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 From its southern tip to the far reaches of the north,
Vancouver Island is a park lover's dream. (See park types below.) Ranging
in size from tiny road-side strips to the 250,000 hectares of wilderness in Strathcona
Provincial Park, Vancouver Island provincial parks cater to millions of visitors annually.
Whether it's beachcombing on a sandy beach, exploring fascinating tidal pools, camping,
hiking through the towering trees of Cathedral Grove, climbing to the summit of
2,200-meter Golden Hinde, adventuring underground at Horne Lake Caves or meandering
thousands of kilometers of trails, the island's parks - there's nearly 100 - offer
something for everyone. Many parks have visitor centers, interpreters, organized programs,
fully equipped campsites, and other amenities. Others are true wilderness, where visitors
have to fend for themselves. A number of provincial parks accept reservations for campsites. Call toll-free: 1-800-689-9025 or visit the Discover Camping BC website at www.discovercamping.ca Vancouver Island is also home to one of the most spectacular coastal parks anywhere. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, considered one of the top 10 parks in the world, is actually three segments along the west coast of the island. There's the famed 75-kilometer West Coast Trail, the Broken Islands, and incredible Long Beach, with its 11-kilometers of sand and pounding surf. Whatever park you visit, you are sure to discover spectacular scenery, ocean vistas, marine life, mountains and wildlife. Remember: many of these parks were created to protect the vegetation, trees,
Native heritage sites, marine- and wildlife. Please stay on marked trails, do not disturb
artifacts, and most of all, leave areas undisturbed so the next visitor can enjoy what you
have experienced. |
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