Morden Colliery Historic Park

Highlights in this park

Morden Colliery Historic Park protects features of Vancouver Island’s rich coal mining history. This small, undeveloped day-use park contains the only remaining coal tipple on the Island.

This concrete tipple was built in the early 1900s by the Pacific Coal Company, and was the first of its kind in the region. The tipple is all that remains of the Morden Coal Mine, which once thrived here. The first sod was turned at this mine in 1912. In its first year of operation the mine produced 76,000 tonnes of coal.

Visit the Friends of the Morden Mine site to learn more about conservation efforts to preserve the values in this park.

The Regional District of Nanaimo maintains a trail that runs through the park to the Nanaimo River along a historic railway right-of-way.

Know before you go

Advisories

Safety information

The area around the coal tipple is fenced off for public safety. Access inside the fenced area is prohibited.

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

Morden Colliery Historic Park is located 7 km south of Nanaimo on southern Vancouver Island. Access to the park is off Highway 1 on Morden Road. The parking lot for Morden Colliery is also used as the trailhead for the regional district.

Things to do

Hiking

There are no developed trails within Morden Colliery Historic Park, however the Regional District of Nanaimo maintains a trail that runs through the park to the Nanaimo River. 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.

Wildlife viewing

There is no viewing platform but this park contains the only remaining coal tipple on Vancouver Island, evidence of the area’s rich coal mining history.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement.

Cycling

Bicycles must keep to roadways. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.

Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Morden Colliery Historic 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.

Facilities

Accessibility information

Accessibility information is available for this park.

Picnic areas

There is a day-use and picnicking area at this park.

About this park

History

Morden Colliery Historic Park, established in 1972, contains the only remaining coal tipple on Vancouver Island. This concrete tipple was built in the early 1900s by the Pacific Coal Company, and was the first of its kind in the region. The tipple is all that remains of the Morden Coal Mine, which once thrived here. The first sod was turned at this mine in 1912. In its first year of operation the mine produced 76,000 tonnes of coal. A historic railway right-of-way also runs through the park.

General Wildlife, Marine & Outdoor Ethics Information

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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