Set on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria is renowned for its temperate climate. That reflects in the lush rainforest setting and prolific birdlife. The island location means that many of the city's parks are ocean side, offering either broad sandy shorelines for beachcombing or the rugged west coast terrain beloved by hikers.
East Sooke Regional Park is the place to find that rugged west coast hiking trail. Mount Douglas Park provides an equal challenge but it's all up hill. Witty's Lagoon Regional Park and Island View Regional Park are all about birding. Goldstream Provincial Park is home to the October chum salmon run while Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is into fun on the water for people. Sidney Spit in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve is a great daytrip from Victoria. But every park has more than one reason to visit it so read on for the full story on each of these special places.
Learn More About Highlight Parks in Victoria
East Sooke Regional Park
Witty's Lagoon Regional Park
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
Mount Douglas Park
Island View Beach Regional Park
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
Goldstream Provincial Park
East Sooke Regional Park
The 50km/31mi of trails through East Sooke Regional Park deliver a version of the west coast outdoors to suit everyone.
What's special:
- From Aylard Farm there is an easy walk through open fields to a pocket beach peppered with tidal pools. Keep and eye out for the river otters who scurry across the beach.
- Anderson Cove in the Sooke Basin is where hikers set off for Babbington Hill and Mount Maguire where the bald eagles, turkey vultures and red-tailed hawks hang out.
- The Coast Trail is a challenging 10km/6mi hike through windswept granite outcrops, crashing surf and dense, moss-shrouded tree forms.
- Sweeping views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic Peninsula with its snow-capped mountains.
Close to
The park is a 45-minute drive west of downtown Victoria via Highway 14.
More information
East Sooke Regional Park Site
Witty's Lagoon Regional Park
Begin at the Nature Centre for some insight into the park's natural and cultural history, then pick up a map and hit the 5km/3mi of trails through woodlands, lagoons and marshlands. With over 160 documented bird species in the park there is lots to look and listen for – belted kingfishers, orange-crowned warblers and dark-eye juncos to start with. Don't miss the platform across the lagoon. It provides a great view of Sitting Lady Falls, especially after heavy rains. With its wide sandy beach, the park is also a wonderful place to picnic and play in the water.
Close to
The park is a 35-minute drive west of downtown Victoria via Highway 1A.
More Information
Witty's Lagoon Regional Park Site
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
Elk/Beaver Lake are two lakes connected by a shallow, marshy inlet. The lakes are edged with wetlands and backed by grasslands that disappear into the Douglas fir forest. With bufflehead ducks diving in the lake and osprey circling overhead it's a park that cries out for a camera.
It's also well-used by the locals, with swimmers, wind surfers, sailors, water-skiers, fishers and paddlers all using the lake. Hikers, cyclists and horseback riders share many of the trails while some are designated hiking only. There is a large sandy beach and pleasant places to picnic under sweeping willows.
Close to
The park is a 20-minute drive from downtown Victoria via Highway 17.
More information
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park Site
Mount Douglas Park
Mount Douglas Park is known for the native wildflowers that blanket the park each spring. But any season is a good time to drive the steep, winding road to the 213m/70ft summit for magnificent 360-degree views of Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula and the Sooke Hills. On a clear day there are sweeping vistas of the snow-clad Cascade and Olympic Mountains as well as the Gulf and San Juan Islands. Back at the base of the mountain, stroll the shores of Cordova Bay or follow hiking trails back up the mountain by foot.
Close to
Mount Douglas Park is a 15-minute drive from downtown Victoria.
Island View Beach Regional Park
This park reminds one that Vancouver Island is surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Wide sandy beaches encourage walking, beach combing or just pulling up a log to watch the waves come in and the waves go out. But there is more. Much of the park's square footage is actually given over to the marshlands that back the beach. This is where the seabirds and shorebirds live. As well, migratory birds stop over to probe the tidal areas for the crawly critters they need to fatten up on. The Circle Walk provides a good vantage for bird watching but step carefully because they sometimes make unwise choices about where they lay their eggs.
Close to
The park is a 30-minute drive north of downtown Victoria via Highway 17.
More information
Island View Beach Regional Park Site
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve – Sidney Spit
The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve was established in 2003 to protect portions of BC's beautiful Gulf Islands archipelago. The reserve includes specific parcels of land and intertidal areas on fifteen different islands, numerous islets plus marine areas that provide habitat for seals and nesting shorebirds.
The Sidney Spit is a part of that reserve. It is located on the northern third of Sidney Island, a popular daytrip for residents and visitors to Victoria. Large numbers of shorebirds populate the island including the largest colony of Blue Herons in the Gulf Islands. Other wildlife seen in the area: whales, sea lions, seals, porpoises, eagles, turkey vultures, falcons, seabirds and deer. Activities on Sidney Spit include beachcombing, swimming, camping, kayaking and walking the well-marked trails.
The Gulf Islands are also home to many ancestral sites of the Coast Salish First Nations.
Camping
There are two drive-in campgrounds: McDonald Campground (on Vancouver Island just south of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal) and Prior Centennial Campground (on North Pender Island), both of which can be reserved by calling 1-877-737-3783 or click here.
Walk-in and/or wilderness camping is available at some sites including Sidney Spit. No reservations for individual campsites.
Close to
Sidney Spit is accessed by a passenger-only ferry from the Town of Sidney, a 30-minute drive from downtown Victoria on Highway 17. Other park reserve lands are dispersed throughout the Gulf Islands area. BC Ferries services some of these islands. Others may be accessible only by private boat.
More information
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve Site
Goldstream Provincial Park
Just 16km/10mi to the north of BC's capital city, Goldstream Provincial Park is a refreshing walk in the great outdoors. The easily accessed trails crisscross a forested landscape that is distinguished by the presence of a 600-year-old Douglas fir and a pretentious 47.5m/155ft waterfall that calls itself "Niagara." Ambitious hikers tackle the Mt Finlayson trail, a steep track that leads to the highest elevation in the area.
But the park's great claim to fame is the chum salmon spawning run that occurs in October and November. A boardwalk into the habitat makes it easy for visitors to take a close look at the spawning salmon and the bald eagles who swoop down to feed on their spent bodies. The Freeman King Visitor Centre offers interpretive programs, informative lectures, exhibits, snacks and a gift shop.
Camping
There are 173 vehicle-access sites (75 are reservable) open over an extended season March 15 – October 30. Winter camping permitted but no services.
Close to
The park is located 16km/10mi northwest of Victoria on Highway 1.
More information
Goldstream Provincial Park Site
Play a part in protecting BC's forests. Abide by local park rules, exercise caution and ensure all fires are extinguished. For more information of BC forest fires click here. To report a forest fire within BC from a cell phone, call *5555.
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