12 Best Sights in British Columbia, Canada

This protected alpine region is comprised of a collection of jewel-blue lakes and hanging valleys linked by a well-marked and maintained trail network, making it a hiker's paradise. The trails for the region are maintained by the Lake O’Hara Trails Club and Parks Canada, and range from easy, minimal elevation-gain options like the Lake O'Hara Shoreline Trail (2.8-km [1.7-mile] loop) to strenuous all-day hikes made up of a combination of trails. Trail closures happen regularly to reduce disturbance to wildlife, especially grizzly bears, so check the park's website before you go. Note that access to Lake O'Hara is limited and advanced reservations (reservations are available by random draw after the application process) are required for both the bus ride-in and overnight camping. However, it is possible to hike the 11-km (6.8-mile, one-way) forestry road in for day-use exploration of the area, if you haven't reserved the bus. In the winter, this is also a popular road for snowshoers and cross-country skiers.

A layer of rock deposits containing amazingly well-preserved fossil specimens, Burgess shale formations were first discovered in 1886 by a railway worker in nearby Yoho National Park. Subsequently in 1909, Smithsonian Institute paleontologist Charles Walcott started collecting and analyzing specimens. The current site at the base of the Stanley Glacier in Kootenay National Park was not discovered until 2012 and contains fossils with clearly visible details of the bones and insides of creatures from the underwater ecosystem that existed for a short time after the first explosion of multicellular life on earth over 505 million years ago. The Burgess Shale fossils are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the larger Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site.

Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and part of the larger Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage site, this layer of rock deposits contains amazingly well-preserved fossil specimens that have visible details from the creatures that existed in an underwater ecosystem over 505 million years ago. The Mount Stephen trilobite beds were discovered in 1886 after a railway worker reported finding stone "bugs" in the talus. Paleontologist Charles Walcott from the Smithsonian Institute visited Mt. Field in 1909, where he opened a quarry and started collecting and analyzing specimens.

This small, but spectacular, park is where you'll find old-growth Douglas fir trees approaching 61 meters (200 feet). There are 26 km (16 miles) of hiking trails and footbridges over the Capilano River, which cuts through a dramatic gorge. At the park's Capilano River Hatchery (4500 Capilano Park Rd., 604/666–1790), viewing areas and exhibits illustrate the life cycle of the salmon. The best time to see the salmon run is between July and November. The Cleveland Dam (Capilano Rd., about 1½ km [1 mile] past main park entrance) is at the north end of the park. Built in 1954, it dams the Capilano River to create the 5½-km-long (3½-mile-long) Capilano Reservoir. A hundred yards from the parking lot, you can walk across the top of the dam to enjoy striking views of the reservoir and mountains behind it. The two sharp peaks to the west are the Lions, for which the Lions Gate Bridge is named. The park is off Capilano Road in North Vancouver, just north of Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

More than 180 km (112 miles) in length, the Columbia Valley Wetlands is one of the longest wetland regions in North America. It's also one of the few remaining intact portions of the "Pacific Flyway," a major north-south pathway for migratory birds in America, extending from Alaska to Patagonia. This protected ecosystem provides sanctuary for over 216 animal species, including birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals, and more than 250 different migrating bird species. One of the best ways to explore the wetlands is via canoe or kayak. 

Kayaks and canoes can be rented from Far Out Gear Rentals ( see Multi-Sport Outfitters) in the village of Radium.

Nestled into the precipitous North Shore Mountains, this 5,668-hectare (14,000-acre) reserve includes 100 km (62 miles) of hiking and biking trails—some that are steep and challenging. The meandering Seymour Valley Trailway is a 10-km (6-mile) paved pathway, suitable for cyclists, in-line skaters, strollers, and wheelchairs. Popular hikes include the easy 2-km (1-mile) loop around Rice Lake and the steep climb to Lynn Peak.

A definite highlight of Kootenay National Park, Marble Canyon trail starts immediately from the parking lot at the side of Highway 93. The short hike (1.4 km [0.9 mile] with minimal elevation) takes you across seven bridges that crisscross the deeply carved limestone gorge, as the torrential glacial blue waters rush downward far below. At the top of the trail, you can see a small waterfall on the river, right where it drops into the canyon. New interpretive panels detail the formation of this impressive gorge.

Just 30 minutes from Downtown Vancouver, this 3,508-hectare (8,668-acre) wilderness park has hiking trails of varying length and difficulty and spectacular views of the Lower Mainland. Warm clothing—and caution—are advised. Popular routes include a scenic 1½-hour trip to Dog Mountain or a more intense four-hour climb to the three peaks of Seymour. You can also hike down to Deep Cove on Indian Arm. In winter, the trails are used for snowshoeing, and you can try tubing and tobogganing, too.

Spanning the Kicking Horse River, this natural rock formation was created when the hard limestone eroded more quickly than the softer rock causing cracks to widen until the flow of water changed and formed a bridge. A short pathway displays interpretive signage explaining the erosion process as you walk to several lookouts that provide views of the geological formation from different vantage points.

The paint pots are a geological formation formed by rich deposits of iron oxide that bubbles up from mineral springs, resulting in liquid with pigments ranging from red to orange to brown. The area is sacred to the Ktunaxa people, who have gathered the ocher liquid to color their clay and paints since ancient times. By the early 1900s, European settlers also started to mine the pigments for manufacturing paints. This mining stopped when the area became a park in 1920, but the paint pots continue to bubble the brightly colored pigments to the surface. In late 2023, in consultation with Indigenous partners, 175 meters (575 feet) of raised boardwalk was constructed to address poor trail conditions on a muddy section of the trail.

Once the sun sets, head to Vallea Lumina, just a short drive from the Village. Here, you'll meander through the old-growth forest on a 1.5-kilometer (almost 1-mile) hike to take in the mesmerizing light, sound, and art displays in the dark. When you're done, head to the campfire for a snack and games. Make sure to book your tickets in advance. In the busy season, there is a complimentary shuttle from the Village to the venue.