Strathcona Provincial Park
Strathcona Provincial Park is a fantastic treasure in the heart of Vancouver Island. Excellent hiking trails, coastal areas, lakes, creeks, waterfalls, glaciers and wildlife made this park a perfect destination for adventurous travellers. Summers are usually pleasantly warm, and winters are almost mild except for the higher levels, where heavy snowfalls are common.
Strathcona Provincial Park area has unique flora and fauna and rare wildlife. Deer, Roosevelt elk, wolves and cougars and birds such as red-breasted nuthatch, chestnut-backed chickadee, winter wren, gray jay, kinglet, Steller's jay, numerous ruffled grouse, blue grouse and a limited number of unique Vancouver Island white-tailed ptarmigan and band-tailed pigeon all can be found in the park.
Ancient rainforests of Douglas-fir, grand and amabilis fir, western red cedar and western hemlock exist in the park.
Strathcona Provincial Park, which has about 250,000 hectares (617763.4 Acres), is the largest provincial park on Vancouver Island. It is located about 24 km (15 miles) west of Campbell River city, almost in the center of Vancouver Island.
Buttle Lake and Forbidden Plateau are two areas in the park that have facilities and attract visitors. The rest of Strathcona Provincial Park is undeveloped and excellent for backpackers who enjoy wilderness surroundings.
Buttle Lake, a long narrow lake that offers water sports, is located in the heart of the park.
Also, it features a waterfall, Lupin Falls. Forbidden Plateau is north of Comox Lake and south east of Strathcona Provincial Park. This alpine plateau is surrounded by high mountains and is composed of lush forests, open meadows, lakes, and tarns.
Della Falls, in the southern section of the park, is among the top ten highest falls globally and is the highest waterfall in Canada, with an overall drop of 440 meters (1443.5 ft) in three cascades.
From Nanaimo:
Nanaimo's fastest route is via BC-19 N, which is 203 km (126 miles) and takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes.
Head west on Fitzwilliam St toward Wesley St. After 800 m (2624.6 ft), continue onto Third St for 1.9 km (1.1 miles). Continue onto Jingle Pot Rd, and after 650 m (2132.5 ft), turn right onto BC-19 N (signs for Campbell R). Drive for 151 km (93.8 miles), then turn left onto Island Hwy/BC-19A N (signs for BC-28 W/Gold River). After 150 m (492.1 ft), continue onto Campbell River Rd/Gold River Hwy/BC-28 W for 47.3 km (29.4 miles). Continue straight onto Westmin Rd, and after 450 m (1476.3 ft), you will reach the park.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N, which is 313 km (194.5 miles) and takes about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and BC-19 N to Island Hwy/BC-19A N in Campbell River. After 264 km (164 miles), follow Gold River Hwy/BC-28 W to Westmin Rd in Comox-Strathcona D. Drive 47.9 km (29.7miles) more to reach the park.
* Remember that highway 28 passes through the northern section of Strathcona Provincial Park and provides access to Buttle Lake.
1. "Lake Helen Mackenzie and Battleship Lake Loop Hike" is a moderate loop near Comox Valley. It has an 8.5 km (5.28 miles) length and 301 m (987.5 ft) elevation gain. The loop features beautiful wildflowers and is mostly used for hiking, walking, bird watching, and nature trips. The best time to use is from March until October. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
2. "Landslide Lake Via Elk River Trail" is an out and back trail located near Strathcona D, British Columbia, Canada. It has 21.2 km (13.17 miles) length, 1027 m (3369.4 ft) elevation gain, and difficult rates. The trail features a lake and is mainly used for hiking, running, backpacking and camping. The best time to use is from June until August. Your dog is allowed to be with you at the trail but keep it on a leash.
3. "Mount Albert Edward Trail" is a difficult loop near Comox Valley C. It has a 39.9 km (24.7 miles) length and 1723 m (5652.8 ft) elevation gain. The loop features a lake and offers several activity options. Dogs must be on a leash.
4. "Mount Becher Trail" is an out and back trail near Comox Valley C, British Columbia, Canada. It has 11.6 km (7.2 miles) length, 703 m (2306.4 ft) elevation gain, and difficult rates. Mount Becher Trail Offers spectacular views and is mostly used for hiking, running, and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
5. "Kwai Lake and Forbidden Plateau Loop" is located near Cumberland. The trail has a 15.9 km (10 miles) length, 629 m (2063.6 feet) elevation gain, and moderate rates. It features a lake and offers several activity options. The best time to use is from March until October. You need to leash your dog while on the trail.
6. "Mount Washington and Cruickshank Canyon" is an out and back moderate trail near Comox Valley C. It has a 20.4 km (12.6 miles) length and 770 m (2526.2 ft) elevation gain. The trail features a lake and is mostly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
7. "Della Falls" is an out and back difficult trail near Alberni-Clayoquot C. It has 29.5 km (18.3 miles) length and 1117 m (3664.7 ft) elevation gain. Della Falls features a lake and is mostly used for hiking, camping, and backpacking. The best time to use is from June until September. Please keep your dogs on a leash.
8. "Kings Peak" is an out and back trail located near Strathcona D, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has 14.2 km (8.8 miles) length, 1873 m (6145 ft) elevation gain, and difficult rates. Kings Peak Offers spectacular views and is mostly used for hiking, running, and backpacking. You need to leash your dog.
9. "Old Cabin Loop" is located near Comox Valley C, British Columbia, Canada. This easy loop has a 2.4 km (1.5 miles) length and 52 m (170.6 ft) elevation gain. Old Cabin Loop features a lake and is mainly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. The best time to use this trail is from June until September. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
10. "Crest Mountain" is an out and back difficult trail near Gold River village. It has 11.4 km (7 miles) length and 1270 m (4166.6 ft) elevation gain. Crest Mountain features a lake and is mostly used for hiking. The best time to use is from June until September. You have to keep your dogs on a leash.
11. "Battleship Lake" is an out and back trail near Comox Valley C, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has a 7.6 km (4.2 miles) length, 220 m (721.7 ft) elevation gain, and moderate rates. Battleship Lake Provides an opportunity to see wildlife and is mostly used for hiking and running. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
12. "Mount Albert Edward Trail" is an out and back difficult trail located near Comox Valley C. It has a 6.9 km (4.2 miles) length and 926 m (3038 ft) elevation gain. Mount Albert Edward Trail features a lake and is mostly used for hiking.
13. "Augerpoint Traverse" is a point-to-point difficult trail located near Comox Valley C. The trail has 30.3 km (18.8 miles) length and 1824 m (5984.2 ft) elevation gain. Augerpoint Traverse features a lake and is mostly used for hiking, camping, backpacking, bird watching and nature trips. You need to leash your dog while on the trail.
14. "Love Lake Trail" is an out and back difficult trail located near Alberni-Clayoquot Regional. It has a 5.3 km (3.3 miles) length and 692 m (2270 feet) elevation gain. Della Falls features a lake and is mostly used for hiking.
15. "Lupin Falls Trail" is an easy loop located near Strathcona. It has a length of 0.8 km (0.4 miles) and 43 m (141 ft) elevation gain. Lupin Falls Trail features a lake and is mainly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.
16. "Jutland Mountain from Harris Lake" is an out and back trail near Comox Valley. It has a 10.9 km (6.3 miles) length, 880 m (2887.14 ft) elevation gain, and moderate rates. The trail features beautiful wildflowers and is mostly used for hiking, nature trips, and backpacking.
17. "Panther Lake to Kwai Lake" is an out and back trail near Comox Valley C. It has a length of 5.6 km (3.4 miles), 179 m (587.27 ft) of elevation gain, and moderate rates. The trail provides an opportunity to see wildlife and is mainly used for hiking, walking, and nature trips.
18. "Three Pond Loop Trail" is an out and back easy trail located near Strathcona D, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has 0.6 km (0.3 miles) length and 13 m (42.6 ft) of elevation gain. Three Pond Loop Trail features a lake and is mostly used for hiking, running, and camping. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
19. "Rossiter's Rise to Crooked Creek Loop" is located near Comox Valley C. The trail has a 5 km (3.1 miles) length, 140 m (459.3 ft) of elevation gain and rates as easy. The trail provides an opportunity to see wildlife and is mainly used for nature trips and snowshoeing. Dogs are allowed but keep them on a leash.
As the oldest provincial park on Vancouver Island and British Columbia, Strathcona Provincial Park was established on March 1, 1911. It was named for Donald Alexander Smith, 1st Baron Strathcona and Mount Royal, a wealthy philanthropist and railway pioneer.
Buttle Lake is named after Commander John Buttle, who explored the area in the 1860s for the first time.
With unique flora and fauna and rare wildlife, Strathcona Provincial Park is a treasure on Vancouver Island. It offers several outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, and mountain biking through excellent trails. You can also enjoy water sports like swimming, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, windsurfing and fishing on Buttle Lake with two boat launches. Winter recreations are available too. Based on the BC Act, Strathcona Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.
