Location
Smelt Bay is located on the southwest side of Cortes Island , 15 km south of the Whaletown Ferry Terminal on Sutil Point Road .

The park is accessible by boat and by car via a ferry from Campbell River Quadra Island (approx 15 minutes), then by another ferry from Quadra Island ( Heriot Bay ) to Cortes Island (Whaletown), approximately 45 minutes. Once on Cortes, follow signs to the park.
Boaters can reference marine chart #3538 and #3539 for more information about this area. Outdoor Activities
The park is named for the capelin fish that spawn in the autumn by the thousands. These small silver-green fish attract a variety of other marine life to the area, including salmon, seals, sea lions, seabirds and otters. Bald eagles, cormorants, herons and oystercatchers can also be seen here. There is a pebble beach that extends from the park frontage at the south end of Smelt Bay around the shoreline to Sutil Point. The beach is backed by mounds that are were built by Coast Salish First Nations as a form of defense. Canoeing and kayaking is popular in the calm waters of Smelt Bay and paddlers can set off from the beach or at the natural gravel boat launch located on the beach at the northwest corner of the park.

Picnicking
There is a day-use area located adjacent to the beach. Facilities include pit toilets, a grassy picnic area, parking lot, an information shelter and a sand and pebble beach. Nearby Mansons Landing and Hague Lake Provincial Parks offers additional day-use opportunities.

Camping
The 23 non-serviced campsites are laid out in a wonderful setting in the woods overlooking Smelt Bay . There are pit toilets and a cold water tap located with in the campground. Reservations can be made although there are sites held for campers arriving with out a reservation.

Prices
Camping costs $16.00 per night and there is a second vehicle charge of $8.00. An extra unit is allowed in an occupied campsite but there is a double booking cost of $16.00.
BC seniors over 65 with a gold card pay half price before June 15 and after Labor Day. During the full season seniors pay full price.

Reservations
To make a reservation in the campground please contact Discover Camping or phone them toll free at 1-800-689-9025.

Fires
Campfires are allowed in designated fire rings provided that a fire ban is not in effect. Firewood is provided to visitors and the cost is $7.00 per bundle or $18.00 for 3 bundles. It is illegal to burn wood or material from the forest because it is destructive and damages the protected ecosystems within the park.