Nature program brochures are available at CRD Parks Headquarters (490 Atkins Avenue, Langford), CRD Parks nature centres, the Capital Regional District head office (524 Yates Street, Victoria), public libraries and recreation centres.
 Esquimalt Parks & Recreation
Offering a variety of parks such as the popular Saxe Point Park, incorporating manicured areas, urban forest, scenic views, and playing fields. Telephone: (250) 386-6128
Beacon Hill Park
The city's showpiece garden dating from the 1890's featuring formal gardens and wildflower meadows, a bandshell, a wildfowl sanctuary, picnic tables, tennis courts, playgrounds, a 100-year-old cricket pitch, and a children's petting zoo.
Government House
Fifteen acres of gardens open to the public. A series of formal displays with a wild native plant garden reminiscent of a Monet painting. Take a self-guided tour through this wide variety of gardens.1401 Rockland Avenue, Victoria
A Japanese Garden
Set next to the oceanshore on Victoria's Outer Harbour, the Laurel Point Inn's Japanese garden is an enchanting acre of trees, flowers, rocks and water, representative of the aesthetics of Japanese garden design. Just as the famous Japanese technique of garden design, called shakkei (borrowed scenery), involves the incorporation of adjacent and distant landscapes into the garden setting, the Laurel Point Inn's garden features panoramic views of Victoria's Outer Harbour and Sooke Hills. One of the dominant features of the garden is the large reflecting pond - a glassy surface that captures the ever changing sky, the other dominant feature of the garden is the waterfall. An enormous undertaking to build, just one of the rocks in the waterfall weighs a whopping 47,000 pounds and had to be swung into place using a crane tipped on its side to create the pendulum motion. The peacefulness and serenity of the garden are produced through low colour plantings of pink and white azaleas and rhododendrons. Japanese Black pines, cut-leaf Maple and Cherry trees, also add colour and interesting architectural elements. Several Japanese lanterns are scattered throughout the garden. One 300 year old lantern was a gift from the mayor of Morioka, our sister city in Japan.
Willows Beach
Located off Beach Avenue at Dalhousie in Victoria. Sheltered, sandy beach with concession stand and a play area for children.
Cadboro Bay Beach
Located at the foot of Sinclair Avenue in Victoria, a favourite with families because of the playground facilities at Gyro Park. Popular with windsurfers and small sail boats.
The Horticulture Centre of the Pacific
For garden and nature lovers, visit 505 Quayle Road, Victoria.
Hatley Park
Estate of James Dunsmuir and the current site of Royal Roads University. Lakes, heritage trees, roses, Italian and Japanese gardens. Off Highway 14 in Colwood.
Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park
17 acres located at Delgada Road in Metchosin. A small lagoon with cobble beach serving as a wildlife sanctuary and refuge for birds; offers views of Victoria and the distant Olympic Mountains.
Devonian Regional Park
32 acres, located on William Head Road in Metchosin. This small nature sanctuary includes a mixed woodland along a winding creek, a cobble beach,and spectacular views of Juan de Fuca Strait.
Witty's Lagoon Park
Located off Metchosin Road in Metchosin about a half-hour drive from Victoria. Wonderful beach combing and picnicking area with excellent nature trails. A large lagoon with sandy beach overlooking rocky headlands and offshore islets, offering excellent year-round birdwatching, hiking, beachcombing, horse riding, swimming,and picnicking. Even the rainy season is a good time to visit the park as that is when the park's spectacular Sitting Lady Falls are at their best. Bilston Creek runs through the forest and spills over volcanic rock to create the thunderous cascading waterfall in winter - in summer it's only a trickle. A spit points towards the rocky shore at Tower Point. At low tide, look for purple sea stars, white acorn barnacles, brown rockweed, scurrying hermit crabs and shield limpets. The park's nature information centre is open from noon to 4 pm on weekends and holiday Mondays and offers frequent programs. Follow Hwy. 1 from Victoria to Hwy. 1A and follow it to Hwy. 14 (Sooke Road ). Go west until you reach Metchosin Rd. Turn left and follow Metchosin Rd. until you see the signs for Witty's Lagoon on the right.
Goldstream Provincial Park
A magnificent park with an extensive network of hiking trails winding through old-growth temperate rain forests, majestic waterfalls and a fascinating diversity of plant and animal life. The park is also famous for the run of spawning salmon in the fall. You can walk along the river to view the salmon and each year parks naturalists run programs in the visitor centre, (Freeman King Nature House), near the mouth of the river. At the height of the run in mid-November, eagles arrive to indulge in a salmon feast and more than 250 can show up in a single day. It is best to view the eagles using binoculars or a telescope from the new viewing platform. For information on Goldstream Park Interpretive Programs call 250-478-9414. To reserve a campsite call 1-800-689-9025. To reach Goldstream follow Hwy. 1 from Victoria towards Duncan and watch for the signs approximately 18 km (11 miles) northwest of the city. Campgrounds are on the left and the Freeman King Nature House is on the right.
Matheson Lake Regional Park
Located at Matheson Lake Park Road in Sooke and Metchosin. Activities include hiking, swimming, fishing, horse riding, and cycling. Facilities include parking, trails and pit toilets.
East Sooke Regional Park
Located off East Sooke Road in East Sooke. Features hiking, birdwatching, nature study, photography, beachcombing, picnicking, and scuba diving. Facilities include parking and picnic tables.
French Beach Provincial Park
Provincial campground and picnic area an hour's drive west of Victoria. Search the horizon for gray whales or the forest for black-tailed deer. Free interpretive programs provided throughout the summer. Reserve campsites by calling 1-800-689-9025
China Beach
15-minute walk to a magnificent beach and a spectacular spot for family outings and day trips.
Elk /Beaver Lake & Bear Hill Park
Located off the Pat Bay Highway (# 17) near Victoria. 411 hectares (1015 acres), this regional park is large enough to accommodate every outdoor interest. Picnic grounds and 15 kms of walking & bridle trails, birdwatching, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing.
At the south end of Beaver Lake is Beaver Beach, a shallow, sandy beach, group picnic sites and access to quiet woodland trails. You can use the nearby ponds for retriever training or the Equestrian Centre to exercise and train your horse.
At Eagle Beach, to the north on Elk Lake, you can launch your scull from the Rowing Centre, swim, picnic under the Pacific Willow trees or start a hike south to Beaver Lake. At Hamsterly Beach enjoy windsurfing, sailing or fishing.
Bear Hill covers 46 hectares (114 acres) of hilltop landscape, high enough to give you panoramic views of the Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker, the Gulf and San Juan Islands. A common sight here is a circle of Bald Eagles, riding the thermals overhead and make the 30-minute hike worth it.
Sidney Spit
400-hectare provincial marine park accessible by passenger ferry from Sidney. Sandy beaches, extensive tidal flats, salt marshes, grassy meadows and forest trails make Sidney Spit the perfect sport for hiking, beachcombing, and swimming. Also a walk-in campground and docking facilities for boaters. One half-hour ferry crossing in the summer on a frequent schedule. 656-0525 for more info.
McDonald Park
Located on the Saanich Peninsula, this park provides a forest retreat, perfect for camping and picnicking.
Island View Park
Located off Highway 17 at Island View Road not far from Sidney. Great place for sunbathing - popular area with artists, photographers and rockhounds.
 Francis/King Regional Park
Located on Munn Road in Saanich and features a quiet old growth park of gentle woodland trails, wildflower meadows, and access boardwalk trail. The park also boasts a new and improved wheelchair-accessible trail, the Elsie King Interpretive Trail, which features hard-packed gravel paths and boardwalks with trailside signs to enhance your outing in the park. Facilities include washrooms, parking, picnic tables and a nature house that is open from noon to 4 pm on weekends and holiday Mondays .
Frances King Regional Park can be reached by taking Douglas Street north to Burnside Road. Turn left and follow Burnside until you reach Prospect Lake Road. Turn right and follow Prospect Lake Road to Munn Road.
Coles Bay Regional Park
10 acres located on Inverness Road in North Saanich. Trails, parking, picnic tables, group picnicking. A quiet refuge on the Saanich Peninsula, a mixed wooded creek flows past towering western red cedar into a muddy beach, rich in tidal lagoon life, facing the famous Saanich Inlet.
Thetis Lake Park
Located on Six Mile Road in View Royal and Langford. Features hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, boating, and fishing. Facilities include parking, washrooms, change rooms, swimming, concessions, picnic tables and shelters, drinking water,and trails.
Mill Hill Regional Park
Located on Atkins Avenue in Langford and features hiking and picnicking. A mix of woodland along Millstream Creek and spectacular hilltop views.
Gowland Tod Provincial Park
Located in the Highland District, the park encompasses 1200 hectares of Garry Oak, Arbutus and Douglas Fir forests with more than 25 kilometres (16 miles) of hiking trails. All trails lead to incredible ocean views and wonderful spots to stretch out and have a picnic. Moderately strenuous hikes to Jocelyn Hill from two different trailheads. Allow four to five hours for the hike. Hiking boots or shoes and rainwear are a good idea and don't forget to pack a lunch!
Roche Cove Regional Park
Located on Gillespie Road in East Sooke, a 45 minute drive west of downtown Victoria. Hike along a cool creek at midday or paddle still waters in the early morning light in this 117 hectare park.
Mount Work Regional Park
Located on Willis Point Road in the Highlands with trails, parking and pit washrooms. A popular recreation spot offering a variety of landscapes and activities. Three freshwater lakes (for swimming, canoeing, and fishing), 11 km of trails through forest to the summit of Mount Work.
Gordon Bay Provincial Park
On beautiful Lake Cowichan, this park offers a great family get-away, with swimming, water-skiing or fishing. Free visitor programs Friday through Tuesday. Special guided hikes through the park this summer on Saturday July 2, 17, 31; August 14 and 28 at 10am. For the more adventurous, this Park is a great place to camp while you make a day trip to the old-growth forests of Carmanah Provincial Park.
Bowen Park
Recreation complex, swimming and wading pool, hiking trails, fitness circuit, playgrounds, waterfalls, duck ponds, nature centre and childrens' barnyard, located in Nanaimo.
Pipers Lagoon Park
The spot for sunrises and sunsets is Pipers' Lagoon Park, Nanaimo, built on an isthmus which extends out to a rocky headland. Twisting trails lead to a number of seaside lookouts. This is an ideal bird watching area, a favourite swimming and beachcombing spot in the summer, and a place to watch for sea lions, seals and the occasional pod of orca.
Planta Park
Located in Nanaimo and featuring a complete sample of almost every native plant in the region, including several which are rarely found anywhere else.
Tamagawa Gardens
Located in Nanaimo. A traditional Japanese garden, a gift from Tamagawa University in Tokyo, and planted with azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese maples and a flowering cherry tree. An ornamental pool stocked with koi is set in the middle.
Little Qualicum Falls
On hot summer days the Little Qualicum River offers a number of cool clear pools, shaded riverside trails and picnic facilities along Cameron Lake.
Spider Lake Provincial Park
Near Horne Lake Caves, this warm water lake is noted for its excellent swimming. Motorized boats are prohibited. The park is also an ideal picnic destination.
Sproat Lake Provincial Park
15 minutes west of Port Alberni, Sproat Lake is a favoured location for swimming, fishing, water skiing and when the wind is 'up', wind surfing. At the eastern end of the park is one of the finest panel of petroglyphs to be seen in British Columbia.
Princess Margaret Provincial Marine Park
This marine park, which is all of Portland Island, lies in the rain shadow of the Olympic Peninsula and Vancouver Island. Little rain falls during the summer, and plants growing on shallow soils must contend with long dry periods. Plenty of walk-in campsites are available, some close to the ferry drop off. There are trails and lots of beaches. To get here take the passenger ferry at the foot of Beacon Avenue in Sidney. For information call 250-391-2300.
Montague Harbour Provincial Park
Explore Galiano Island including Porier Pass to the north and The Bluffs overlooking busy Active Pass at the south.The park offers hours of beachcombing, open meadows, tidal lagoons, towering forests, abundant birdlife and hiking along its network of trails. A boathouse-turned-nature house offers "The Ocean Through a Looking Glass" Program. Bright lights are used to attract an incredible diversity of marine organisms to an opening in the floor of the Floating Nature House.
East Point Regional Park
Located on the southern tip of Saturna Island witih parking and washroom facilities. A former lighthouse property along the sculpted sandstone shore of Saturna Island.
Mount Norman Regional Park
Mount Norman, the highest point on Pender Island, offers panoramic views of nearby Gulf Islands and the San Juan Islands. The park encompasses over 100 hectares of varied forest and trails where lichens and mosses grow on a bedrock base established 80 million years ago. A 30 minute hike to the top from the trailhead at Ainslie Point.
Ruckle Park
Located on Salt Spring Island and one of the region's most beautiful parks. Explore the park's rocky headland and minuscule bays and tidal pools. Scuba divers have exceptional opportunities in the waters off Ruckle Park enjoying a profusion of plumose and dahlia anemones, sponges, nu-dibranches, seastars and giant barnacles.
Additional Information:
Capital Regional District Parks
BC Provincial Parks
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