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April 22, 2014 was Earth Day and in honour of that, I’ve been showcasing photos of National and Provincial Parks of British Columbia and Canada on my Facebook page. In a happy coincidence, I also found out it was National Parks Week in the US.
While seeking photos of Provincial and National Parks I realized that despite traveling through most of the country, I haven’t been to many parks outside of BC. I’ve visited a lot of parks in British Columbia, mostly through random hiking adventures and the occasional camping experience.
Here is a collection of some of the most memorable parks I’ve visited in British Columbia. Some of these I featured on my Facebook page this past week, plus I’ve added a few more favourite parks from this beautiful province that I get to call home.
Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park
Last summer while in the Okanagan I explored the Myra Canyon Trestle Bridges which is a part of the Myra-Bellevue Provincial Park. I really enjoyed exploring all the trestle bridges and seeing what can happen when a community comes together when disaster strikes. The park itself is very large and the canyon is only a small portion of the park. There are a number of other trails that you can hike and the park is open for horses and horseback riding as well.
E.C. Manning Provincial Park
I’ve gone camping a number of time at Manning Park. Located a 3 hours drive from Vancouver, there is plenty to do in this park. There are many camping areas, but be warned, the ones along Lightning Lake go the fastest. If full fledged camping isn’t your thing, there are also cabins (and a whole resort complex) that you can book. These go even faster so book early.
The water is so clear
There is plenty to do in the park from hiking to hanging out by the lake. There is also the option to rent boats, kayaks and canoes. Fishing is also possible within the park’s rivers and lakes. You can take a drive up to Cascade Lookout and get a beautiful view of the whole park. While I’ve only gone in the summer, the park also has a mini ski hill which you can enjoy in the winter. It looks like it would be a good place for a beginner to pick up a winter sport.
MacMillan Provincial Park
MacMillan Provincial Park is one of my favorite provincial parks simply because you can visit Cathedral Grove and hug a tree. 800 year old Douglas fir trees tower above with the biggest reaching 75 m (250 ft) tall and 9 m (29 ft) wide. That’s a massive tree! You feel so small up against it.
Located on Vancouver Island, Cathedral Grove is a must visit, especially if you’re en route to Tofino or Ucluelet on the west side of the island. The highway runs right through the middle of the park so you can’t miss it. The south side is where you will find the biggest tree and to the north you can wander through ancient Western red cedars. The paths are wide and easy to walk, making it accommodating for all. Even if the weather is crappy like it was during my visit, it’s still so gorgeous.
I feel so small!
Before you enter the park, make sure you stop off at the Coombs General Store and grab some ice cream. You’ll know you’re there when you spot the goats on the roof.
Pacific Rim National Park
The view looking down to Long Beach from Radar Hill, a war memorial site.
The Pacific Rim National Park runs along the left coast of Vancouver Island. Known for its beautiful coast lines and rainforests, the park is split up into three areas: Long Beach, the Broken Group islands and the West Coast Trail. I’ve only visited the Long Beach portion of the park which is located a short drive away from Tofino and Ucluelet.
The beaches in this area are long with waves coming in from the open Pacific Ocean making it a mecca for surfing enthusiasts. Even if you’re just learning, there are plenty of businesses in the area who offer lessons. I visited during a grey and wet April and opted to stay out of the water, but I’ll have to go back one day and try my hand at some surfing!
Beyond the beach, there are lots of trails and hikes available. The park provides interpretive programs as well which introduces you to the flora and fauna in the area and explore some of the park’s history. There are options to camp directly in the park, or you can stay in nearby Tofino or Ucluelet.
Looks so eerie doesn’t it?
For more about the Pacific Rim National Park, check out the posts at Wanderlust Megan. She went on a solo camping trip (!!!) last summer to the region and has shared a lot of her experiences in her blog.
Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park
Visiting Desolation Sound Marine Provincial Park is probably the coolest provincial park I’ve visited, all because of the circumstance that surrounds it. In high school (yes I’m talking years ago, but it’s too memorable to not mention), I was given the opportunity to learn how to sail in Desolation Sound. The name is no joke, it really is desolate, but so serene and beautiful. Desolation Sound is located on the Sunshine Coast of BC, 150 km north of Vancouver.
I’m on a boat! I could have sworn I had a pic of me behind the wheel, but this will have to do.
I was on a boat with 5 of my friends and an instructor learning how to sail and navigate. At the end of it I came away with a boating license. I like to joke that I learned how to drive a boat before I even sat behind the wheel of a car. Not that I’ve been boating since. I also found out during that trip that I don’t like being on a small (if you call 40 ft small) boat.
We went on a hike up the mountain to see a waterfall. That’ll be our boat in the background.
Hurray for pre-digital camera days, but I think the red flare adds something to the image doesn’t it?
The only way to see this park is on the water either by boat or kayak, the latter you can rent from nearby Powell River. The park has more than 60 km of shoreline, several islands and numerous small bays and picturesque coves. There are plenty of trails and waterfalls to explore. There is an option to camp in the park as well. I would love to return to the area one day. It’s so beautiful.
Porteau Cove
For those unable to sail and visit the coves of Desolation Sound, you have Porteau Cove Provincial Park. An hours drive out of Vancouver, en route to Whistler, lies Porteau Cove on the most southerly fjord in North America.
I’ve only been here during the day, but there are options for camping or renting a cabin as well. You can go swimming, explore the beach and pier area or go windsurfing. This is also a popular place for scuba divers. Two ships were sunk in the area to provide interest for divers and to encourage marine life.
Which of these would you most like to visit? Do you like camping or do you prefer to stay where there is running water?
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I like to camp if there is running water. I get grouchy if I don’t have a shower! MacMillan Provincial Park looks awesome – I love hugging trees!
I’ve only gone camping once without a shower for 5 days. That was miserable. Never again. Hugging trees is a great past time 🙂
I think I would like to visit all of them, they all look amazing! 🙂
They all have something unique to offer for sure.
This is the ultimate dream post for outdoor lovers! I had heard of Desolation Sound (what an awesome name BTW!) and Pacific Rim, and I have harboured the idea of visiting BC for a long time. The idea of a sailing adventure sounds great, shame I suffer from sea sickness…
I think it is time for you to come for a visit then 🙂 Ah, sea sickness is not so fun. What if the waters are calm? There really is no movement on the waters at all.
BC looks stunning, I definitely need to head north.
Yes! Come to the great white north 🙂
Wow, it all looks beautiful! I visited Lake Louise when I was ten and many years later of just looking back at the pictures makes me want to go and explore some more. 🙂
I would love to go to Lake Louise and all the other beautiful parks across Canada. I went when I was really little and I don’t remember it at all. It looks so gorgeous in the pictures.
Love this. I’ll be doing a road and camping trip through BC and Alberta this summer, so I’m really looking forward to it!
Ohh awesome! Summer is really the best time to be in BC. Let me know if you end up in Vancouver!
You should check out Garibaldi Provincial Park as well. It has some gorgeous hikes and landscapes!
Thanks for the tip Angela. Garibaldi has always been on my radar and everyone tells me to go. There is a lake isn’t there? I’ll have to go this summer for sure.
If you want more information of the area and the hikes, I actually did a blog post on it. http://www.angelatravels.com/2013/07/garibaldi-provincial-park/
Thanks I’ll check it out!
With parks that pretty in BC, I can see why it’s hard to pass them up for exploration in the other provinces!
Canada is just too gorgeous. I hope to see some more of the parks outside this province.
Great collection Adelina! I’m ashamed to admit I haven’t visited many of these – someday!
There are an astounding amount of provincial parks in BC. Places that I had been, but had no idea were actually parks (shame on me!), and so many more that I had never even heard of. This is one cool province.
Beautiful pictures! That’s the best thing about Canada I think – the beautiful national parks! I love visiting the ones here in Alberta 🙂
There are so many beautiful parks in Alberta! I’ve been to a few when I was really young, but would love to go back now that I’m older (and can remember!)
People in BC are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to nearby parks with gorgeous scenery. It’s tough to choose, but those tall trees really leapt out at me. Stopping by Coombs General Store for some ice cream and goat spotting sounds like a good time, too. I think I like looking at the water but not actually being on it, so I figure I’d be doing a lot of hiking or driving if I was there.
The trees of Cathedral Grove are really awe inspiring. It’s crazy to think about how long they’ve been there and how much the world has changed since they started growing. Ice cream and goat spotting is definitely a good time.
These all look amazing especially Desolation Sound! I really want to come back to BC!
Desolation Sounds is definitely unique – not many parks where you can only access by boat.
What an amazing collection of parks and that’s awesome that you’ve been to so many! I’m saving this list for my “someday travel” collection of links for when we got to BC 🙂 I love those tall trees!!!
Thanks Lauren! There are so many beautiful parks in BC and all filled with gigantic trees for the hugging 🙂
The quiet beauty of these parks amazes me. And that you are a licensed boater! The shots of the water are really nice – thanks for sharing, Adelina.
Thanks Dave! BC is such a beautiful place. It always manages to surprise me. The license has no expiry on it, but I really wouldn’t trust me behind the wheel of a boat 😛
Beautiful pictures! Stunning place to see. such serenity in the views.
Thanks Bianca. BC is really a gorgeous place to be.
No camping for me!! I need running water and room service. BUT if I come, I want you take me to the beach so I too can have cool jump shot like that one – deal?
Done! Plenty of fab beaches in and around Vancouver 🙂
What a great collection of parks. I’m sad to say that I’ve never been to any of these beautiful parks. I’m having a hard time picking a favorite but I really like MacMillan Provincial Park. The grove looks stunning. Love the flashback photos!
Hugging trees and looking at how big they are seem to be a favorite for people. It was very cool to see them all up close.
I love camping and Maning Park seems like a great place to do it. But then so many other parks you’ve mentioned here would be great to visit.
There are so many great places to go camping in BC. You’ll have to come explore 🙂
Great post Adelina! I might be biased, but I think BC has the best parks in the world. The variety is so amazing! I’ve been to all of these except Porteau, and they are all amazing in their own unique way. Thanks for sharing (love the old photos!).
Porteau Cove is so easy to get to from Vancouver. You should check it out the next time you’re in Vancouver. There are so many beautiful parks in this province. There is no way to see them all!