Little Qualicum Falls Park, in the central Vancouver Island area, straddles the Little Qualicum River and incorporates the entire southern shore of Cameron Lake.
Impressive waterfalls cascade down a rocky gorge in a beautiful forest setting bordered by steep mountain peaks, making this one of the area’s most beautiful parks. The falls, lake swimming, shaded riverside trails, and picnic facilities make Little Qualicum Falls a very popular family destination.
A number of walking trails are available in and around the park. These offer picturesque views of the river and provide access to the upper and lower falls. Cameron Lake is a great spot for swimming and fishing. It is also ideal for sailboarding, due to a wind funnel created by the surrounding mountains.
Cameron Lake and Beaufort day-use areas are located 10 minutes west of the campground, on Highway 4.
Campsite reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available. All reservations must be made through the BC Parks reservation service. For information on making a reservation, see the frontcountry camping page.
When reservations are not available all campsites are available on a first come, first served basis. For information on when reservations are available, see dates of operation, above.
Little Qualicum Falls Park has vehicle-accessible campsites in two separate campgrounds, the Upper Campground and the Lower Campground. Reservations are accepted and first come, first served sites are also available. For information on making a reservation, see the frontcountry camping page.
Vehicle-accessible camping fee | $23 per party per night |
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BC Senior Camping Discount rate (day after Labour Day to June 14 only) | $11.50 per senior party per night |
Some facilities in the park are wheelchair-accessible.
This park has three day-use and picnicking areas all located within a few kilometres of each other.
Little Qualicum Falls day-use area provides picnic tables, a picnic shelter, flush toilets, and fresh water. Picnicking in the campground is not permitted.
Cameron Lake day-use area provides the best swimming opportunities in the park. There are picnic tables and pit toilets provided off a small parking lot at the southern end of the lake. Fires are prohibited in this day-use area. Domestic animals must be leashed at all times and they are not allowed in beach areas.
Beaufort day-use area is a small site located along Highway 4, approximately six kilometres past Little Qualicum Falls Park. It provides swimming and fishing opportunities. This small area has two picnic tables, one pit toilet, and limited parking. Fires are prohibited in this day-use area. Domestic animals must be leashed at all times and they are not allowed in beach areas.
Pit toilets are located throughout the park at all day-use areas, locations along the trails, and in the campground. Flush toilet buildings are located in the Little Qualicum Falls day-use area and in the upper campground.
Cold-water taps are located at the Little Qualicum Falls day-use area and the campground. Taps are shut off during the off-season. There is no drinking water provided at the Cameron Lake and Beaufort day-use areas.
There is an adventure playground at this park, located next to the Upper Campground.
Campfire rings are provided at each campsite. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator.
We encourage visitors to help the environment by minimizing the use of fire, keeping campfires small, and bringing camping stoves for cooking. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented.
To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please do not gather firewood from the area around your campsite or anywhere else in the park (this is a ticketable offence under the Park Act). Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds valuable organic matter to the soil.
There are six kilometres of walking trails throughout the park. Trails leave from the campground and Little Qualicum Falls day-use area, meandering though old-growth and second-growth forest along the Little Qualicum River.
For an easy walk, hikers can leave from the day-use area and follow a loop trail to view the lower and upper waterfalls. A lookout point is located along this trail, offering spectacular views of the river and upper falls.
For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure.
The area from 75 metres above the Middle Falls Bridge to the downstream park boundary below the Lower Falls Bridge is closed to swimming. Other areas in the park may be closed to swimming during high-water periods. Check the park information shelters for swimming closure information. Those wanting to swim should visit the Cameron Lake day-use area, located 10 minutes west on Highway 4.
There are no lifeguards on duty at BC Parks.
There are many opportunities for freshwater canoeing or kayaking on Cameron Lake, which can be accessed via the Cameron Lake day-use area and the Beaufort day-use area.
Fishing opportunities are available in Cameron Lake, one of a few lakes in British Columbia known to have brown trout. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.
Pets must be leashed at all times and they are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets, due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.
Bicycles must keep to roadways within Little Qualicum Falls Park.
In particular, it should be noted that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within the park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy is for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
There are opportunities for waterskiing on Cameron Lake.
A wind funnel created by the surrounding mountains makes Cameron Lake a popular windsurfing destination.
There are opportunities for freshwater scuba diving in Cameron Lake.
The Little Qualicum Falls campground and day-use area are located 19km west of Parksville, on Highway 4. The Cameron Lake day-use area is located 23km west of Parksville on Highway 4. The Beaufort day-use area is located 25km west of Parksville on Highway 4. Nearby communities include: Coombs, Parksville, Qualicum, and Port Alberni.
Any maps provided on this page are for information only. They may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.
This park operated by R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
Little Qualicum Falls Park was established in 1940 to protect the old-growth Douglas-fir forest and the associated plant communities as well as the area around the river and the waterfalls.
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.