Petroglyph Park | BC Parks

Highlights in this park

The high concentration of prehistoric rock carvings is the main attraction at Petroglyph Park, located at the south end of Nanaimo. Visitors can get a glimpse back to a time more than 1,000 years ago, when First Nations peoples created these traditional carvings.

Locations for rock art carvings were chosen carefully, and were almost always made at places of power or mystery. Places where the forces of nature were believed to be especially strong. These areas are usually marked by natural features such as waterfalls, rock formations or caves, and most are near water.

A short walkway leads from the parking lot to an interpretive area with information boards that offer details about the history of the area and help to decipher the petroglyphs. The images (depicting everything from mystical wolf-like creatures to fish and human figures) were made for a variety of reasons, including territorial ownership and to commemorate special events among a people with no written language. The sandstone gallery of petroglyphs, located on a hill overlooking Nanaimo Harbour, is just a short distance from the interpretive area along the walkway.

Concrete replica castings of the petroglyphs can be found in the main interpretation area. Here, visitors can make rubbings of the castings by stretching cloth or paper across the carving and lightly rubbing with a crayon, charcoal or wax, which leaves a reverse imprint. These rubbings make a great souvenir of a visit to this intriguing and educational park.

Know before you go

Advisories

Special notes

Please stay on designated trails to protect the petroglyphs and vegetation.
Lock all vehicles and remove valuables.

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

Petroglyph Park is located just south of Nanaimo on southern Vancouver Island. Access to the park is via a pull-off from Hwy 1. Watch for signs.

Things to do

Hiking

A short trail leads from the parking lot to the interpretation area.

Wildlife viewing

The high concentration of prehistoric rock carvings are the main attraction at Petroglyph Park. The sandstone gallery of petroglyphs, located on a hill overlooking Nanaimo Harbour, is just a short distance from the interpretive area along the walkway.

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 Petroglyph 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.

About this park

Conservation

The high concentration of prehistoric rock carvings is the main attraction at Petroglyph Park, which was established in 1948 to protect the petroglyphs for future generations. Visitors can get a glimpse back to a time more than 1,000 years ago, when First Nations peoples created these traditional carvings.

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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