 Coast Mountains
Tom Ryan photo Make a reservation in advance in order to secure a spot at one of these following provincial park campgrounds: Alice Lake, Golden Ears, Manning, Porpoise Bay, Cultus Lake and Sasquatch. All are extremely popular with both tourists and locals.
A word or two on your excursion:
- Camping fees in effect
- Reservations may be required
- Pets may not be permitted in all parks
- Campfires may not be permitted in all parks
- No electrical hook-ups in provincial parks
- Please leave the area you visit undisturbed and be sure to carry out your garbage
A word or two on safety:
- Cougars, bears and other wildlife inhabit the region
Alice Lake Provincial Park
Surrounded by towering mountains, thick forest and grassy areas, Alice Lake provides an excellent home base from which to hike and mountain bike. In the summer, its four freshwater lakes make for good fishing and swimming. This is a terrific park for family excursions.
Alice Lake is situated off Highway 99, approximately 10 minutes north from Squamish.
> Alice Lake Park website.
Cultus Lake Provincial Park
Cultus Lake is home to four impressive campgrounds: Clear Creek, Delta Grove, Entrance Bay and Maple Bay. Famous for its large and warm freshwater lake, the area boasts pleasant scenery and thickly forested hiking routes. Water sports rule: there is ample opportunity for fishing, water-skiing and swimming. Families love the close proximity to waterslides, bumper boats, golf courses and restaurants.
Cultus Lake is located off Highway 1, two hours east from Vancouver.
> Cultus Lake Park website.
Golden Ears Provincial Park
One of the largest parks in the region, Golden Ears offers three campgrounds: Gold Creek, Alouette and North Beach. While delightfully picturesque, the area is perhaps most appreciated for its outstanding recreational opportunities. Swimming, windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, boating and fishing -in addition to an extensive network of hiking and equestrian trails- are hugely popular.
Golden Ears is a one-hour drive east from Vancouver via Highway 7.
> Golden Ears Park website.
Sasquatch Provincial Park
Sasquatch brings back campers year after year to its three wonderful campgrounds: Bench, Hicks Lake and Lakeside. Situated near the shores of Harrison Lake, southwestern BC's largest, the area offers the unparalleled scenery of a unique second-growth and birch forest plus mountain ridges. Recreational activities include canoeing, boating and fishing. After an active day, nothing beats sitting at dusk sharing stories about the legendary Sasquatch, said to roam the area!
Sasquatch is located off Highway 7, a two-hour drive east from Vancouver.
> Sasquatch Provincial Park website.
Manning Provincial Park
Manning is famous for its well-developed wilderness trail system that takes hikers through easily accessible flower-covered meadows, up forested mountains, down into deep valleys as well as by lakes and rivers. Favourite activities of visitors include fishing, swimming, horseback riding and canoeing. Campers can choose from four campgrounds: Coldspring, Lightning Lake, Hampton and Mule Deer.
Manning Park is located along Highway 3, a three-hour drive east from Vancouver.
> Manning Park website.
Porpoise Bay Provincial Park
Porpoise Bay is a great site for families, paddlers and those simply in search of some much-needed relaxation. Located at the south end of Sechelt Inlet, the area offers visitors a surfeit of swimmer-friendly sandy beaches - complete with views of a harbour seal or two! Forests and grassy areas surround campsites. This is an excellent launching point for paddlers exploring Sechelt Inlet.
Porpoise Bay is located off Highway 101, just minutes north of Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast.
> Porpoise Bay Park website.
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