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

There are three trailhead entrances leading visitors to the summit. The trails leading to the summit are considered moderately-difficult because of the elevation hiking required.

Phillimore Point Road

Mud Bay Park is a waterfront destination consisting of marsh like conditions and exposed tidal flats located in Boundary Bay south of the community of Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Activities enjoyed include walking, biking and birdwatching.

Mud Bay Park Loop

Surrey

Fish Creek Park is a community recreation destination exploring along three paved and gravel paths through a very well maintained demonstration forest on the banks of Fish Creek.

119 Avenue

Fort St. John

Victoria's Thetis Lake Regional Park is a lake, beach and woodland park located in the area of Langford - View Royal which is situated north of the City of Victoria, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada.

Six Mile Rd

Victoria

Hikers, bikers, dog walkers and roller bladders enjoy the 8 kilometre paved loop trail and side roads called the "Wasa Lions Way" path. For a slower pace, there is a short 2.7 kilometre interpretive path named the "Forest of the Rainshadow" which begins at the amphitheatre near the campground.

Kimberley

Some of the main highlights in the park include a beautiful white shelled beach, a sheltered lagoon and a network of hiking trails. The main trail in the park is the 3 kilometre hiking trail exploring Gray Peninsula.

Montague Park Road

Star Lake is located near the community of Gold River, BC on Vancouver Island, Canada. The small lake is a recreation destination situated in the back country forests south of the community.

Gold River

McClymont Park in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada featuring 3 Totem Poles popular for walkers, roller bladers, mountain bikers and joggers.

Highway 16

Prince Rupert

The lakes are recreation areas featuring man made reservoir lakes and BC Hydro Dams located north of Mission, British Columbia, Canada. Some of the summer activities include hiking, boating, fishing, swimming, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, boating, camping, sightseeing, sunbathing and picnic.

Hayward Lake Road

Mission

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

Vanderhoof

The mountain resort is a year round recreation destination. Hiking, mountain biking and exploring in the Summer. Skiing, snowboarding in the winter. This ski resort is known for it's deep powder.

Courtenay

The park is a recreation destination for hiking, sightseeing, birdwatching and picnicking. There a few short hiking trails in the park. Some explore the cliff views, while others explore a forest.

Burrill Road

Telkwa Village is a small riverfront community on the shores of the Bulkley and Telkwa Rivers, east of the community of Smithers, BC., Canada. The Village of Telkwa is rich in history, close to major adventure parks, activity destinations, rivers and lakes.

Highway 16

Telkwa

The reserve is a protected wildlife sanctuary located within the Fraser River delta near the community of Ladner, BC, Canada. The area covered by the management area includes Ladner Lagoon, Ladner Marsh and the islands of Woodward, Barber, Duck, Rose, Kirkland, Gunn and Williamson. Activities includ

Ferry Road.

Ladner

In the village of Squamish, BC is a small floral garden identified by a wooden bridge and a large rock monument named Lily's Park. Both park markers can be seen from the highway.

Cleveland Ave

Squamish