Best outdoor destinations to visit in BC

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to live and travel throughout British Columbia. It is a stunning province of the beautiful country that is Canada. With huge rocky mountains, cascading waterfalls and clear lakes, giant cedar and spruce trees, and an incredible coastline dotted with islands that need to be explored! Whatever it is that you enjoy doing outdoors, you are likely to find it in British Columbia – hiking, camping, kayaking, skiing, wildlife photography, swimming, or simple soaking in the beauty of being outside! Here are my best outdoor destinations to visit in BC:

1. Tweedsmuir National Park

Hunlen Falls, BC — *Hunlen Falls – BC’s highest single drop waterfall*

An absolutely stunning national park, with roaring rivers and giant waterfalls, salmon and grizzly bears galore, hiking trails for literal days, glaciers and dense forests. This park is exquisite, with hikes in the Rainbow Range and to Hunlen Falls, it is a fantastic place for overnight camping. It is just down the road from Bella Coola.. learn about that below.

2. Haida Gwaii

A girl and her dog on the beach at Rose Spit, Graham Island — *Rose Spit, Graham Island*

A squirrel in a tree — *A curious squirrel*

Haida Gwaii is an island chain on the northern most west coast of British Columbia. Accessed by car and passenger ferry from Prince Rupert, there are lots of hiking trails, great crab and clam fishing, loads of camping spots, and a general magical feeling to the place that is Haida Gwaii! The main island, Graham, is the location that The Golden Spruce by John Valliant is set. If you haven’t read this book, I highly recommend it if you are heading to Haida Gwaii, or if you want to learn a little bit about Canada’s forestry industries history.

3. Bella Coola

A grizzly bear by the river — *Grizzly Bear*

A grizzly bear swimming in the river — *Swimming Grizzly Bear*

If you want to be absolutely blown away by the beauty that British Columbia has to offer, then the Bella Coola valley is the destination for you. You can drive or get the ferry to this part of the Great Bear Rainforest, where there are hiking trails, climbing routes, fishing, kayaking and paddle-boarding, and camping available in this stunning valley. With a higher grizzly bear population than black bears, this is a great wildlife viewing area, especially during the highest season of the salmon run in September.

Check out my write up on Bella Coola – the Great Bear Rainforest to learn more.

4. Tofino

A kid rides their bike on Mackenzie beach in Tofino at sunset — *Mackenzie Beach*

Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island is a small town with a big personality. Popular for a reason, this little surf town has stunning beaches, beautiful hiking, and the opportunity to see humpback whale and orcas right from the shore. Delicious dining options are found all throughout the town. Don’t forget to check out Ucluelet, it lies just south of Tofino and has gorgeous beaches and cute cafes to explore.

5. The Kootenays

The Kootenays are a mountainous region in south western British Columbia. Boasting beautiful lakes, stunning rivers, magnificent mountains, lush forest, and a huge choice of hots springs. There are established hot spring pools in Ainsworth and Nakusp, or you can go for a natural alternative at Halfway River or St Leon, located on highway 23.

5. Northern Vancouver Island

Nels Bight Beach, Cape Scott Provincial Park — *Nels Bight Beach – Cape Scott Provincial Park*

The less travelled northern Vancouver Island boasts an array of outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking and paddle-boarding, whale watching, and camping. Port Hardy is the largest town in this region, with a port connecting to Bella Coola and other north west coast islands. There are many hiking opportunities in this region, including the Cape Scott trail and the North Coast trail, both incredible multi day hikes! You might even be lucky enough to see a sea otter!

7. Revelstoke

Upper Arrow Lake in Revelstoke, BC — *Upper Arrow Lake*

Two bald eagles rest on a stump — *A pair of Bald Eagles*

Did you know that Revelstoke is the world’s furthest inland temperate rainforest? This unique ecosystem is teeming with wildlife and giant cedar trees. Revelstoke is also an adventure lovers dream, with world class mountain biking and skiing – if that’s your thing! If you enjoy camping and hiking, swimming in warm summer time lakes, there are some beautiful locations around just a short drive from the main town.

8. Pacific Rim National Park

A hiker walks on the beach in the Pacific Rim National Park — *Long walks on the beach*

Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, this is a great place for a beach visit and an even better place for an overnight hike. With long stretches of sandy beaches bordered by enormous forests on one side and the wild North Pacific Ocean on the other, this is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. Check out my guide to the West Coast Trail for more information on this gorgeous corner of BC.

These are just a few of the gems that are scattered across the wonderful place that is British Columbia. I have spent years living and exploring the province and there is still so much more to see! Where is your best outdoor destination to visit in BC?

Georgie’s Wanderlust