Tweedsmuir Provincial Park

The eastern edge of Bella Coola Valley is in Tweedsmuir Provincial Park with 981,000 hectares (2.4 million acres) of wilderness, this is backcountry as good as it gets. The park encompasses gorgeous meadows, hidden lakes, fast-flowing rivers and high alpine regions with glaciated mountain ranges. Only well-equipped, expert backpackers or those on a guided excursion should attempt to experience the park's wonders. Grizzly and black bears, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, moose and mule deer all inhabit the area.

Extensive hiking trails are located in the two main regions of the park: colourful, volcanic  Rainbow Range and Hunlen Falls, one of Canada's highest waterfalls. From the Bella Coola Valley, you can take a day hike on a section of the famous Alexander Mackenzie Heritage Trail/Nuxalk-Carrier Grease Trail. Follow a trailhead uphill from Burnt Bridge Creek at the park's western boundary. A 1.5- hour loop showcases fabulous views of the Valley and Stupendous Mountain. You can also take a flightseeing trip above Rainbow Range and Hunlen Falls or paddle a canoe circuit on Turner Lake, go fishing in an alpine lake or cast a line in a pristine river. This is wilderness at its best.

Clayton Creek Park

Settle in at a table with your picnic lunch and enjoy the view from this pretty park facing North Bentinck Arm. Relive a slice of history recalling that Scottish explorer Alexander McKenzie paddled a canoe past this point in 1793. Enjoy the birdlife and watch for harbour seals and eagles. Just past the village of Bella Coola, this is a quiet place to spend time. Cross the road and follow the short uphill path past the fenced-in BC Hydro station to the viewing platform for Clayton Falls. Although easily reached, it has a remote feeling as the thundering waterfall plunges over silky-smooth boulders.

Snootli Creek Regional District

This park is an enchanting green space with old-growth cedar, cottonwood, Sitka spruce and Douglas maple. Be respectful as the ancient cedars on the first trail are a sacred site for First Nations people. The park is home to beaver, deer, fox and songbirds as well as bears and other wildlife. In spring, the beaver ponds are nesting areas for waterfowl. Trails here can be walked or biked.

Walker Island Park

This is a popular park with the locals, who love their sports. As well as having playing fields for softball and slo-pitch, there are majestic old-growth cedar groves.