Parks
BC Park Ranger, Cypress Provincial Park (BC Parks photo)
Epic mountains, sparkling lakes, living rainforests and oceanside trails – there are hundreds of parks in BC to explore.
From the world-ranked Stanley Park in the heart of Vancouver to Gwaii Haanas, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that puts the "wild" into wilderness, British Columbia is renowned for having the most extensive parks system in Canada – there are nearly 1,000 provincial parks and protected areas, plus many more national and city parks.
Walking and hiking are a given in virtually every park. Beyond that, there is wildlife viewing and bird watching, backpacking, camping, kayaking and canoeing, swimming, fishing and boating, skiing and boarding, mountain biking and mountaineering. In 2011, both BC Parks and Parks Canada celebrated their 100th anniversaries.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Three of BC's parks are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, signifying that they are a protected area of global significance.
Read More
National Geographic Traveler Award
Protecting the natural environment is crucially important, and BC is recognized as a world leader in this area. In 2009, Kootenay and Yoho national parks were jointly ranked second in the world (first in North America) by National Geographic Traveler's annual survey on destination stewardship.
Learn more about BC's Parks by Region and City
Geographically, parks in the province are divided into six regions and three cities:
Vancouver
Victoria
Whistler
Which Park to Visit
Visitors are spoiled for choice when determining which BC park to visit. Pick from some of BC's most unique or interesting parks according to special interest below, or by the region/city (above). Additional information on the province's stunning regional and provincial parks is listed on each of the regional and city pages. Or explore trip ideas about some family-friendly parks and provincial park highlights.
Ocean-Front Parks:
East Sooke Regional Park, Cape Scott Provincial Park, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, Naikoon Provincial Park, Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Tribune Bay Provincial Park, Newcastle Island Marine Provincial Park, French Beach Provincial Park
Canoeing, Boating and Kayaking:
Princess Louisa Marine Provincial Park, Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park, Bowron Lake Provincial Park Canoe Circuit, Broken Group Islands (Pacific Rim National Park Reserve), K'nabiyaaxl/Ashdown Conservancy
Marine Hot Springs:
Bishop Bay Hot Springs (Monkey Beach Conservancy), Shearwater Hot Springs Conservancy
Big Mountains:
Stone Mountain Provincial Park, Northern Rocky Mountains Provincial Parks, Strathcona Provincial Park, Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, Kootenay National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park, Glacier National Park, Yoho National Park, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Wells Gray Provincial Park, Manning Provincial Park
Warm Water Lakes and Beaches:
Golden Ears Provincial Park, Lost Lake Park, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, Gladstone Provincial Park
First Nations Culture:
Gwaii Haanas National Park and Haida Heritage Site, Nisga'a Memorial Lava Bed Provincial Park
Birding:
Witty's Lagoon Regional Park, Island View Regional Park, Vaseux Lake Provincial Park
Salmon Spawning:
Goldstream Provincial Park, Capilano River Park and Salmon Hatchery, Roderick Haig-Brown Provincial Park
Practical Information about BC Parks
Camping:
Many parks offer camping facilities – both vehicle-access and wilderness sites. The typical camping season is mid-May to mid-September although opportunities also abound for winter camping. Some parks accept reservations, others don't. Check the specific park's listing. Campers in the backcountry should practice "leave no trace" ethics.
Wildlife:
Although interactions are rare, most of BC's parks are in wilderness areas, so it is important for visitors on the trails to be "bear aware."
Pets:
Watch for signage, but dogs on leash are usually welcome in most city parks and off-leash areas are designated. In wilderness areas, pets are generally discouraged and sometimes prohibited because of problems with wildlife, bears in particular. Check the specific park's website to be certain.
Seasons:
While most parks are open year round, winter weather can close trails and make conditions treacherous. Visitors need to check trail conditions and ensure they are appropriately equipped and knowledgeable about the terrain and winter conditions. Check the specific park's website for trail conditions.
Play a part in protecting BC's forests. Abide by local park rules, exercise caution and ensure all fires are extinguished. For more information on BC forest fires, click here. To report a forest fire within BC from a cell phone, call *5555.
Read Less
Show me Parks close to:
or
Main Address
Activity/Branch/Terminal
Visitor Centres
72 Parks in British Columbia
41 - 50 of 72 Results
41
Mount Seymour Provincial Park
North Vancouver, British Columbia
V7P 3B4
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
The park offers many trails of various lengths & difficulty for hikers & mountain bikers with viewpoints overlooking the city of Vancouver. There are opportunities for bird & wildlife viewing, along with day-use picnicking & skiing/snowshoeing winter activities.
More Details
42
Km 765 Of Alaska Hwy
Muncho Lake, British Columbia
V0C 1Z0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free800-663-7867
Phone250-776-7000
Spectacular folded mountains, bountiful wildlife, brilliantly coloured wildflowers are just some of the wonders to discover. The southern portion of the park has the impressive geological formations of Folded Mountain, formed by tectonic deformation of limestone.
More Details
43
Southeast Of Kelowna
Kelowna, British Columbia
V1Y 6C9
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
The park has provincial recreational appeal & provides long term recreational opportunities for the Okanagan Valley including the scenic Myra Canyon, a number of existing trails & the historic Kettle Valley Railway with its trestles & tunnels.
More Details
44
Hwy 16
Masset, British Columbia
V0T 1M0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free800-663-7867
Phone604-660-2421
From Rose Point, at the northeast tip of Graham Island, lay broad, sandy beaches that stretch to form the eastern and northern boundaries of this unique park. Naikoon lies within the Hecate Depression, a trough between the Outer Mountains to the west & the Coast Mountains on the mainland to the east.
More Details
45
NW Of Alexis Creek
Alexis Creek, British Columbia
V0L 1A0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Nazko Lake Provincial Park provides canoeing, fishing, camping & wildlife viewing in a natural environment, while protecting extensive wetlands. This is a wilderness park, offering a 2 to 3 day wilderness canoe circuit, along with 2 rustic, vehicle-access campgrounds.
More Details
46
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Accessed by boat or local ferry. Early 1930's ships from Vancouver brought people to the island for outings. Visitors now can camp, walk & hike trails that lead to various historic points. The pavilion offers a variety of facilities.
More Details
47
90 Km SW Of Fort Nelson
Fort Nelson, British Columbia
V0C 1R0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Northern Rocky Mountains Park offers an exciting array of visual & recreational features & opportunities for the backcountry adventurer. Recreation activities include scenery & wildlife viewing, angling, boating, adventure tourism, camping, mountaineering, hiking, horseback riding & nature photography.
More Details
48
2185 Ocean Terrace Rd
Ucluelet, British Columbia
V0R 3A0
Websitehttp://www.pc.gc.ca/pacrim
Toll-free
Phone250-726-4212
The 3 units of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve; Long Beach, the West Coast Trail & Broken Group Islands protect the near shore waters & coastal forest of Vancouver Island's West Coast. The traditional territories of the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nations encompass this park reserve. Each unit of the park offers a unique experience; Long Beach is famous for its long sandy beaches & rainforest trails. The Broken Group Islands are an archipelago of more than a hundred islands & islets in Barkley Sound. The West Coast Trail is a challenging 75 km historic hiking route along sandstone cliffs, waterfalls & beaches. For pricing information, please check our website, pc.gc.ca/pacrim.
More Details
49
Junction Of Hwy 99 And Interstate 5
Vancouver, British Columbia
V5T 1V9
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Peace Arch Provincial Park straddles the 49th parallel and commemorates a lasting peace between Canada and the USA. Its beautiful lawns and gardens provides opportunities for walking, indoor and outdoor picnicking and a playground for children.
More Details
50
Hwy 19A
Parksville, British Columbia
V9P 1N4
Website
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is a very popular destination on Vancouver Island. A kilometre long sandy beach is inviting for all ages to play & explore the shoreline. Visitors can walk amongst old growth trees & watch beautiful ocean sunsets. Interpretive centre on-site.
More Details