British Columbia is known for its natural beauty, which is on prime display at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, this protected reserve is home to pristine beaches and a wide range of outdoor activities, from surfing to hiking to kayaking. During the warmer months, it’s also a popular place for camping.
Situated on Grouse Mountain, this wildlife refuge has a pair of very famous residents: two orphaned grizzly bears named Grinder and Coola. Additionally, the sanctuary also houses birds of prey, including resident owls, plus a hummingbird feeding station, where researchers monitor the tiny feathered fliers in spring.
Stretching for around 84 miles (135 kilometers) from Vernon to Penticton, Okanagan Lake is a popular spot for everything from kayaking to summertime swimming. Beaches and marinas dot the lake, and many of them are right in Kelowna city limits.
Kick and glide through 56 miles (90 kilometers of trails at the Whistler Olympic Park in Callaghan Valley—the location of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games’ Nordic events. The trails are now a winter playground for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and biathlon; and visitors can stop by to check out the Olympic facilities.
With four separate rail routes running through British Columbia and Alberta, the Rocky Mountaineer offers easy access to some of western Canada’s wildest and most spectacular scenery. From the window of this luxury train, passengers are treated to views of turquoise lakes, snowy mountain peaks, and rushing rivers.
Located near Whistler Village, Lost Lake is the most easily accessible lakeside park from the village. A network of trails surround the pretty lake, making the park ideal for swimming, hiking, and mountain biking most of the year, and snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing over the winter.
Spread across just over 0.7 acres (0.29 hectares), Kasugai Gardens is a Japanese garden built in 1987 in honor of the alliance between Kelowna and its Japanese sister city, Kasugai. Features include waterfalls, a koi pond, and a Japanese-style topiary.
Flanked by the snowy summits of the Pacific Ranges and covered in old-growth forest, the Callaghan Valley is a wonderfully wild playground for outdoor adventurists. The valley, which hosted the Nordic events of the 2010 Winter Olympics, is prime cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ski touring turf, and draws hikers in summer.
Miniature World contains more than 85 dioramas that depict historical, factual, and fantasy scenes in miniature scale. Watch tiny trains chugging along tracks; see a small working sawmill in action; observe a scaled-down circus in full swing; and inspect Lilliputian versions of Camelot and Dickensian London.
Tucked in among an old-growth forest of cedars and firs along the Cheakamus River is an unexpected sight: a cluster of graffiti-covered boxcars, the remnants of a train wreck from the 1950s. Easily accessible by a 1.4-mile (2.3-kilometer) out-and-back hiking trail, which crosses the river via a suspension bridge, the Whistler Train Wreck is a popular hiking destination year-round.
The largest of British Columbia’s Gulf Islands, Salt Spring is a cherished getaway among Vancouverites looking to escape the city. The island’s beach and cliff-bordered coastline, rain forests, and peaks promise a tranquil, back-to-nature experience, while local restaurants and markets offer just-plucked produce from Salt Spring farms.
This public square is named after the central branch of Vancouver Public Library, which sits on the plaza. Opened in 1995, the library—designed by eminent Canadian-Israeli architect Moshe Safdie—is one of Vancouver’s architectural highlights, with its spiraling Colosseum-esque form standing out amid the sea of glass office buildings.
A fine mist sprays from this triple-tiered waterfall on Madeley Creek, which drops from a total height of 141 feet (43 meters. At the top of the falls, a viewing platform with picnic tables overlooks the cascade as it tumbles over a rocky, forest-surrounded ledge. Wildlife—most commonly bears—can often be spotted in the area.
The small town of Osoyoos, British Columbia, is big on adventure. If it’s outdoor activities you’re after, your options include canoeing, hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Art galleries appeal to culture lovers, while wine enthusiasts will find plenty of worthwhile varietals to taste.
Nestled at the foot of Blackcomb Mountain in the Upper Village at Whistler, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler offers ski-in ski-out access to the slopes in the winter and an on-site championship golf course in the summer. A favorite of celebrities, this luxury hotel has 528 rooms, fine dining, and a full range of amenities.
High above Whistler Bowl, stretching 427 feet (130 meters) across, the Cloudraker Skybridge connects Whistler Peak and West Ridge. The bridge also allows access to the Raven’s Eye, a cantilevered viewing platform that extends 41 feet (12.5 meters) out from West Ridge, offering incredible panoramic views.
Originating in Garibaldi Provincial Park, this glacier-fed creek courses through the valley between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, where it’s visible from the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. The creek then flows between Whistler Village and Upper Village, tumbling alongside Rebagliati Park before emptying into the aquamarine-hued Green Lake.
With its lush evergreen forests, rugged coastline, and towering mountain summit, Halkett Bay Marine Provincial Park epitomizes British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast. Admire the clear waters and coastal cliffs as you ride across Howe Sound on your way to the park’s marina, or catch panoramic views of nearby islands and mountains by hiking to the top of Mt. Artaban.
Comprising jagged rocks, reef, and ocean, this protected ecological reserve showcases a wide range of Pacific marine wildlife. Nutrient-rich tidal flows support an assortment of plants and animals, from sponges and sea stars to sea lions, seals, and killer whales, while a rocky islet hosts a historic 19th-century lighthouse.
Experience the adrenaline rush that comes from speeding down an Olympic bobsledding course or paddling through white water rapids in the virtual sports simulators at the Richmond Olympic Experience (ROX). This interactive museum chronicles the history of the Olympics and lets visitors feel what it would be like to take part in the games.
A small but perfectly formed and magically secluded beach, Refuge Cove forms part of Wilsons Promontory National Park, an area of wilderness that includes South Point, mainland Australia’s southernmost point. It's a lovely spot to break a hike or camp for the night with golden sands, stripy rocks, shady gum trees, and gin-clear waters.
Centered on a mountain-surrounded lake with mirror-like waters, Callaghan Lake Provincial Park is an unspoiled wilderness escape. The park is relatively undeveloped with just a few rustic drive-in campsites, a small boat launch, and some bushwhacking opportunities. In winter, its reliable snowfall and rolling terrain attracts backcountry Nordic skiers.
A scenic loop on southern Vancouver Island, the Pacific Marine Circle Route is beloved for its winding roads and broad ocean views. The total loop drive is 179 miles (289 kilometers), offering plenty of panoramic pull-offs, quiet beaches, and places to picnic. The old-growth forest on Vancouver Island and the thrills of driving the route’s steep hills and snaking roads also draw visitors here.
Beside the lower station of the Whistler Village Gondola, this spacious chalet-style bar and restaurant is a popular après-ski spot. The roaring fire provides comfort and warmth after a day on the slopes. In summer, hikers coming down off the mountains are drawn to the large patio, which offers views of the surrounding peaks.
