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photo of Strathcona Westmin Provincial Park ' Strathcona Westmin Provincial Park
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important info, warnings, alerts for park visitors
general overview of park, size, special features safety, park hazards, wildlife information, health risks
park location, parks nearby, how to get to the park history, cultural heritage, conservation, wildlife
maps of park and/or campground, trails, etc. Management Planning
campsite reservations, group and picnic site reservations images of the park
 

vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping group camping - 15 or more campers picnic, day-use facilities, no camping wheelchair accessiblity drinking water toilets showers sani-stations, sani-dumps firewood, campfires There are no electrical hook-ups in this park interpretive, educational programs
walking, hiking trails playgrounds swimming canoeing, kayaking power boats, boat launch fishing cycling, mountain biking, bicycling horses, horseback riding pets, domestic animals in parks Icon Legend- Green =Available Grey = Unavailable

wildlife viewing
 winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating scuba, snorkelling windsurfing waterskiing hunting climbing, rock climbing spelunking, caving cabins, yurts, lodges click on green symbols for more information

 

Attention Visitors - Important Notice!

  • No park alerts at this time.

Park Info:

Strathcona-Westmin Park is surrounded by Strathcona Provincial Park on central Vancouver Island. This park is unique in that it incorporates a working mine, the Myra Falls Operation of Boliden-Westmin Resources Ltd. This mine produces ore containing zinc, copper, gold and silver and has a capacity of 1.4 million tons annually.

Aside from mining, this rugged forest environment offers a variety of recreational opportunities for visitors - particularly hiking and backcountry camping. Routes range from 15-minute walks to more than 8 hour hikes. A short trails lead from the Boliden-Westmin mine to beautiful Upper and Lower Myra Falls – scenic waterfalls located deep in the forest. Other longer trails lead to the lower Thelwood Valley - a great place to see Roosevelt elk and other wildlife - and access the backcountry at Price Creek, Philips Ridge, Tennent Lake and Mount Myra.

Click here to find out about the Strathcona and Strathcona-Westmin Public Advisory Committee

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Park Size: 3,328 hectares

Special Notes:

Management Planning:

Management Planning Information

 

Location:

Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park is surrounded by Strathcona Provincial Park on central Vancouver Island. Located at the south end of Buttle Lake, the park covers the lower portions of the Myra Creek and Thelwood Creek valleys. To reach the park, visitors drive west on Hwy 28 from Campbell River to the entrance to Strathcona Provincial Park (48 km); proceed down the Buttle Lake road (Western Mines Road) past the Buttle Narrows Bridge toward Strathcona-Westmin park, an additional 35 km.

Nearby communities include: Campbell River, Comox Valley, Courtenay, Gold River

Map/Brochure:

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

  • There are no digital maps or brochures for this park.
  • Location Map

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Nature & Culture:
  • History - Strathcona-Westmin Class B Provincial Park covers the area permitted for Boliden-Westmin resources to carry out mining operations. The land was given special designation because of mineral values and the decision by the provincial government to allow exploration and mining in this area. This park was separated out of Strathcona Park in 1965 and designated as a Class B provincial park. Mining began in 1966 and will continue dependant on reserves and commodity prices.
  • Conservation / Wildlife - The lower portion of Thelwood Creek has spawning beds for Rainbow, Dolly Varden and Cutthroat trout, as well as char. These spawning areas are essential to maintaining the fishery of Buttle Lake in Strathcona Provincial Park. The park also protects important habitat for Roosevelt elk and beaver. Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park has a significant black bear population. It is common to encounter bears along the trails and roadsides. Other wildlife in the park includes the red-listed Vancouver Island wolverine, as well as cougars, deer, wolves and a variety of birds and amphibians


    • Visitor Safety: Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park has a significant black bear population. It is common to encounter bears along the trails and roadsides. Visitors should use caution around bears and not approach. Keep pets on a leash. For more on bear safety click here.

    Visitor Safety Information (park safety, hazards, wildlife safety information, health risks)

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    Reservations:For parks that accept reservations, all vehicle accessible campsites (with the exception of
    group sites) must be reserved through Discover Camping.

    Reservations are not accepted at this park. For parks that accept reservations or information on the reservation service click here.

    Explore Parks: Fees, park listings, what you should know before you go and other useful links.

     

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    vehicle accessible, drive-in campsites

    There are no vehicle accessible camping facilities at this park.

    wilderness, backcountry, walk-in camping

    winter camping

    Wilderness, backcountry or walk-in camping is allowed around Arnica Lake on the Phillips Ridge Trail. No facilities are provided. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.

    Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park is accessible year round; there is no fee for winter camping.
    group camping - 15 or more campers

    There are no group campsites at this park.
    picnic, day-use facilities, no camping

    There are no day-use or picnic facilities at this park.
    wheelchair accessibility

    There are no wheelchair accessible facilities at this park.

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    drinking water

    Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
    toilets

    This park has pit toilets located at the Lower Myra Falls parking lot and at the Philips Ridge/Upper Myra Falls parking lot.
    showers

    No showers.
    sani-stations, sani-dumps

    No sani-station/dump facilities.
    firewood, campfires

    Campfires are not permitted in this park. Please carry portable stoves for cooking.
    There are no electrical hook-ups in this park There are no electrical hook-ups in this park
    interpretive, educational programs

    There are no regularly scheduled interpretive programs at this park.

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    walking, hiking trails

    Hiking opportunities range from short easy walks to steep, difficult backcountry hikes. Parking and trailhead facilities at Strathcona-Westmin Park provide access to hiking opportunities in surrounding Strathcona Park. Three trailheads offer visitor information shelters, parking areas and pit toilets. Click here for description of each trail.
    playgrounds

    This park does not have a playground.
    swimming

    No swimming.
    canoeing, kayaking

    There are no opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.
    power boats, boat launch

    This park does not have a boat launch.
    fishing

    Tributaries to Buttle Lake are closed to angling. This includes Thelwood and Myra Creeks. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
    cycling, mountain biking, bicycling

    Cycling is not permitted.
    horses, horseback riding

    No horseback riding.
    pets, domestic animals in parks Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control 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

    Viewing platforms at Lower and Upper Myra Falls offer spectacular views of the waterfalls. The trail to Upper Myra Falls leads through beautiful old-growth forest. Philips Ridge and Mount Myra offer great views of the surrounding alpine environment of Strathcona Park.

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    winter recreation, downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, toboganning, ice skating

    No winter recreation opportunities.
    scuba, snorkelling

    No SCUBA diving or snorkelling opportunities.
    windsurfing

    No windsurfing opportunities.
    waterskiing

    No waterskiing opportunities.
    hunting

    This park is closed to hunting.
    climbing, rock climbing

    No climbing or rock climbing opportunities.
    spelunking, caving

    No spelunking or caving opportunities.
    cabins, yurts, lodges

    No cabins, yurts or lodges for public use.

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