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

Morse Creek Pond Park in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada is a gem of a park nestled alongside Morse Creek with excellent wilderness walking trails leading to a great day of hiking and exploring creek habitat and west coast forests.

2nd Avenue

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

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

Highway 16

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

The area is a popular destination for hikers, but also for wildlife. Visiting Oliver Lake and hiking the Dwarf Forest Trail provides a good opportunity to view Bald Eagles and Ravens.

Ridley Island Rd

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

Service Park in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada is an elevated park located in the centre of the commercial district of Prince Rupert, BC. The park sits on a hillside on Fulton Street surrounded by floral gardens, protected by Totem Poles and dissected by a paved walking path.

Fulton Street

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

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

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

The park is an ideal destination for bird watching and photography. It is a chance for casual walks and pleasant thoughts while sitting on one of the many viewing benches lining the shore.

1st Avenue

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

Butze Rapids is a popular attraction accessed by a 5 kilometre easy going well-maintained, mostly chip-covered trail leading to a viewing platform (1.8 km from the parking lot) which overlooks the rapids.

Highway 16

Nearby Community: Prince Rupert

Cottonwood Park in Fort St. James, British Columbia, Canada is a popular north end park with historic displays and lake views of Stuart Lake. A large lake which partakes in many recreational activities enjoyed by locals and visitors.

Highway 27