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Vancouver Island's largest protected area, and the oldest park in British Columbia, Strathcona Provincial Park (established in 1911) is one of the few places on the island where the scenery approaches the grandeur of the mainland mountains. The island's highest point, Golden Hinde (2220m) is here, and it's also a place where there's a good chance of seeing rare indigenous wildlife (the Roosevelt elk, marmot and black-tailed deer are the most notable examples). Only two areas have any sort of facilities for the visitor - Forbidden Plateau , approached from Courtenay, and the more popular Buttle Lake region, accessible from Campbell River via Hwy 28. The Gold River Minibus will drop you at the head of Buttle Lake, about 40km west of Campbell River (Tues, Thurs & Sun). The rest of the park is unsullied wilderness, but fully open to backpackers and hardier walkers. Be sure to pick up the blue BC Parks pamphlet (available from the infocentre at Campbell River and elsewhere): it has a good general map and gives lots of information, such as the comforting fact that there are no grizzly bears in the park. You'll see numerous pictures of Della Falls , around Campbell River, which (at 440m) are Canada's highest (and amongst the world's highest), though unfortunately it'll take a two-day trek and a canoe passage if you're going to see them. The approach to the park along Hwy 28 is worth taking for the scenery alone; numerous short trails and nature walks are signposted from rest stops, most no more than twenty-minutes' stroll from the car. Elk Falls Provincial Park , noted for its gorge and waterfall, is the first stop, ten minutes out of Campbell River. It also has a large provincial park campsite .
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