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Beacon Hill Park is a great place to spend an afternoon with friends, family or alone. Meander down one of the many trails leading through gardens, ponds and forests towards the open fields, reaching the shores of the west coast and the ‘0’ mile marker of the Trans Canada Highway.
On this page we will give you a rundown of the places you don’t want to miss when visiting Beacon Hill Park, but this isn’t the only way to explore the 180-acre park. If you want to be a little more creative, we have three options to enhance your experience.
Self-guided audio tour – Beacon Hill Park is one of seven Victoria area locations included in this self-guided audio tour.
Horse Drawn Carriage Tour – On this 60-minute carriage tour you will experience the lush greenery of Beacon Hill Park, Ocean views along the waterfront and the historic beauty of the James Bay area.
Hop on this open-top double-decker bus – Beacon Hill Park is one of the Victoria sightseeing bus tour stops. This is a great way to save time getting around the sights in Victoria.
Goodacre Lake is one of the most beautiful stops within Beacon Hill Park. The trees around the lake provide a lush green barrier that enhances its beauty and provides shade for those who want to enjoy one of life’s simple pleasures.
As the ducks and geese swim alongside the iconic stone bridge, making it the perfect background for any photographer or artist looking for an ideal landscape scene.
One of the many art pieces hidden around the park, Moss Lady was inspired by the Mud Maiden located in the Lost Gardens of Heligan in England. The Moss Lady came to life in 2015 by Beacon Hill Park Staff.
To find her resting place, she is behind the bandshell just south of Goodacre Lake along a lovely trail home to some of the largest trees in the park.
the perfect spot if you are looking for a natural escape in the heart of Victoria, BC.
A short walk from the Parliament buildings, Beacon Hill Park has plenty of activities and beautiful scenery to take in; it’s easy to see why this park is a local favourite.
Keep your eyes open for Peacocks resting in the grass. Around the ponds, herons, ducks and geese are often spotted.
Make sure to put Beacon Hill Park on your list of places to visit in town!
Due to the mild weather and wet winters, Vancouver Island is known worldwide for some of its beautiful gardens. The most famous of which is Butchart Gardens.
Beacon Hill features a beautiful Rose Garden and Alpine Garden that are worth visiting during the spring and summer months on your tour of the park.
If you love looking at flowers and want to see some of the best gardens in the world, we have compiled a complete list of free and paid gardens in the Victoria Area.
Called Beacon Hill Children’s Farm, it is a fun surprise located in the center of Beacon Hill Park. You don’t need to be a kid to enjoy checking out baby goats, sheep, rabbits, birds, donkeys, etc.
The Farm is where the peacocks call home. You will surely run into at least one as you walk around Beacon Hill Park. The petting zoo is open from 10-4 daily from early March until October and is well worth the suggested $5 donation Beacon Hill Childrens Farm
This symbolic Canadian marker is the start of the famous highway 1/Trans Canada highway. Travelling through all ten provinces starting at Beacon Hill on the Pacific Ocean at mile marker 0 and ending 7,476 km later in St. John’s Newfoundland on the Atlantic Ocean.
Mile 0 was to be the final destination for Terry Fox in 1980, the goal was to run across Canada while raising money to fight cancer. Unfortunately, he only made it to Thunder Bay when his cancer spread to his lungs and, at 22 years old, passed away in 1981.
In 1984 Steve Fonyo followed in the footsteps of Terry fox, completing the coast-to-coast marathon in 425 days.
The Terry Fox Foundation continues raising millions of dollars to fight cancer. Decades later, Canadians still hold a place in their hearts for Terry Fox as children across the country complete the Terry Fox run each year.
You’ve reached the shoreline of the west coast, Finlayson Point is a great viewpoint looking across the Juan de Fuca Strait. Watch the float plains fly in, and the container and cruise ships sail by with the shores of the United States in the distance. You never know you might even spot a whale.
Installed in 1956, the Story Totem is close to 39 meters (127 feet) tall. And when installed, it was the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole.
Mungo Martin, his son David, and Henry Hunt, took six months to carve the Totem from a 40.4 meter tree found at Muir Creek. The tree was delimbed and towed by tug into Victoria.
The park is home to many more amenities, sports fields and play parks found at Beacon Hill Park
This is such an amazing urban park, it's pretty massive and in a good location close to the main tourist drive and residential areas. There are plenty of walking paths, fountains, bridges, playgrounds and things to see.
If you are looking for a great walk and a spot to enjoy an afternoon, Beacon Hill Park is within walking distance from the inner harbour, has easy car or public transportation access, and offers plenty of parking spots.
Walking from the Inner Harbour – Starting from Thunderbird Park and the Roal BC Museum
Head down the Trans Canada #1 / Douglas street, cross over at Michigan and enter the park at Bridge Way Trail, a paved road closed for pedestrians only from there head to the stone bridge. Enjoying the 182-acre park
Driving and Parking – Head down Hwy 1 (Douglas St) for the best access and turn onto Circle Drive. A large parking lot is just past the Beacon Hill Loop road. There is more parking along Dallas Rd and Douglas St. Directions.
Horse Drawn Carriage Tour – On this 60-minute carriage tour you will experience the lush greenery of Beacon Hill Park, Ocean views along the waterfront and the historic beauty of the James Bay area.
Hop on this open-top double-decker bus – Beacon Hill Park is one of the Victoria sightseeing bus tour stops. This is a great way to save time getting around the sights in Victoria.
Bus – BC Transit has a great site with route information. Beacon Hill Park is located on multiple routes in and around James Bay – Visit the Next Ride page or download the transit app
Keep Walking – Wear comfortable shoes and make it a loop. Victoria is known as a great walking city. If you have the energy, it’s easy to keep going. Continue along the Dallas Rd Waterfront Trail Towards Fishermans Warf and enjoy the sights below. Then continue on Dallas Road or cut down the pretty St Lawrence Street towards Fisherman’s Warf.
Places to Visit Downtown Victoria
Links of Interest
How Big is Beacon Hill Park?
Beacon Hill Park is 182 acres and connects to the Waterfront Trail allowing for almost unlimited options.
Are there picnic tables in Beacon Hill Park?
Yes, it’s a beautiful place for a picnic, and if there happen to be no tables available, there are unlimited areas to enjoy a picnic on the soft grass.
Is there free parking?
Yes, there are over 300 parking spots around the park, with the largest lot in the center with access off of Douglas St.
Is it dog friendly?
Yes, there is an off-leash park at the south end of Beacon Hill. As for the rest of the park, dogs must remain on a leash.
Are there Toilet Facilities?
Yes, there are two but the main one is located in the park’s center, you will find a large well-maintained facility with drinking fountains.
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Vancouver Island is a land of natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Please be aware of your surroundings and take the usual precautions for personal and wildlife safety.
Black bears, cougars and even wolves are common on Vancouver Island for more on Wildlife Safety Click Here
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Changing seasons and tides can have a drastic effect on most locations on Vancouver Island. Please be cautious as the information in this post may vary depending on the time of year and weather. Make sure to check for current weather and tide information before you make your journey!
When visiting the beach, it’s essential to pay attention and stay safe! Please be cautious walking on the shore during high tide. At this time, some areas may not be accessible. Click here for the tides in your area. Be aware of ocean currents before swimming, paddle boarding or kayaking.
Land Acknowledgement:
We would like to acknowledge the land we appreciate daily within the 50 First Nations that make up the traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Nuu chah nulth, and Kwakiutl–the first peoples of Vancouver Island .
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