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

Lost Lake is a trout lake. Most fly fish when on the lake. Be aware there is limited shoreline for casting. Belly boats and hip waiters work best on this lake. It is possible to hike in a canoe if fitness levels are good.

Beaver Lake Road

Winfield

Kayakers usually plan a visit after launching from Lund on their way to the marine wonders of Desolation Sound. Scuba diving draws people to the area to explore the underwater reefs and marine activity as Copeland has many protected bays and sheltered inlets to explore.

Lund

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

Cascade Falls Regional Park is located Northeast of Mission, BC, near the small community of Deroche.

Ridgeview Rd

Mission

Influencer:

Hardy Falls Regional Park is a hiking and sightseeing destination located on the south end of Peachland, BC, Canada in the Okanagan Valley. The waterfall park includes a salmon spawning river named Deep Creek and a well maintained hiking trail leading to the falls.

Hardy Road

Peachland

The pebbled beach is a popular destination for watching sunsets and sunrises, as well as, swimming and sightseeing.

Van Anda

The village is a collection of buildings, artifacts and stories dating back to the early 1900's providing a quick glimpse into the lives and hardships of the early pioneers, miners and trappers.

Highway 97

Dawson Creek

Bourbor Falls Trail in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia, Canada is a short 800 metre path connecting to a cliff side viewpoint looking out over a river at Boubor Falls. The 1 hour return hike provides a great opportunity to view a towering waterfall without a long, hard hike.

Murray River Forest Service Road

Tumbler Ridge

A small two level park with a short pebbled walkway leading through a tunnel into an open area surrounded by brick walls fronting floral gardens.

1st Ave

Prince Rupert

Moricetown Canyon is the home of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation people - one of the five First Nation communities located on or near Hwy 16. The main attraction is the Bulkley River, the Morice Canyon, the fish ladders and the wooden fish huts used for fishing.

Highway 16

Smithers

The pathway acts as a transportation link connecting various parts of the community together accessed by hikers, walkers, bikers, roller bladders, joggers, dog walkers, xc skiers and snowshoers.

Whistler

Home to the the "World's Largest Fly Rod", gardens, water fountain, playground and some information boards about the community of Houston BC.

Highway 16

Houston

Green Timbers Urban Forest is a protected area outfitted with a network of recreation trails, a lake, meadow, wetland and the Surrey Nature Centre. The activities enjoyed in the natural forest include hiking, walking, birdwatching, jogging, fishing and sightseeing.

100 Avenue

Surrey

Alaska Highway from Dawson Creek to Fort Nelson in British Columbia, Canada. It is a total distance of 482 kilometres (300 miles). It is a forested route with rolling hills, mountain views and possible wildlife sightings.

Alaska Highway

Dawson Creek

The trails are activity trails which explore the farmlands, in and around, the community of Abbotsford, BC, Canada. The trails follow raised dykes including the Arnold (7.3 Kilometres), Vedder and Sumas River (8 kilometres), Borrowtown (4.5 kilometres) and the Mackay (1.5 kilometres). They are popul

Arnold Road

Abbotsford