Strathcona Provincial Park

Know Before You Go

• Camping is not permitted in day-use areas

  Please be advised that there is no camping permitted in any day-use area within Strathcona Park, including the Crest Creek Crags and Crest Lake day-use areas. Anyone contravening this regulation is committing an offence and is subject to eviction and/or charges under the Park, Conservancy, and Recreation Area Regulations.

• Snowmobiles are NOT permitted within Strathcona Provincial Park.
• Vehicle Break-ins

  Due to an increase in vehicle break-ins at trailhead locations, visitors are reminded to not leave any valuables in their vehicles.

• Comox Lake logging road and glacier trail access

  During the year, if there are logging operations occurring, this area, TimberWest restricts access with a gate and security personnel.

  • For up to date information, please contact TimberWest.

Strathcona Park Public Advisory Committee

The next SPPAC meeting time and location will be posted when confirmed.

• SPPAC and meeting minutes

Current Trail Conditions:

Please be advised that most trails are snow covered from late October/November until at least June, and for higher elevation trails, often until mid July. For those exploring the park during the snow cover season, you should be well equipped for changing conditions and check avalanche reports prior to heading out.

• Trail Report [PDF] (Nov. 7, 2017) (available seasonally from May through October)
• Paradise Meadows Parking Restrictions for the Winter Season [PDF] (Nov. 7, 2017)

The rugged wilderness areas, glaciers, snowfields and mountains of Strathcona Park require that visitors who wish to venture off maintained trails and away from developed areas be entirely self-sufficient, properly equipped and experienced. Anyone contemplating an extended or overnight hike should inform a responsible person or agency of their intention. This information should include estimated departure and return times and precise location of intended hike.

Campfire Regulations

Visitors are reminded that fires are not permitted anywhere or at anytime (all seasons) within Strathcona Park except in an authorized BC Parks steel fire ring. This regulation is in effect at all times of the year. No open fires are allowed in any backcountry areas.

Snowmobiles and internal combustion engines

The use of snowmobiles in all of Strathcona Park is prohibited. For detailed information please read the Snowmobile Ban – Information Guide. Internal combustion engines are prohibited in the backcountry areas of Strathcona Park.

About This Park

Strathcona Provincial Park, designated in 1911, is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Located almost in the centre of Vancouver Island, Strathcona park is a rugged mountain wilderness comprising more than 250,000 hectares. Mountain peaks – some perpetually mantled with snow – dominate the park. Lakes and alpine tarns dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks and streams. Summer in Strathcona is usually pleasantly warm, while winters are fairly mild except for the higher levels, where heavy snowfalls are the norm. From November through March, snowfalls can be expected on the mountain slopes and alpine plateaus. Snow remains all year on the mountain peaks and may linger into July even at moderate elevations. Summer evenings, as elsewhere in the coastal regions of B.C., can be cool and rain can be expected at any time of the year.

Two areas – Buttle Lake and vicinity and Forbidden Plateau – offer a variety of visitor-oriented developments. The rest of the park is largely undeveloped and appeals primarily to people seeking wilderness surroundings. To see and enjoy much of the scenic splendor requires hiking or backpacking into the alpine regions.

Buttle Lake, named for Commander John Buttle who explored the area in the 1860s, is the major body of water in the park. It and many other lakes and waterways in the park can provide good fishing in season for Cutthroat, Rainbow and Dolly Varden trout. Della Falls, whose drop of 440 metres over three ascades makes it one of the highest waterfalls in Canada, is located in the southern section of the park. And the highest point on Vancouver Island, the Golden Hinde (elevation 2,200 metres), stands almost in the centre of Strathcona to the west of Buttle Lake.

Three roadless tracts within Strathcon Provincial Park – Big Den, Central Strathcona and Comox Glacier--have been designated as nature conservancy areas. Each tract contains outstanding examples of scenery and natural history that remain uninfluenced by human activity. The three areas, totaling 122,500 hectares, are dedicated to the preservation of the undisturbed natural environment.

While the high mountain peaks and deep shaded valleys of Strathcona Park are dramatic, it is easy to forget that beneath your feet lays a history stretching back 380 million years. It is a history of violent volcanic eruptions on ancient seafloors and quiet interludes when gardens of sea lilies waved in gentle ocean currents. It is a history of rocks torn and folded by the extraordinary forces that can move continents, and of mountain ranges sculpted by the immensely thick ice sheets, which only vanished a few thousand years ago. No matter how long your visit, or whatever your interest, a knowledge of the geology of Strathcona Park will enhance your enjoyment of this spectacularly beautiful area. Visit this website for more information about the geology of Strathcona Park.

Strathcona Park benefits from excellent adjoining commercial facilities such as the Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre, which offers outdoor education and wilderness skills training. The nearby communities of Campbell River, the Comox Valley, Gold River, Tofino and Port Alberni offer a full range of visitor services. Mount Washington Alpine Resort, located adjacent to the park, offers extensive alpine and nordic skiing opportunities, as well as a variety of winter and summer recreation facilities.

The Megin-Talbot addition in Strathcona Provincial Park was identified for protection in the Clayoquot Sound Land-Use Decision in 1995.

Date Established: March 1, 1911

Park Size: 248,669 hectares (247,961 hectares of upland and 708 hectares of foreshore)

Campground Dates of Operation All dates are subject to change without notice
Opening and Closing Campground Dates: (The gates are closed during the off-season from November 1 to March 31)
– Buttle Lake campground	April 1 – October 31
– Ralph River campground	April 1 – October 31
Campground Dates with Full Services and Fees:
– Buttle Lake campground	April 1 – October 31
– Ralph River campground	April 1 – October 31
Campground Reservable Dates:
– Buttle Lake campgrounds	May 12 – September 3
– Ralph River campgrounds	May 12 – September 3
Total Number of Vehicle Accessible Campsites:	Buttle Lake = 86 Ralph River = 75
Number of Reservable Campsites, if applicable: (all remaining sites are first-come, first-served)	Buttle Lake = 50 Ralph River = 20
Note: The park is open year round unless inaccessible due to weather conditions, especially during the off-season. If the park or campground are closed for other reasons, information is noted in the "Attention Visitor Notice" at the top of this page.

Reservations

All campsite and group site reservations must be made through Discover Camping. When reservations are not available all campsites function as first-come, first-served.



Campsite Reservations:
Campsite reservations are accepted and first-come, first-served sites are also available.

Group Camp/Picnic Reservations:
Group campsite reservations are accepted at this park through Discover Camping for dates starting May 12 to September 29.

Location and Maps

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Location Map

Strathcona Park is located on central Vancouver Island near the communities of Campbell River and the Comox Valley, which are the primary access points to the park. Day users of Strathcona will be interested in two areas: Buttle Lake and the hiking opportunities afforded by Forbidden Plateau.

Buttle Lake: The main access to Strathcona Park is via Highway 28, which connects with Gold River on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Follow Hwy 19 north past Courtenay to Campbell River, then follow Hwy 28 west for 48 km. Hwy 28 passes through the northern section of the park and provides access to Buttle Lake. Gas and services are not available between Campbell River and Gold River.

Forbidden Plateau: The main access route to Forbidden Plateau from Courtenay and Campbell River is via the Paradise Meadows Trailhead at Mount Washington. From Highway 19 follow signs to Mount Washington Ski Resort via exit #130 (the Strathcona Parkway) for 20 km. Turn left onto the Nordic Lodge road for 1.5 km to the Paradise Meadows parking lot.

Maps and Brochures

Please note: Any maps listed are for information only – they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

• Paradise Meadows Centennial Trail [PDF 3.6MB]
• Park Map [PDF 1.6MB] (Updated August 2008)
• Park Brochure [PDF 1.7MB]
• Snowmobile Ban – Information Guide [PDF]
• Brochure – Buttle Lake & Ralph River Campground [PDF]
• Brochure Map – Buttle Lake & Ralph River Campground [PDF]
• Brochure – Megin/Talbot Addition [PDF]
• Backcountry Fee Collecting Area Maps – (shows areas where fees will be collected):
  • Bedwell Trail Area [PDF]
  • Elk River Trail Area [PDF]
  • Forbidden Plateau Area [PDF]
• National Topographic Series maps (Scale 1:50,000), sheets 92F/5, F/6, F/11, F/12, F/13 and K/4 cover the park area. These maps should be available at most map retailers in B.C.

Nature and Culture

• History: Strathcona Park, designated in 1911, is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. In the valleys and lower regions of Strathcona are forest stands that were already old when Captain James Cook of Britain’s Royal Navy landed at Nootka Sound in 1778, on the west coast of Vancouver Island a few kilometres from what is now the western boundary of the park.
  
  Strathcona Park was named for Donald Alexander Smith, First Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, a Canadian pioneer and one of the principals in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. On November 7, 1885 Lord Strathcona drove the last iron spike into the twin ribbons of steel that united Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific at Craigellachie in BC’s Selkirk Mountains.
• Conservation: Western red cedar, Douglas fir, grand fir, amabilis fir and western hemlock cover much of the park’s valleys and lower mountain slopes; this gives way to sub-alpine fir, mountain hemlock and creeping juniper in the sub-alpine areas. Throughout the summer months the park offers a spectacular floral display in various areas from sea level to above 1,800 metres elevation. Found at varying heights are varieties of heather, lupine, monkey flowers and violets as well as Indian paintbrush, phlox and moss campion.
• Wildlife: Vancouver Island’s separation from mainland British Columbia by Johnstone and Georgia Straits means that many mammal species common to other parts of the province are not found on the Island. Species such as the Roosevelt elk, the currently-endangered Vancouver Island marmot, the Vancouver Island wolf, and the coastal black-tailed deer are different from their mainland relatives. The park has a large deer population and a significant number of Roosevelt elk while wolves and cougars, though present, are seldom seen. Resident birds include the chestnut-backed chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, winter wren and kinglet, as well as the gray jay, Steller’s jay and band-tailed pigeon. The park also supports numerous blue grouse, ruffled grouse and a limited number of unique Vancouver Island white-tailed ptarmigan.
  • Poster: Reintroducing Vancouver Island Marmots to Strathcona Provincial Park [PDF]

Management Planning

Strathcona Provincial Park Management Plan

The master plan for Strathcona Park was approved in 1993. There have been two subsequent master plan amendment processes. The amendment documents are to be used in conjunction with the 1993 master plan.

• Strathcona Park Master Plan [PDF 1.8MB] (1993)
• Strathcona Park Master Plan Amendment [PDF 5.0MB] (2001)
• Strathcona Park Master Plan Amendment [PDF] (2010)
• Strathcona Master Plan Amendment 2010 Process Overview

Partnerships

Centennial Trail Opening

After 14 years of volunteer dedication through the planning, design, fund raising, and a 5 year construction period, the Strathcona Provincial Park Wilderness Centre and the Paradise Meadows wheelchair accessible Centennial Trail loop has been completed just in time for the BC Parks centennial.

• View the sign mounted in recognition of this occasion

Strathcona Park and Strathcona-Westmin Park Public Advisory Committee

The Strathcona Park and Strathcona-Westmin Park Public Advisory Committee was established in 1993 to ensure public participation in the ongoing operation and management of Strathcona Provincial Park and Strathcona Westmin Provincial Park. Get more information about the SPPAC

Activities Available at this Park

Canoeing

Climbing

Cycling

Fishing

Hiking

Horseback Riding

Hunting

Interpretive Programs

Pets on Leash

Swimming

Waterskiing

Wildlife Viewing

Windsurfing

Winter Recreation

Facilities Available at this Park

Boat Launch

Cabins / Huts

Campfires

Drinking Water

Group Camping

Information

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets

Playground

Vehicle Accessible Camping

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

Wheelchair Access

Winter Camping