ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park

Situated on top of Mount Newton on southern Vancouver Island, ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park overlooks the pastoral Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands and the Cascade Mountains. ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Park protects one of the last stands of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak on the Saanich Peninsula, and is a popular destination for local residents, who visit the park to hike in a pristine wilderness environment and enjoy the spectacular views. The mountain and surrounding area figure prominently in First Nations culture, and early descriptions of the mountain mention large rings of white stones placed there by the Saanich people. ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱, as Mount Newton is known to the First Nations of the Saanich Peninsula, was the high point of land that enabled them to survive the Great Flood. Here legend has it that the Saanich ancestors were able to anchor their canoe until the floodwaters subsided using a giant cedar rope. ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ was the first land available as the floodwaters receded.

A number of hiking trails, varying in degrees of difficulty, wind through the inspiring forest across the south and east face of Mount Newton at this day-use park. Adventurous hikers can climb to the summit of Mount Newton. In the spring the park comes alive with a vivid display of wildflowers native to British Columbia, including drifts of blue camas lilies, which carpet the understorey, as well as common red paintbrush, sea blush and shooting stars.

Wildlife flocks to this lush forest and from the top of Mount Newton you can watch as ravens, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and turkey vultures put on a display of soaring techniques. The summit of Mount Newton is also regarded as an excellent location to watch some of the best sunsets on Vancouver Island.

Established Date: December 9, 1921
Park Size: 174 hectares

• ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park is closed to vehicle traffic from November to March due to unsafe winter road conditions.
• Campfires are not permitted at this park.

ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park is located near Sidney on southern Vancouver Island. The park can be accessed off Hwy #17. Turn west onto McTavish Road, south onto East Saanich Road, then west onto John Dean Road. Follow John Dean Road until you reach the park. Nearby communities include: Sidney, Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, Victoria.

• Park Map [PDF]

• History: Early pioneer John Dean donated the first 32 hectares of property for the park in 1921, followed by four other settlers who contributed adjoining lands. Remnants of their homesteads remain in the park today.
• Conservation: There are five plant communities at risk in ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱/John Dean Provincial Park that are part of the old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak ecosystems. Spring flowerings of camas lilies, shooting stars, sea blush and common red paintbrush carpet the meadows and forest in the spring. Pileated woodpeckers are often seen in the park, which protects the delicate Calypso orchid and some of the largest mature Douglas fir trees on the Saanich Peninsula. Diverse species of fungi, birds, moss and amphibian species are also present for keen naturalists to observe.

• Management Planning Information
• Approved Purpose Statement and Zoning Plan [PDF]

Cycling

Hiking

Pets on Leash

Wildlife Viewing

Picnic Areas

Pit or Flush Toilets