The Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands' B.C. Park system combines the power and mystery of the sea with the wild and rugged valleys and mountains of the land. The parks range in size, amenities and accessibility. Some attracting family gatherings while others extreme sport enthusiasts. Some parks lead deep into untouched wilderness areas while other parks enjoy parking lots, picnic tables and interpretive signs, etc.

Most Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands' National, Provincial, Regional and Municipal Parks merge at times, sharing borders... and walking, hiking, off-roading and horseback riding trails. The entire park system varies with some including heritage sites, caves, bogs, waterfalls, wetlands, bird sanctuaries, vast sandy white beaches, islands, old growth forests, linked lakes with rumbling rivers rolling down from high mountain peaks spilling into oceans. We have it all!

Most of the parks on the islands are centred around an ocean, a lake or a river. The region enjoys an abundance of marine water routes, wilderness camping areas and marine island parks which are only accessible by boat or floatplane. With this much salt and fresh water, the islands are a popular destination to enjoy a day or many days kayaking, canoeing, fishing, scuba diving, boating, sailing, swimming and beach combing.

The protection and conservation of the Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands National , Provincial and Regional Wilderness Nature Parks is and will continue to be a priority on the west coast. It is important to leave a legacy of parks for generations to come so all will enjoy the therapeutic qualities that a protected and well establish park system can provide.

Hiking, backpacking, caving, mountain climbing, hang gliding, kite surfing, mountain biking, snow skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling are just some of the activities enjoyed while visiting our island parks. Photographers, writers and artists also flock to the parks for a chance to capture a special wilderness moment.

Vancouver Island's Strathcona Provincial Park is British Columbia's first park established in 1911. Today, in British Columbia we enjoy the benefits of over 350 protected parks highlighted by hectares of old growth forests, alpine meadows, marine estuaries and interconnected water ways.

Many individuals have worked hard to preserve and create a park system for the wildlife to roam freely and to maintain population levels. Wildlife viewing in any of the west coast parks is exceptional with many opportunities to view Black Bears, Wolves, Cougars, Bald Eagles, Blue Herons, Red Tail Hawks, Killer Whales, Grey Whales, Humpback Whales, Sea Lions, Seals, Porpoises and so much more.

So open up your eyes and ears and let the wilderness in and have fun exploring Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands with the help of our documented park adventures and research. Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands' National, Provincial, Regional and Municipal Park are listed to the right.

Explore a British Columbia Park Today EH!