Strathcona Provincial Park (Buttle Lake)
The oldest provincial park in British Columbia. Snowy peaks, glaciers, and primeval forests surround narrow Buttle Lake, and the park is home to Della Falls, one of Canada's highest waterfalls.
Strathcona Provincial Park was established in 1911 and covers about 2,500 square kilometers of high mountains and glaciers in central Vancouver Island. From Campbell River, drive west on Highway 28 for about 45 minutes to enter the park. Along the road on the east shore of Buttle Lake, several short trails lead to Lupin Falls, Karst Creek, Myra Falls, and other sights. There are campgrounds and picnic areas by the lake. Experienced hikers can take the Elk River Trail to Landslide Lake, or combine a boat trip with hiking to reach Della Falls, which drops 440 meters and takes 2 to 3 days. The park is free to enter, but camping requires a reservation. There is no cell signal in the mountains, and bears are present, so stay alert.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Myra Falls
- Paradise Meadows
- Mount Washington Alpine Resort
- Elk Falls Provincial Park & Suspension Bridge
- Museum at Campbell River
- Discovery Pier
- Cape Mudge Lighthouse
- Miracle Beach Provincial Park