Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Don’t miss one of the most beautiful parks for camping on Vancouver Island, featuring cascading waterfalls in a mountainside forest setting.

Spectacular views await at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park, filled with waterfalls, rock cliffs, campsites, shaded trails, and swimming holes. Located just off of Highway 4, where Cameron Lake empties into the Little Qualicum River over a series of rushing waterfalls, the park was established in 1940 to preserve and protect the old-growth Douglas Fir forest and riverbanks surrounding the falls.

Use this helpful guide to plan your visit to Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park:

Landscape scenery of waterfall cascading in Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park in Parksville Qualicum Beach BC Canada
The roaring falls.

Explore The Trails

Enjoy 6 kilometres of trails that meander through old growth-forests and alongside the river. The loop trail, accessible from the day use area, provides stunning lookout views of the upper and lower falls. You may also access the trails from the park campground. Leashed pets are welcome to explore with you on the trails. Dogs are not permitted in backcountry areas, beach areas, or in park buildings. For your safety and to protect the natural environment, stay on the designated trails and use caution and stay away from slippery riverbanks and cliff edges.

Camping & Amenities

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park campground is a convenient base camp for visiting Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Park and Cameron Lake, or accessing the Mt. Arrowsmith CPR Regional Trail. Three-season camping is available, with a range of shaded and riverside campsites, some of which are vehicle-accessible. Both pit and flush toilets are available throughout the park, and families will enjoy the park’s picnic areas and playground. Campfires are permitted, with some restrictions. Potable water is available for guests (except during the off-season). During the winter months, the campground is closed and the park is open for day use only.

Maps & Brochures

The Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park is 19 kilometres west of Parksville on Highway 4. Click to view or download a park brochure and park map.

Nearby Adventures

If you’d like to go swimming, fishing or boating, head to nearby Cameron Lake, which is a ten-minute drive away on Highway 4. Cameron Lake is unique for several reasons. It is one of the only lakes in British Columbia known for brown trout, and the surrounding mountains create a wind funnel on the water’s surface, making it an ideal spot for sailboarding. The clear waters are also attractive for freshwater scuba diving adventures. Oh, and did we mention that Cameron Lake is reportedly home to a mysterious Lake Monster (link to blog) too!

The must-see Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Provincial Park, with its spectacular old-growth forests, is also only 10 minutes away by car from Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park.

For camping reservations and more information, visit the BC Parks Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park website.


Note: BC Parks has closed Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Provincial Park and the Beaufort & Cameron Lake day used areas in Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park until the Highway 4 is fully reopened to allow for sustainable traffic management. Learn more about closures here.

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Our unique geographical setting provides a wide range of parks, gardens, rivers, lakes, and trails where you can unplug and reconnect with nature. Within minutes of downtown, you can visit our parks to escape the everyday.

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From oceanfront hotels and resorts, to charming bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, and more - find the perfect place to stay for your Parksville Qualicum Beach getaway.

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