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.
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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.
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72 Parks in British Columbia
51 - 60 of 72 Results
51
Hwy 1
Squilax, British Columbia
V0E 1M3
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-955-0861
In early October, Adams River hosts one of the largest Sockeye salmon runs in North America. The park also features spectacular rapids enthusiastically used by rafters & kayakers. A beautiful waterfall on Bear Creek is viewable from Flume Trail System. Great location for fishing, hiking, kayaking & river rafting.
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52
Beaver Point Rd
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
V8K 1M3
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Ruckle Provincial Park has 7 km of ocean shoreline offering hours of enjoyable exploration. Watch pleasure boats, ferries, sea lions & other marine life or walk 15 km of easy to difficult trails following the shoreline & park areas.
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53
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Shannon Falls is composed of a series of cliffs, rising 335 meters above Hwy 99, making it the third highest falls in the province. This park provides picnicking, hiking & access to the trail into Stawamus Chief Provincial Park.
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54
Hwy 1
Squilax, British Columbia
V0E 1M3
Website
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
A very popular destination, the park has a 1 km stretch of sandy, pebbled beach offering those of all ages fun water activities & shoreline adventure. Also offers a large grassy play area & self-guiding nature trail.
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55
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
This park provides trails & viewing areas for visitors wishing to experience the awesome power of incredibly turbulent tidal rapids. On a 3 metre tide, 200 billion gallons of water flow through the narrows connecting Sechelt & Jervis Inlet. This is a great location for hiking, kayaking & canoeing.
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56
10 Km West Of Gold Bridge
Gold Bridge, British Columbia
V0K 1P0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Visitors will have an outstanding wilderness experience with interconnecting trail systems through valleys & ridges. The over 150 km of trails offer an excellent variety of loop trips of varying difficulty & distances for hikers, horse riders & mountain bikers.
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57
Hwy 37
Iskut, British Columbia
V0J 1K0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Spatsizi is one of Canada's largest & most significant parks. True wilderness atmosphere, outstanding scenery & varied terrain make this park an excellent place for hiking, nature study & wildlife viewing. Proper gear, transportation arrangements & NTS maps are prerequisites.
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58
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
This park protects massive granite cliffs & provides rock climbing opportunities of international significance. The park also offers opportunities for camping, hiking & scenic viewing atop the Chief with rewarding views of Howe Sound, Squamish & surrounding areas.
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59
West Of Lytton
Lytton, British Columbia
V0K 1Z0
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free800-663-7867
Phone604-660-2421
This wilderness park protects the Stein River watershed. With spectacular scenery, outstanding historical, cultural and spiritual values, it offers hiking trails (moderate to difficult), cable crossings, suspension bridge and wilderness campsites. Visitors must be self-sufficient and prepared for anything. Also great freshwater fishing.
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60
Km 595 Of Alaska Hwy
Alaska Highway, British Columbia
V1A 3L6
Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone800-663-7867
Stone Mountain Provincial Park offers mountain wilderness & introduces Alaska Hwy travellers to spectacular landscapes & incredible wildlife viewing opportunities in the Northern Rocky Mountains. For the adventuresome, backcountry hiking routes lead to mountain valleys offering alpine meadows & lakes. Fishing & kayaking/canoeing are permitted. Please visit our website for more details.
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