Founded in 1911, Strathcona Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia, and the largest on Vancouver Island. Located almost dead centre on Vancouver Island, this beautiful provincial park features more than 250,000 hectares of towering old growth trees, scenic mountain ranges, and lakes and alpine tarns that dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks, and streams. Every year, outdoor adventure lovers flock from across British Columbia and beyond to partake in the many year-round activities that are offered in this fascinating park. Camp at one of the many frontcountry, backcountry, or marine-access camping sites available, hike through dense forest, through alpine valleys, or along mountain ridges, canoe or fish at Buttle Lake, rock climb at the Crest Creek Crags, or cross-country ski through the aptly named Paradise Meadows.
We are pleased to announce the addition of the brand-new Strathcona Provincial Park Adventure Map to our Parks & Destination Map series. The perfect companion for any Strathcona Provincial Park adventure or road trip, this large-scale map highlights all the access roads and trails for hikers, bikers, skiers, and backcountry enthusiasts. Showcasing frontcountry and wilderness campsites, huts and cabins, picnic sites, recreation sites, viewpoints, waterfalls, climbing areas, and fishing lakes and rivers, this easy-to-read adventure map is packed with all the information you need to explore this large and beautiful area. Shown at a 1:125,000 scale and available in a 61 x 94 cm (24 x 37 in) durable, water-resistant paper map format or a large-format wall map, no other map on the market covers all of Strathcona Provincial Park with this level of recreational detail.
A Little Piece of History
Designated in 1911, Strathcona Provincial Park is the oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Protecting strands of old-growth forest that were already old when Captain James Cook landed at Nootka Sound in 1778, this park protects a beautiful piece of history. Many different species of wildlife make this park their home, and any visit to Strathcona Provincial Park offers the chance to spot Roosevelt elk, the currently endangered Vancouver Island marmot, the Vancouver Island wolf, the coastal black-tailed deer, and several native species of birds. Cougars are also present, but rarely seen. A great place to view wildlife is the Forbidden Plateau area, where a ski hill operated until 1999. Popular for both hiking and cross-country skiing, the 16 km (10 mi) Forbidden Plateau Loop trail leads through Paradise Meadows and into the scenic Forbidden Plateau Area. In the winter months, the decades-old, cleared ski runs make the perfect ski touring destination.
Featuring all the best trails, viewpoints, recreation areas, attractions, and backroads in Strathcona Provincial Park, the new Strathcona Provincial Park Adventure Map is the perfect adventure planning tool for this stunning region.
Plenty of Trip Options
Strathcona Provincial Park is over 250,000 hectares in size and sits almost dead centre on Vancouver Island. The communities of Campbell River and the Comox Valley provide the main access points to the park, with Highway 28 passing through the northern section of the park and providing access to Buttle Lake and several other attractions including Elk Falls off Brewster Lake Road, Lupin Falls, Karst Creek Falls, and Lower Myra Falls off Buttle Lake Road, and Lady Falls which are right off Highway 28.
From the Paradise Meadows trailhead at Mount Washington off the Strathcona Parkway, visitors can hike into the northeastern portion of the park. It is highly recommended to spend a few days exploring the expansive park, and the Buttle Lake and Ralph River Campgrounds offer reservable, vehicle-access camping with comfortable amenities. Other options include wilderness camping at Croteau Lake or along the Della Falls Trail, or marine-accessible campsites on Buttle Lake and Upper Campbell Lake.
All these access points, park gates, roadways, and accommodation options are clearly marked on the Strathcona Provincial Park Adventure Map, with unique symbols defining campgrounds, wilderness campsites, recreation sites, day-use areas, and much more.
Adventure Opportunities Await
Covered in dense forest and surrounded by towering mountain peaks and scenic alpine valleys with a network of lakes, rivers, and streams, Strathcona Provincial Park is teeming with outdoor recreation opportunities. Ranging from 30-minute strolls through scenic forest to multi-day backcountry hikes and mountaineering adventures, there are plenty of different trail networks to explore in Strathcona Provincial Park, with many of the trails open to cross-country skiing or snowshoeing in the winter months.
Swimming, paddling, and fishing are all popular activities at Buttle Lake, and mountain biking opportunities exist on the west side of the park near Gold River. The Crest Creek Crags, which are about 11 km east of Gold River, offer more than 150 rock climbing routes for climbers of all skill levels. Running through the backcountry of the park, the Elk River offers world-class fly fishing for trophy-sized trout. Paralleling the river, the Elk River Trail leads hikers to beautiful wilderness campsites and some of the highest mountain peaks in the park. For true backcountry trekkers, the challenging Phillips Ridge Trail begins at the south end of Buttle Lake, climbing 1,076 metres (3,530 ft) in elevation gain over 15 km (9.3 mi) to the ridge, which offers spectacular scenery. Many choose to camp at one of the many wilderness camping spots scattered along Arnica Lake to make this a two-day trek.
No matter which adventure you choose to partake in, the Strathcona Provincial Park Adventure Map is the perfect tool for trip-planning and carrying in your pocket, backpack, dry bag, or purse. Plan your next adventure and find your way to your destination with this brand-new map that is part of the lineup of our popular Parks & Destination Map series. And, be sure to check out our Vancouver Island Backroad Mapbook and Backroad Maps App to aid in planning your next adventure in this beautiful park.