Parks
Park in BC (JF Bergeron photo)
Large segments of central Vancouver Island's wilderness forests, pristine lakes and whitewater rivers are protected in a series of provincial and regional parks by Qualicum Beach.
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park offers cave tours of its deep caverns filled with crystals and unusual rock formations, and Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park has hiking trails and plenty of spots for family camping trips. For great picnicking sites, head to Spider Lake Provincial Park. The Heritage Forest is a pristine place to stroll among old-growth trees, and just one of the many community parks in Qualicum Beach.
Horne Lake Caves
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park (26km/16mi west of Qualicum Beach on Horne Lake Rd) is famed for its caverns and more than 1,000 caves. Group caving tours range from easy to extreme and take amateur spelunkers deep underground. The more challenging expeditions begin with a rappelling lesson and include a few tight, belly-crawling passages in the dark. Not for the claustrophobic! Camping, swimming and boating are popular at Horne Lake.
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Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park
The 440 ha/1,087ac Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park off Highway 4 is particularly popular with families. Within its boundaries are dozens of picnic tables, nearly 150 campsites (open from mid-March to mid-October) and a lovely trail around the river and cascading falls. Stretches of both the Big and Little Qualicum rivers are buffered by protected lands. A pleasant riverside trail begins at the Big Qualicum River Salmon Hatchery (see details under Hiking).
A little further down the highway towards Port Alberni, the cold, deep waters of Cameron Lake tempt brave swimmers and sailboarders (who ride the gusts that swirl down from the surrounding mountainsides).
Little Qualicum River Estuary Regional Conservation Area
The Little Qualicum River Estuary Regional Conservation Area is a few minutes west of the town of Qualicum Beach on Highway 19A. While most of the area is off-limits to all but the resident waterfowl, a boardwalk beginning at the end of Surfside Drive is great for birdwatching. Bald eagles arrive en masse in November to feed on spawning coho, chum and chinook salmon.
Spider Lake Provincial Park
Spider Lake Provincial Park is regarded as one of the best picnicking sites in the region, in addition to camping and swimming. Powerboats are prohibited on Spider Lake, creating peaceful conditions to go fishing in search of rainbow trout and smallmouth bass.
Community Park & Heritage Forest
Parks and green space account for more than 12% of Qualicum Beach. The winding footpaths in the Qualicum Beach Community Park (adjacent to the Ravensong Aquatic Centre on the town's western edge) is a favourite spot for a gentle stroll. Keep an eye out for the rare white ravens that have nested here in recent years.
One prized civic treasure is the Heritage Forest. Saved from developers in the mid-1990s by concerned citizens, the 20ha/50ac forest allows townies and visitors alike to wander happily through a pristine, old-growth ecosystem. The vast forest is accessible from Crescent Road East across from Qualicum Memorial Golf Course – just minutes away from Qualicum's town centre.
Dog-Friendly Areas
Best off-leash dog park in the region? The generous fenced area in the Qualicum Beach Community Park, right in the heart of town and accessible from the Ravensong Aquatic Centre's parking lot.
Park Maps
For maps and key information about parks near Qualicum Beach, pick up the Regional Parks and Trail Guide at the Visitor Centre.
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2 Parks in Qualicum Beach
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Websitehttp://www.bcparks.ca
Toll-free
Phone250-248-7829
You can experience the magic of the underground world by spelunking in the many caves protected within this unique park. Knowledgeable guides can lead visitors through the caves to discover this magical world of crystal formations & ancient fossils firsthand.
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2
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.
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