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

Along the shores of the pond is a short dirt walking and biking trail providing views of the lake. The gravel hiking route is part of the TCT (Trans Canada Trail). Along the dirt path are a series of viewing benches overlooking the pond.

9th Street S

Cranbrook

The small recreation site is a two tiered campground with a small day use park. The lower tier of campsites rest on the shores of the lake and have lake access. The top tier backs onto the forest with views of the lake. They tend to be more private.

Jaffray

The park is a recreation and historical destination situated on the banks of the Harrison River located west of the villages of Agassiz and Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada. The activities enjoyed include fishing, water skiing, boating, swimming, camping, picnicking and birdwatching.

School Road

Agassiz

The public park is separated and sheltered from the highway by a family of Ponderosa Pines. Because of the location of the park to the highway, the park is a popular stop when traveling the Okanagan Valley.

Hardy Road

Peachland

The park is a garden park and walking destination measuring over 13 hectares. The park is not developed with many amenities but it has grown naturally surrounded by groves of trees, flower gardens, a waterfall and pond... and there are walking paths for exploring.

Jamieson Court

New Westminster

Kickininee Provincial Park is a 49 hectare park on the shores of Okanagan Lake, between Penticton and Summerland, consisting of 3 small separate pebbled beach parks named the Kickininee, Soorimpt and Pyramid.

Highway #97

Penticton

National Geographic IMAX Theatre is a large scale attraction located in the City of Victoria, British Columbia, (B.C.), Canada on Vancouver Island.

675 Belleville St

Victoria

Indian Head - McIntyre Bluff is a mountain of white granite towering 265 metres providing far reaching views near the communities of Oliver and Okanagan Falls, British Columbia, Canada.

300 Covert Place

Oliver

The park is a popular launching point for boats and kayaks because of the protected waters and ease of access to the launch

East Road

Grey Canal Swan Lake East in Vernon BC Canada is a scenic 8+ kilometre walk through old remnants from BC's longest irrigation channel.

7979 Baker Hogg Rd

Vernon

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

The Desous Mountain trail system is designed for mountain bikers, but be aware that hikers and horseback riders also explore the back country in this area. The trails start at the top of Desous Mountain at an elevation of 1327 metres from a large gravel parking lot.

Desous Mtn. Road

Williams Lake

Fountain Lake (Kwotlenemo Lake) near lillooet is popular for fishing, mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking and camping.

Fountain Valley Road

Lillooet

The Descanso Bay Regional Park is a convenient and easily accessible destination for kayaking, swimming, beachcombing, fishing and camping.

aylor Bay Road

Centennial Park is a leisure park and trail destination located in the small community of 100 Mile House, British Columbia, Canada. The wide open spaces, the Bridge Creek Trail and the well maintained grass lawns provide an ideal setting for summer activities.

Cedar Avenue

100 Mile House