Some of the oldest & tallest trees in Canada sit at this coastal grove in B.C.

The Pacific Northwest has some of the freshest air around, due in large part to its plentiful forests and ancient groves. In British Columbia, this includes the famed Cathedral Grove at MacMillan Provincial Park, which protects some of Canada’s oldest and tallest trees!

Situated at the western end of Cameron Lake, the grove is home to some of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas firs on Vancouver Island, according to B.C. Parks. The park’s extensive trails meander through towering 800-year-old trees, “untouched by the modern world.”

History of the park

Before the land was taken over by logging companies in the early 20th century, local Indigenous groups like the K’ómoks, Tseshaht, and Te’mexw First Nations stewarded Cathedral Grove, according to Parksville Qualicum Beach. For years, the public petitioned the government to preserve and protect the land, though their efforts were unsuccessful. It wasn’t until forester H.R. MacMillan donated 136 hectares that the area became a Class A Provincial Park in the 1940s.

Despite a catastrophic windstorm on New Year’s Day in 1997, many of the area’s ancient trees endure. Today, the park is operated by RLC Park Services, preserving the remaining trees and leaving the fallen ones to open the canopy and provide much-needed light, space, shelter, and nutrients for the next generation of vegetation.

“Natural regeneration is beginning to restore the grove’s pristine beauty and the park’s diversity, making a visit to Cathedral Grove all the more intriguing,” reads the park’s website.

Significant trees in the park

Ready to meet some of the tallest and oldest trees in the country? Parksville Qualicum Beach recommends starting with the trails on the south side of the highway. When you reach the Big Tree Trail, keep an eye out for a Douglas Fir with a nine-meter circumference – the widest tree in the park!

Towering Western Red Cedars await on the north side of the highway, their reflections glimmering in the popular waters of Cameron Lake.

MacMillan Park is open year-round, with its trail networks accessible from the main parking area. Many of the trails are accessible and relatively flat and wide, with wooden boardwalks scattered throughout. While the park welcomes leashed dogs, ensure you stay on the marked paths at all times to protect the local ecosystems!

Enjoy your next big tree adventure!

MacMillan Park

Where: 452 Alberni Highway, Nanaimo, B.C.

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