British Columbia Parks and Trails

Planning adventures in our British Columbia Parks and Trails

Parks, hiking trails, historic sites, heritage sites, rivers, lakes and natural areas in BC Canada

British Columbia parks and trails in Canada covers every type of landscape and seascape including mountain ranges, rivers, lakes, glaciers, forests, wetlands, wildlife, ecological and heritage. All play a big part in the creation of our BC parks system. Some of our BC Parks and heritage trails tells the long history of Canada. Others are for protection of wildlife, floral and fauna. Then there are those strictly designed for adventures and leisure living outdoors. There are over 11,400,000 hectares of BC parkland in Canada with over 2,700 kilometres of hiking and mountain biking trails.

British Columbia Parks & Trails

Over 800+ BC Parks in the province

There are over 800 or so British Columbia parks in Canada. This, by no means, is the total number of wilderness and recreation parks in British Columbia, Canada as there are many others that do not fall under the Provincial umbrella. Other parks in the province includes a few National parks and many smaller community, regional, hyro and forestry recreation parks located throughout the province. Only 12.5% of our province is protected by BC Parks and 0.6% is protected by National Parks.

Provincial & National Parks

Provincial & National Parks

Provincial and National Parks are the most popular parks in the province. Some of the BC parks are very well developed with day use areas, amphitheaters, museums, parking lots, campgrounds, boat launches, showers and washrooms. Then there are others, generally more rural, that are left in their natural state.

Many of the Provincial and National parks in British Columbia include access to very popular Canadian outdoor activities including backpacking, boating, water skiiing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding plus camping. There are 340 Provincial Parks with campgrounds (11,075 campsites) in British Columbia. Many have a "pay to use" format in place. Here is a list of all the activities popular in our BC Parks system.

Community & Regional Parks

Community & Regional Parks

Community and Regional Parks are, relatively a lot smaller than Provincial and National Parks. Many are located near communities and include such items as picnic tables, sitting benches, playgrounds, band stands, paved walking trails, flower gardens, skateboard parks, viewpoints, washrooms, museums, swimming, and/or info boards. It is important to read our information pages on each park for the available amenties.

Forestry Recreation Sites

Forestry Recreation Sites

Forestry Recreation Sites are the most rural and remote British Columbia park destinations. They are often located on rough gravel roads leading deep into the backcountry to rivers and lakes. The British Columbia parks and recreation sites are more campsite than park with no power, pit toilets and sometimes a gravel boat launch but more often a roof top boat launch. Forestry Recreation Sites are self maintained. Please leave no trace behind. Pack out what you pack in! Under each community on this website is a list of all the parks in the region.

British Columbia Parks and Trails in Canada Summary

British Columbia parks and trails are used for many occasions and activities. The Khutzeymateen Provincial Park is Canada's only grizzly bear sanctuary. The Tweedsmuir Provincial Park is British Columbia's largest provincial park covering 989,616 hectares. On Vancouver Island the 440 metre Della Falls in Strathcona Park is Canada's highest waterfall and is one of the ten highest falls in the world!

Parks are an important part of our province providing thousands an opportunity to enjoy the wilderness outdoors. It is said 6 out of 10 people living in BC visit a park every year.

The British Columbia parks and recreation sites are here for yours and our tourism enjoyment. Please help us care for them and respect them. Do not leave garbage behind. Do not feed the wildlife. Always ask questions on the services, amenities, fees and rules to live by when in the park.

British Columbia Parks and Trails in Canada

Click the BC Regions below to view parks, trails and places in that area.

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Parks and Trails

Gulf Islands

Gulf Islands Parks and Trails

Haida Gwaii

Haida Gwaii Parks and Trails

Kootenay

Kootenay Parks and Trails

Lower Mainland

Lower Mainland Parks and Trails

North BC

North BC Parks and Trails

Okanagan

Okanagan Parks and Trails

Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Parks and Trails

Thompson Shuswap

Thompson Shuswap Parks and Trails

Vancouver Island

Whistler Area

Whistler Region Parks and Trails

Old Growth Alley interpretive route is a difficult trail located along Highway 16, a few minutes south of Crow's Nest store

Highway 16

Tlell

Influencer:

The river park is situated under the peaks of Steamboat Mountain. It is a campground, day use area and recreation destination for activities like fishing, hiking, camping, picnicking, horseback riding and sightseeing.

Highway 97

Fort Nelson

Hague Lake Park on Cortes Island is a recreation lake named Hague Lake. The lake is a popular swimming hole, canoe lake, hiking area and beachcombing destination on the island.

Kw'as Bay Rd

Mansons Landing

Kindersley Pass Trail is a challenging full day 10 km one-way hiking adventure exploring forested valleys and mountain peaks in the Kootenay National Park near the Town of Radium, British Columbia, Canada.
Kindersley Trail

Highway #93

Radium Hot Springs

The bird sanctuary was first established in 1944.The Nechako River runs through Vanderhoof and the sanctuary is on the migratory bird path known as the "Pacific Flyway".

Burrard Avenue

Vanderhoof

Florencia Beach is one of many of the beautiful beaches located in the Pacific Rim National Park located near the Town of Tofino and just north of the community of Ucluelet, BC, Canada on Vancouver Island.

Tofino, Ulcuelet

Mowat Bay is a perfect beach for families and friends. The area enjoys a sandy beach, cement theatre like benches, boat launch and great scenery. This is said to be one of the best beach destinations in the Powell River area.

Mowat Street

Powell River

River Valley Trail in Williams Lake, Central Cariboo-Chilcotin Region, British Columbia, Canada is a 12 kilometre community pathway navigating a valley of eco systems while following the Williams Lake River.

McKenzie Avenue

Williams Lake

Shoen Lake Provincial Park is a remote and rugged park destination located north of the community of Campbell River, BC on Vancouver Island, Canada. The park is a tough and rough, natural park with a network of wilderness trails surrounding Shoen Lake.

Davie Road

Campbell River

A forest walk leading to a beautiful, clear lake near Radium Hot Springs - relatively short, little elevation gain - a good hike for anyone rain or shine.

Hwy 93

Radium Hot Springs

Influencer:

The Holland Creek Trail is located in the community of Ladysmith, BC, Canada in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. The hiking trail is easily accessible from many points in the community and is well maintained , as well as, acts as a connector trail accessing other hiking trails

Ladysmith

The Tex Lyon Trail is a historical hiking trail dating back to the 1940s when the north end of the island was in a deep state of discovery. The hiking trail was a trail used by people traveling between Port Hardy and Fort Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. The trail is a little used route today whic

Port Hardy

Central Park is located in Burnaby, BC. The park measures over 90+ hectares and is situated on the border of Downtown Vancouver and Burnaby.

Kingsway Street

Burnaby

The park is a wilderness park with very little services, development and maintenance. Some of the more popular activities enjoyed in the park include canoeing, kayaking, fishing, backpacking, wilderness camping, hiking, off roading, boating, birdwatching, wildlife sightseeing, photography, swimming,

Quarry Road

Coquitlam