ENGLISHMAN RIVER FALLS: An impressive waterfall surrounded by massive cedar forest, fern glens and groves of fir and hemlock are the highlights of Englishman River Falls Provincial Park. The park has 105 campsites, picnic areas, fishing swimming, and pit toilets. The park is open all year, with fees charged from April to October. Reservations are accepted.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Island Highway north to Parksville. Turn west on Hwy. 4. Follow the signs.

FILLONGLEY: This beautiful park on the east side of Denman Island has 10 small vehicle-tent campsites. Fillongley Provincial Park was given to the province by George Beadnell, who named it for his home in England. The park offers hikes in old-growth cedar and a pebble beach. It is open all year, with fees charged from April to October.
GETTING THERE: Denman Island is located in Georgia Strait, south of Courtenay. From Nanaimo, take the Island Highway north to the ferry terminal at Buckley Bay. BC Ferries runs scheduled sailings to Denman Island. Once on the island, follow Denman Road. Watch for park signs.

GOLD MUCHALAT: Located 15 kilometer northwest of Gold River, Gold Muchalat Provincial Park offers protection for the marbled murrelet, deer and Roosevelt elk. The 653-hectare park is on the Gold and Muchalat rivers. Sockeye salmon spawn in the Muchalat River and summer steelhead, rainbow trout and coho are found in both rivers. This is a pristine sport fishing area. Wildlife viewing opportunities also exist. The park has no facilities.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Hwy. to where it connects with the Island Hwy. at Mud Bay. Continue north to Campbell River and then take Hwy. 28 (the Gold River Hwy.) Once in Gold River, watch for park signs.

HELLIWELL: This beautiful site at St. John Point on Hornby Island was a gift from John Helliwell. Helliwell Provincial Park's high cliffs offer excellent vantage points to view marine mammals. There's also a trail through mature Douglas fir, picnic sites, fishing and swimming.
GETTING THERE: Hornby Island is in Georgia Strait, south of Courtenay. From Nanaimo, take the Island Highway north to the ferry terminal at Buckley Bay. BC Ferries runs scheduled sailings to Hornby Island, with a connection at Denman Island. Once on Hornby, follow the signs to the park.

HORNE LAKE: West of Qualicum Beach, the 123-hectare Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park offers cave exploration (two are self guided, one is arranged tours), hiking and fishing. A recent addition to the park is a forested strip along the Qualicum River. The park is day-use only. There is a private campground next to the park.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Highway. Just north of Qualicum, watch for the road signs to the west. The 60-kilometer trips takes a little over an hour.

KENNEDY LAKE: This park is comprised of two sites along the south shore of the lake. Kennedy Lake Provincial Park's combined 258 hectares is a popular destination for lake and beach-based tourism and recreation. The park has some campsites, swimming and fishing.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Island Hwy. to Hwy. 4. Turn left and continue past Port Alberni. Continue along the shore of the lake until you come to West Main Road. Turn right. The 140-kilometer trip from Nanaimo takes about two hours.

LOVELAND BAY: This small recreation area, located 18 kilometers west of Campbell River, is fairly rustic. Loveland Bay Provincial Park does have 24 campsites, picnic/day use area, boat launch, pit toilets, swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Open all year, fees are charged from May to September.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Hwy. to where it connects with the Island Hwy. at Mud Bay. Continue north to Campbell River, then head west on Hwy. 28 (the Gold River Hwy.). Turn right on Brewster Lake Road. This road is gravel, twisty and slow. From Nanaimo, the trip takes about three hours.

LOWER NIMPKISH: Located to the north of Nimpkish Lake, Lower Nimpkish Provincial Park is popular for recreational fishing. The 265-hectare park straddles the Nimpkish River, which meanders through a steep-sided forested valley, and features important salmon and black bear habitat. Logged in the past, the wilderness park has some old-growth forest along the river. The park is not regularly serviced or patrolled, and 'no trace' use is requested. At the south end of the lake is Nimpkish Lake Provincial Park. This 3,950-hectare park has no facilities, but does offer viewing, hiking and nature opportunities.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Hwy. at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River and Sayward. Just past Telegraph Cove, you'll see the park signs. Trails and old logging roads lead in the park. There is also access to the river from Nimpkish Lake. The 350-kilometer trip from Nanaimo takes about seven hours.

MacMILLAN PARK: If you visit only one park on Vancouver Island, MacMillan Provincial Park is the one. Towering Douglas fir, some over 800 years old and 200 feet tall, can be found in Cathedral Grove, which is bisected by the highway. Park the car, (be cautious, the shoulder is narrow), and meander through some of the trails in this virgin forest. The size of the trees and their trunks will amaze you. This area was given to the province by the H.R. MacMillan Export Company in 1944 as a way to preserve an incredible stand of trees. On nearby Cameron Lake you will find fishing and picnic sites.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Hwy. Turn left on Hwy. 4 (the Port Alberni highway). The park is just past the west end of Cameron Lake. The 50-kilometer drive takes about half and hour. The road is narrow and twisting.

MAIN LAKES: Located on Quadra Island, Main Lakes Chain Provincial Park contains over 72 bird species and 235 plant species. The wildlife in the park includes wolves, cougars, owls, bald eagles, hawks, osprey, peregrine falcon and wintering swans. The 2,454-hectare park and its interconnecting lakes also has limestone sinkholes and waterfalls. Hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, nature viewings and Native heritage can also be found in the park. Native presence is depicted in a panel of pictographs in red ochre on Main Lake. Please, do not disturb artifacts. The park is a wilderness area with no structured campsites. There is a launch for small boats on the main lake. The park is not regularly patrolled. Please practice 'no trace' use.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway. Continue north to Campbell River and the ferry terminal to Quadra Island. Once on Quadra, follow West Road to Hyacinth Bay Road. Turn left, and continue to Village Bay Lake Road. Continue until you see the small bridge on Main Lake. From Nanaimo, the 170-kilometer trip, including the 10-minute ferry crossing, takes three to four hours.

MANSON'S LANDING: On Cortes Island, Manson's Landing Marine Provincial Park is a small park fronting Hague Lake and Manson Bay, allowing a choice between freshwater and saltwater swimming. The park offers picnic sites, fishing, a boat launch, hiking and walking trails.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway. Continue north to Campbell River and the ferry terminal to Quadra Island. Once on Quadra, follow West Road to Heriot Bay and the ferry to Cortes. The crossing to Cortes takes about 45 minutes, with the ferry docking at Whaletown. Follow the signs to Manson's Landing. From Nanaimo, the 200-kilometer trip takes four to five hours.

MARBLE RIVER: About 30 kilometers southwest of Port McNeill, Marble River Provincial Park includes a corridor along the Marble River and shoreline strip along Quatsino Narrows and Varney Bay on Rupert Inlet. The park protects river and estuary values, fish and wildlife, including eagle nesting sites near Quatsino Narrows, a steelhead fishery, and waterfowl. The park offers fishing, white water kayaking, rafting, hiking and camping. There is a developed campground at the east end of the park with highway access. A hiking trail from the campground follows the south bank of the river.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Hwy. at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River and Sayward, to Port McNeill. Turn left on the Port Alice Hwy. The 400-kilometer trip takes six to seven hours.

MIRACLE BEACH: Located about halfway between Courtenay and Campbell River, Miracle Beach Provincial Park, on the east coast of the island, has 193 treed campsites, a wide sandy beach, picnic/day use area, hiking trails, playground, drinking water, flush and pit toilets, showers and sani-station. Open all year, fees are charged from May to September. Reservations are accepted. The park also has an extensive interpretive program during summer months. The visitor center provides information about the local flora and fauna. Intertidal life from the beach is also displayed at the visitor center.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Highway to where it connects with the Island Hwy. at Mud Bay. Continue north through Courtenay. The park turnoff is about 20 minutes north of Courtenay. The 130-kilometer trips takes about two hours.

MORTON LAKE: This small park, 24 hectares, fronts Mohun and Morton lakes, northwest of Campbell River. Morton Lake Provincial Park has 24 campsites, picnic area, boat launch, pit toilets, swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. The park was replanted with Douglas fir following the Great Fire of 1938. Cedar, hemlock and pine have regenerated naturally. Open all year, fees are charged from May to September.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Highway to where it connects with the Island Hwy. at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River. The park turnoff is on Menzies Bay Main, to your left. Take this gravel road to Morton Lake Road, on your right.

QUATSINO: Located on northern Vancouver Island on the north side of Quatsino Sound, this undeveloped park protects mature forest, some small lakes, Korpino Harbor and the Korpino River estuary. With 654 hectares, Quatsino Provincial Park offers kayaking and some archaeological sites. There are some campsites in the river's estuary, but no other facilities.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River to Port Hardy. Turn left on the logging road to Holberg. Continue south of Holberg to Winter Harbor. The 475-kilometer trips takes eight hours.

RAFT COVE: A sandy bay at the outlet of the Macjack River south of Cape Palmerston, Raft Cove Provincial Park, on the northwest coast of the island, has wilderness/walk-in campsites, swimming, fishing, and hiking trails. The park is not serviced or patrolled regularly.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River to Port Hardy. Turn left on the logging road to Holberg. Continue west past Holberg to the park entrance. The 500-kilometer trip takes about nine hours.

RATHTREVOR: Boasting 2,000 meters of sandy beach, Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is located three kilometers south of Parksville on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island. The park has 175 treed camping sites, its famous sandy beach, wooded upland areas, self-guided nature trails and visitor center. There's drinking water, showers, picnic/day use areas, sani-station, playground, swimming and hiking. The park is wheelchair accessible. Open all year, fees are charged from March to October. Reservations are accepted. The park is also great for birdwatching, particularly in the spring when large concentrations of seabirds gather for the annual herring spawn.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Island Highway north. The 36-kilometer trip takes about 40 minutes.

REBECCA SPIT: A finger of land on the east side of Quadra Island, Rebecca Spit Marine Provincial Park has beaches on both sides. There are extensive day-use facilities with a playing field, picnic sites, drinking water, pit toilets, swimming, fishing, and hiking trails. There's also a boat launch. There's a private campground at the entrance to the park.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Highway to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north to Campbell River and the ferry terminal to Quadra. Once on Quadra, take West Road toward Heriot Bay. Turn right on Heriot Bay Road. The170-kilometer trip, including the 10-minute ferry crossing, takes three to four hours.

ROBSON BIGHT: Located 40 kilometers southeast of Port McNeill on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island in Johnstone Strait, Robson Bight was first established in 1982 to protect an area important to killer whales. In 1988 and 1989, a buffer zone along the shore was added and, in 1991, the area renamed Robson Bight (Michael Bigg Ecological Reserve) in honor of the late Dr. Michael Bigg who made tremendous contributions to our knowledge of killer whales. Public access to the land portion of the reserve is closed, except for special permits, to reduce disturbance. Although the reserve is off limits, the area surrounding the park provides excellent opportunities for camping, boating and whale watching. Camping is permitted at Telegraph Cove, Kaikash Creek, Boat Bay or Growler Cove on West Cracroft Island. A bluff on Cracroft is used by whale researchers, who count and monitor killer whales. It's a long climb up, but visitors are welcome. Fresh water is available at Telegraph Cove and Kaikash Creek. Kaikash also has rustic campsites. The other two areas have no fresh water but provide good anchorage. Johnstone Strait is one of the best spots in the world to view killer whales. A number of whale watching charters are available out of Campbell River, Sayward, Telegraph Cove and Port McNeill. The area is extremely popular with kayakers. The best launch is in Telegraph Cove. Boaters are asked not to get too close to the whales. Wardens patrol the Strait, requesting visitors not to enter the whale sanctuary, where the Tsitika River drains into the Strait. This area is where the whales - for reasons unknown - like to rub against the rocks.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River and Sayward to Telegraph Cove. The 350-kilometer trip takes about six hours.

ROCK BAY: At the junction where Discovery Passage meets Johnstone Strait, Rock Bay Marine Provincial Park is a popular area for marine activities. The 525-hectare park, 40 kilometers northwest of Campbell River, offers sheltered anchorage, boat launch, camping, walking trails, fishing and scuba diving. The park contains archaeological sites and a historic townsite. 'No trace use' use is requested.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River to Rock Bay turnoff on your right. The 200-kilometer trip takes about three hours. The park is also accessible by boat.

SCHOEN LAKE: Located 140 kilometers north of Campbell River, Schoen Lake Provincial Park recently had a 259-hectare addition which includes the Davie River area. The park, now 8,430 hectares, protects old-growth forest, glaciers, waterways, meadows, small lakes, and essential habitat for deer, elk and fish. The park has walk-in campsites, day-use area, hiking trails, a boat launch, swimming, fishing and backpacking.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north through Campbell River to the junction at Sayward. The park access road is on your left. The 250-kilometer trips takes about four hours.

SMELT BAY: Located on the southern peninsula of Cortes Island, Smelt Bay Provincial Park is named for the capelin fish that spawn ashore by the thousands. There is a gravel beach backed by mounds which are believed to have been built as defensive measures by Native Indians. The park has 22 campsites, picnic area, drinking water, pit toilets, swimming and fishing. Open all year, fees are charged from June to September.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway at Mud Bay. Continue north to Campbell River and the ferry to Quadra Island. Once on Quadra, go on West Road to Heriot Bay and the ferry to Cortes. The crossing takes about 45 minutes. On Cortes, follow the park signs.

SPIDER LAKE: This warm water lake is ideal for swimming, canoeing and smallmouth bass fishing. Power boats are prohibited. Located west of Qualicum, the park has picnic sites, pit toilets, drinking water and hiking trails. The park is wheelchair accessible.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Highway to Horne Lake Caves Road, on your left. Eight kilometers down the road, you'll see the turnoff to Spider Lake.

SPROAT LAKE: Noted for its warm water, swimming, fishing and boating, Sproat Lake Provincial Park is also home to the Mars waterbombers, huge planes used to fight forest fires. The park has 59 campsites, a boat launch, drinking water, toilets, showers, a sani-station, and is wheelchair accessible. There's also prehistoric petroglyphs (rock carvings) in the park. Fees are charged from April to October. Sproat Lake is also where you'll find Taylor Arm Provincial Park. The park has three campsites, intended primarily for group camping. Reservations are accepted.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to the Port Alberni Hwy. Turn left, and continue past Port Alberni. The park is at the head of the lake. The 90-kilometer trips takes about an hour-and-a-half.

SQUITTY BAY: This small park is on the southeast tip off Lasqueti Island in Georgia Strait, off Parksville. The park offers sheltered anchorage, walk-in camping, picnic sites, drinking water, pit toilets, fishing, canoeing and kayaking.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Island Highway through Parksville to French Creek. There, you can catch a foot-passenger-only ferry to Lasqueti Island. Once on the island, head south. Boat access: Launches are at Parksville and points north.

STAMP RIVER: Relax near a waterfall or watch salmon ascend fish ladders in Stamp River Provincial Park, north of Port Alberni. The park has 22 campsites, fishing, picnic sites, drinking water, pit toilets and great hiking trails. Open all year, fees are charged from April to October.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, head north on the Inland Island Highway to the Port Alberni turnoff. Watch for Creek Road on your right.

STRATHCONA: Located on central Vancouver Island, Strathcona Provincial Park, created in 1911, is British Columbia's oldest park. With over 250,000 hectares stretching from sea level to 1,800 meters in elevation, the park offers excellent camping, hiking, fishing, various types of water activities, cross-country skiing (adjacent to Mt. Washington Resort and its extensive downhill skiing) and wildlife viewing. Wildlife includes black bear, the rare Vancouver Island marmot, wolf, cougar, deer and birds. The park also boasts glaciers, the 440-meter Della Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, and the Golden Hinde, at 2,200 meters, the island's highest point. Open all year, the park has developed camping facilities at Buttle Lake and Ralph River, both having water, pit toilets and firewood. Four marine back-country camping areas are available, as is an extensive hiking trail system, two boat launches on Buttle Lake, picnic sites and an adventure playground. A park interpreter is in the park during July and August. Fees are charged May to September in Buttle Lake and Ralph River campsites. There are lots of undeveloped campsites throughout the park. Those wilderness areas are not regularly serviced or patrolled. 'No trace' use is requested.
GETTING THERE: From Nanaimo, take the Inland Island Highway north to where it connects with the Island Highway. Continue north to Courtenay, the main southern access to the park. Follow the signs. The northern end of the park is accessed from the Campbell River area. Continue past Courtenay to Campbell River and Hwy. 28 (the Gold River Hwy.). Go west for about 50 kilometers to Buttle Lake access. From Nanaimo, the trip takes between one-and-a-half hours and three hours, depending on which access you take.

TRIBUNE BAY: Boasting more than 1,000 meters of sandy beach, Tribune Bay Provincial Park on Hornby Island is considered one of the warmest saltwater swimming areas in British Columbia. The park has picnic sites, drinking water, pit toilets, swimming, fishing and hiking trails. It is also wheelchair accessible.
GETTING THERE: Hornby Island is in Georgia Strait, south of Courtenay. From Nanaimo, take the Island Highway north to the ferry terminal at Buckley Bay. BC Ferries runs scheduled sailings to Hornby Island, with a connection at Denman Island. Once on Hornby, follow the signs to the park.

For more information, visit the BC Parks website www.elp.gov.bc.ca/bcparks

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