4 stunning Parks Canada locations you can road trip to from Vancouver

Aug 28 2020, 10:55 pm

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Disclaimer: To ensure your safety and well-being when visiting parks, practice physical distancing between you and other visitors, stay on marked trails, and abide by trail closure signs. To avoid hazards, we recommend keeping a safe distance back from slopes, bluffs and river edges. And please, leave no trace. Dispose of your waste properly and respect wildlife. More info on how to prepare for a visit to Parks Canada places during COVID-19 is available here.


Outdoor patios can only be fun for so long. For residents in Metro Vancouver looking to quench their thirst for adventure, why not explore all that beautiful British Columbia has to offer?

If you’ve considered going on a day trip with your bubble, Parks Canada has a number of stunning National Parks and Historic Sites that are just a drive away from the city.

And with August at an end and summer reaching its peak, now is the time to do as much as you can before fall comes knocking.

Here’s a list of four Parks Canada locations to road trip to from Vancouver.

Gulf of Georgia Cannery Historic Site

gulf of georgia

The Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site overlooking the water. (Gulf of Georgia Cannery/Facebook)

Located in the beautiful village of  Steveston, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was once the largest producer of canned salmon in British Columbia — to the point where it played a crucial role in the rise of the West Coast’s fishing industry.

Steveston  is also home to a charming fishing village filled with a unique selection of stores, plenty of restaurants, whale watching tours, and a bustling boardwalk.

Distance: Forty-minutes off Highway 99 and the Steveston Highway. For transit, take the 406 Steveston from Richmond-Brighouse Station and exit at Chatham Street and 4th Avenue.

Address: 12138 Fourth Avenue, Richmond

Fort Langley National Historic Site

fort langley

The Fort Langley National Historic Site. (Tourism Langley/Instagram)

The Fort Langley National Historic Site is the home of the Hudson Bay Company’s fur trading post, which was built more than 150 years ago. In addition to an 1800s feel within the site, visitors can also enjoy breathtaking walks by the Fraser River.

Fort Langley also offers a selection of museums, shops, restaurants, art galleries, parks, and trails. You’re also likely to recognize some of the community’s landmarks from popular television shows and films.

Distance: Forty minutes east on Highway 1. For transit, take the 555 Port Mann Exp/Carvolth Exchange from Lougheed Station. Then board the 562 Langley Centre via Ft. Langley and ride until 96 Avenue at Glover Road.

Address: 23433 Mavis Avenue, Langley City

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve 

gulf islands national park

Gulf Islands National Park. (Parks Canada)

The forested Gulf Islands are full of wildlife and greenery, whether it be eagles, seals, otters, orcas, and pods of porpoises. BC Parks describes the reserve as one of the rare ecosystems with a Mediterranean-like climate — not to mention there are plenty of trails leading to mountaintop viewpoints and lighthouses.

Distance: 50 minutes south of Vancouver to Tsawwassen and a ferry ride to either Mayne, Saturna, or Pender Islands. For transit, take the Sky Train to reach Tsawwassen.

Address: 195 – 203 Narvaez Bay Road, Saturna

Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites

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An aerial view of the Estevan Point Lighthouse. (Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites. (Facebook)

Whether it’s secret bunkers, command posts, or 19th-century buildings, Fort Rodd Hill is full of history and heritage. If you’re looking to enjoy the natural greenery, it’s also the perfect place to stroll through a Garry Oak meadow or camp in an outdoor oTENTik.

Not to mention, it’s just a 20-minute drive from Downtown Victoria.

Distance: 50 minutes south of Vancouver to Tsawwassen and a ferry ride on the Swartz Bay- Tsawwassen route. For transit, take the Sky Train to reach Tsawwassen.

Address: 603 Fort Rodd Hill Road, Victoria

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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