Municipal and Regional Parks

Beacon Hill Park
Beacon Hill is Victoria’s beloved park in the heart of the city. Beacon Hill boasts formal gardens in bloom year-round, but the wild daffodils that dot the lawns to mark the beginning of spring are truly the delight of residents and visitors. Beacon Hill has been a centre of family activity since 1882. Cricket, lawn bowling, tennis, soccer and baseball are all played within the park. A children’s petting zoo and a bandshell for musical and theatrical entertainment are also popular attractions.

Thunderbird Park
This tiny park, located behind the Royal British Columbia Museum, is home to several totem poles and a First Nations carving shed. In the summer, Native carvers showcase their traditional skills to create new totems.

Fisherman’s Wharf
Fisherman’s Wharf Park, on the Inner Harbour at Erie and Dallas Roads, is a bustling area of boats, floating homes and concession stands. Enjoy the best fish and chips you will ever have as you watch the day’s fresh catch brought in straight off the boats. The park claims space for 400 boats and illustrates Victoria’s working fishing industry and ocean lifestyle.

East Sooke Regional Park
Located 45 minutes west of Victoria, East Sooke Park is a hikers paradise. Rocky bays, pocket beaches, jagged coastlines and quiet forests reward hikers, birdwatchers and beachcombers in this 1,436-hectare park. The nearly 50 kilometres of trails range from casual strolls to a challenging seven-hour trek. Views from the park, of Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic mountains, are spectacular.

Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
Located off the Pat Bay Highway (Hwy #17), just north of Victoria, this popular recreation area offers 411-hectares of outdoor opportunities for the whole family. A large freshwater lake for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing is the highlight of the park. An excellent walking and bridle trail through forest, fields and wetlands, circles the lake. Beaches, picnic areas and a fishing pier are all accessible for people with walking disabilities.

Galloping Goose Regional Trail
The Galloping Goose Trail is a linear park that stretches 55 kilometres from Victoria to Sooke and beyond. Built on an old railway line, the Galloping Goose is part of the Trans Canada Trail. The Galloping Goose trail surface is two to four metres wide, mostly flat and leads through a wonderful diversity of landscapes. Some sections are paved and ideal for bicycles, in-line skates and wheelchairs. The unpaved sections are suitable for pedestrians, mountain bikes and horseback riders.

Island View Beach Regional Park
Only 10 kilometres from downtown Victoria, off the Pat Bay Highway (Hwy #17) on Island View Road, this 40-hectare park is nestled along the eastern shore of the Island. A long, sandy beach, Island View offers a panorama of land- and seascapes. A fragile sand dune area is home to several species of plants and birds. Beachcombing, birdwatching, swimming and picnicking are popular activities here. A boat launch is also available.

Thetis Lake Regional Park
Thetis Lake is located off Six Mile Road, on the outskirts of Victoria. A 778-hectare natural setting, Thetis Lake Park features a freshwater lake for swimming, canoeing, kayaking and fishing. Naturalists can study the surrounding swamp and ecosystems. Families can enjoy the beaches, picnic area and concession. You will also find hiking and horseback riding trails.

Witty's Lagoon Regional Park
A natural playground for kids, Witty’s Lagoon is a 56-hectare forested, oceanfront park known for its diverse landscapes and, of course, for the large lagoon. Birdwatching is excellent here anytime of the year. More than five kilometres of trail runs through woodlands and past the lagoon and marsh. A nature information centre is on site and a sandy beach overlooks rocky headlands and offshore islets. Located 30 minutes west of Victoria, on Metchosin Road.

For more information on these or other regional parks, contact Capital Regional District (CRD) Parks at www.crd.bc.ca/parks