Strathcona Provincial Park Buttle Lake
Vast mountainous park with snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, and stunning waterfalls. Offers diverse hiking and camping.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best light
Strathcona Provincial Park Buttle Lake
Best Time
Fewer crowds, best light
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Vast mountainous park with snow-capped peaks, pristine lakes, and stunning waterfalls. Offers diverse hiking and camping.
"Incredible beauty, mind-blowing views, and surprisingly few people – a true wilderness escape."
🚗 Access Myra Falls
A short, easy 1.5 km hike leads to the beautiful Lower Myra Falls. Worth the drive!
🏞️ Embrace the Views
Buttle Lake offers stunning vistas, especially from Auger Point. Great for photos!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Myra Falls
Southern tip of Buttle Lake
Emerald and teal waters cascade down this stunning, easily accessible waterfall. A must-see!
+1Buttle Lake
Central to the park
A vast, picturesque lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, perfect for swimming and scenic views.
+1
Crest Mountain Trail
Paradise Parking Lot area
Experience breathtaking, otherworldly views from this challenging hike, often with few other hikers.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Book Campsites Early
Prepare for Remote Exploration
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Access Myra Falls
A short, easy 1.5 km hike leads to the beautiful Lower Myra Falls. Worth the drive!
🏞️ Embrace the Views
Buttle Lake offers stunning vistas, especially from Auger Point. Great for photos!
🥾 Challenging Hikes
For experienced hikers, trails like Della Falls are multi-day adventures.
🐶 Leash Your Dogs
Respect wildlife and water sources by keeping dogs on leash.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Access Myra Falls
A short, easy 1.5 km hike leads to the beautiful Lower Myra Falls. Worth the drive!
🏞️ Embrace the Views
Buttle Lake offers stunning vistas, especially from Auger Point. Great for photos!
🥾 Challenging Hikes
For experienced hikers, trails like Della Falls are multi-day adventures.
🐶 Leash Your Dogs
Respect wildlife and water sources by keeping dogs on leash.
🏕️ Book Camping Early
Campgrounds like Buttle Lake fill up fast. Reserve well in advance!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Strathcona Provincial Park is overwhelmingly praised for its breathtaking natural beauty, featuring stunning lakes, majestic mountains, and impressive waterfalls. Visitors appreciate the abundance of trails for all levels and the surprisingly low crowds, offering a sense of solitude. However, some campers have experienced significant issues with mice infestations at campgrounds, and the water in Buttle Lake is notably cold.
"An amazing provincial park with lots of trails and a beautiful lake and lots of stunning waterfalls. There are lots of places to camp and different picnic areas for day visits. For such a beautiful place, I was surprised at how few people there were. It felt like we had the park to ourselves for most of the day. I would definitely come here again-lots to enjoy and great trails."
Vanessa Siemens
"The beauty of this park is amazing! Nature at her finest!
Unfortunately, the campsites are extremely, extremely infested by mice! Their destructiveness, despite careful storage and cleaning, really put a huge damper on the trip.
Park rangers are friendly, but 50/50 when it comes to being able to give useful information. (One really helpful, two of them not as knowledgeable)"
The Epic Lalondes
"This place is incredible, I did Crest mountain the other day and the views were mind blowing. There was almost no one else on the mountain saw 4 other hikers and it feels as if you're in another world on the top , and there is thick forested mountains all round it looks as if you're in Peru or somewhere like that. Highly recommend it , not many people seem to go there either which is surprising considering it's unbelievable."
Yiannis Raftopoulos
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
From Vancouver, you'll typically take a ferry to Nanaimo or Victoria, then drive north towards Campbell River. Buttle Lake is a central point within the park, accessible via Highway 28.
Myra Falls is located at the southern tip of Buttle Lake. A paved road leads to the trailhead, followed by a short 1.5 km hike.
Public transport options are very limited within Strathcona Provincial Park. It's highly recommended to have your own vehicle for exploring the park and its various attractions.
Yes, the park is vast. Key access points include areas around Buttle Lake, and trailheads for specific hikes like Della Falls or Crest Mountain.
Buttle Lake is approximately a 1-hour drive from Campbell River and about a 2.5-hour drive from Nanaimo, depending on traffic and road conditions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Strathcona Provincial Park does not typically charge an entrance fee. However, camping and day-use fees may apply at specific campgrounds and picnic areas.
The park is generally open year-round, 24 hours a day. However, specific facilities like campgrounds and visitor centers may have seasonal hours. Always check the BC Parks website for the latest information.
Reservations for Buttle Lake Campground are highly recommended and can be made through the BC Parks reservation system. Bookings often open months in advance, especially for summer.
Yes, there are several picnic areas and day-use spots around Buttle Lake, offering beautiful views and access to the water.
While park rangers are available, their knowledge can vary. It's best to check the BC Parks website for detailed trail information and conditions before your visit.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
For stunning views, Crest Mountain is highly recommended, though challenging. Myra Falls offers an easy, rewarding waterfall hike. For multi-day adventures, Della Falls is a popular choice.
Yes, Buttle Lake is a popular spot for swimming, though the water is typically very cold, even in summer. Some visitors, like Maya, are braver than others!
Absolutely! Myra Falls is a major highlight, known for its unique emerald and teal colors. Other beautiful falls can be found throughout the park.
While not explicitly mentioned in recent posts, provincial parks in BC often host deer, various bird species, and smaller mammals. Always maintain a safe distance.
The park is incredibly photogenic, with dramatic mountain landscapes, pristine lakes, and beautiful waterfalls. Buttle Lake and Myra Falls are particularly popular subjects.
🎫 🏕️ Camping
The primary campground is Buttle Lake Campground, known for its lake views. Ralph River Campground is another option, though it can have surprising availability.
One reviewer reported significant issues with mice at the campsites, which caused damage despite careful storage. Be prepared for potential wildlife encounters.
Yes, reservations are essential for Buttle Lake Campground and can be made through the BC Parks reservation system. Availability is limited, especially during peak season.
For experienced hikers, multi-day treks like the Della Falls trail offer backcountry camping opportunities. These require proper planning and permits.
Campgrounds typically offer basic amenities such as pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. Check the BC Parks website for specific details on each campground.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
+1 Buttle Lake itself is a great spot for families to enjoy the scenery, though the water is quite cold for swimming. Consider packing plenty of snacks and water, as amenities can be spread out. While some trails are challenging, there are accessible areas around the lake and picnic spots suitable for a relaxed family day out. When camping, be aware of potential wildlife, including mice, and ensure all food is stored securely.
🚶♀️ Hikers & Nature Enthusiasts
Be prepared for varied terrain and potentially challenging conditions. Downloading offline maps and informing someone of your hiking plans is crucial due to limited cell service.
📸 Photographers
+1 Myra Falls is another prime subject, with its unique emerald and teal waters providing vibrant colors for captivating images. +1For those seeking dramatic vistas, the summit of Crest Mountain offers breathtaking panoramic views that are perfect for wide-angle landscape photography.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Waterfalls of Strathcona
+2 The visual spectacle makes it a prime spot for photography and a refreshing stop for visitors. While Myra Falls is easily reached, the park also boasts more challenging waterfall hikes, such as the multi-day trek to Della Falls, one of Canada's highest waterfalls, which requires significant preparation and backcountry experience. Beyond these well-known spots, the park's mountainous terrain and abundant rainfall create numerous smaller cascades and streams, especially after periods of heavy precipitation. Exploring the park's diverse trail network can lead to unexpected discoveries of hidden water features. Always be prepared for wet conditions on trails near waterfalls, and ensure you have appropriate footwear. The sheer volume and beauty of the waterfalls contribute significantly to the park's allure, drawing nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
When planning your visit, consider the season. Waterfalls are often most impressive in the spring and early summer when snowmelt is at its peak. However, their beauty persists throughout the year, offering different moods and photographic opportunities. Remember to check trail conditions, especially after heavy rain, as some access routes might be affected.
Hiking Adventures in Strathcona
For the truly adventurous, the park is home to Della Falls, a challenging multi-day hike that rewards trekkers with views of one of Canada's highest waterfalls.
When choosing a hike, consider your experience and fitness level. Always check current trail conditions, weather forecasts, and be aware of any wildlife advisories. Downloading offline maps is a wise precaution, as cell service can be unreliable in many areas of the park.
Camping at Buttle Lake
Many campers enjoy the picturesque setting, with clouds often burning off to reveal gorgeous mountain scenery. However, it's crucial to book campsites well in advance, as they tend to fill up quickly, especially during the peak summer season. While the natural beauty is undeniable, one significant concern raised by campers is the presence of mice infestations at some campsites. These rodents can be destructive, even with careful food storage and cleaning, which can detract from the overall camping experience.
For those who find Buttle Lake Campground fully booked, Ralph River Campground is another option within Strathcona Park.
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