First pick
Englishman River Regional Park
Park or garden
208 ha14.5 km of path
3 h 15 minto walk all 14.5 km of path
11 km eastfrom the centre
Park Service RoadRiver TrailChannel Trail+5 paths
Directionsto a point inside
Photo: Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domain2.3%protected within 10 km
Outdoors in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo · parks, protected land & trails
Step out of Electoral Area F, Nanaimo into Englishman River Falls Park
Swimmers have 15 beaches within 5 km, Rock Beach the nearest. The closest of Canada’s national parks is Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, at 47 km. 36 protected areas lie within 10 km.
Protected land
2.3%
of the land within 10 km
Typical Canadian town: 2.3%
Protected areas
36
within 10 km, 14 public
Typical Canadian town: 14
Nearest national park
47 km
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
Nearest provincial park
At the edge
Englishman River Falls Park
Walking routes
1
named, within 2 km (OpenStreetMap)
Beaches
15
within 5 km (OpenStreetMap)
Character
The outdoors in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo, in short
Each figure against Canadian towns of 2,500+; tap a tile for the detail.
A provincial park at the edgeEnglishman River Falls Park reaches the townBeaches15 beaches within 5 km
Out of doors, Electoral Area F, Nanaimo leads with a provincial park at its edge, with its beaches close behind.
Against other towns
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo beside other Canadian towns, figure by figure
Each figure against the 2,611 Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+ (not city hubs or reserves), with the town marked and the typical one’s line. Canada’s grades don’t include the outdoors, so this page compares the figures rather than grading them.
Protected within 10 km2.3%Share of the land and water within 10 km of the town’s edge in a protected or conserved area
Protected in town3.7%Share of the town’s own area in a protected or conserved area
Public protected areas14Areas within 10 km held by a government or an Indigenous nation
Walking routes1Named OpenStreetMap walking and hiking routes with 300 m+ within 2 km
Beaches15Beaches mapped on OpenStreetMap within 5 km
CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC, 2026), OpenStreetMap (November 2026). Distances from the town’s outline.
Towns its size
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo sits 19th from last of 40 towns its size for protected land around it
The 40 Canadian towns nearest in population (8,612 to 9,004 residents), by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected. Hover for each one’s figures; click for its page.
Protected within 10 km
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo2.3%
Towns its size2.5%
Towns in British Columbia6.7%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
Public protected areas
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo14
Towns its size9
Towns in British Columbia14
Typical Canadian town4
Walking routes
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo1
Towns its size0
Towns in British Columbia1
Typical Canadian town0
For public protected areas, Electoral Area F, Nanaimo sits near the top of its size group: 11 of 39 have more.
Every town in the comparison
| Town | Protected within 10 km | In town | Areas | Routes | Beaches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea QC | 27% | 65% | 55 | 6 | 7 |
| 2 | Queenswood Heights ON | 14% | 0% | 38 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Nicolet QC | 11% | 8.5% | 19 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Craig Henry - Manordale ON | 10% | 0% | 24 | 1 | 5 |
| 5 | Pictou County, Subdivision C NS | 10% | 2.2% | 218 | 7 | 16 |
| 6 | Carleton Heights-Courtland Park ON | 10% | 8.3% | 37 | 1 | 4 |
| 7 | Blossom Park - Timbermill ON | 9.6% | 12% | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| 8 | Delson QC | 6.1% | 0% | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Iqaluit NU | 6.1% | 11% | 2 | 0 | 12 |
| 10 | South Slope BC | 5.8% | 0% | 39 | 2 | 10 |
| 11 | Corktown ON | 5.6% | 0% | 24 | 1 | 3 |
| 12 | Grande Cache AB | 5.5% | 2.2% | 26 | 0 | 50 |
| 13 | Clayton Heights BC | 5.4% | 2.3% | 131 | 2 | 0 |
| 14 | Saint-Jean-Baptiste QC | 5.3% | 0% | 17 | 1 | 3 |
| 15 | Drummond/North Elmsley ON | 4.9% | 5.4% | 22 | 4 | 5 |
| 16 | Rosewood Park BC | 4.5% | 0% | 130 | 5 | 0 |
| 17 | Saint-Philippe QC | 4.2% | 0% | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| 18 | Buckingham Heights BC | 4.2% | 1.4% | 34 | 3 | 8 |
| 19 | Manotick ON | 2.9% | 6.1% | 18 | 0 | 3 |
| 20 | Pioneer Park ON | 2.5% | 0.4% | 23 | 2 | 0 |
| 21 | Stanley Park ON | 2.5% | 5.9% | 22 | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | Electoral Area F, Nanaimo BC | 2.3% | 3.7% | 36 | 1 | 15 |
| 23 | Renfrew ON | 1.9% | 0% | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Uplands ON | 1.5% | 0% | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| 25 | Camrose County AB | 1.4% | 1.3% | 148 | 0 | 3 |
| 26 | Crestview MB | 1% | 0% | 9 | 1 | 37 |
| 27 | Kings County, Subdivision C NS | 0.6% | 0% | 20 | 1 | 1 |
| 28 | Munroe East MB | 0.5% | 0% | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Edson AB | 0.3% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Kingsway South ON | 0.3% | 0% | 6 | 3 | 13 |
| 31 | Canterbury Park MB | 0.3% | 0% | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Marlborough AB | 0.3% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 33 | Strathcona Park AB | 0.3% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 34 | Tavistock ON | 0.2% | 0% | 9 | 3 | 2 |
| 35 | St. Adolphe MB | 0.2% | 0.2% | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | Hanover ON | 0.1% | 1.1% | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 37 | Innisfail AB | 0.1% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 38 | DT Cooksville ON | 0.1% | 0% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 39 | Kapuskasing ON | 0% | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 40 | Dalhousie AB | 0% | 0% | 1 | 0 | 2 |
The map
Where the green is in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Green space, woods, protected areas and footpaths in and around the town; tap a number for its park or wood.
Green: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, playing fields and woods. Hatched: CPCAD protected areas.© OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL); CPCAD (OGL-Canada)
Places to walk
Walk in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo: 25 named parks and woods
The biggest is Englishman River Regional Park, 208 ha. Biggest first, numbered as on the map.
25 named parks and woods, 18,303 ha in all
Parks & gardens 383 haWoods 17,920 ha
Two places, Upper Qualicum River Woodlands and Upper Little Qualicum River Woodlands, make up 97% of the total.
Upper Little Qualicum River Woodlands
Wood or forest
4,436 ha23.3 km of path
5 h 10 minto walk all 23.3 km of path
11 km westfrom the centre
Wesley Ridge TailLittle Qualicum Falls N. Trail
Directionsto a point inside
Upper Qualicum River Woodlands
Wood or forest
13,330 ha17.5 km of path
3 h 55 minto walk all 17.5 km of path
20 km north-westfrom the centre
Log TrainTrailPhil Whitfield Interpretative TrailWesley Ridge Tail+5 paths
Directionsto a point inside
Cathedral Grove
Wood or forest
154 ha1.9 km of path
25 minto walk all 1.9 km of path
17 km westfrom the centre
Old Growth TrailLiving Forest TrailBig Tree Trail
Directionsto a point inside
Little Qualicum River Regional Park
Park or garden
44 ha0.1 km of path
9.9 km north-westfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Rivers Edge Community Park
Park or garden
36 ha0.4 km of path
12 km eastfrom the centre
Directionsto a point inside
Top Bridge Park
Park or garden · 390 m outside town
23 ha1.3 km of path
15 minto walk all 1.3 km of path
12 km eastfrom the centre
Top Bridge Regional Trail
Directionsto a point inside
Malcolm Road Community Park
Park or garden
16 ha1.3 km of path
15 minto walk all 1.3 km of path
6.2 km westfrom the centre
Steve's Loop TrailRedman Road Trail
Directionsto a point inside
All 25 named parks and green spaces
Englishman River Regional ParkPark or garden · 208 ha · 14.5 km of path
DirectionsUpper Little Qualicum River WoodlandsWood or forest · 4,436 ha · 23.3 km of path
DirectionsUpper Qualicum River WoodlandsWood or forest · 13,330 ha · 17.5 km of path
DirectionsCathedral GroveWood or forest · 154 ha · 1.9 km of path
DirectionsLittle Qualicum River Regional ParkPark or garden · 44 ha · 0.1 km of path
DirectionsRivers Edge Community ParkPark or garden · 36 ha · 0.4 km of path
DirectionsTop Bridge ParkPark or garden · 23 ha · 1.3 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsMalcolm Road Community ParkPark or garden · 16 ha · 1.3 km of path
DirectionsErmineskin ParkPark or garden · 13 ha · 1.2 km of path
DirectionsSpringwood ParkPark or garden · 11 ha · 0.6 km of path
DirectionsMeadowood Way Community ParkPark or garden · 8.8 ha
DirectionsTop Bridge Community ParkPark or garden · 4.6 ha · 0.3 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsRomain Community ParkPark or garden · 4.3 ha
DirectionsShelly Creek Park SouthPark or garden · 3.1 ha · 0.5 km of path
DirectionsFrench Creek School Community ParkPark or garden · 3.0 ha
DirectionsMaple Glen Linear ParkPark or garden · 0.9 ha · 0.6 km of path · just outside town
DirectionsMeadowood Adjunct 1 Community ParkPark or garden · 2.0 ha
DirectionsErrington Community ParkPark or garden · 2.0 ha
DirectionsBridgewater ParkPark or garden · 0.8 ha · just outside town
DirectionsMelon Road Community ParkPark or garden · 0.7 ha
DirectionsWild Road Community ParkPark or garden · 0.6 ha
DirectionsShelly Creek Park WestPark or garden · 0.6 ha · just outside town
DirectionsKerr Road Community ParkPark or garden · 0.4 ha
DirectionsShelly Creek Park NorthPark or garden · 0.3 ha · just outside town
DirectionsDolly Varden Way Community ParkPark or garden · 0.3 ha
DirectionsSource: OpenStreetMap parks, gardens, commons and woods with a name, in the town or within 400 m, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Sizes are the mapped outline’s.
Close to home
1 in 10 people in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo live near a park
Residents of each 2021 dissemination area, at a point inside it, within 400 m (about a 5-minute walk) of a park or playing field mapped on OpenStreetMap.
Within 400 m (10%)Further (90%)
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo10%
Towns in British Columbia72%
Typical Canadian town83%
For about 7,900 people, the nearest park is over 400 m away. Most towns do better: the typical Canadian town is at 83%.
Protected areas
Protected areas cover 2.3% of the land near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Every protected and conserved area in CPCAD within 10 km of the town’s edge: parks, reserves, wildlife areas and conservation land.
Inside Electoral Area F, Nanaimo3.7%
Within 10 km2.3%
Towns in British Columbia6.7%
Typical Canadian town2.3%
Public bodies own 14 of the 36; land trusts and private owners hold the others. Biggest of the named areas: Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area, 1,250 ha. The figures include 22 private conservation areas, left unnamed.
Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management AreaWildlife area · 1,250 ha · reaches Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Little Qualicum Falls ParkProvincial park · 440 ha · reaches Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Macmillan ParkProvincial park · 301 ha · reaches Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Englishman River Falls ParkProvincial park · 97 ha · reaches Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Spider Lake ParkProvincial park · 65 ha · 0.1 km from the edge of town
Rathtrevor Beach ParkProvincial park · 347 ha · 1.9 km from the edge of town
French CreekNature reserve · 8.4 ha · 2.6 km from the edge of town
Heritage ForestNature reserve · 19 ha · 2.8 km from the edge of town
Marshall PropertyNature reserve · 4.6 ha · 3.5 km from the edge of town
Parksville Glass Sponge Reef Marine RefugeNature reserve · 205 ha · 4.2 km from the edge of town
3 more named areas within 10 km are in the figures.
1 area recorded only by its type (a provincial layer such as wildlife habitat areas) is counted, not listed.
Source: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada.
National & provincial parks
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve is 47 km away
National parks (Parks Canada) and provincial or territorial parks by direction and distance from the town’s edge: every one within 10 km, and the nearest of each within 100 km.
National parkProvincial park
Provincial park
Little Qualicum Falls Park
At the edge4.4 km²since 1940
Provincial park
Macmillan Park
At the edge3.0 km²since 1947
Provincial park
Englishman River Falls Park
At the edge1.0 km²since 1940
Provincial park
Spider Lake Park
0.1 km west0.6 km²since 1981
Provincial park
Rathtrevor Beach Park
1.9 km east3.5 km²since 1967
Provincial park
Horne Lake Caves Park
4.3 km west1.6 km²since 1971
There are 7 provincial parks within 10 km.
Source: CPCAD 2.9.0 (ECCC): areas and outlines, distances outline to outline; directions from the town’s centre point.
Footpaths and woods
Paths to walk: 227 km in and around Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
OpenStreetMap footpaths, paths, bridleways and steps, and tracks open on foot, in the town and 1 km around it; woods as mapped (landuse=forest, natural=wood).
Footpaths
227 km
in and around the town (400.1 km²)
Woodland
75%
about 298.2 km² of mapped woods
Footpaths · km per km²
Electoral Area F, NanaimoTowns in British ColumbiaTypical Canadian town
Footpaths0.6
012 km per km²
Share of the land · mapped woods and forest
Electoral Area F, NanaimoTowns in British ColumbiaTypical Canadian town
Woodland75%
0%50%100%
Paths are thinner on the ground than in 64% of Canadian towns. More of it is wooded than in 93% of Canadian towns.
Source: OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Mapping varies by place: a dense figure can mean keen local mappers as much as many paths.
Walking routes
1 walking route near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Named walking and hiking routes on OpenStreetMap with at least 300 m within 2 km of the town, longest first; national routes lead.
Other waymarked
Judge's Route2.8 km
Source: OpenStreetMap (route relations hiking, foot and walking), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. Trans Canada Trail sections as OSM maps them.
When to get out
The best months for walking in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo: May to September
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 1991–2020 normals from Comox (58 km), and daylight at the town’s latitude. Good months: 12½+ hours of daylight, highs of 15–30 °C, little rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daylight (h) | 8.6 | 10.1 | 11.7 | 13.7 | 15.3 | 16.2 | 15.8 | 14.4 | 12.5 | 10.7 | 9.0 | 8.2 |
| High (°C) | 6 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 13 | 9 | 6 |
| Rain & snow (mm) | 177 | 112 | 108 | 64 | 40 | 42 | 24 | 31 | 47 | 125 | 189 | 194 |
July is the driest month at 24 mm; December the wettest at 194 mm. July is the warmest month, with highs around 23 °C; December the coldest, at 6 °C. The climate in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo →
Beaches
Electoral Area F, Nanaimo has 15 beaches close by
Beaches on OpenStreetMap within 5 km of the town’s edge, nearest first, with directions.
Rock Beachin town
DirectionsRathtrevor Beachmixed · 2.5 km from town
DirectionsQualicum Beach2.8 km from town
DirectionsColumbia Beach3.3 km from town
DirectionsNorth Rathtrevor Beach3.3 km from town
DirectionsWall Beach3.7 km from town
DirectionsWithin 5 km is 57 km of coastline. 9 further beaches go unnamed. No open data on beach water quality covers every province, so check with public health before a swim.
Source: OpenStreetMap (natural=beach), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Things to do
Viewpoints and waterfalls near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo: 13 and 11
Viewpoints, peaks, waterfalls, picnic sites, nature reserves, playgrounds, dog parks, campsites and boat launches mapped within 2 km of the town.
13Viewpoints30Hills and peaks11Waterfalls2Nature reserves6Picnic sites5Playgrounds1Dog parks8Campsites
Among the peaks, Mount Wesley is highest at 906 m. Most numerous: hills and peaks (30).
Every named place, with directions
Viewpoints 13
Bird watching look outin town
DirectionsLake View-Pointin town
DirectionsUpper Fallsin town
DirectionsViewing platformin town
DirectionsCreek Viewpoint1.2 km from town
DirectionsPlus 8 viewpoints without a name on the map.
Hills and peaks 30
Little Mountain246 m · in town
DirectionsMount Horne881 m · in town
DirectionsMount Wesley906 m · in town
DirectionsWesley Ridge695 m · in town
DirectionsPlus 26 hills and peaks without a name on the map.
Waterfalls 11
Englishman River Lower Fallsin town
DirectionsEnglishman River Upper Fallsin town
DirectionsLittle Qualicum Fallsin town
DirectionsLower Waterfallin town
DirectionsTriple Fallsin town
DirectionsUpper Waterfallin town
DirectionsPlus 5 waterfalls without a name on the map.
Nature reserves 2
Hamilton Marsh Regional Park and Conservation Areain town
DirectionsErmineskin Lands0.4 km from town
DirectionsPicnic sites 6
Beaufort Picnic Areain town
DirectionsCameron Lake Picnic Areain town
DirectionsPicnic grounds1.2 km from town
DirectionsPlus 3 picnic sites without a name on the map.
Playgrounds 5
Parksville Lions Club Ventureland Playground1.8 km from town
DirectionsPlus 4 playgrounds without a name on the map.
Dog parks 1
Off-leash Dog Park1.9 km from town
DirectionsCampsites 8
Little Qualicum Falls - Lower Campgroundin town
DirectionsLittle Qualicum Falls - Upper Campgroundin town
DirectionsWhiskey Creek RV Campgroundin town
DirectionsLoon Lake Campsite1.2 km from town
DirectionsPathfinder Camp Resorts - Parksville1.5 km from town
DirectionsPark Sands Beach Resort RV Park & Campground1.7 km from town
DirectionsHeart Haven RV Family Campground1.8 km from town
DirectionsPlus 1 campsite without a name on the map.
Source: OpenStreetMap (tourism, natural, waterway and leisure tags), © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Next door
Next to Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
The nearest places, coloured by the share of the land within 10 km that is protected; tap one for its outdoors page.
Qualicum BeachElectoral Area G, NanaimoParksvilleElectoral Area F, Nanaimo
Under 1%1–5%5–15%15–40%40%+
| Town | Protected within 10 km | Areas | Routes | Beaches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electoral Area F, Nanaimo | 2.3% | 36 | 1 | 15 |
| Qualicum Beach 6.8 km | 4.4% | 24 | 0 | 7 |
| Electoral Area G, Nanaimo 7.6 km | 3.2% | 32 | 0 | 13 |
| Parksville 8.9 km | 4.4% | 24 | 0 | 11 |
Around Electoral Area F, Nanaimo, nobody nearby has double its protected land.
How to read these numbers
What this data can and can’t tell you
- Private land. Land owned by individuals, companies or conservation groups counts toward the figures but is never named: a person’s land isn’t a place to visit.
- Protected land. Protected here means in CPCAD, Canada’s official list: parks, reserves, wildlife areas and other conserved land, measured within 10 km of the town’s edge.
- National and provincial parks. Distances run from the town’s edge to the park’s, so 0 km means they touch.
- Beaches. Beaches are OpenStreetMap’s, named or not; in the north many are unnamed shoreline imports.
- Walking routes. The list is OpenStreetMap’s, so a missing trail may just be unmapped. The Trans Canada Trail appears where OSM maps it.
Questions about the outdoors in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Where can you swim near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo?
Rock Beach, in town, is the nearest mapped beach.
What walking routes are near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo?
OpenStreetMap maps the Judge's Route close by.
How far is the nearest provincial park from Electoral Area F, Nanaimo?
Englishman River Falls Park, which reaches the edge of town.
Is there protected land near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo?
Within 10 km, 2.3% of the land lies in protected areas.
What is the biggest park or reserve near Electoral Area F, Nanaimo?
It is Parksville-Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area, a wildlife area covering 1,250 ha.
Is Electoral Area F, Nanaimo near a national park?
It is Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, 47 km off.
What is the best season to get outdoors in Electoral Area F, Nanaimo?
May to September, on the 1991–2020 normals and the daylight: long days, highs of 15 °C or more, light rain for the place.
Sources
Sources for this page on Electoral Area F, Nanaimo
Protected areas: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) 2.9.0, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 2026: every area within 10 km and the nearest national and provincial parks, measured outline to outline.
Walking routes and beaches: OpenStreetMap, November 2026: named hiking, foot and walking route relations within 2 km and beaches within 5 km.
Towns: Statistics Canada 2021 Census boundaries and populations; the comparison is the Canadian towns and neighbourhoods of 2,500+, not city hubs or reserves.
When to go: Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020, from the nearest station that publishes them.
Green space, paths, woods, things to do: OpenStreetMap (Geofabrik’s Canada extract), November 2026: parks, gardens, playing fields, woods, footpaths, the coastline and things to do in and around each town.
Residents: Statistics Canada 2021 Census dissemination areas (population, boundaries), each at a point inside it.
Walking routes and beaches © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL).
Not on this page: trailheads and trail grades, and beach water quality. No open Canadian dataset gives these for every town yet.
Adapted from Statistics Canada (Census of Population 2021, population estimates 2025, 2021 census boundaries) under the Statistics Canada Open Licence; this does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada. Neighbourhood names in some cities © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).