John Dean Provincial Park

Notice:

Park users are advised that BC Parks volunteers are doing trail repairs on the Surveyor's Trail from December 2010 until about April 2011. This involves rerouting a short section of the trail & repairing & re-aligning an adjacent section. Trail closure advisories may be posted at junctions at either end of the affected trail segment as needed. Please obey advisories and closures & respect the needs of volunteers and/or staff doing the work.
Due to health authority regulations, BC Parks has removed the drinking water hand pump from John Dean Park. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
John Dean Provincial Park is closed to vehicle traffic from November to March.

About This Park

Situated on top of Mount Newton on southern Vancouver Island, John Dean Provincial Park overlooks the pastoral Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands and the Cascade Mountains. John Dean Park protects one of the last stands of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak on the Saanich Peninsula, and is a popular destination for local residents, who visit the park to hike in a pristine wilderness environment and enjoy the spectacular views. The mountain and surrounding area figure prominently in First Nations culture, and early descriptions of the mountain mention large rings of white stones placed there by the Saanich people. Lau Wel New, as Mount Newton is known to the First Nations of the Saanich Peninsula, was the high point of land that enabled them to survive the Great Flood. Here legend has it that the Saanich ancestors were able to anchor their canoe until the floodwaters subsided using a giant cedar rope. Lau Wel New was the first land available as the floodwaters receded.

A number of hiking trails, varying in degrees of difficulty, wind through the inspiring forest across the south and east face of Mount Newton at this day-use park. Adventurous hikers can climb to the summit of Mount Newton. In the spring the park comes alive with a vivid display of wildflowers native to British Columbia, including drifts of blue camas lilies, which carpet the understorey, as well as common red paintbrush, sea blush and shooting stars.

Wildlife flocks to this lush forest and from the top of Mount Newton you can watch as ravens, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and turkey vultures put on a display of soaring techniques. The summit of Mount Newton is also regarded as an excellent location to watch some of the best sunsets on Vancouver Island.

Park Size: 174 hectares

Location and Maps

Location Map

John Dean Provincial Park is located near Sidney on southern Vancouver Island. The park can be accessed off Hwy #17. Turn west onto McTavish Road, south onto East Saanich Road, then west onto John Dean Road. Follow John Dean Road until you reach the park. Nearby communities include: Sidney, Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, Victoria

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Map - (71 KB PDF)

Nature and Culture

History - Early pioneer John Dean donated the first 32 hectares of property for the park in 1921, followed by four other settlers who contributed adjoining lands. Remnants of their homesteads remain in the park today.
Conservation - There are five plant communities at risk in John Dean Park that are part of the old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak ecosystems. Spring flowerings of camas lilies, shooting stars, sea blush and common red paintbrush carpet the meadows and forest in the spring. Pileated woodpeckers are often seen in the park, which protects the delicate Calypso orchid and some of the largest mature Douglas fir trees on the Saanich Peninsula. Diverse species of fungi, birds, moss and amphibian species are also present for keen naturalists to observe.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

The approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan is available in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Hiking

John Dean Provincial Park has approximately 6 km of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to more difficult hikes through beautiful old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak ecosystems. A main park map is located at the information shelter, as well as trail maps at various points along the trail system. Portions of the trail system can be steep and are geared to more advanced hikers. Refer to park map for more information and routes.

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Wildlife Viewing

A viewing platform is located at Pickles Bluff and offers spectacular views out over the Saanich Peninsula. This park also offers the opportunity to see old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak trees and a variety of wildflowers in the spring.

Facilities Available at this Park

Picnic Areas

This park has a day-use area with a parking lot, information shelter and a pit toilet. The park is blocked off by a gate, which is locked from dusk until 8 a.m. This park is closed to vehicle traffic from November to March.

Pit or Flush Toilets

A pit toilet is located near the parking lot.