Kayaking Deep Cove to Granite Falls: Overnight Camping Guide
The kayak trip from Deep Cove to Granite Falls is one of the most accessible overnight paddling routes near Vancouver. I’ve kayaked Passage Canal in Alaska and the waters around Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island, but this was by far the longest trip I’ve taken on the water.
The paddle to Granite Falls is 18 km each way, along the shores of Indian Arm. Before I left, I thought it would be really tough but it wasn’t. With a bit of planning, an early start and the right gear, it’s a very doable overnight trip even for a beginner paddler.
In this guide I cover all the necessary information to plan this kayak trip: from overnight parking in Deep Cove, tides, wind, kayak rentals and the route itself.
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Granite Falls Kayaking Trip Overview
Getting There & Overnight Parking in Deep Cove
Deep Cove is just a 30-minute drive from Downtown and one of the best day trips from Vancouver. This also makes it one of the most accessible starting points for an overnight kayaking trip. That said, this little village gets very busy, especially on weekends. Most spots near the village have a 3-hour parking maximum, which obviously doesn’t work if you’re leaving your car overnight.
The most popular option is street parking along Deep Cove Road, where overnight parking is free and unrestricted. We arrived before 8am on a Saturday and had no trouble finding a spot near My Little School. But don’t leave it too late, as these spots go fast on weekends.
If Deep Cove Road is full, Cates Park in North Vancouver is your next best option. It’s about 3 km from Deep Cove and charges an overnight parking fee, but you can also launch your kayak directly from there if you don’t mind the extra kms on the water.
Kayaking Rentals in Deep Cove
If you don’t own a kayak, you can rent one at either Deep Cove or Cates Park. We kayaked to Granite Falls in June and rented a double kayak in Deep Cove. If you decide to do an overnight kayaking trip in July or August, you’ll only be able to rent a kayak from Cates Park.
A double kayak overnight rental from Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak costs $179. We added an extra day for $89, which gave us a bit more flexibility on the return and meant we didn’t have to stress about getting back by a certain time.
The Cates Park kayaking rates are a bit lower at $135 for 24 hours or $189 for 48 hours for a double kayak.
You can also rent a kayak from other locations in Vancouver, but you’ll then need to transport the kayak yourself.
If you don’t have a Paddle Canada Level 1 certification, Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak will only rent you a double kayak for an overnight trip. This is because double kayaks are more stable than singles, providing more balance when faced with stronger wind and waves.
How Difficult is the Paddle to Granite Falls?
The Deep Cove to Granite Falls route is moderately difficult and the main factor to consider is the wind. Southerly winds tend to funnel down Indian Arm in the afternoon and can make paddling a lot harder. But if you leave early and time the tides right, the trip is very doable.
Unless you’re a strong and experienced kayaker, I would not recommend doing the paddle to Granite Falls in a day. This was our first long kayaking trip and honestly the hardest part wasn’t the distance, but the afternoon wind.
This being said, you do need to be comfortable paddling for several hours without a long break. If you’ve never kayaked before, Granite Falls might be a bit too far for a first trip. Twin Islands is a much better starting point and just 5.5 km long one-way.
How Long is the Deep Cove to Granite Falls Paddle?
The paddle from Deep Cove to Granite Falls is 18 km long one way, so if done over 2 days it’s 36 km total. The way in to Granite Falls took us about 3.5 hours including stops and the way back around 4 hours.
The steep cliff sides along Indian Arm prevent landing, so there are very few stops on the route to Granite Falls.
One of the best stops on the way in is near Silver Falls. We decided to stop slightly before on a rocky public beach. Whether you’re heading up or coming back, I’d recommend staying on the western side of Indian Arm. There’s noticeably less boat traffic on this side, which makes for a calmer, safer paddle.
When is the Best Time to Leave?
The best time to leave for a kayaking trip in the Indian Arm is early in the morning. The Indian Arm is notorious for its strong southerly winds, which pick up around noon and build throughout the afternoon until about 6 pm. The waters turn quickly from a calm paddle into a choppy and exhausting trip.
I would plan getting on the water between 6:30 am and 8:30 am. We were unfortunately tied to Deep Cove Canoe and Kayak’s opening hours, which meant we didn’t hit the water until around 9:30 am. By the time we reached the final stretch to Granite Falls, the wind had already picked up and the water was very choppy. That last hour was a grind. If you can get on the water earlier, do it.
Tides in Indian Arm: What to Know
Beyond wind, you’ll also want to time your departure around the tides. You should check the tide tables and aim to launch from Deep Cove close to low tide. This will mean that the rising tide will work with you on the way up the arm, making the trip a lot easier.
Low tide for us was at 6:30 am, but since we couldn’t get on the water until the kayak shop opened, we missed it entirely and paddled without the benefit of the rising tide behind us.
On the return trip, plan to leave Granite Falls early enough to be back in Deep Cove before the afternoon winds pick up around noon. We left around 8 am but I would advise leaving even earlier. The first hour of our paddle was amazing with calm waters and almost no boat traffic.
Camping at Granite Falls
There are three campsites in the Indian Arm that can only be access by boat or kayak. For all three no reservations are required and there are no fees.
The closest campsite to Deep Cove is Twin Islands (5.5 km), which tends to be busy on weekends. The second campsite is Berg’s Landing at Bishop Creek. The third campsite is Granite Falls.
We paddled 18 km one way to Granite Falls, where we stayed overnight. If you can handle the cold, the pool at the base of the waterfall is great for a swim. The water is absolutely freezing but so worth it.
The tent spots are given on a first-come first served basis, but the surface area is big enough to accommodate almost every kayaker. The campsites sit close to the water so you’re almost guaranteed a site with a view.
There is also a food cache and two outhouses. If you’re visiting on a weekend, consider bringing a bear bag as a backup in case the bear caches are full. You can filter water straight from the waterfall and campfires are not allowed year-round.
We camped at Granite Falls over a weekend and arrived around 1 pm. At that point, there were still at least 4 campsites available but by the end of the day all campsite were taken. The earlier you arrive the better your chances of securing a spot.
If Granite Falls campground is too full, Berg’s Landing tends to be less crowded and have more available space for camping.
What We Packed on Our Kayaking Trip
Since we rented a double kayak at Deep Cove, the PFD life jacket, a bilge pump, a paddle float and tow rope and all the necessary kayaking safety gear were provided.
Different to a backpacking trip or any other trip of this sort, everything you bring on the trip goes in the kayak. While the three main storage compartments are watertight, I recommend putting all your items in dry bags to avoid water getting everything wet. If you don’t have dry bags, you can also use thick plastic bags and double wrap, if needed.
For camping, you’ll need a tent, sleeping pad, sleeping pad, a camp stove with fuel, water filter and food for 2 days. A few years back we’ve upgraded our camping gear and since then this Jetboil stove saved us so much time cooking! Another item we’d buy again is our MSR water filter! It’s so light and easy to carry improving at large our camping experience.
There is no signal at Granite Falls, so download offline maps in advance and use a satellite communication system in case of emergencies.
For clothing, pack quick-dry layers, sun protection, a wind jacket, a down jacket or warm clothes. You’ll be exposed to sun the entire journey, so a hat, sunscreen and a sun hoodie are no negotiables.
Don’t forget about a basic first aid kit and paddling gloves. The skin between my thumb and index finger always starts to get sore after a few hours of paddling, and gloves made a noticeable difference on a trip this long.
For some extra comfort, carry a small folding chair, a cards game, a few refreshing drinks and lots of snack as a reward for the hard work.
Route Breakdown Deep Cove to Granite Falls
Deep Cove to Twin Islands
Distance: 5.5 km | Paddling Time: 1-1.5 hours
From the Deep Cove kayak rental shop, we headed north up the western side of Indian Arm. This stretch is lined up with beautiful waterfront homes. I spent most of the time pointing out the ones I could picture myself living in.
Keep paddling on the left of the Indian Arm to avoid the motorboat traffic. At this point you’ll be able to spot first Jug Island, then Raccoon Island followed by Twin Islands. If you need a break, you can stop at Twin Islands to stretch your legs or take a swim. This will imply crossing the channel to move on the east side. You can also stop here for camping but camping is only permitted in the north of the Twin Islands.
Twin Islands is an easier overnight camping alternative to Granite Falls. The trip is shorter and better suited to those new to paddling.
Twin Islands to Silver Falls
Distance: 6 km | Paddling Time: 1-1.5 hours
From Twin Islands onwards you’ll notice less waterfront houses and more wilderness. On the eastern shore you’ll spot the Bunzen Lake Power Houses from the early 1900s but you’re not allowed to land here.
On our way in, we spotted a lot of seals either swimming nearby or resting on the rocks. Just before Silver Falls and next to some waterfront houses, we spotted a small public beach where we decided to make our first stop. Soon after we reached Silver Falls, which is one of the main highlights on this kayaking route.
Silver Falls to Croker Island
Distance: 4 km | Paddling Time: 45 min to 1 hour
The section from Silver Falls to Croker Island was the most difficult on this journey. Winds had already picked up by this point and the water was very choppy.
From Berg’s Landing we crossed the waters to paddle past the southern side of Croker Island. We had to put a bit more effort in crossing past this section before having calmer waters.
Arrival at Granite Falls
Distance: 2 km | Paddling Time: 20-30 minutes
Granite Falls sits on the eastern side of Indian Arm. There is a beach you’ll see as soon as you cross the waters of Croker Island. Pull your kayak well above the tideline and tie it securely to a tree.
To see the falls you need to walk around the corner. Once you’ve claimed a campsite, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Granite Falls pool. Many also hike to the top of Granite Falls but watch out for the slippery rocks.
Our Granite Falls Experience
The trip to Granite Falls was my first ever kayak camping trip. I’d paddled before at Telegraph Cove on Vancouver Island after hiking Cape Scott Trail and in the Passage Canal in Alaska, but I’d never combined a kayak with a tent and two days on the water. Well, I loved every bit of it.
There are a few things that I’ve learned the hard way on this trip. First, use your core muscles to paddle, not your arms. You’ll really notice the difference the next morning. Second, your legs will go numb after about an hour and a half of sitting in the kayak, so plan regular stops to stretch. And third, pack a pair of paddling gloves. The friction from the paddles adds up over 18 km and your hands will thank you.
As I mentioned above, we could not leave as early as we wanted because we rented a kayak and they only opened at 9 am. But if you can, leave before 8 am to avoid the strong afternoon winds in the Indian Arm.
The Granite Falls campsite is amazing. Most of the sites are spaced along the waterfront so you’ll most likely have a great view. I also recommend swimming in the ice cold pool at Granite Falls. It is cold but on a sunny day you’ll feel amazing after.
On the way back, leave early to enjoy calm waters. We paddled so peacefully for a few hours and really got to enjoy the return route.
Tips for Kayaking Deep Cove to Granite Falls
- Start kayaking before 8 am in each direction if you can. This way you’ll avoid the strong afternoon winds forming in the Indian Arm, as well as boat traffic.
- Paddling along the western side of the Indian Arm is recommended as it generally has less boat traffic.
- Wear kayak gloves if you have sensitive skin. It helped me paddle more comfortably without worrying about blisters.
- Wear sun cream or a sun hoodie as you’ll be exposed to sun the entire trip.
- If you don’t have dry bags, use two bin bag to protect your gear.
- Enjoy the journey and take in the wildlife and fjord landscape around you!
If you’re looking for more overnight kayaking trips near Vancouver, I’d check out Broken Group Islands in Pacific Rim National Park. You can also combine this trip can with 3 days in Tofino or a road trip from Nanaimo to Tofino.
