10 Best National Parks in British Columbia

Explore the west coast of Vancouver Island and the smaller Broken Group Islands surrounding it at Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Venture out from the long sandy beaches on surfboard, boat or kayak to meet nature face to face.

Experienced hikers may be tempted to reserve a spot on the challenging backcountry West Coast Trail hike, which takes around a week to complete and includes rock scrambles, river crossings and plenty of mud. For a more relaxing camping trip, there are plenty of drive-in frontcountry sites and backcountry options accessible via kayak if seclusion is your goal.

Step foot into Alpine scenery in Glacier National Park with snowy peaks and deep, forested valleys. This incredible beauty spot has something to offer all year round, with excellent ski touring in winter and summer hikes with highly rewarding views. A variety of campgrounds are available, including space to park your RV/caravan, but if you want to stay somewhere really remote you can book a stay in an Alpine Club of Canada cabin.

To gain a deeper appreciation of the park, visit the Rogers Pass Discovery Centre. The building is a replica of a historic railway snowshed, and within you’ll find a museum dedicated to the history and wildlife of the area.

Yoho National Park is perfectly situated to get reliable amounts of powdery snow, making it a great destination for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. A variety of marked and groomed trails are available, many of which are suitable for beginners, that lead you through Alpine forests to unspoiled lakes and frozen waterfalls.

Train fans and history buffs can also visit the Spiral Tunnels at Kicking Horse Pass, a creative solution to the challenges of getting trains through the Rocky Mountains. They were built over a hundred years ago to connect British Columbia to the rest of Canada, and still see 25 to 30 trains pass through daily.

Why go on a regular hike when you could go on an adventure in Kootenay National Park to find some of the most detailed fossils in the world? Book a guided hike to Burgess Shale and in addition to the incredible scenery you’ll also get to see creatures older than the dinosaurs, and even touch them with your own hands. Kids over the age of 8 are welcome to come too.

After your strenuous adventures, come on down to the Radium Hot Springs and soak in the warm, mineral-rich waters until you’re glowing. The waters are pleasantly odourless and surrounded by the unique rock formations of Sinclair Canyon.

Fans of scenic drives will love the Sky Parkway, a road with an elevation of 470 metres that takes you to the stunning wildflower meadows of Mount Revelstone National Park. Plan your trip for the height of the season to benefit from the full glory of nature’s artistry.

The park is full of viewpoints and picnic areas connected by a system of clearly marked trails. You’ll find a historic fire tower at the summit, which is just one of many great spots for taking photos or simply enjoying the sights.

Although it’s one of the smaller parks on this list, Nairn Falls Provincial Park is something of a hidden gem. You can find it on the Sea to Sky Trail alongside the Green River, surrounded by rushing waterfalls and old-growth forest. You don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to come and enjoy it though, with vehicle-accessible camping available for those who prefer shorter strolls.

Nairn Park is open all year round. It makes a great stopping point to spend the night when bikepacking or hiking the full length of the Sea to Sky Trail, or come for the cross-country skiing in the snowy season.

If an island populated by temperate rainforests, bald eagles and bears is your idea of paradise, visit the Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, the ancestral home of the Haida people. Here you can kayak through the network of islands to get up close and personal with the ocean, where whales, porpoises and sea lions roam.

On land, there are plenty of spots for camping, walking and bird watching. From May to December, cultural ambassadors known as Watchmen are available to teach visitors about Haida culture. You’ll be able to visit 5 heritage sites where longhouses once stood and see poles carved with ravens, eagles and thunderbirds.

If you’re heading to northern British Columbia, the Muncho Lake Provincial Park is a is a must-stop location. With 12 km of pristine glacial water and a backdrop of rugged mountains, there’s plenty of space to spread out and find a moment’s peace.

Once you’ve caught your breath, dive into the wide range of leisure activities available. See the sights from above with a floatplane tour or hitch a ride to a fly-in fishing spot for some of the finest angling around. Stay closer to the ground with hiking or kayaking, followed by a relaxing soak in the nearby Liard River Hotsprings, the second largest natural hot spring in Canada.

Mount Robson Provincial Park is the 2nd oldest park in the province, home to lakes, glaciers and the Valley of a Thousand Falls. Mount Robson itself claims the crown for being the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies and is surrounded by old-growth forests where you may encounter bears, moose and wolves, plus a range of birds from the Rufous Hummingbird to the golden eagle. 

Experienced adventurers can take on the Mount Robson itself, but more casual hikers may prefer to book a heli-hike and take a helicopter ride part way up into the mountains then hike the trail back down. If you enjoy the dark embrace of the rock, check out the caving and spelunking opportunities.