Miracle Beach Provincial
Park is located 23 km north of Courtenay
beside Hwy 19. It's a 10-minute walk from the campsites to the extravagant
expanse of cobblestone beach that gives way to hard-packed sand flats
at low tide, where herons stalk, seals bark, and ravens and eagles
call. What a chorus! The campsites are located in a second-growth
forest of gnarly Douglas-fir, western red cedar, and western hemlock.
Elk Falls Provincial
Park is near the union of the Quinsam
and Campbell Rivers. This park has two different sections. The picnic/day-use
area is located near the waterfalls on the Campbell River as it enters
John Hart Lake. Campsites are situated 6 km away on the Quinsam river.
A large stand of Douglas-fir surrounds Elk Falls, which present a
lively sight during spring runoff.
Englishman River Falls
Provincial Park is tucked away in the
sheltering Douglas-fir forest 13 km southwest of Parksville.
There's great picnicking, summer swimming, and a 3 km walking trail
that passes through a stand of maple trees to an impressive waterfall
and gorge. Ocean beaches are nearby at Parksville and Qualicum
Beach.
Little
Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, 19 km
west of Parksville on Hwy 4, is quite similar in feel to Englishman
River Falls Provincial Park. A wonderful quiet pervades here beside
the Little Qualicum River and Cameron Lake. Although the two parks
are quite close together, the forests that surround them are noticeably
different. Here, at Little Qualicum, the soil is much sandier and
drier (hence the lovely beach), which means that pine trees thrive
better here than fir. As at Englishman River Falls Provincial Park,
there are short walking trails to view the Little Qualicum Falls
beside the clear green waters of the river. Swimming is excellent
- except near the falls. Heed the warning notices.
Rathtrevor Beach
Provincial Park south of Parksville has acres of campsites to
match its 2.1 kms of beaches. If you're lucky enough to be travelling
in the off-season, (September to June) you'll have plenty of choice
from among the vehicle/tent sites. So good does the living get
here that some families spend their entire vacation at Rathtrevor
Beach, where the maximum stay permitted is 14 consecutive days.
Small wonder, when all the comforts of home, such as hot showers,
gas barbeques in covered beachside picnic shelters, and firewood,
are included in the camping fee.
Strathcona
Provincial Park offers vehicle/tent campsites at Ralph River
campground and Buttle Lake Campground - Camping in Strathcona Park.
Strathcona also offers fantastic wilderness camping in its 250,000
hectares of provincial park and hiking trails. Strathcona Provincial
Park is a rugged mountain wilderness of over 250,000 hectares that
dominates central Vancouver Island. Mountain Peaks, some eternally
mantled with snow, dominate the park while lakes and alpine tarns
dot a landscape laced with rivers, creeks and streams. Strathcona
Provincial Park is accessible by vehicle via Highway 28 which passes
through the northern section of the park and provides access to
Butte Lake. Campbell River
and Courtenay are the primary
access points to the park with Courtenay providing two access routes
to the Forbidden Plateau area.
Stamp River Provincial
Park lies about 14 km north of Port
Alberni. Take Beaver Creek Road north of Hwy 4 from the centre
of Port Alberni, an easy drive. The park is often used by anglers
who come to fish for salmon in the Stamp River. As at Englishman
River Falls Provincial Park, there is a beautiful waterfall here
that is sure to soothe even the most jangled nerves.
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