Things to Do
Parks & Gardens
Parks
The Comox Valley has more than 40 parks that are perfect for hiking, biking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, camping and playing. Enjoy art in the park or art shows in a number of public and private outdoor gardens and parks for a welcome mix of culture and recreation. You can see spawning salmon head upstream, turn the kids loose on the playground, watch for birds and sea life, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet of nature. The Comox Valley is surrounded by wilderness and there are unlimited opportunities for relaxation, recreation and exploration!
City parks
The Courtenay Riverway is a paved walkway that runs along the Courtenay River and estuary and is bordered on one side by the Courtenay Airpark. This is a prime location for viewing many species of birds and watching small planes take off and land. In Comox, enjoy the interconnecting trails of Mack Laing, MacDonald Wood and Brooklyn Creek parks. And in Cumberland, explore the trails of the Cumberland Community Forest linking history with nature.
Regional parks
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| The picturesque ‘Old House’, included in the Heritage Experience Walking Tours, was completed by the Kirk family in 1938 | |
Seal Bay Regional Nature Park is a network of wooded trails on the Comox Peninsula. The paths are excellent for hiking and biking and some are wheelchair accessible. A steep path leads to the beach where visitors often see seals, sea lions, bald eagles and other wildlife.
Nymph Falls Nature Park offers meandering trails that follow the Puntledge River. These trails connect with extensive trail systems down river at Stotan Falls and up river at the BC Hydro/Puntledge River Recreation Area at Comox Lake.
Provincial parks
The Comox Valley is the gateway to Strathcona Provincial Park, Vancouver Island’s largest, and British Columbia’s oldest provincial park. Head up to Strathcona Park in the summer months to explore the trails from the Paradise Meadows trailhead – just a 30 minute drive from Courtenay.
Miracle Beach Provincial Park is great family destination featuring an expansive sandy beach, camping facilities, picnic areas, and a series of lovely trails winding through the lush forest. At low tide, explore the rich tidal pools.
Gardens
Public access gardens include the Filberg Park in Comox, a nine-acre, landscaped heritage property where the annual arts, crafts and cultural Filberg Festival is held, and Kitty Coleman Woodland Gardens, home to a number of art shows and where cedar bark trails lead you through a unique showcase of 3000 rhododendrons and companion plants in a serene and natural setting.
Anderton Therapeutic Gardens offers visitors a relaxing experience for the mind, sprit and body and opportunities for hands on activities. The historic Village of Cumberland features beautiful herb and flower gardens at #6 Memorial Mine Park and an annual garden tour that is growing each year.