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

Howard Lake near Village of Lone Butte is a high elevation lake under deep forest cover situated in the hills above Canim Lake.

Canim Lake Road

Nearby Community: Lone Butte

Canim - Mahood Waterfall Trail is a short, leisurely 1 kilometre hike along a very well maintained wheelchair access hiking trail leading to two, yes two, spectacular waterfalls.

Mahood Lake Road

Nearby Community: 100 Mile House

The massive lake is popular for camping, water skiing, canoeing, boating, hiking, fishing and swimming during the summer months. During the winter months people arrive at the lake to ice fish.

Highway 97

Nearby Community: Lac La Hache

The 2,322 hectare park is located west of 100 Mile House, BC, Canada and consists of 12 small lakes surrounded by wetland bogs and marshlands, connected by canoe portage routes.

1117 Forest Service Road

Nearby Community: 100 Mile House

Located west of the community of 100 Mile House, the lake is a popular fishing and wilderness camping destination situated at an elevation of 1219 metres (4000 feet).

800 Forest Service Road

Nearby Community: 100 Mile House

Extensive network of trails used by hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and cross country skiers. The vast maze of trails explores various eco systems including meadows, lakes, wetland swamps, rock bluffs and forests filled with Aspen, Lodgepole Pine and Spruce trees

Smedley Road

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

The village is reminiscent of the living and working conditions of the people who worked the land in the 1920's when the settlers were heavily committed to their farms and families.

Highway 16

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

The 1870's Telegraph Wilderness Trail in Vanderhoof, British Columbia, Canada is a historic trek following the same route traveled by many pioneers and settlers when laying down the Collin's Overland Telegraph Line linking North America to Europe.

Blackwater Road

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

The small park is located on Kenney Dam Road and overlooks the high banks of Stoney Creek protected by two towering Totem Poles.

Kenney Dam Road

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

The park was established in 1944 and rests on the shores of the mighty Nechako River north of the community. The park is a recreation destination and is part of a designated bird sanctuary.

Burrard Avenue

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

A long haul, one-way 15 kilometre backpacking, horseback riding, xc skiing and mountain biking wilderness route following the same historical footsteps as the Carrier First Nation People.

Striegler Rd

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

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

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

A full day or a multi day wilderness hike exploring forests, lakes, creeks and meadows in the backcountry wilderness regions near the community.

Kluskus Forest Service Road

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

The Greer Falls Hiking Trail follows a well maintained, pine needled cushioned path for approximately 1.2 kilometre one-way to a waterfall and picnic site.

Kluskus

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

Ferland Park is a central playground and picnic area that is easily accessible while in the community. A walking path dissects the park, connecting streets, directing people to the various play areas in the park like the Kinsmen Spray Park (water park).

Church Street

Nearby Community: Vanderhoof

The moderate hiking route provides explorers with far reaching canyon, river and mountain views. The route is an opportunity to view Murray Canyon while learning about the local flora and fauna.

Highway 29