Unusual bucket list B.C. locations you should visit once in your life
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B.C. is beautiful, but sometimes it’s nice to take a break from all those stunning sunsets, mountaintop views, and crystal clear lakes that were at the forefront of our spring days — aren’t we spoiled — and delve into the more unusual places in the province.
While these oddities do provide a fresh perspective on where we live, we’re sure that you’ll find just as much breathtaking beauty in uncovering the stranger side of B.C.
Add a few of these to the itinerary of your next great adventure; it’ll come in handy if your buddies ever begin complaining about doing the same old hikes over and over again.
Sooke Potholes
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Where: The park is accessed via Sooke River Road, 5 km north of West Coast Highway 14.
Located in the aptly named Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, the naturally forming potholes are an interesting sight to behold for visiting travellers. A great place to cool off on a hot day, though the water is quite chilly. Water shoes are recommended.
Free Spirit Spheres
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Where:Â 420 Horne Lake Rd., Qualicum Beach
If you’re looking to take treehouses to the next level, this is where you need to go. The Free Spirit Spheres on Vancouver Island are an interesting way to spend the night, as you’ll sleep suspended above the rainforest in cozy spheres. Each sphere is large enough to fit two people (and a third in the Eryn Sphere) along with a small table.
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Enchanted Forest
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Where:Â 7060 Trans-Canada Hwy., Revelstoke
This one is definitely not just for kids, as adults can also find the magic of woodland creatures, the old-growth forest, and B.C.’s tallest treehouse. Admission is only $16 for adults and $11 for kids, which grants you access to the castles, dungeons, and memories of some of your favourite stories.
Othello Tunnels
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What was once part of an expansive railway line has now become an interesting trail for locals and tourists alike. Located in the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, the Othello Tunnels were created to connect the Kootenays with the southern coast of B.C. The railway track has since been removed, leaving behind a walkable trail that cuts straight through granite. Currently, three of the five tunnels are open to the public.
The series of train tunnels and bridges at Coquihalla Canyon Park were closed to the public following the 2021 atmospheric river floods. The deluge damaged all five of the historic Othello Tunnels and more than two dozen other sites in the park. Be sure to check BC Park’s website for any updates regarding closures or restrictions.
Where: Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park, Hope
Horne Lake Caves
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Take a trip into the depths of Vancouver Island’s Horn Lake Caves, with tours offered by professionals that will get you safely into the caves and — more importantly — out. This is not your usual adventure, and any claustrophobic would-be explorers may want to think twice!
Where:Â 3905 Horne Lake Caves Rd., Qualicum Beach
Parkhurst Ghostown
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Parkhurst is a ghost town located near Whistler. It was once used as a logging community complete with a mill, a store, and even a small school. In 1966, the mill shut down, and the area was subsequently abandoned. It can be reached after a 5 km round-trip hike or by water via the Green Lake Boat Launch. Hikers will need to take the Sea-To-Sky Trail/Green Lake Loop to discover the forgotten town.
Where: The trail begins along a gravel road called Riverside Drive and is about a 15-minute drive north of Whistler. See here for more direction info.
Adventure Domes
Another adorable place to stay, the domes in New Denver are a picturesque handful of cottages sitting amid green grass and flowering bushes. Located in the West Kootenays, they are only a short walk away from Slocan Lake and are nestled right into the village of New Denver.
Where:Â 620 6th Ave., New Denver
Whistler Train Wreck
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The Whistler Train Wreck is a collection of seven train cars that were derailed many decades ago. The area has since become a favourite hiking location, a bike park, and something of an art exhibit, with each car being graffitied by locals. The 5 km round-trip hike is relatively easy, especially with the addition of a suspension bridge that eliminates the need for walking on the train track. It’s an interesting way to spend the day if you’re hanging around Whistler.
Where:Â Beside the Cheakamus River, Whistler
This story was first published in May 2021 and has since been updated.