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Fillongley
Fillongley Provincial Park is located on the north-east side of
Denman Island. Denman Island is situated on the east side of Vancouver
Island, approximately 29 km (18 miles) south-east of Courtenay
and 47 km (29 miles) north-east of Qualicum
Beach.
BC
Ferries
To get to Denman
Island, take BC Ferries scheduled sailing from Buckley Bay on
Vancouver Island across Baynes Sound in the Salish Sea (Strait of
Georgia) to Denman Island. The Denman Island ferry is the same vessel
that you would take to go to Hornby
Island in order to connect with the BC Ferries scheduled service
from Gravelly Bay.
Getting
to Fillongley Provincial Park
After you cross Baynes Sound by ferry to Denman Island, Fillongley
Provincial Park is another 4 km (2.5 miles) away by road. To get
there, follow Denman Road through Denman Village towards the ferry
terminal for Hornby Island at Gravelly Bay, then just as you approach
the east side of Denman Island, follow the direction sign for Fillongley
Provincial Park and turn left onto Swan Road. After a short distance,
turn right onto Beadnell Road and travel to the end where you can
find the entrance to the park.
George
Beadnell
The land that Fillongley Provincial Park sits on was originally
the homestead of an Englishman named George Beadnell who had settled
here at the turn of the 20th century. George Beadnell, a medical
doctor, built Fillongley into one of the most beautiful estates
in all of the Gulf Islands. He died in 1958 at the age of 89, and
as part of his Will, the estate was bequeathed to the province of
British Columbia with a request that he was to be buried in the
park and the park retain the name. His grave is located along the
Homestead Trail, next to some beautiful heritage trees that were
brought from England.
Watersports
The park is ideal for exploring the waters around Denman Island
and Hornby Island via kayaks, canoes, windsurfing, swimming, and
beachcombing. There is no boat launch present - the nearest one
is conveniently situated at Bill Mee Park, only 10 km (6 miles)
away on East Road, just past the ferry terminal to Hornby Island
at Gravelly Bay. Just remember, as with all provincial parks, there
are no lifeguards present and all swimming and watersports are done
at your own risk.
Facilities
The facilities at Fillongley Provincial Park are limited but do
include a day-use area with picnic tables near the beach, pit-toilets,
some hiking trails, and a small parking lot next to the ocean. For
cold water, there is a hand pump located about 75 metres (250 feet)
from the campground on Creek Trail; unfortunately, the water must
be boiled, treated, and possibly filtered prior to consumption.
There are fire-pit rings located at each campsite. If you require
some, firewood can be bought from the local Park Facility Operator.
Gravel
Beach
The beach is comprised mainly of gravel and coarse sand with lots
of driftwood scattered along the shoreline washed up from winter
storms. Many areas along the ocean offer plenty of privacy for relaxing
while enjoying the views across Lambert Channel to Phipps Point
and Mount Geoffrey Escarpment Provincial Park on Hornby Island.
Hiking
Trails
Besides the Homestead Trail, there are also a couple of short hiking
trails, including a 2 km (1.25 miles) wheelchair-accessible trail,
that lead you through the old estate of Fillongley. Here you can
find a very peaceful old-growth forest containing some large cedar
and fir trees, plus a salmon spawning area on Little George Creek.
Campground
There is a small campground at Fillongley Provincial Park containing
only ten vehicle-accessible campsites. The campsites are very compact,
located next to each other with very little privacy between them.
The campground is open all year long but has limited service and
security between the time of October 16 to March 28, with campers
required to be self sufficient, but there is a reduced fee.
Discover
Camping
During the summer season, eight campsites are kept for reservation
purposes with the remaining two being on a being first-come, first-served
basis. If you want to stay here during your visit to Denman Island,
it is recommended that you make reservations by using the BC Parks
Discover Camping Reservation Service during the period of May 15
to September's Labour Day long-weekend. After the Labour Day long-weekend,
reservations are no longer available with the campsites staying
open on first-come, first-served basis.
Denman
Island Provincial Parks
Besides Fillongley Provincial Park, there are two other provincial
parks on Denman Island. Boyle Point Provincial Park on the south
end offers a beautiful walking trail that takes you to a lookout
point of the Chrome Island Lighthouse and a spectacular southerly
view of Baynes Sound. During the walk, there are several Bald eagle
nests in the large second-growth trees next to the rocky shoreline
(about a 20 minute walk). Then, at the north end of Denman Island,
there is Sandy Island Marine Park (Jáji7em and Kw'ulh Marine
Park) where at low tide or by boat, you can access Tree Island and
the Seal Islets.
BC
Parks
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Fillongley Provincial
Park
Beach at Fillongley
Provincial Park
Fillongley Provincial
Park Campground
Beach at Fillongley
Provincial Park
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