Hemer Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

Located on Holden Lake south of Nanaimo, this forested park is popular with local residents, who mainly come here to explore the extensive trail system. The marsh area at Hemer Park is also a favourite destination for bird watchers and ornithologists. A viewing platform over the marsh, approximately one kilometre from the parking lot, provides the opportunity to observe various types of ducks, Trumpeter swans, Bald eagles and turkey vultures, as well as beavers.

Approximately 11 kilometres of easy walking trails weave through the park along Holden Lake and through the marsh areas. The trails are forested, primarily with mature coastal Douglas fir, red alder and big-leaf maple. Trails are not marked but are easily identifiable and well maintained. Hemer Park provides day-use opportunities at Holden Lake, a peaceful setting for paddlers, boaters and anglers.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park. All surface water must be boiled, filtered or treated before consumption.

Special notes

Dogs must be kept on a leash and under control at all times to protect nesting birds and other wildlife.
Lock all vehicles and remove valuables.
Campfires are not permitted.

Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.

Visit responsibly

Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:

Maps and location

Getting there

Hemer Park is located on Holden Lake, 12km south of Nanaimo on southern Vancouver Island. Take the Cedar Road turnoff from Hwy 1 and follow directional signs to the park, which is situated on Hemer Road. Nearby communities include Nanaimo, Yellow Point, Ladysmith.

Things to do

Hiking

There are 11km of easy walking trails that run through the park along Holden Lake and through the marsh areas. The trails are forested, primarily with mature coastal Douglas fir, red alder and big-leaf maple. Trails are not marked but are easily identifiable and well maintained.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park.

Fishing

Holden Lake offers good opportunities for angling for cutthroat trout, however there are restrictions on the lake. Fishing is permitted as per provincial and federal fishing regulations. All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing.

Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.

Wildlife viewing

This park is a popular bird watching area. A viewing platform over the marsh, approximately one kilometre from the parking lot, provides the opportunity to observe various types of ducks, Trumpeter swans, Bald eagles and turkey vultures, as well as beavers.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour, and must pack out and dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Horseback riding

At this time, horses are permitted on the upper trail behind the service yard. Please share the designated trails with other park users. Horse riders must remove any horse excrement from the park and dispose of it in an appropriate manner.

Facilities

Picnic areas

This day-use only park has no designated picnic facilities. However, there are a number of park benches where visitors could enjoy a picnic. Other facilities consist of an extensive trail system and two pit toilets.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has two pit toilets, located approximately 50 metres from the parking lot on the main trail.

About this park

History

Hemer Park was a gift from John and Violet Hemer of Cedar, BC in 1981. Homesteaded in 1860, the park still contains remains of the farmstead, offering a look at the region’s farming history. The Pacific Coal Company railway traveled along the shores of the lake; their abandoned right of way now forms a trail called Heritage Way.

Conservation

The forest is a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees including second-growth Douglas fir, red alder and big-leaf maple. The marsh is an important wetland habitat that supports a wide diversity of specifics. Holden Lake is home to trout, minnows and sculpins. The lake is also one of only two lakes on Vancouver Island that contain the Pea Mouth Chubb. This fish spawns in the creek between the lake and the marsh at the end of April.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples

BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.

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