Explore:NW Spring 2017 | Page 58

IN SPRING , BRITISH COLUM-

BIANS FACE some tough choices . There ’ s still plenty of skiing and snowboarding to be done , but it ’ s also time to hit the hiking trails , put the boat in the water and break out the camping gear .
Camping ? In spring ? You bet . The weather ’ s agreeable and the parks aren ’ t yet crowded . The only real quandary is choosing where to go . Canada ’ s westernmost province boasts more than 1,000 provincial parks and protected areas . All those public beaches , meadows and mountains , along with hundreds of city , regional and national parks , form the most extensive park system in the country . And here ’ s the thing : every one of those parks has been set aside for a reason . From rare eco-systems and endangered wildlife habitats to unique geography and priceless First Nations heritage , BC ’ s parks are all havens for something precious .
Whether you ’ re planning a day out with the kids , a photo safari or the expedition of a lifetime , here ’ s a short list of parks that will reward a visit right now .
Desolation Sound is a popular kayaking destination .
Seeing black bears in the wild is a byproduct of being in the outdoors .
boomer jerritt photo
Bring the Family For clement weather and plenty of kid-friendly activities , head to Vancouver Island . Just 90 minutes by ferry from Metro Vancouver , North America ’ s biggest Pacific Island is a wonderland of lush forests , ocean shores , seaside towns and adventure-ready parks . A great choice for families is Englishman River Falls Provincial Park near Parksville , where a stroll through silent forests of Douglas fir , cedar , hemlock and maple ends at two thundering waterfalls .
The provincial parks in the immediate area include Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park , where a long sandy beach is primed for the first sand castle of the year , and MacMillan Provincial Park , where the massive Douglas firs of Cathedral Grove — some up to 800 years old — loom high above the forest floor .
If your gang is up for star gazing and wienie roasts , hop a ferry to Ruckle Provincial Park on Salt Spring Island , one of the cluster of Gulf Islands sprinkled across the strait between Vancouver Island and BC ’ s mainland .
The park ’ s campground , on a grassy meadow overlooking Swanson Channel , is among the most photogenic tent sites in the province . Bonus : the gentle climate makes early-season camping an enticing option , even for softies . The seaside sites are walk-in , but that ’ s part of the fun : wheelbarrow your gear a few minutes from the parking lot and you have spectacular ocean views , easy hiking trails and seven kilometers ( 4.3 miles ) of beachcombing without a car in sight . Ruckle Park is set on a century-old homestead and is still part working farm ; after checking out the beach , explore the heritage farm buildings and gaze at the lambs gamboling in the fields .
56 explore : NW | The Official Magazine for kenmore air | Spring 2017