The province of British Columbia in Canada is a should place to journey. Identified for its rugged shoreline, beautiful forests, outside hikes, and trails, British Columbia is a province that can by no means disappoint.
As well as, we even have to say the small cities, large cities, and island locations which are additionally stunning and distinctive. As somebody who has grown up in BC, I’ll checklist one of the best issues to do in British Columbia and probably the most stunning locations there so that you can uncover.
Nationwide and Provincial Parks in British Columbia
These are all the gorgeous nationwide and provincial parks in British Columbia that many deem stunning. Keep in mind to depart no hint behind; decide up the whole lot you deliver, together with your rubbish.
Earlier than visiting nationwide or provincial parks, you need to pay any charges, passes, and reservations.
Garibaldi Provincial Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park, additionally known as Garibaldi Park, is just 70 km (43 miles) North of the primary metropolis of Vancouver. Garibaldi Park is likely one of the most stunning climbing areas closest to town.
Lovely snow-capped peaks and blankets of snow through the winter, pockets of snow keep nearly year-round, and luxurious vegetation grows between rocks and the mountainsides in the summertime.
There are common hikes and backcountry campgrounds while you’re in Garibaldi Park. However as a be aware, they’re thought of intermediate to tough hikes that can take a day or two days to finish.
The 18-kilometer (11.3 miles) is the preferred out-and-back path, which takes roughly six hours to finish to Garibaldi Lake. The Black Tusk is one other common hike with substantial elevation features. The 27 kilometers hike will take about eight to 12 hours to finish, and it is best to camp in between.
Joffre Lake Provincial Park
One other hike round two hours and 40 minutes away from Vancouver is Joffre Lake Provincial Park. It’s one other common climbing spot highlighting three lakes, Decrease, Center, and Higher Joffre Lakes.
You may anticipate to see blue-turquoise water, ice fields, dashing glacier streams, and jagged peaks. It’s no surprise why many individuals like to discover the gorgeous park.
The reasonable 9.5-kilometer (5.9 miles) round-trip hike will take round three and a half hours to 4 and a half hours to finish, that’s, with out stops in between.
Glacier Nationwide Park (Canada)
If you’re considering of Glacier Nationwide Park in Montana, no, it’s not that one however the one in Canada! The Glacier Nationwide Park, Canada, is positioned throughout the Rocky Mountains, roughly an hour and 40 minutes from the British Columbia and Alberta province border and 6 hours and 40 minutes from Vancouver.
The gorgeous alpine surroundings with historical forests and deep valleys is open year-round for anybody involved in exploring the backcountry.
Yoho Nationwide Park of Canada
One other nationwide park close to the British Columbia and Alberta province border positioned throughout the Rocky Mountains is the Yoho Nationwide Park of Canada.
This nationwide park is exclusive as a result of it’s residence to one of many world’s richest deposits of Burgess Shale fossils which are amazingly detailed and greater than half a billion years outdated. Additionally, it’s important to marvel on the unimaginable views of the Rocky Mountains.
Wells Grey Provincial Park
In Clearwater, British Columbia, Wells Grey Provincial Park is one other location within the Rocky Mountains. The provincial park is called “Canada’s Waterfall Park” due to the 41 named waterfalls contained in the park.
Among the high waterfalls within the provincial park are Helmcken Falls, Spahats Creek Falls, and Dawson Falls.
As well as, there are different outside actions to do, akin to canoeing on Clearwater and Azure Lake, whitewater rafting, or climbing the Trophy Mountain flower meadow, which solely blooms twice a yr.
Nice Bear Rainforest
The Nice Bear Rainforest is likely one of the most stunning areas alongside the coast. It stretches alongside the northern and central coast of British Columbia, masking over six million hectares (16 million acres) of land.
Exploring the quarter of the world’s temperate rainforest is residence to cedar and spruce timber over 1000’s of years outdated. It is usually residence to the Kermode, or the “Spirit Bear,” a black bear with all-white fur.
The best technique to entry Nice Bear Rainforest is thru Bella Coola by automotive (driving alongside Freeway 20 from Williams Lake), flying on scheduled flights from Vancouver, or departing from Northern Vancouver Island by boat on day by day excursions.
Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve
The 511 sq. kilometers (197 sq. miles) nationwide park is on Vancouver Island. The Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve is separated into three areas: Lengthy Seashore, Damaged Group Islands, and the West Coast Path.
The nationwide park has many seashores, rugged mountains, and coastal hikes price trying out. It is usually residence to small cities akin to Port Alberni, Port Renfrew, and two different areas that will probably be talked about additional on this weblog submit.
Cities, Cities, and Islands
Now that now we have lined probably the most stunning nationwide and provincial parks, we’ll transfer on to probably the most stunning cities, cities, and islands in British Columbia.
Haida Gwaii
On British Columbia’s west coast, the archipelago island of Haida Gwaii is wealthy with wildlife, lush inexperienced vegetation, and tranquillity. The distant island is a part of the Haida Nation, and guests are strongly inspired to take the Haida Gwaii Pledge and learn to go to the island respectfully.
Different actions on Haida Gwaii embody the Haida Gwaii Museum, Gin Okuyaas – Haida Artwork Studio & Items, and the North Seashore Surf Store, which has all of your outside water actions like surfboards, stand-up-paddle boards, boogie boards, and extra.
Southern Gulf Islands
The Southern Gulf Islands are between the coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island alongside the Strait of Georgia. They’re all stunning and recognized to have beautiful rugged coastlines and seashores and luxurious inexperienced climbing trails.
Whereas there are lots of of small inlets which are part of the Southern Gulf Islands, there are solely a handful which are populated.
Mayne, Pender, Saturna, and Gabriola Islands are the opposite stunning islands folks dwell on or wish to discover. Nonetheless, there are two islands that acquire probably the most foot site visitors of individuals visiting.
Salt Spring Island is the most important and most populated Southern Gulf Island. 12 months-round, folks love to go to the island to give attention to their well being and wellness, agriculture, the artisan neighborhood, and environmental sustainability.
As well as, the island itself has stunning surroundings, pure areas, and beautiful coastlines. Actions like kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, and extra, can assist you see the island from totally different views.
The lengthy and slender island of Galiano is thought for its wild west coast seashores, with many entry factors to nearly all of them. There are lots of climbing spots with beautiful viewpoints, wildlife such because the native Black Tail Deer, and residential to lots of of hen species.
Sunshine Coast
The gorgeous Sunshine Coast covers 180 kilometers of British Columbia’s coast (112 miles). There are hectares of forest and what looks like infinite coastlines. It’s a location the place many small cities and communities in British Columbia are solely accessible by float aircraft, ferry, or boat.
Whereas the Sunshine Coast is a good looking location, listed below are a few cities to take a look at whereas exploring the Sunshine Coast.
Gibsons is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, as it’s the first main city you’ll come throughout. It’s a stunning location, and the waterfront is just minutes away.
The picturesque coastal city can be a well-known location in Canada. From the Seventies to the Nineties, the city’s background was the setting for the favourite Canadian comedy-drama tv present, The Beachcombers.
Surrounded by the forest and shoreline, Sechelt is a great spot for adventure-goers exploring the colourful artwork scene and year-round actions.
Tofino
One of the crucial talked about areas that any native, together with myself, brings up when visiting Vancouver Island is visiting Tofino. It is usually a coastal city within the Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve and total one of many finest locations to go to in British Columbia.
Tofino is called the surf capital of Canada, and rightfully so, as many surf fanatics from world wide journey to Tofino to expertise the massive swells that nature creates.
Whereas the city is just not solely well-known for browsing however for its beautiful seashores too, akin to Lengthy Seashore, which stretches roughly 16 kilometers (9.9 miles), or Cox Bay Seashore and Chesterman Seashore, the place you may watch one of the best storms unfold on the coast.
Ucluelet
Typically Ucluelet is overshadowed by Tofino. Although Ucluelet is just a 30-minute drive from Tofino, the small coastal city has its personal magnificence and allure.
Whereas a part of the Pacific Rim Nationwide Park Reserve, you may anticipate Ucluelet to have related breathtaking views of its sister city. Ucluelet has a laid-back surroundings, extra trails and hikes within the surrounding space, and extra rugged black rock shoreline cliffs.
If you’re searching for stunning spots in Ucluelet, I like to recommend trying out Huge Seashore throughout sundown; it’s a beautiful photo-op location.
Or the Wild Pacific Path, often known as the Lighthouse Loop, the place the Amphitrite Level Lighthouse is positioned, and luxuriate in a improbable stroll alongside the coast and into the forest.
Victoria
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. When you might imagine, is Victoria price visiting? Sure, it’s! The downtown core of Victoria is taken into account stunning due to the Victorian structure, heritage allure just like the Fairmont Empress Lodge, and sundown views of the Inside Harbour. And there are such a lot of issues to do in Victoria that might be an enormous mistake to not embody it in your itinerary!
There are different areas exterior the downtown core the place you may be immersed in greenery, such because the Victoria Butchart Gardens or Thetis Lake Regional Park.
It’s no surprise that Victoria was voted because the 2nd most stunning small metropolis in 2022 by Condé Nast.
Prince Rupert
The port metropolis of Prince Rupert was way back often known as the Halibut Capital of the World. There is a superb mix of rural and concrete experiences and points of interest, whether or not within the wilderness or the ocean in Prince Rupert.
Many excursions will provide you with a more in-depth have a look at the wildlife round Prince Rupert. Whether or not seasonal or year-round, akin to grizzly bears within the Khutzeymateen Valley or whale watching excursions, you may be captivated by these majestic mammals.
Kootenay Area
The Kootenay area is filled with stunning small mountain cities and outside adventures. Many search backcountry adventures like mountain biking, whereas others like exploring snowy peaks, pristine lakes, and waterfalls.
These are a few probably the most stunning locations within the Kootenay area.
Revelstoke is a well-liked and exquisite cease when folks journey from British Columbia to Calgary, Alberta. There’s additionally ample wildlife that chooses Revelstoke as their residence due to the wealthy ecosystem of hemlock and cedar tree, and actually that it’s also an inland temperate rainforest, a biome thought of one of many rarest on the planet.
In the case of winter, many individuals like to trek to Revelstoke for winter actions akin to snowboarding, nordic snowboarding, heli-skiing, and extra. In the summertime, The Pipe Mountain Coaster, mountain biking, climbing, and extra.
Nelson
Nestled within the Selkirk Mountains, often known as “The Queen Metropolis” and one in every of Canada’s gems, is Nelson, British Columbia. Nelson has over 350 heritage buildings within the metropolis, gaining the repute of one of many best heritage cities in Canada.
Whereas there are various strolling excursions to discover and increase your data concerning the heritage city, there are additionally many different outside leisure actions year-round, akin to fishing, caving, and backcountry snowboarding.
Okanagan Valley
Whereas British Columbia has over 900 vineyards, the Okanagan Valley, often known as the wine area of British Columbia, contributes to producing the second most quantity of wine in Canada.
The Okanagan is classed as a semi-arid desert, and it’s the solely subcategory distinctive biome that exists in Canada. There are lots of cities and vineyards in nearly each path you flip within the Okanagan.
The Okanagan Valley is a common wine area and plenty of locals love to go to, usually in the summertime or winter; folks often known as snowbirds – a gaggle of vacationers that journey to remain in hotter climates throughout winter months.
Although many forms of grapes are being grown throughout the province, probably the most planted purple and white grapes that British Columbia produces are for Merlots and Pinot Gris. If you’re a wine connoisseur, love ingesting wine, or searching for someplace to calm down, it is best to take a look at these locations within the Okanagan Valley.
Kelowna is likely one of the largest cities within the Okanagan. It’s located on the jap shores of Okanagan Lake and is surrounded by vineyards, orchards, and pine forests. Additionally, it has extra outside leisure issues to do through the winter.
If you’re searching for someplace to remain within the Okanagan, Kelowna would have probably the most choices for locations to remain. Nonetheless, will probably be a lot busier.
Penticton is one in every of my favourite areas within the Okanagan as a result of it’s the place my household travels probably the most. It’s smaller than Kelowna however a well-liked location with a rising neighborhood. There are lots of close by vineyards and orchards the place you may decide recent fruit in the summertime.
Located between Skaha and Okanagan Lake, the canal connects the 2 lakes the place you may experience interior tubes from one finish to the opposite.
If you’re searching for wineries, Naramata, 20 minutes from Penticton, has many award-winning wineries.
One other location that additionally has a particular place in my coronary heart is Osoyoos. It’s a lot quieter than Penticton and surrounded by vineyards and Osoyoos Lake. If you’re searching for extra of a desert surrounding, Osoyoos is far more desert-looking than Kelowna and Penticton.
Now in case you are a wine connoisseur, you need to take a look at Oliver. Whereas Oliver is a small city, some could contemplate Oliver the “wine capital of Canada.” Nonetheless, I believe it’s the “wine capital of British Columbia” as a result of Ontario produces extra wine. Nonetheless, regardless of that debate, Oliver has many award-winning wineries, such because the Burrowing Owl Property Vineyard.
Whistler
Whistler is roughly an hour and 45-minute drive from Vancouver. It’s a world-renowned ski resort – an excellent option to spend a full winter season there! – that has many home and worldwide guests year-round. Surrounded by ski mountains and forests, the summer season months appeal to many mountain bikers when the snow melts.
Not solely is Whistler stunning, however the drive to Whistler alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway additionally contributes to Whistler’s magnificence. It was voted top-of-the-line scenic routes in Canada.
Vancouver
Final however not least, Vancouver. Simply one of the vital, if not probably the most, stunning metropolis in Canada as a result of metropolis’s pure environment between the ocean and the mountains, excellent for climbing!
Vancouver blends city and nature seamlessly to the place you could find native parks in the midst of town like Queen Elizabeth Park or a park alongside the waterfront like Stanely Park.
You’re additionally not removed from exploring the mountains of Cypress, Grouse, and Seymour — or provincial parks akin to Golden Ears Provincial Park. Nearly all over the place you go, you may at all times anticipate stunning views from Vancouver.
Remember to plan your journey accordingly, as visiting Vancouver through the fall season is very beneficial for day journeys.
Wildfire Assertion From A Native
Dealing with wildfires has been probably the most difficult occasion many British Columbians have to deal with, particularly in rural areas. Wildfire exercise has grown immensely lately as a result of local weather change (and irresponsible folks contribute a small proportion).
In case you plan to go to any of those areas in British Columbia or anyplace in British Columbia, please put out your campfires correctly, throw your cigarette butts within the correct disposal bins, take heed to when campfire bans are put into regulation, and report a wildfire should you see one. Thanks.
Conclusion
As you may see, British Columbia has many stunning areas all through the province. Whether or not you might be searching for beautiful hikes, scenic highway journeys, sipping wine by the lake, or exploring a coastal city, British Columbia is a spot the place you may benefit from the nice open air regardless of the place you go to.
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Kelena is a curious Canadian journey blogger who loves exploring her yard and touring to different international locations worldwide. Sharing her experiences and particulars for others to get pleasure from is what she likes to do by means of her writing at writtenbykel.com.