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Horne Lake Caves Park

Advisories

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Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

This park has a day-use/picnic area with 2 picnic tables and pit toilets. The Horne Lake Regional Park is located adjacent to the provincial park. The Regional Park allows access to Horne Lake which provides recreation opportunities for camping, swimming, fishing and picnicking nearby.

Pit or flush toilets
This park has 2 pit toilets, located at the day-use area.
Hiking

A short trail takes you from the Visitor Centre across a suspension bridge over the Big Qualicum River and uphill to the cave systems. The Phil Whitfield Interpretive Trail leads hikers through lush rainforest past interesting limestone karst/cave geological features with interpretive signage that tell the story of the caves’ origin. Disappearing streams, fossils, banded outcroppings and the cave entrances can be seen on a 950m loop that starts and ends at the Visitor Centre.

Please note: the trails and caves are not wheelchair-accessible. 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.

Swimming

The day-use area, located next to the Big Qualicum River, offers a shallow area suitable for swimming or wading. There is no safe access to the river. The Horne Lake Regional Park is located adjacent to the provincial park. The Regional Park 900 metres away allows access to Horne Lake which provides recreation opportunities for camping, swimming, fishing and picnicking nearby.

Canoeing

There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. Big Qualicum River runs approximately 1 km downstream into Horne Lake. Please note there is no easy access to the river and during the summer season, the river becomes very shallow or dries up.

The Horne Lake Regional Park is located adjacent to the provincial park. The Regional Park 900 metres away allows access to Horne Lake which provides recreation opportunities for camping, swimming, fishing and picnicking nearby.

Interpretive programs

The Cave Visitor Centre offers a variety of regularly scheduled and guided tours and educational programs for individuals and school groups. Short videos and interpretive displays provide alternative opportunities to enjoy the park without having to venture underground.

More information available at: https://hornelake.com

Wildlife viewing
There is no viewing platform but the area offers viewing opportunities to see birds, bears and deer. During the fall season, you can see eagles feeding on trout at the campground area next to the park.
Pets on leash
Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash and under control at all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Pets are not permitted in the caves. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Cycling

Cycling is permitted on roadways only. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.

Climbing
There are opportunities for rock climbing/rappelling in this park through the Horne Lake Caving Centre.
Caving

From educational family-oriented tours to deep, dark adventure, the caves protected within Horne Lake Park offer something for everyone. Knowledgeable guides can lead visitors through the caves to discover this magical world of crystal formations and ancient fossils firsthand. Though the park has two small caves visitors can explore on their own, a guided tour offers more variety and a chance to learn about the cave’s unique geology and history.

The lower cave gates are locked every night and re-open for self-exploration every day at 10am. The first 20 metres of Main Cave, Lower Main Cave, and all of Andres Annex are open for self exploration.

Riverbend Cave and Main Cave beyond the gate are only accessible by guided tour.

The easiest tour is the Riverbend Cave Explorer Tour (age 5+) that highlights the beautiful crystal formations while navigating the larger passages without having to squeeze or crawl. The shortest tour is not the easiest considering the narrow vertical-squeeze entrance, but the 1 hr Main Cave Adventure (age 5+) features rock scrambling and a ride down Canada’s only Cave Slide! The Multi-Cave Experience (age 8+) provides 3 hours of cave exploring that combines the best features and challenges for adventurous families and novice cave explorers including a climb up an underground waterfall! Those wanting maximum adventure can sign on to the Extreme Cave & Rappel (age 13+), a five-hour excursion that has explorers rappel down a seven-storey waterfall that leads into the “China Shop Passage” to reach the very end of this amazing cave with a climb out on a cable ladder. Not for the faint of heart! An outdoor rappel training session is included in the price or available as a stand-alone adventure (age7+).

All caving equipment is included on the guided tours with certified cave guides. See what park visitors have to say about their experience by checking out popular Trip Review sites. Best to reserve your tour ahead of time online or by phone 250 248-7829.

More information available at: hornelake.com