Explore over 120+ Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island.

There are over 120 Vancouver Island Provincial Parks! This includes parks on the smaller islands surrounding Vancouver Island and Marine Provincial Parks.

This large number also includes the three National Parks found here but doesn’t include Regional Parks, many of which exist.

British Columbia has 644 Provincial Parks and 148 Ecological Reserves, totalling 14,112,434 ha of parkland.

Compared to the rest of BC, Vancouver Island has a great proportion of land designated as parkland. According to my calculations, it’s a total of 537,048.7 hectares, to be exact.

It’s no wonder visitors flock to the beautiful paradise of Vancouver Island!

What to Expect in this Article

The following is a list of all 128 Vancouver Island Provincial Parks. The list includes Marine Provincial Parks and a few Ecological Reserves the BC Government maintains. As mentioned, the list includes the three National Parks found here, too.

To keep it organized, the parks are listed alphabetically.

The parks already written about on our website are linked in blue and can be clicked on for more information. I will update the links and list as I write about more of these parks.

If the park is also a provincial campground, it’s noted in the description below.

*Acronyms used below:

  • PP: Provincial Park
  • PMP: Provincial Marine Park (typically only accessible by boat unless otherwise specified)
  • ER: Ecological Reserve managed by the BC Government
  • NP: National Park – park managed by the Government of Canada

A Note About the Sunshine Coast

British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast is only a short boat ride from Vancouver Island. Many small islands exist between the two areas. When looking at a map, it’s hard to decipher where one area ends and the other begins.

I used Texada Island as my Sunshine Coast reference point for this article. I didn’t include it or any island further east of it in the list. However, it’s a fairly muddy boundary. Boaters often island jump to the many Provincial Parks in both areas in one day.

Perhaps in a later article, I’ll also note all of the parks within the Sunshine Coast.

Vancouver Island Parks Map

If you know what Provincial Park you are searching for, jump to it using the table of contents. (Listed in alphabetical order). Otherwise, keep reading or use the map to help you find what you want.

The Vancouver Island Parks Map is a helpful resource with location data for easier reference.

Any location with an image can be cross-referenced to the corresponding title below. Click on the hyperlink on the map to find extra details about that park.

Any Vancouver Island Provincial Park I’ve been to will have a map image. Click on the link for more detailed information.


Broughton Archipelago is a Vancovuer Island Provincial Marine Park. Vancouver Island View
Broughton Archipelago Provincial Marine Park

A – B Vancouver Island Provincial Parks

Arbutus Grove PP is a small 22-hectare park near Lantzville. It is a bit of a hidden gem and protects a grove of beautiful Arbutus trees.

Artlish Caves PP is found between Woss and Zeballos. This 285-hectare park was established to protect Vancouver Island’s last remaining undisturbed karst areas.

Bamberton PP: There are 53 vehicle-accessible campsites available at this 28-hectare Provincial Park near Mill Bay. It’s also a popular swimming spot due to the warm waters of the sheltered inlet.

Gulf Island Provincial Parks – B

Bellhouse PP is located on Galiano Island. Bellhouse is a small 2-hectare day-use park great for picnics. The area provides excellent views of the very busy Active Pass.

Bodega Ridge PP. This Galiano Island day-use-only park has a 4 km ridge rising 328 meters above sea level. This 397-hectare park has no developed facilities. However, its inspiring scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities make it a popular destination for hikers and passing boaters.

Boyle Point PP: This scenic 188-hectare day-use park on the southern tip of Denman Island is a popular exploring place. The forested trail has some of Denman’s oldest and largest trees. The trail leads to spectacular views of Baynes Sound and the Chrome Island Lighthouse.

Burgoyne Bay PP is on Salt Spring Island near Fulford Harbour. This 524-hectare park is a popular spot for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. This park protected lands on Mount Maxwell, Sullivan, and Mount Tuam. It’s also part of the largest undeveloped areas within the Gulf Islands.

Boat Access Only

Ballingall Islets ER is located off Galiano Island. This string of small uninhabited islands, totalling 0.2 hectares, was originally protected to preserve the nesting sites of colonial seabirds. Land access is closed to the general public, and you must obtain a permit if you wish to do so. However, it’s become an area much loved by sea kayakers.

Big Bunsby PMP: This boat-accessed Marine Park, totalling 658 hectares, is located on the West Coast of northern Vancouver Island. The area offers sheltered anchorages and excellent sea kayaking opportunities. It’s also a great spot to view whales, Bald eagles and sea otters. Although there are no developed campsites, tenting is allowed on Big Bunsby. Please leave no trace if you do decide to tent here!

Bligh Island PMP is located in the Nootka Sound area of the West Coast. This 4,455-hectare area is a popular recreational destination for boaters and kayakers who explore the Spanish Pilot Group of islands. Nearby is Charlie’s Beach, which offers rustic beach camping for weary boat travellers.

Broughton Archipelago PMP. At 11,751 hectares, BC’s largest marine park represents a collection of undeveloped islands off North-Eastern Vancouver Island.

San Josef Bay sea stacks. Cape Scott Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View
San Josef Bay in Cape Scott Provincial Park

C – Provincial Parks

South End of the Island

Carmanah Walbran PP is near Port Renfrew. This 16,365-hectare protected area is home to some of the world’s largest and oldest trees. Boardwalks, viewing platforms and rugged trails take you to all the highlights. Road access to this remote park is extremely rough and follows a series of logging roads.

Chemainus River PP is near Duncan. The Cowichan Valley Regional District cooperatively manages this 119-hectare park. The Chemainus River is a popular spot for anglers trying to catch steelhead in the spring and summer. Undeveloped trails follow the river and lead to various swimming holes.

Cowichan River PP is located between Duncan and Lake Cowichan. The river in this beautiful park is world-renowned for its wild salmon and steelhead fishing. There are two campgrounds, Stolz Falls (rapids) and the 66 Mile Trestle, in this 1,414-hectare park.

West and North End of the Island

Cape Scott PP is located on the northwestern tip of Vancouver Island. Cape Scott offers a rugged coastal wilderness and unspoiled beautiful beaches. At a staggering 22,294 hectares, there’s a lot to explore!

Clayoquot Arm PP is a 3,491-hectare park found on the west coast. The area encompasses the lower Clayoquot River, Clayoquot Lake and the forested slopes of the Clayoquot Arm of Kennedy Lake. You’ll find old-growth forests, remote and secluded sandy beaches and uninhabited islets.

Claud Elliott Lake PP is located approximately 12 km north of Woss. This remote 328-hectare undeveloped park has two lakes popular with sport fishing.

Clayoquot Plateau PP is an extremely remote and rugged 3,155-hectare park on the west coast. It’s a high-elevation plateau with old-growth forests, karst, and several small lakes.

Ecological Reserves – C

Claud Elliott Creek ER is a 231-hectare ecological reserve near Claud Elliot Lake (mentioned below). It’s a critical habitat for wintering deer and Roosevelt elk.

Comox Lake Bluffs ER is a 47-hectare park on Comox Lake. The area protects unusual dry-site plant communities in the Coastal Western Hemlock Zone.

Gulf Islands Provincial Parks – C

Collinson Point PP is on Galiano Island. This 24-hectare park is essentially the shoreline of Mount Galiano and protects marine life near Active Pass. The point has trail access and is favourited for the great views and opportunities to see ocean wildlife.

Marine Parks

Catala Island PMP is a large 955-hectare park. It encompasses numerous reefs, islets and marine ecosystems, a lake, a bog area and a rugged shoreline. Sea kayaking, boating and wilderness camping are the main attractions for visitors. Catala Island is located in Esperanza Inlet on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island, between Nootka Sound and Kyuquot Sound.

Checleset Bay ER is found southeast of Brooks Peninsula (listed below). This 34,650-hectare ecological reserve protects a marine ecosystem, providing habitat for sea otters and the northern sea lion. The northern boundary includes 40 km of Vancouver Island shoreline.

Cormorant Channel PMP is located just north of Telegraph Cove. This 775-hectare marine park is a series of undeveloped islands popular with sea kayakers.

Elk Falls Suspension Bridge in Campbell River. Vancouver Island View
Elk Falls Suspension Bridge

D – E Provincial Parks

Elk Falls PP is found near Campbell River. This 1,055-hectare park features a suspension bridge, a raging waterfall and a much sought-after campground.

Englishman River Falls PP is a beautiful 97-hectare park near Parksville in the small community of Errington. It features two stunning waterfalls, deep canyons, and a lush forest mix of old-growth and large second-growth trees.

Eves PP is a small 19-hectare park located in the community of Westholme in the District of North Cowichan. In 1962, Mrs. Janet Goodall donated the land to the Province. Today, visitors enjoy the beautiful hiking trails and scenery.

Gulf Island Provincial Park – D

Drumbeg PP is on Gabriola Island. This 56-hectare day-use park features a unique topography and beautiful ocean views.

Marine Access Only Parks

Dawley Passage PP is a 154-hectare park at the south end of Fortune Channel between Meares Island and Tofino. The sheltered waters make it a popular spot for kayaking.

Dionisio Point PP is at the north end of Galiano Island. This 142-hectare rugged park offers a unique shoreline, sandy beaches and a beautiful forested area. Scuba divers love this area for its abundance of marine life. Thirty walk-in campsites are accessible via the foreshore.

Discovery Island PMP is located two nautical miles east of Victoria. This 61-hectare park has four walk-in campsites used by sea kayakers. There is no sheltered anchorage available at this park.

Dixie Cove PMP: This 156-hectare park is on Hohoae Island in Kyuquot Sound. It features a sheltered anchorage for boaters and is a wonderful fishing and sea kayaking destination.

Epper Passage PP is a 306-hectare park between Meares Island and Vargas Island. The area offers various water-based wilderness recreation activities, including kayaking, boating, fishing, scuba diving and wildlife viewing.


Fossli Provincial Park

F – Provincial Parks

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites (NP). One can view the oldest lighthouse on Canada’s West Coast at this National Historic Site near Victoria. You can also tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th-century buildings at Fort Rodd Hill. The area also protects a restored Garry oak meadow. And yes, you can camp here too in their outdoor oTENTik’s!

Fossli PP: This breathtaking 52-hectare day-use park is one of Port Alberni‘s hidden gems. It offers crystal-clear creeks, moss-covered rocks and a lush forest. Walking in this park makes you feel like you are in another world.

French Beach PP. This beautiful beach on the scenic Strait of Juan de Fuca is the ideal spot to explore. In the spring and fall, it’s a popular location to watch for migrating Gray whales. The 55-hectare park offers 69 year-round vehicle-accessible camping sites.

Fillongley PP is a beautiful 26-hectare park on Denman Island. It provides ten oceanside campsites, an estuary, a salmon spawning stream, and an old-growth forest. Beachcombing, swimming and kayaking are all popular activities at this park.

G- Provincial Parks

Gabriola Sands PP is a picturesque 6-hectare day-use park on the north end of Gabriola. The area features two sandy beaches and large manicured lawns. Swimming, picnicking, and field games are popular activities at this park.

Gold Muchalat PP is a 653-hectare park near Gold River. The area offers a pristine wilderness environment for sports fishing, wildlife viewing and rustic hiking. The park provides a key winter habitat for Roosevelt elk and black-tailed deer. It’s also home to the Marbled Murrelet and various fish species.

Goldstream PP is a popular 477-hectare park near Victoria. It offers an old-growth forest, several waterfalls and the annual salmon run in the fall. Goldstream offers plenty of vehicle-accessible campsites and two large group sites.

Gordon Bay PP is a sought-after campground on Lake Cowichan. It’s in an area that boasts some of the highest annual temperatures in Canada. This 104-hectare park is ideal for swimming, boating, and freshwater fishing.

Gowlland Tod PP is a 1,280-hectare day-use park near Victoria. It offers more than 25 km of hiking trails in varying degrees of difficulty. The park encompasses nearly the entire east side of the Saanich Inlet. It also protects one of Greater Victoria’s last remaining natural areas.

National Park

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (NP) comprises 15 islands and 30 islets. The area is approximately 3,700 hectares. Many of the parks in this area were former Provincial Parks before the National Park status. Frontcountry, backcountry and overnight boat camping are available on several islands. Visitors also love to kayak, view wildlife, hike or visit the islands via day trips by boat.

Provincial Marine Parks Only Accessible by Boat

Flores Island PP is a remote 7,113-hectare park and a small island off the west coast. It’s home to a population of sea wolves. Visitors enjoy wilderness hiking, whale watching, kayaking, fishing and beach camping.

Gibson PMP is situated adjacent to Flores Island on the west coast. This 143-hectare park offers sheltered anchorage, sandy beaches, and natural warm springs.

God’s Pocket PMP is home to several small islands off Port Hardy. This 2,036-hectare park provides some of the best scuba diving on Vancouver Island. Sheltered anchorage is available, and the area offers plenty of fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Juan de Fuca Provincial Park

H – J Vancouver Island Provincial Parks

Helliwell PP. This oceanside hiking destination and the 2,872-hectare park is on Hornby Island. You are greeted with beautiful views as you walk along the cliffside and through a small stand of old-growth fir.

Hemer PP is in Cedar on Holden Lake (South Nanaimo area). This forested 109-hectare park is a popular walking destination. Viewing platforms over the marshy areas provides opportunities to see Trumpeter swans, various ducks, and other marsh birds. Beavers have also been spotted in the area.

Horne Lake Caves PP: is near Qualicum Beach. This 158-hectare park provides access to the underground world through guided and self-guided caving tours. Above ground, visitors can find beautiful forested trails, an interpretive trail and a suspension bridge.

John Dean PP: This 174-hectare park is at the top of Mount Newton on the Saanich Peninsula. The area is a popular hiking destination. Features include a stand of old-growth forest and some of the largest Douglas fir trees in the area.

Juan de Fuca PP. Situated on the southwest coast of Vancouver Island, this popular 1,528-hectare park offers wild and scenic hiking and camping opportunities. China Beach campground, the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, and the world-renowned Botanical Beach are all found in this park.

Boat Accessible Only Parks

Ha’thayim (Von Donop) PMP. This undeveloped wilderness marine park, totalling 1,277 hectares, is found on the northwestern tip of Cortes Island. It offers several secure and sheltered anchorages for boaters. And once onshore, remote lakes, estuaries, an old-growth forest, and a saltwater lagoon can all be found.

Hesquiat Lake PP is located on the west coast in Clayoquot Sound. This extremely remote park is only accessible by boat or floatplane. The 62-hectare park protects a mature forest of hemlock, red cedar and pine trees. As this area is so difficult to access, very few people visit this park, which remains undeveloped and unspoiled.

Hesquiat Peninsula PP: This 7,888-hectare park encompasses most of the eastern shore of Nootka Sound. The area is adjacent to Cougar Annie’s Garden, a heritage garden and attraction one can visit via a guided tour. This park is only accessible by boat or float plane.

Jedediah Island PMP: is found between Lasqueti Island and Texada. This small island and 603-hectare park is a popular boating and kayaking destination. The many secluded bays and coves offer safe anchorage and beach camping opportunities.

Little Qualicum Falls PP. Vancouver Island View
Little Qualicum Provincial Park

K – Provincial Parks

Kennedy Lake PP: This popular 241-hectare day-use park is found en route to Tofino and Ucluelet. Kennedy Lake is the largest lake on Vancouver Island and is a popular spot for boaters, paddlers, windsurfing and swimming.

Kin Beach PP: This small 6-hectare park near Comox offers a large day-use area with a playground and picnic facilities. This is also a popular camping location. The rocky beach offers great exploration.

Kitty Coleman PP: This popular 10-hectare park near Merville is ideal for swimming, boating, fishing, and oceanfront camping. The park protects the mature forest of Western hemlock, Western red cedar and Douglas fir.

Koksilah River PP is found on the west side of Shawnigan Lake. This 230-hectare day-use park offers rustic hiking trails, fishing and a few swimming opportunities. Please note, that there are no designated swimming spots.

L – Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island

Lasqueti Island ER: This 201-hectare Ecological Reserve protects a shoreline forest of one of BC’s largest populations of seaside junipers. You can find this ER on the south shore of Lasqueti Island.

Lawn Point PP: This remote 594-hectare park in the Quatsino Sound area is difficult to access. However, sea kayakers use it as a wilderness camping spot before exploring Brooks Peninsula. The park is also accessible by land near Port Alice via rough logging roads.

Little Qualicum Falls PP. This 440-hectare park offers camping opportunities, beautiful forested and well-maintained trails, and a stunning waterfall. The upper and lower campgrounds provide plenty of vehicle-accessible camping opportunities.

Loveland Bay PP is found on Lower Campbell Lake near Campbell River. This popular 30-hectare park provides beautiful rustic camping. Campbell Lake is a wonderful spot to swim, boat, waterski, and fish.

Lower Nimpkish River PP is approximately 5 km south of Port McNeill. This 200-hectare undeveloped wilderness park helps to protect important Bald eagle and Marbled Murrelet nesting sites.

Lower Tsitka River PP: This remote black bear and salmon habitat area is 20 km east of Woss. Very few people visit this 3,745-hectare park, as it’s only accessible via rough and unmarked logging roads.

Boat Only Parks

Kennedy River Bog PP. This small 11-hectare park sits adjacent to the bank of the Kennedy River on the west coast. It’s a wonderful area for bird-watching. This park has no developed trails, so the only way to access it is via Kennedy Lake. The closest launching area for canoes and kayaks is the Kennedy River bridge.

Lanz and Cox Islands PP are situated north of Cape Scott. These extremely remote islands, totalling 5,556 hectares, were set aside to protect important seabird nesting colonies. These islands can experience extreme weather conditions at any time of the year, making them difficult to access. The rugged coastline and steep slopes also make landing onshore nearly impossible.


Maquinna Provincial Marine Park near Tofino. Vancouver Island View
Maquinna Provincial Marine Park

M – Vancouver Island Provincial Parks

MacMillan PP (Cathedral Grove) is 25 km west of Qualicum Beach. This popular 301-hectare day-use park provides beautiful walking trails through an old-growth forest.

Miracle Beach PP is a popular 137-hectare park in the Comox Valley. It offers 193 spacious private campsites and a beautiful sandy beach.

Marble River PP: This northern Vancouver Island 1,419-hectare park is approximately 15 km north of Port Alice. The area provides wilderness hiking, wildlife viewing opportunities, and fishing.

Morden Colliery Historic PP: Located near Nanaimo, this 4-hectare day-use park contains the only remaining coal tipple on the Island. Short trails run through the park and lead to the Nanaimo River.

Morton Lake PP is found near Campbell River. This 74-hectare park offers lake-front camping, a boat launch, fishing opportunities, and a short hiking trail to nearby Andrew Lake.

Mount Tzuhalem ER is located near Duncan. This small 18-hectare Ecological Reserve is an incredible location to view and photograph rare wildflowers in the spring.

Gulf Island Provincial Parks – M

Main Lake PP. This 3,530-hectare park on Quadra Island encompasses six lakes that offer incredible canoeing, kayaking, and wilderness lakeside camping opportunities. Small boats with electric motors are also allowed on a few lakes.

Mansons Landing PP is Located on Cortes Island. This 100-hectare park offers freshwater swimming in Hague Lake and marine access via Manson Bay.

Montague Harbour PMP is on Galiano Island. This 102-hectare park offers scenic vehicle-accessible and walk-in campsites. There are also 35 buoys in the sheltered Montague Harbour accessible to boaters.

Mount Geoffrey Escarpment PP: Located on Hornby Island, this 187-hectare park offers hiking and mountain biking opportunities with spectacular views.

Mount Maxwell PP is a 231-hectare park on Salt Spring Island. It offers visitors incredible hiking opportunities, leading to superb views of Vancouver Island and the surrounding Gulf Islands.

Boat Only Parks

Maquinna PMP (Hot Springs Cove) is located near Tofino. This boat-accessible 2,667-hectare park offers warm natural springs and a beautiful walk along a boardwalk trail.

Memory Island PP: At 0.915 hectares, this small island on Shawnigan Lake is also one of BC’s smallest parks. And yet, it’s a sanctuary and habitat for various small mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, plants and fungi. Memory Island is accessible by boat (motorized and unmotorized) from various points on Shawnigan Lake.

Mitlenatch Island Nature PP is found east of Black Creek. This 155-hectare park is home to the largest seabird colony in the Strait of Georgia. Due to the sensitive bird habitat, most of the island is closed to the public. However, the area offers excellent opportunities for boaters to observe and photograph various birds.

MquqWin / Brooks Peninsula PP is located on northwest Vancouver Island. This beautiful area, totalling 39,936 hectares, offers shelter, sandy beaches, hiking, and wilderness experiences.


The Octopus Islands are a beatiful Provincial Marine Park near Vancouver Island. Vancouver Island View
Octopus Islands

N – Q Vancouver Island Provincial Parks

Nimpkish Lake PP. Located 32 km south of Port McNeill, this large 3,950-hectare park protects an old-growth coastal western Hemlock forest. The easiest access is by boat from Nimpkish Lake or via moderate to strenuous hiking found off nearby logging roads.

Nitinat River PP. This 160-hectare scenic park has no developed day-use or camping facilities. However, the area provides great fishing opportunities. The park can be reached by logging roads from Port Alberni, Cowichan Lake and Port Renfrew.

Petroglyph PP. At this Nanaimo PP, you can find the most concentrated collection of rock art on Vancouver Island. It’s a small 2-hectare park that offers a treasure hunt of sorts to its visitors.  

Quatsino PP is located on northern Vancouver Island. The easiest access to this 654-hectare undeveloped park is by boat. However, it can also be accessed by active logging roads. Kayakers sometimes stop overnight here, but no designated camping spots or facilities exist. Vehicle-accessible camping is found nearby at Koprino Harbour, operated by Southwest Forest Products Ltd.

National Park

Pacific Rim NP is located on the west coast between Ucluelet and Tofino. This large National Park, totalling 51,100 hectares, is known worldwide. The park encompasses Long Beach, the Broken Group Islands, and the ever-popular 75-km West Coast Trail. Surfing, beachcombing, tide pool exploration, paddling, and hiking are popular park activities. Camping is also available at Green Point Campground.

Boat Only

Newcastle Island PMP (Saysutshun). A 10-minute boat ride from Nanaimo brings you to this 363-hectare park full of rich history and culture. Visitors can hike, picnic, and/or camp at one of the 18 designated sites.

Nuchatlitz PP: This 2,105-hectare park encompasses the northwestern tip of Nootka Island and many smaller islands surrounding it. The maze of islets and reefs provides picturesque views for boaters, kayakers, and wilderness camping opportunities.

Octopus Islands PMP: This stunning 762-hectare park near Quadra Island offers sheltered anchorage and a haven for boaters.

Pirates Cove PMP: This boat-accessible park on De Courcy Island protects a beautiful natural environment visitors love. Recreational activities at this 31-hectare park include kayaking, camping, hiking, swimming, beach exploration and even wildlife viewing.


Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Rathtrevor Beach

R – Provincial Parks on Vancouver Island

Raft Cove PP. This remote and rustic 787-hectare park is found near Cape Scott. The area offers visitors a gorgeous sandy bay and wilderness camping on the beach.

Rathtrevor PP. This top-rated 347-hectare park in Parksville is a family-favourite camping destination. The wide sandy beach offers warm ocean swimming in shallow water.

Rebecca Spit PMP is a popular 177-hectare day-use park on Quadra Island. It’s used for beach exploration, walking trails, kayaking, swimming and picnicking.

Roberts Memorial PP is located in Yellowpoint. This 14-hectare day-use park features a 1 km trail through a mature forest to a unique sandstone shoreline.

Rosewall Creek PP. This 54-hectare park near Qualicum Beach is an important area for wintering waterfowl. It also provides access to beautiful Rosewall Creek Falls.

Ruckle PP is a 529-hectare park on Salt Spring Island. It’s said to be one of the most beautiful parks in the southern Gulf Islands. The park offers vehicle-accessible and tent camping sites and many nature activity opportunities.

Boat Access Only Parks

Read Island PP: Located among the Quadra Island group, this 637-hectare park protects an important high-density bald eagle habitat. It’s also a great place to spot seals and sea lions.

Rendezvous Island South PP is in the heart of the Discovery Islands. This 163-hectare park encompasses the Rendezvous Island group found on the east side of Read Island (above).

Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) ER is found near Telegraph Cove. This 1,715-hectare Ecological Reserve was established to provide a sanctuary for killer whales. The area provides unique opportunities for whale research.

Rugged Point PMP is a 349-hectare park located in Kyuquot Sound. The stunning shoreline, protected beaches, and sheltered anchorages make it a popular spot to visit among kayakers and boaters.


Sproat Lake is a popular Vancouver Island Provincial Park. Vancouver Island View
Sproat Lake

S – Vancouver Island Provincial Parks

South End of the Island

Sooke Mountain PP is a 450-hectare undeveloped wilderness park just north of Sooke. It has no vehicle access, making it a popular location for hikers and mountain bikers.

Sooke Potholes PP is a 7.28-hectare day-use park ideal for watching the annual salmon spawning run in the fall. Nearby is a series of deep, naturally carved rock pools photographers love.

Spectacle Lake PP is a 67-hectare park in the Cowichan Valley. The area provides an excellent trail system. There is also a small lake to swim, canoe, kayak, or fish, and a picnic area.

Mid to North End of the Island

Spider Lake PP is near Qualicum Beach. This 64.59-hectare park features a beautiful lake and picnic area. Swimmers love the warm water, and fresh-water anglers enjoy trying to catch the stocked fish.

Schoen Lake PP is a large 8,430-hectare remote park near Woss. The park offers fantastic trails to view glaciers and wildlife. Schoen Lake is a popular boating, fishing, swimming and camping area.

Sproat Lake PP in Port Alberni is popular for campers and boaters. The 43-hectare park offers two campgrounds and a large day-use area. It’s also home to one of the finest panels of petroglyphs in British Columbia.

Stamp River PP is another beautiful park in Port Alberni. This 327-hectare park comes to life in the fall with the annual salmon run and the colourful foliage.

Strathcona PP: Designated in 1911, this is BC’s oldest Provincial Park and, at 248,669 hectares, one of the largest. The park is divided into Buttle Lake and its vicinity and the Forbidden Plateau area.

Gulf Islands Provincial Parks – S

Sandwell PP is a 17-hectare park on Gabriola Island. This park is a great place to picnic, walk or suntan on the beach. At low tide, you can also search for the petroglyph.

Sandy Island (Jáji7em and Kw’ulh) PMP is found off the northern tip of Denman Island. This 30-hectare park includes Sandy Island, known locally as Tree Island, and the Seal Islets. The area is accessible by boat from Union Bay or by foot from Denman when the tide is out. It’s a lovely spot to swim and sunbathe.

Smelt Bay PP is at the south end of Cortes Island. This 20-hectare park offers 22 spacious campsites overlooking the bay for tents and smaller RVs.

Squitty Bay PP: This small 12-hectare day-use park is near the southeast tip of Lasqueti Island. The park offers rocky headlands and arid terrain, including prickly pear cacti and Rocky Mountain juniper. 

Boat Only Parks

Sabine Channel PMP is between Lasqueti and Texada Islands. This 95-hectare park encompasses an area of more than 30 islands and rocky islets. Jervis, Bunny and Jedediah are three of the largest of the group.

Santa Boca PP is part of Nootka Sound. This 440-hectare park is popular among kayakers and boaters. The area offers excellent opportunities for wilderness camping, fishing and wildlife viewing. Sheltered anchorages in Boca de Infierno Bay and Santa Gertrudis Cove make it a popular stopover through Nootka Sound. The park is adjacent to Friendly Cove, the site of the first formal contact between European explorers and First Nations.

Sulphur Passage PP is a 2,232-hectare undeveloped wilderness area northeast of Clayoquot Sound. It’s a popular kayaking destination due to the number of birds, fish and marine mammals the park helps to protect.

Sydney Inlet PP. This 2,774-hectare park in northern Clayoquot Sound provides one of the best examples of a fjord on Vancouver Island. This makes it a popular boating and kayaking destination. The park also protects a large old-growth Sitka spruce and Douglas fir forest.

Provincial Marine Parks on Quadra

Small Inlet PP is on the northern tip of Quadra Island. This 487-hectare park provides well-protected anchorages for boaters. A small lake is accessible onshore via a rough 1.5 km portage trail. This same trail will eventually connect you to Octopus Islands PMP (mentioned above).

Surge Narrows PP is on the south end of Maurelle Island, just east of Quadra. This 488-hectare area offers a unique tidal change passage. The tidal currents are powerful and travel through the narrows should only occur at slack tide.

Wakes Cove on Valdes Island

T – Provincial Parks

Tahsish-Kwois PP is an isolated 10,972-hectare park in the Kyuquot Sound area. It’s accessible by boat via the Tahsish Inlet or by hiking. The area features two lakes, a large old-growth forest, a scenic river canyon, river valleys and an Ecological Reserve.

Taylor Arm PP is on the north shore of Sproat Lake. This 71-hectare forested park offers six group campsites, an undeveloped beach and two day-use areas.

Tribune Bay PP is a popular white sand beach and turquoise-coloured bay on Hornby Island nicknamed “Little Hawaii.” The 95-hectare park is a great place to swim; the shallow waters provide one of BC’s warmest saltwater swimming areas.

W – Y Vancouver Island Provincial Parks

West Shawnigan Lake PP is a small 9.7-hectare day-use area providing access to beautiful Shawnigan Lake. It provides an area popular for swimming, waterskiing, and windsurfing.

Weymer Creek PP: Located 5 miles southeast of the village of Tahsis. This 316-hectare park is known for having some of Canada’s deepest and longest caves. However, these caves are best explored if you have the equipment and experience.

White River PP is nicknamed “Cathedral Grove of the North.” This 72-hectare undeveloped wilderness area protects an old-growth forest. It’s also an important habitat for Roosevelt Elk and black bears. White River PP is located 7 km west of Schoen Lake PP, mentioned above, and accessed by gravel logging roads.

Woss Lake PP is an undeveloped wilderness park, totalling 6,634 hectares, on the southern portion of Woss Lake. It’s typically only accessible by boat from the launch at the north end of the lake. However, walk-in access is possible from logging roads on the lake’s west or east side. There is a beautiful waterfall to view, and permanent snowfields in the steep forested slopes.

Yellow Point Bog ER is a 137-hectare Ecological Reserve in Yellow Point. Visitors can walk the 5.3 km loop trail and view beautiful wildflowers in the spring.

Boat Only Parks – T to V

Thurston Bay PMP is on the northwest side of Sonora Island. This 531-hectare park provides sheltered anchorage for boaters. The protected bay is ideal for paddling, swimming, fishing, or exploring the beach. There is a rough trail onshore that leads to Florence Lake.

Vargas Island PP is near Tofino. This 5,805-hectare park and Island is a popular paddling and wilderness camping destination. Gray whales and wolves frequent the area.

Provincial Marine Parks – W

Wakes Cove PP: This 205-hectare park on Valdes Island offers sheltered anchorage, rustic hiking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities. The area is surrounded by private property, so visitors must know park boundaries when onshore.

Wallace Island PMP is between Salt Spring and Galiano Island. This 89-hectare park and island is a popular destination for boaters and kayakers. Numerous beaches and coves provide sheltered anchorage for day-trippers and overnight campers.

Whaleboat Island PMP is a small 10-hectare islet in the DeCourcy Group. The area provides boaters and kayakers picturesque views of interesting geological formations. The steep rocky banks make this small island extremely difficult to access, so it is best viewed from the water.


Which one is your favourite?

Now, that’s a list!

How many of these parks have you been to? Which one is your favourite to explore? Use this article when you are searching for ‘Provincial Parks near me’.

Let us know in the comment section below.

To save this article for future use, please pin any of these images on Pinterest. TImages represent parks in all four regions of Vancouver Island: South, West, East and North.

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2 Comments

  1. This awesome resource would REALLY benefit from a map with the info about each park being linked to the map. When planning a trip, without a map reference, this info is unfortunately not that helpful.

    1. Thank you so much for the input, and I agree it would be better with a map. I will look into creating one.

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