With British Columbians being asked to isolate as much as possible in the face of COVID-19, there have been conflicting messages about getting outdoors.
On the one hand, there is a viewpoint that no one should go outside unless absolutely necessary. To get food, for example. Whistler Search and Rescue recently made an appeal to ban all backcountry recreation.
On the other hand, getting outside in nature can be an important release valve to de-stress and can play an important role in our physical and mental wellbeing.
Some doctors have encouraged people to get into nature during this time, and with many businesses being shut down, it seems that more people may be flocking onto the trails. Michael Coyle, Search and Rescue Manager at Coquitlam SAR, had a thoughtful post about this on Reddit.
As the closures and the lockdown goes on, we will need something for people to do for their physical and mental well being. We cannot stay at home.
Michael Coyle
Hiking will be a very valuable safety valve.
We’ll echo Michael’s sentiment, that getting into nature is an inherently good thing. But if you are going to go hiking right now, dial back the risk, as Michael says. We want to be doubly-sure we are not putting Search and Rescue teams in a situation where they need to do any more callouts than are necessary. They have to make tough decisions about the risk they want to subject themselves to, in order to save others.
That’s a tough position to put these incredible volunteers in.
Reduce your risks to near zero please. This is not the time for those challenging objectives. If you must climb, ski or ride, do so at well below your maximim please. The last thing we need is an unnecessary incident that exposes the team to each other, and stresses any medical resources associated.
A few days ago, BC Search and Rescue put out the recommendation, that yes, you can still enjoy the outdoors – for now. But those people wanting to venture outside during the pandemic should maintain social distance, plan their hikes and take safety measures.
If you’re new to hiking, please be aware it has many risks, and it’s easier than you might think to get lost or injured on the trails. Even trails that are close to residential areas can quickly lead deep into the backcountry. Please read our hiking safety guidelines and be fully prepared for any outing.
At this time, whether you choose to get outside onto the trails is your personal choice. However, for those choosing to go on the trails, for your safety and the safety of others, please practice strict social distancing. This is the best way to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.
This means, go hiking with people that you live with. On the trails, stay at least two meters away from everyone else at all times. If hikes have things like ladders and ropes, avoid those hikes, as germs may live on those surfaces. And of course, continue to wash your hands frequently.
There are also many current closures in place, and more springing up all the time. So research your location before heading out. You may also want to choose hikes that aren’t typically busy. In our hiking trail database, you can use the search filter to search for hikes in your desired city, and select ‘moderate’ or ‘low’ for the ‘Trail Traffic’ filter.
Right now all proceeds from the sale of our multiwraps go to the Canada Helps COVID-19 Community Care Fund! Turn your wrap into a makeshift mask (instructions in video below).
Current Park and Trail Closures around Vancouver
Last update: 4:49 pm, April 3, 2020
Here are the current COVID-19 related park and trail closures that we are aware of. If you become aware of other closures, please email us at info [at] outdoorvancouver [dot] ca. We will be updating this page as new trail closures are announced, or as trails reopen.
BC Parks
Most BC Parks facilities and campgrounds are closed until further notice.
“The temporary measures include the suspension of services at marine parks, visitor centres, nature houses, playgrounds, washrooms and day-use facilities. Provincial park visitors may continue to use trails and areas where accessible, however, they will be expected to carry out their own garbage and will be responsible for their own safety. Visitors should be aware parking lots in some parks may be closed and gated where necessary.”
The following provincial parks have “some day-use services and facilities” currently available:
- Mount Seymour Provincial Park. The road up the mountain and the parking area are closed, though access to some lower-elevation trails are available.
- Cypress Provincial Park. The road up the mountain and the parking area are closed, though access to some lower-elevation trails are available.
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
- Miracle Beach Provincial Park
- Wells Gray Provincial Park
- Alice Lake – The day-use area is closed
Included BC Parks closures:
Vancouver Island:
- French Beach Provincial Park
- Goldstream Provincial Park
- Gowlland Tod Provincial Park (closure restricted to McKenzie Bight and Tod Inlet)
- Juan de Fuca Provincial Park (includes China Beach, Sombrio Beac,h and Botanical Beach)
- Elk Falls
- ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park
- Spectacle Lake Provincial Park
South Coast:
- Chilliwack Lake
- Golden Ears
- Murrin Park
- Shannon Falls
- Stawamus Chief
- Joffre Lakes
- Porteau Cove
Camping reservations: “All campgrounds, camping opportunities and accommodations will be closed until at least April 30”. Reservations that were already that lie between now and April 30 have automatically been cancelled and refunded.
See more details from BC Parks here.
North Vancouver
- Quarry Rock– The trail is currently closed
- Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge – The bridge is currently closed
- Lynn Canyon parking lot
- Mount Seymour – Access to the top of the mountain is closed
- Cypress Mountain – Access to the top of the mountain is closed.
- Grouse Mountain – Closed. The gondola is not operational at this time, though you can hike up and down the BCMC Trail.
- Mount Fromme – Parking lot is closed.
- Panorama Park – Closed (Starting Apr 4)
- Deep Cove Park – Closed (Starting Apr 4)
- Cates Park – Closed (Starting Apr 4)
- Kilmer Park – Closed (Starting Apr 4)
Parking on roads used for accessing mountain trails
Onstreet parking is restricted in these locations used for accessing mountain trails:
- Berkley Avenue, Hyannis Drive, Riverside Drive, Mountain Highway
- Riverside Drive North
- Mountain Highway, south of Coleman
- Woodlands, Indian River Drive – closed to public
See the latest from DNV here.
West Vancouver
- Whyte Lake – Parking lot is closed
- Whytecliff Park – Closed
- Lighthouse Park – Closed
Squamish
- The Chief hike and Stawamus Chief Provincial Park – Closed, with no current access.
- Sea To Sky Gondola – Closed. The gondola is not operational, though you can hike up and down the Sea to Summit Trail.
- Brohm Lake – Closed
BC Hydro Recreation Sites
“To enforce social distancing measures set out by the Provincial Health Officer (PHO), all facilities at our recreation areas are now closed. This includes campsites, boat launches, washrooms, day-use facilities, and parking lots. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and the PHO’s recommendations for further decisions related to closure and reopening of recreation areas.”
This includes Buntzen Lake, Hayward Lake, Seton Lake and other BC Hydro Facilities. Read more on BC Hydro’s site.
Metro Vancouver Regional Parks
“The majority of Metro Vancouver’s regional parks are currently open.
We recognize that spending time in nature is an effective way to reduce stress and support physical and mental wellbeing and our goal is to continue to provide the Regional Parks service that is such an important part of so many peoples’ daily health routines.
However, all park facilities such as playgrounds, docks, rental facilities and picnic shelters are closed, and all programs and special events have been postponed. Several parking lots have also been closed.”
- Boundary Bay – Parking lot is closed
- Brae Island Regional Park – Fully closed
- Barnston Island Regional Park – Fully closed
- Deas Island – Parking lot closed
- Delta Heritage Airpark – Parking lot closed
See the latest from Metro Vancouver here.
BC Recreation Sites and Trails
RSTBC is temporarily closing recreation facilities and suspending services at many recreation sites and trails across BC. This includes some popular places like Cat Lake.
See here for a full list of closures.
Parks Canada
Parks Canada has “temporarily suspend[ed] all visitor services in all national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas across the country until further notice.”
Ski resorts
All ski resorts, including Blackcomb Whistler, are closed across British Columbia for the season.
We hope that everyone is staying safe during these difficult days. For more information about the current best practices as they relate to COVID-19, please see the BC Centre for Disease Control website.
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