Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park is home to a scenic year-round hiking trail that offers forest, marsh, and ocean views.
The name of the park stems from its colourful history. In the late 1800s, a “pirate” by the name of Larry Kelly came to Canada after fighting for the confederates in the American Civil War. When the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, many unemployed Chinese workers tried to emigrate to the United States but were denied entry. Kelly assisted the Chinese to cross the border and used Smuggler Cove as a launching point. And later on in the 1920s, American prohibition alcohol smugglers would hide in the cove on the way down to the United States.
Location & Trail Notes
Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park is located near Halfmoon Bay & Secret Cove, and there is signage for the park along Highway 101.
If you’re heading north along the highway, you’ll need to turn left on Brooks Road (approximately one kilometre north of Halfmoon Bay). If you’re travelling south on Highway 101, you’ll need to turn right on Brooks Road, just before Halfmoon Bay. Follow the signage for approximately 3.5 kilometres to the end of Brooks Road. A parking area is available at the trailhead.
Since this is a marine provincial park, boaters can also access the park. BC Parks notes that entry from Welcome Passage is best made at low tide when reef and rock projections are visible, and that boaters should watch for drying and projecting reefs as they navigate around the cove. There are many eye bolts located along the shoreline to accommodate stern lines, and there are some excellent protected anchorage spots for boaters, with stern pins available. Vessels must keep sewage contained in holding tanks while at anchor; Smuggler Cove is closed to sewage discharge by federal regulation.
The Smuggler Cove trail takes about 40 minutes each way to hike. It’s approximately 2 kilometres in length, or 4 kilometres round-trip, and includes both gravel pathway and boardwalk sections. While the trail is mainly smooth and flat, there are a few roots and rocks along the way that do not make it suitable for wheeled walking aids.
The trail begins in a thickly forested area with lush greenery and arbutus trees, and shortly after, you'll reach several wooden walkways that are built over a marsh. Keep an eye out for wildlife as you hike the trail, including a variety of bird species—you may even want to bring some binoculars with you.
Continue following the trail as it climbs up to a high point above the entrance to Smuggler Cove. On sunny days, the water in the cove can be a translucent green. The trail continues along the high point towards the mouth of the cove, offering more viewpoints along the way as it begins to loop back. Soak in the beautiful views of the Salish Sea, Thormanby Island, and Texada Island.
The trail will descend down a hill and back to the junction where you began the loop. Continue to follow the trail back in the direction towards the parking lot by staying to the left. Follow the trail back to where you crossed the raised wooden platforms next to the bogs, and back through the wooded area to the parking lot.
Safety Notice
It’s important to obey posted signs and keep to designated trails, both for your own safety and for the preservation of the park. A few things to keep in mind include:
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Shortcutting trails can lead to the destruction of plant life and soil structure, which is why it’s important to keep to designated trails.
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The wooden walkways can sometimes become submerged during the winter months or after heavy rainfalls.
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Beavers are residents in Smuggler Cove Marine Provincial Park and while you are visiting their home, please be respectful of their wetland habitat and do not disturb the dam site. Other wildlife and plant species have flourished in this wetland environment as well, and it’s important that visitors help protect the inhabitants of the park.
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Keep pets on a leash at all times, and note that pets are not allowed in beach areas. Remember to pick up after your pets—their waste can act as an attractant to bears and other wildlife.
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Rockfish Conservation Areas occur within this park, meaning that fishing activities are limited. Before you go fishing please refer to the Rockfish Conservation Area descriptions available from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
Trail Map, Amenities, and More Information
Click here to view a general map of the park and more information on the BC Parks website. A more detailed map can be found on Trailforks.
Keep an eye out for interpretive signage along the trail, which is full of insights into the flora, fauna, and rich history of the park. Smuggler Cove’s amenities include a pit toilet located in the parking area. Accessibility information for the park can be found at accessibility.bcparks.ca.
