Strathcona Provincial Park

Created in 1911 in a mountainous area of exceptional scenic beauty to the west of the Campbell River, the Strathcona Provincial Park can claim to be the oldest in British Columbia. Included in its more than 2300 sq. km (900 sq. mi.) are over 100 km (62 mi.) of hiking and nature trails, good water sports facilities on Upper Campbell and Buttle Lakes (accommodation, campsites) and three Nature Conservancy Areas, virgin wilderness accessible only on longer hiking tours. Strathcona is a magnificent landscape of clear mountain lakes, waterfalls, exceptionally rugged peaks snow-covered throughout the year, small glaciers and karst country (caves). The "Canadian Outdoor Leadership Training School" (Strathcona Lodge) organizes various courses (mountaineering, canoeing and kayaking, survival in the wild, etc.). Information about the Park can be obtained from the Park headquarters at Buttle Lake. A good 40 km (25 mi.) road runs alongside the lake to the Westmin Resources Mines (mining and logging co-exist in the Park together with nature conservancy). In summer there are free guided tours of the mine (zinc, copper, lead).