.”

Former private campground redesigned

In 2021, the Province purchased two properties on Hornby Island: the last remaining beachfront property on Tribune Bay and an existing private campground with approximately 120 sites. The former private campground has been redesigned with new facilities and a wider range of camping options that include, 66 gravel pull-through and back-in sites, including 24 electrified sites, nine accessible basic cabins that can accommodate as many as five people, new accessible pay showers and 10 new accessible pit toilets, a new playground with slides, an accessible flex swing, an accessible We-Go-Round and solid rubber play surface and improved access from the campground to the beach. 

In addition, more than 5,000 native shrubs, sedges and trees have been added to improve stormwater management, ecological health and privacy between sites when the shrubs and trees grow higher. BC Parks has assessed and retained as many healthy trees as possible, but several invasive plants and unstable trees were removed during construction. Visitors should expect full sun until the vegetation grows higher.

The aging picnic shelter in the original Tribune Bay Park day-use area has been replaced for the community and visitors to enjoy.

Planning continues for Phase 2

Approximately 45 campsites were removed from the old campground to accommodate the accessibility improvements. The displaced sites will be built in a different area of the park, with construction on Phase 2 anticipated to begin in 2027.

Options continue to be explored for the best location to build the remaining sites and amenities, and there will be opportunities for public engagement. Once both phases are complete, the total number of campsites will be similar to the total number of sites that were previously at the campground.

The cost of the first phase is approximately $7.2 million. The campground is scheduled to partially open on Thursday, May 28, with a full opening on June 10.