Discover the great outdoors at these 3 provincial parks near Vancouver

by Mike Archibald

Looking for some fun in the great outdoors? From hiking to horseback riding, camping to canoeing, snowshoeing to skiing, British Columbia’s provincial parks offer awe-inspiring scenery and plenty of year-round activities for outdoor enthusiasts. Here’s everything you need to know about three of the best provincial parks within driving distance from Vancouver. [Photo credit: iStock.com/franckreporter]

Located about 40 kilometres from downtown Vancouver, Golden Ears Provincial Park is one of the key recreation spots in B.C. This outdoor haven is great for camping trips, overnight stays, school field trips – you name it!

• Activities: Hiking, climbing, cycling, horseback riding, fishing, swimming, boating, waterskiing and more.
• Trails: There are 15 trails available for hiking or riding, plus three interpretive trails, which are paths that showcase unique (and, needless to say, gorgeous) ecological features of the region, and are used as educational sites.
• Camping: Golden Ears Provincial Park offers three camping spots, each with many vehicle-accessible sites. Both group and small-party camping are allowed. Rates are $50-$150/night for youth and $120/night for adults.
• Amenities: Boat launch at Alouette Lake; fire pits at the campsites; water taps throughout the park; four picnic areas on the lake shore (the biggest of which boasts BBQ attachments); pit and flush toilets throughout the park, including backcountry areas; a playground at the north end of the Alouette camp ground; showers near Alouette and Gold Creek campgrounds. For those requiring wheelchair accessibility, there are toilets at all campgrounds, showers at Gold Creek and Alouette, one trail and one beach access.
• Wildlife: Well-represented mammals are beavers, deer, black bears and even mountain goats. The park is also an excellent site for birdwatchers.

About 15 kilometres from Vancouver, Cypress Provincial Park in West Van is an easy-to-access mountain park known for its great winter recreation activities and scenic hiking trails.

• Activities: Snowshoeing, cycling, hiking and camping are all free to enjoy at Cypress. Rates for downhill skiing and snowboarding range from $18 to $55 per day, depending on the rider’s age and the length of time spent on the slopes. For Nordic enthusiasts, cross-country skiing rates are from $5 to $22 a day.
• Trails: Hikers will find seven trails of varying difficulty in the summer months, ranging in length from a quick-and-easy one-kilometre loop to a 48-kilometre trek. In the winter, adventurous folk can snowshoe or cross-country ski through the backcountry trails; Hollyburn Peak, Howe Sound Crest and Black Mountain Plateau all offer a good workout and spectacular views.
• Camping: You can pitch a tent high up in the mountains or on Howe Sound Crest Trail, but there are no official campsites at Cypress Provincial Park. Be cautious and pack accordingly if you’re planning on spending the night here.
• Amenities: You’ll find two picnic spots, plus pit and flush toilets throughout the park. There are wheelchair accessible toilets at the two picnic areas and great accessibility on the Yew Lake Trail.
• Wildlife: Depending on the season, be prepared to encounter coyotes, deer, black bears, hares, weasels and some very vocal birds.

More elevated beauty on the North Shore, Mount Seymour Provincial Park offers spectacular views of Vancouver and trails of varying difficulty. The skiing is also superb.

• Activities: Hiking, mountain biking (a great spot for this!), swimming and fishing at Elsay Lake, horseback riding, educational programs for kids and, of course, all sorts of winter sports.
• Trails: More than a dozen hiking trails range from short to epic, casual to challenging. Winter snowshoeing trails are newly struck each season. Dog Mountain is a particularly popular, canine-friendly route in both summer and winter months with a outstanding panoramic outlook at the top.
• Camping: Mount Seymour offers a goup campsite with pit toilets and a big group shelter where you’ll find a wood stove, picnic tables and a firepit. Youth rates are $50 per night and up; adults pay $80 for the night plus an additional $5 for each adult and $1 for each child over six. Wilderness camping is allowed but again, you’re on your own here so be careful.
• Amenities: There are four designated picnic areas, one with a cafeteria as well; pit and flush toilets throughout the park.
• Wildlife: Expect to see black bears, coyotes, deer, hares, cougars and bobcats on the trails here – be especially careful of those last two! Again there are a wide variety of birds, including hawks in the fall.

Prepare to be blown away by these B.C. provincial parks and the majestic sights they hold, but also prepare for some wildlife risks and camping regulations. Do your research ahead of time by visiting the B.C. Parks website to ensure your time in the wilderness is both safe and fun.