Park overview
The best in Canada. That is one way to describe the cave resources of Vancouver Island, home to more than 1,000 caves. At Horne Lake Caves Park you can experience the magic of the underground world in the many caves protected within this unique park. The park was established in 1971 at the request of public caving groups on Vancouver Island who were concerned about the potential damage of the caves and the fragile crystal formations they contained.
Almost like being there! Click the play button to take a fantastic virtual tour of Horne Lake caves and learn about karst landscapes.
The park can be enjoyed above or below ground. For those that prefer their adventures above-ground, the park also offers a Cave and Karst Education Centre that features geology information, a small museum and fossil display in addition to Canada’s only Cave Theatre, so visitors can learn more about this unique environment without having to venture underground. Other above-ground opportunities include a self-guided walk through the amazing surface geology on the “Phil Whitfield Interpretive Trail” that highlights interesting surface features detailed in a self-guiding brochure.
Spelunking is the art of cave exploration and Horne Lake Caves Park is the perfect place to discover this unique activity. From educational family-oriented tours to deep, dark adventure, the caves protected within this 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 of one of the larger caves offers more variety and a chance to learn about the cave’s unique geology and history.
Whichever method of exploring the caves you choose, you are bound to be fascinated by this amazing underground world in the heart of Vancouver Island.
Advisories
Safety info
- Bring your own drinking water as potable water is not available in the park.
- Campfires are not permitted.
Special notes
- There is no camping available in the park but the Horne Lake Regional Park located next to the park offers camping opportunities.
- BC Parks, the Canadian Cave Conservancy, BC Speleological Federation and the Vancouver Island Cave Exploration Group are working together on a variety of projects to enhance conservation of the unique features of the caves and improve the visitor experience. Park visitors are advised that work on these projects may be occurring in the park during regular hours. Please stay alert for further information on the park during the next few months.
Facilities
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has a day-use and picnic area with two 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.
This park has two pit toilets, located at the day-use area.
Activities
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 and cave geological features. Interpretive signage tells the story of the caves’ origin. Disappearing streams, fossils, banded outcroppings and the cave entrances can be seen on a 950 m 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.
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.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
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.
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 is available at https://hornelake.com
Pets and 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 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 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.
There are opportunities for rock climbing and rappelling in this park through the Horne Lake Caving Centre.
Horne Lake Caves Visitor Centre and Cave Theatre are open during the summer season.
Guided tours
Caves are only accessible by guided tour. Guided cave tours depart every hour from 9 am to 5 pm in summer months and at various times throughout the year.
From educational family-oriented tours to deep, dark adventure, Horne Lake Caves Park offers something for everyone. Knowledgeable guides lead visitors through the caves to discover this magical world of crystal formations and ancient fossils firsthand. A guided tour offers a chance to learn about the cave’s unique geology and history. All caving equipment is included on the guided tours with certified cave guides.
| Riverbend Cave Explorer Tour | 1 hour 45 minutes | age 5+ |
| The Action Pack | 1.5 hours | age 8+ |
| Multi Cave Experience | 2.5 hours | age 8+ |
| Achilles Challenge | 4 hours | age 13+ |
| Max Depth Adventure | 5.5 hours | age 13+ |
For more information and to book tours, visit hornelake.com or call 250-248-7829.
Cave etiquette and safety
- Safety equipment including a helmet and light are provided on tours.
- Due to the cool damp air in the caves, even during the summer, you are advised to wear warm clothing.
- Do not damage or remove any rock formations or features from the caves.
- When visiting a cave follow in one line. This will reduce the spread of mud over the features and throughout the rest of the cave.
- Pets are not permitted in the caves.
- Please remove all litter. “Leave No Trace” of your visit.
White-Nose Syndrome
White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease linked to the mass die-off of hibernating bats in Eastern North America. Humans have accelerated spread by bringing contaminated clothing, gear, and equipment into caves. Before entering caves, consult the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative and WNS decontamination instructions.
BC Parks installed a bio-cleaning station at Horne Lake Caves Park to ensure visitors are not entering caves with contaminated clothing, gear or equipment, which researchers believe can carry the fungus causing White-Nose Syndrome.
Funded through proceeds from the BC Parks Licence Plate Program, the bio-cleaning station helps remove fungal spores that could cause the disease. Before entering the caves, visitors walk along an artificial turf mat to scrub fungal spores off their shoes, and then step into a diluted detergent and water solution, followed by a water rinse. The same process is applied when leaving. Watch the video to learn more about the bio-cleaning station at Horne Lake Caves Park.
Bio-cleaning station protects bats from White-Nose Syndrome
Help protect bats and their habitats from the spread of White-Nose Syndrome. Clothing and gear that has been used in caves east of the Rocky Mountains should not be used in B.C.
Horne Lake Caves Park is located 60 km north of Nanaimo and 26 km west of Qualicum on central Vancouver Island. The park can be accessed via the Horne Lake exit off Hwy 19 or Hwy 19a. Follow signs for 12 km to Horne Lake.
Park and activity maps
- Park Map [PDF]
Learn more about this park
Park details
- Date established: January 26, 1971
- Size: 158 hectares
Park contact
Hidden Realm Adventures Inc.
250-248-7829
info@hornelake.com
Nature and culture
History
The first written records of caves in the area came after the turn of the century, in 1912, when a geologist noted the presence of caves at the north end of Horne Lake. A few years later, when the area was opened up for logging, the loggers knew the location of the caves. It is not known if the loggers ventured into the depths of the caves but a stream in one of the caves was dammed to provide water for the steam donkeys used in early logging practices.
It was not until 1939 that the caves gained public attention. Two cave explorers were responsible for rediscovering what they named the “Horne Lake Wonder Caves”. At this point only the Main and Lower Main Caves were known, although some speculated on the potential for more caves in the area. The presence of a noticeable air current at the mouth of Main Cave led people to believe there must be a system of caves, of which Main was just a part. In 1941, a storekeeper from Qualicum reported entering a sizable cave almost a quarter of a mile long, some distance from the already discovered caves. This was probably the first discovery of Riverbend Cave.
By 1945, the caves had become a known tourist stop for people looking for adventure. This increased use of the caves, however, took its toll and by the summer of 1945 a party of explorers noted that many of the once beautiful formations were either broken or removed by souvenir seekers. This same party found the storekeeper’s cave, Riverbend.
In 1957, the Horne Lake Caves area of approximately 29 hectares was established as a recreation reserve in an effort to ensure opportunities for the public to continue to view these caves in the future. Six years later a group of cavers from Victoria discovered the two entrances to Eggshell Cave. The value of this area was recognized by members of the Canadian Speleological Society, who then approached the provincial government to have this area protected. Horne Lake Caves Park was established in February 1971.
Conservation
In addition to protecting the karst features and caves, this park includes a forested addition that protects approximately 1 km of the Qualicum River adjacent to Horne Lake Caves. This forest provides a visual buffer for visitors to the existing park. The area also protects high fish and wildlife values.
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.