Lower Mainland - Sea-to-Sky

Operator:

Sea to Sky Park Services

Operator website:

www.seatoskyparks.com

BC Parks - Lower Mainland Camping

The Sea to Sky area lives up to its name when it comes to the Provincial Park choices it has to offer, and is within a short drive of Vancouver. You can stay at marine parks like Plumper Cove and Porteau Cove, which are right next to the ocean. Move inland to Alice or Birkenhead Lakes for a full range of coastal camping activities. For the adventurous and energetic, you can climb to the sky with a hike at Mount Seymour or Garibaldi. The Sea to Sky area offers you hundreds of campsites, seemingly endless trails, lakes, streams, and waterfalls, and of course, an ocean.

Alice Lake

Size: 396 Ha
Facilities: 108 campsites, two shower/ flush washrooms buildings, and a sani-station located across from the gatehouse at the campground entrance.
Location: Alice Lake is located on Highway 99, 13 km north of Squamish.
A camping experience for the whole family with a variety of activities to choose from including walking/hiking trails leading to views of the Squamish River and Tantalus Mountain Range, mountain biking, swimming, and a playground. Electrical services (30A/125V) are available at sites 1-55 and at group site A, for an additional fee. The day-use area includes three picnic areas each located by sandy beaches with access to the lake and swimming floats. Interpretive programs are available July and August. Firewood and ice are available for sale. Two group campsites are available and can be reserved by calling (604) 986-9371.

Birkenhead Lake

Size: 9755 Ha
Facilities: 94 campsites and one wilderness campsite with bear cache and pit toilet, sani-station, day-use area.
Location: Birkenhead Lake is located 22 km west of D’Arcy and 90 km north of Whistler off Hwy 99.
Enjoy the peace and tranquility of wilderness camping from the comforts of a drive-in campground only three hours north of Vancouver or an hour north of Pemberton. Campfires are not permitted at the wilderness site or in the backcountry, however they are permitted in the campground. Spacious day-use area includes sandy beaches, several picnic sites, designated swimming area with swim float, and concrete boat launch. You will also find over 11 km of hiking and mountain biking trails. Canoe rentals are available. Firewood is available for sale.

Brandywine Falls

Size: 143 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area and pit toilets.
Location: On Highway 99, 47 km north of Squamish.
Brandywine Falls no longer offers overnight camping in this park. The day-use area has been expanded for guests to enjoy the spectacular 70-meter falls and view of Daisy Lake. A short walk from Brandywine Falls' viewing platform, along a short gentle trail, is another new viewpoint of the magnificent Black Tusk. There are existing trails to the Cal Cheak Suspension Bridge (2 hour return) and the Whistler Bungee Bridge (1 hour return).

Cypress

Size: 3012 Ha
Facilities: 4 backcountry/walk-in campsites along the Howe Sound Crest trail, two day-use/picnicking areas, parking area, pit and flush toilets.
Location: Location: Access road off Hwy #1 and Hwy 99 in West Vancouver. From City of Vancouver, cross the Lions Gate Bridge to the Upper Levels Highway via Taylor Way.
This park, located on the North Shore Mountains, is very popular for hiking and skiing enthusiasts visiting the Vancouver area. No matter what the season or the weather, the park is an enjoyable place to visit and view the outlying areas of Vancouver. You'll find many km of hiking trails, some of which are wheelchair accessible. Please ride bicycles on roadways only.

Garibaldi

Size: 194650 Ha
Facilities: Wilderness/backcountry camping and picnic areas throughout park. Overnight shelter is available at Elfin Lakes on a first-come, first-served basis. Small huts are available at Wedgemont Lake and Russet Lake. Open year round.
Location: Off Hwy 99 in the Coast Mountains, 70 km north of Vancouver.
Named after 2,678m Mount Garibaldi, this park is known for its natural beauty combined with over 90 km of hiking opportunities. Garibaldi Park's rich geological history, diverse vegetation, snow-capped mountains, iridescent waters, abundant wildlife and scenic vistas all contribute to the immense beauty, and make it a year round destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors must practice the “Leave No Trace” camping ethic - pack out what you pack in. The trailheads for Black Tusk and Diamondhead trails are maintained by Sea to Sky Park Services. For more information on backcountry camping, please visit http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/.

Halkett Bay

Size: 309 Ha
Facilities: 3 walk-in campsites and 1 marine mooring buoy.
Location: In Howe Sound, on south eastern shore of Gambier Island, 15 km from Horseshoe Bay.
Halkett Bay offers backcountry camping in a marine environment, minutes north of Horseshoe Bay by boat. The mooring buoy is on a first come, first served basis. Access to land is available using the small float and dock. Dinghies are permitted to be tied up for extended periods of time. Campfires not permitted at this park.

Mount Seymour

Size: 3508 Ha
Facilities: Wilderness camping, group walk-in campsite with a pit toilet, group shelter and picnic tables, three day-use/picnic areas in the park.
Location: 30 minutes from downtown Vancouver.
Mount Seymour offers a variety of summer recreation activities including picnicking, bird and wildlife viewing, mountain biking, and hiking. Visitors will find many hiking trails of various lengths and difficulty, which reward hikers with spectacular views of Vancouver and Indian Arm Provincial Park. There are several lakes to be found in Mount Seymour, including Elsay Lake. A group campsite is available for booking; please call (604) 986-2261. Fires are only permitted in the wood stove at the group campsite shelter. The park also offers extensive winter recreation including skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing, tobogganing and snowshoeing operated by Mt. Seymour Resorts. For more information, please visit www.mountseymour.com or call (604) 986-2261.

Murrin

Size: 24 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area with picnic sites along the lake.
Location: On Highway 99, 9 km south of Squamish.
Enjoy a relaxing picnic in the sun with your friends and family while having access to swimming, fishing and rock climbing. For climbers, there are various climbing walls to choose from including Shaman, Sugarloaf, Bog Wall and Leviticus.

Nairn Falls

Size: 170 Ha
Facilities: 94 campsites, one group campsite, picnic site and pit toilets.
Location: On Highway 99, 32 km north of Whistler and 2 km south of Pemberton.
Camp in the warmest and driest climate of the entire Sea to Sky area and visit nature's amazing rock sculpted 60-meter water-fall, only a 1.5 km walk from the day-use parking lot. Other hiking trails in the park include a trip to Green River, One Mile Lake and Coudre Point. Firewood is available for sale. To reserve group campsite, call (604) 986-9371.

Plumper Cove Marine

Size: 66 Ha
Facilities: 20 walk-in campsites, docking facilities and 8 mooring buoys.
Location: Boat access only. West shore of Keats Island across Shoel Channel from Gibsons.
Paddle, power or sail to Plumper Cove Marine Park and enjoy one of the most beautiful settings in the region. Water taxi service is available from Gibsons. Docking is available for boats up to 6 meters. Day-use area with large lawn, picnic sites, ocean view, and room for activities. Firewood is available for sale. To reserve group picnicking, call (604) 986-9371.

Porteau Cove

Size: 50 Ha
Facilities: 44 campsites, 16 walk-in sites, shower/flush washroom building and sani-station, day-use area and 2 boat launches.
Location: 38 km north of Vancouver on Highway 99.
Only 45 minute drive north of Vancouver, enjoy the experience of ocean front camping at Porteau Cove. Electrical services (30A/125V) are available at all drive-in sites, for an additional fee. Day-use area offers picnic sites in a grassy area along the shore. Porteau Cove is also accessible by water; a mooring float is located at the south end of the park. Porteau Cove is a popular area for scuba diving with a man-made reef and two sunken and windsurfing. Interpretive programs are available in July and August. Ice, firewood and snacks are available for sale at the gatehouse. Cabin rental will be new this year, reservation begin April 1. To reserve a cabin, call (604) 986.9371.

Shannon Falls

Size: 87 Ha
Facilities: Day-use area and flush washrooms.
Location: Adjacent to Highway 99, 58 km north of Vancouver.
Shannon Falls is the third-highest falls in British Columbia, measuring 335 meters tall. A viewing platform is located only 350 metres from the parking lot and is accessible by a gentle paved pathway. A second viewing platform has been added and offers a closer look at the falls while experiencing some of its spray! This beautiful day-use area has picnic sites over a large lawn area with easy access to flush washrooms. To reserve group picnicking, call (604) 986-9371.