A Little about Mussel Beach
The present road in is a Forestry road call Barkley Main which is presently being upgraded, the way in is signed at the various turn offs and is 8kms of solid base surface but can be slow going in parts if it hasn’t been graded recently. All types of cars, RV’s and trailer travel the road at a slow pace which takes an average of 20 minutes. The campground is located on 153 acres which has one mile of ocean front. The daily campground occupies 3000 ft of south facing ocean front with 60 sites, 30 of them being ocean front. The sites them selves are kept natural and vary in sizes some can accommodate two families. There is a 1/2 acre beach front site with it’s own vehicle entrance, two water font access with a burn between them to shelter the wind, which can accommodate large groups. Presently there is no hydro available on the property therefore no hook ups.
There are hot showers heated by propane, 12 pit toilets, Rain water is collected in large tanks and is available for wash water so bring in drinking water.
The view to the east is the Broken Island Group which is part of the Pacific Rim National park reserve consisting of over 100 islands with a back drop of coastal mountain range, to the south open pacific ocean and a little to the southwest a view of chrows Island.
There is access to miles of foreshore going east and west of the campground, between high and low tides is a mixture of moonscape type gullies with various size tidal pools teaming with sea life, sandy and flat bare rock areas, sea caves, huge old growth cedars and spruce tree at waters edge. You can spend days wandering along theses beaches peering into tidal pools marveling at the sea life amongst or beneath the rocks. Hunt through the float sum for interesting discoveries as glass balls, fishing floats, shells, and drift wood.
Watch the eagles, sea lions, harbor seals, otters, black bears, mink and many different water foul foraging for their daily food. Watch the various whale watching, fishing and all sorts of sea going traffic passing by the campground on their regular routines.
In summer at high tide car top boats can be launched for excellent salmon fishing, kayaking, scuba diving as the area is protected by the summer westerly winds.
You can watch Grey Whales as they migrate up and down the coast from March through to September from shore. There 15 feet high blows, backs, tails and even their broaching can clearly be seen and even photographed from shore.
We enjoy a temperate climate with year round temperature ranges from 5
To 25’ C. snow fall is minimal with 328 frost free days with 2000 hours of sunshine a year.
During the winter months, you can see nature at it’s wildest; the large surf is great for watching the surf boarders riding the massive long waves or just watch them thundering amongst the rocky shore line sending foaming ocean spray whipped by the wind high into the air.
Other notable attractions in the area are the towns of Ucluelet and Tofino with the famous Long Beach National Federal Park with its 30 kilometers of sandy beaches.
Take a stroll a long the Wild Pacific Trail system located in the District of Ucluelet which skirts the rugged cliffs and shore line meandering through the rain forest on board walks with open view of the pacific. Details of the trail can be obtained from http://www.longbeachmaps.com/wildtrail.html.