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Top State parks in Nanaimo, Canada

Top Rated State parks in Nanaimo

Top Reviewed State parks in Nanaimo

Reviews

This area of ancient forest is amazing. With towering 800 year old pines and primeval ferns and lichens it's like stepping back in time. Also lots of birds and other interesting plants. Definitely worth visiting
Cathedral Grove is incredibly majestic. The walkway is elevated for a good portion with an opportunity to go off trail near the creek. A beautiful place to honour the trees
Must see rain forest sized trees on Vancouver island. I visited the same spot 20 years ago and it got even more beautiful.
It's a must visit if you are travel this area.
An old growth fir forest in just a few steps away. The new boardwalks offer visitor a much easy way for walking.
I remember I got all my shoes wet after the walk years ago.
Now the park separates into 2 parts. You don't have to cross the highway again. Actually, both sides of the walk is quite the same.
We walk the new part boardwalk in the morning then I head to Port Alberni then we walk the old part on the way back to Parksville.
Parking is still a problem so try to go there in the morning.
We can learn many things about our old growth forest in this park.
It was raining so it was amazing and barely anyone was there. The trees cover you from most of the rain and just add the perfect vibes 🥰
Lisa A
at 2024 Apr 03
Lisa A
at 2024 Apr 03
How to feel very, very small!

This place is magic. It is ancient, lush and oxygen-rich.

It is a must-visit en route to Tofino. Highly recommend the south side.
A must if you’re traveling toward the coast. This old growth stand of giants is spectacular. Lots of educational bits for the kids and great photo opportunities. There are lots of pit toilets available as well if you need to stop. They were really clean when I was there.
The park's well-maintained trails, such as the Big Tree Trail, are easy for most visitors, providing a peaceful and accessible experience. Facilities are limited, so visitors should come prepared, but the lack of amenities is a small price to pay for the tranquility and natural beauty on offer
If you are going to port alberni, tofino and ucluelet, this is a must!, you have to take a break and breath between the huge trees, there’s plenty space to park but is a very transited highway, so be carefull, the trail is relatively flat and wide, making it easy to walk, free entrance, dogs can enter but must be on a leash and under control at all times, the cathedral grove is amazing and beautiful, definitely i’ll come back!
Just meandered both north and south trails. I had a silly happy grin for the whole walk. .

Accessibility information:

- wheelchair accessible pit toilets on both sides. - The north trail is very wheelchair-friendly, with wither paved or wooden boardwalk pathways. No incline.
- South trail is not wheelchair-accessible if you follow the one-way directions. It has a well-worn trail that gets muddy with the plentiful rains. There are also large tree roots and at least 1 step up to smaller wooden walkways. Minimal incline.
Beautiful 800 years old trees, rain forest, all green with moss over the trees.
Such a gorgeous and easy hike through ancient forests. There aren't many other easily-accessible places in the world where you can see and inspect 800-year-old conifers. But here you get to reconnect with nature (even if only for a little bit), breathe in the clean piney air, and soothe your frayed urban nerves. One path leads down to a gravel-covered "beach" and a slow-trickling creek, where you can dip your feet or hands into the icy-cold waters. There are lots of humongous decaying tree trunks, felled from old age or past windstorms, to clamber over/under and explore. My touristy group of eight (8) adults spent about an hour here. Highly recommend!
One of the best Canadian parks to visit! The trees are gorgeous and the boardwalk takes you to a calm emotional place. It is very easy to find and is located along the highway. Just watch for traffic when driving by and running across the street to the opposite trail. This is a must see on Vancouver Island. We always go out of our way to visit. The walk itself doesn't have to take too long but you could easily spend a lot of time at the location if you feel like it.
Stop by and say hi to these magnificent trees.
Cathedral Grove ist der bekanntere Name des MacMillan Provincial Parks. Hier findet man Douglas Fir Trees (Douglasien resp. Douglasfichten), die bis zu 800 Jahre alt sind. Die grössten Bäume können einen Umfang bis zu 9 m haben und eine bis gegen 80 m.
Schon beindruckend, man fühlt sich schon recht klein neben diesen Riesenbäumen.
Der Park ist einfach zu finden, es gibt ausreichend Parkplätze und ist problemlos zu Fuss begehbar (auf den Wegen).
Had a beautiful drive to the Cathedral Grove for the first, since I was a child. The grove was more amazing than I remember. Amazing place to forest bath and just take everything and just too feel small. Beautiful new boardwalk, and not too busy, winter might be best time to visit.
A great place to enjoy nature.

I enjoy walking the interpretive trails. There are signs here and there educating us about the trees and also critters. Some trees are so tall, it's stunning to look at. Nice fresh air. It's what you want.