Cathedral Provincial Park and Protected Area

Epic trails and gorgeous lakes, views for life and animals with pure freedom to roam. You will see mountain goats, deers and chipmunks for days! The trails are worth every minute of walking and the lakes are clean with background views of the mountains. Make sure to acclimatize because the park sits at 2000m camping and lodges are the accommodation.

Doesn't get much better than this. We went in early July and camped at the Lake by the Woods. We were the only ones there, and the park ranger was such a great host when he popped around. Lots of snow, with beautiful hikes. The Cathedral Rim Loop, and Lakeview trails were well worth it.

The terrain is so unique here. The basalt formations are intriguing and at the top of the rim trail reminds me of being in the crater at Haleakala in Maui. I've always seen goats when hiking the rim trail and the sights are unbelievable. In Fall, the larch turning yellow preparing to drop their needles is quite a sight.

Not sure how long this place will exist. With something like 80% of the trees dead from beetles and larvæ, the desert setting and a wilful ignorance of physics by all those who discarded cigarettes around the camp… enjoy it whilst you can. The scenery is drop dead gorgeous and varied, hikes range from simple to strenuous and you get the best trimmings of car camping without the yobs with subwoofers.

My wife and I visited Cathedral lakes with a couple friends mid August. The weather was beautiful (chilly at night though). We hiked the Rim trail on one day, and a day at ladyslipper lake for fishing. Both days were awesome. Rim trail has a lot of unique rock features and great views of the different lakes. Fishing ladyslipper was a blast, we caught wild mountain rainbow trout in the 12-18inch range, beautiful fish. Highly recommend 3-4 nights to try a few different activities.

This is absolutely "the iconic "Great Cnd. Wilderness" with abundant Mtn Goats and Muledeer, but also (watch your packs) ravenous ground squirrels. I've been there 6-8 times, but not for 12-15 years. They need a controlled burn (yeh, I know about Yellowstone) or we will lose this beautiful gem, and they need to send the campers into the underbrush instead of prioritizing "firewood sales". I love this place but (at 72 years old) probably won't get back except perhaps in an urn... couldn't do the Rim this time, but I got my 3 granddaughters into Ladyslipper and even the 9 year old caught fish in her own kayak. Thanks !!!

Just an awesome experience for me. Took the Unimog from Base Camp to the Main Lodge at Quiniscoe Lake. Then hiked the Diamond Trail. Another couple in our group scrambled up the steep trail to the ridge. What a fantastic gem in the BC Park system.

One of the best and most accessible Alpine hiking places in BC. Shhh it is a well kept secret.