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Advisories

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Wilderness camping

Wilderness camping is allowed around Arnica Lake on the Phillips Ridge Trail. No facilities are provided. Please practice Leave No Trace camping ethics.

Winter camping

Strathcona-Westmin Park is accessible year-round. There is no fee for winter camping.

Pit or flush toilets

This park has pit toilets located at the Lower Myra Falls parking lot and at the Philips Ridge and Upper Myra Falls parking lot.

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Hiking

Hiking opportunities range from short easy walks to steep, difficult backcountry hikes. Parking and trailhead facilities at Strathcona-Westmin Park provide access to hiking opportunities in surrounding Strathcona Park. Three trailheads offer visitor information shelters, parking areas and pit toilets.

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.

Price Creek/Cream Lake

Length: 8.5 kmOne-way hiking time: 7 hElevation change: 1,200 m

This trail starts from the south end of Buttle Lake at the entrance to Strathcona-Westmin Park. The route follows a gravel road for the first 3 km then a rough trail follows the main valley where it crosses Price Creek and deteriorates into a very steep, rough route to Cream Lake.

Lower Myra Falls

Length: 1 kmOne-way hiking time: 15 min 

The trail starts near the south end of Buttle Lake before the mine site. This trail has one steep section and offers views of several beautiful cascades from a viewing platform at Myra Falls, as well as access to several creek-side areas. 

Upper Myra Falls

Length: 3 kmOne-way hiking time: 1.5 hElevation change: 100 m

This hike starts at the trailhead just past the Boliden-Westmin mine site and follows a gravel road for 700 metres before turning into a forest trail. Features include old-growth forest and a waterfall. Use caution when visiting the falls.

Phillips Ridge

Length: 6 kmOne-way hiking time: 4 hElevation change: 800 m

This well-graded trail starts from the trailhead just past the Boliden-Westmin mine site and leads to Arnica Lake. There is a camping area at the north end of Arnica Lake.

Tennent Lake-Mount Myra

Length: 7 kmOne-way hiking time: 5 hElevation change: 1,500 m

This hike starts just past the Boliden-Westmin mine and follows a gravel road for 900 metres. The trail then leaves the road beside the pump house and follows a very steep, older roadbed to Tennent Lake. A rough route exists from Tennent Lake to Mount Myra.

Fishing

Angling can be rewarding on Buttle Lake and on the other lakes and waterways in and near the park. Cutthroat and rainbow trout are the primary catch.

  • Fly fishing is allowed in all tributaries, but fishing of all kinds is closed in Thelwood Creek.
  • The Elk River is open to catch and release fly fishing, only.

All anglers should check the current regulations issued by Fisheries and Oceans Canada prior to fishing for other restrictions. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Wildlife viewing

Viewing platforms at Lower and Upper Myra Falls offer spectacular views of the waterfalls. The trail to Upper Myra Falls leads through beautiful old-growth forest. Philips Ridge and Mount Myra offer great views of the surrounding alpine environment of Strathcona Park.

Pets on leash

Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control 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. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.