38km (24 miles) W of Campbell River
British Columbia's oldest provincial park, and the largest on Vancouver Island at 250,000 hectares (617,763 acres), Strathcona Park is located west of Campbell River and Courtenay. Mountain peaks, many glaciated or mantled with snow, dominate the park, and lakes and alpine meadows dot the landscape. Roosevelt elk, Vancouver Island marmot and wolf, and black-tailed deer have evolved into distinct species, due to Vancouver Island's separation from the mainland. Buttle Lake provides good fishing for cutthroat and rainbow trout and Dolly Varden.
Summers in Strathcona are usually pleasantly warm; evenings can be cool. Winters are fairly mild except at higher elevations, where heavy snowfall is common. Snow remains year-round on the mountain peaks and may linger into July at higher elevations. Rain can be expected at any time of year.
