Canada Guide
Vancouver Island
Strathcona Provincial Park
Vancouver Island's largest protected area, and the oldest park in British Columbia, Strathcona Provincial Park (established in 1911) is one of the few places on the island where the scenery approaches the grandeur of the mainland mountains. The island's highest point, Golden Hinde (2220m) is here, and it's also a place where there's a good chance of seeing rare indigenous wildlife (the Roosevelt elk, marmot and black-tailed deer are the most notable examples). Only two areas have any sort of facilities for the visitor – Forbidden Plateau on the park's eastern side, approached from Courtenay, and the more popular Buttle Lake region, accessible from Campbell River via Hwy 28. The rest of the park is unsullied wilderness, but fully open to backpackers and hardier walkers. Be sure to pick up the blue BC Parks pamphlet (available from the infocentre at Campbell River and elsewhere): it has a good general map and gives lots of information, such as the comforting fact that there are no grizzly bears in the park.
Fifteen information shelters around the lake provide some trail and wildlife information. Buttle Lake has two provincial campsites with basic facilities – one alongside the park centre at Buttle Lake, the other at Ralph River (both summer $14, winter $9) on the extreme southern end of Buttle Lake, accessed by the road along the lake's eastern shore. Both have good swimming areas nearby. Backcountry camping costs $5. The park's only commercial accommodation is provided by the Strathcona Park Lodge ( 
250/286-3122, 
www.strathcona.bc.ca ; Price: $81–240), just outside the Buttle Lake entrance, a mixture of hotel and outdoor-pursuits centre. You can rent canoes, bikes and other outdoor equipment, and sign up for any number of organized tours and activities.