Top 11+ Best Parks & Playgrounds in Victoria, BC

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Victoria, BC is a land of sea, big trees and many parks and playgrounds. They’re also the playgrounds of my childhood and youth, as well as my kids. With so many to choose from it was hard to whittle down the choices. Here are the one’s that make my list of favorite parks and the best playgrounds in Victoria, BC.

Perennial favorites with locals and tourists alike.

The Capital Regional District (CRD) website lists 33 regional parks, not to mention provincial and municipal parks. There are over 40 playgrounds in the City of Victoria alone.

So read on to learn more about parks in Victoria. Ready? Let’s go!

BEST PARKS IN VICTORIA, BC

I decided to go with the best parks in Victoria, BC and the best playgrounds I return to again and again. These are the parks I bring my family, friends and out of town visitors to time after time, year after year.

These are the ones I grew up going to. Hello yearly schools trips to watch the salmon run at Goldstream Park.

Or parks my daughter asks to go to every time we are back in Victoria visiting our family.

By no means is this an exhaustive list. Whether you are new to the island, or looking to rediscover old favourites, there is something here for everyone.

Top 5 favourite & best parks, Victoria, BC are well known local gems for good reason:

• Best Urban Park for a Day Trip: Beacon Hill Park
• Best Playground in Victoria: Gyro Park
• Best Playground + Beach: Willow’s Beach
• Best Nature Walk: Goldstream
• Best Waterpark: Beckwith Park

Plus we’ve added on even more of the best parks in Victoria and the best playgrounds Victoria, BC for when you have a bit more time.

1. Beacon Hill Park – Best Urban Park for a Day Trip

Location: 100 Cook Street, Downtown Victoria

Beacon Hill Park is a kid delight, and a fun day trip for the whole family. This 200 acre park has so many amenities and options for adventure, it’s hard to know where to start.

My daughter has loved the carousel and zipline at the Cook Street playground since she was a toddler. Not to mention the hidden dinosaur eggs in the sandbox area.

• In Springtime, the wildflowers bloom in the Camas and Garry Oak Meadows. The manicured garden beds are a feast for your eyes of colours, shapes and patterns.

All are wonderful spots for family photos. Get a headstart on those yearly photobooks / calendars for the grandparents, with a family photoshoot in Beacon Hill Park.

• Plan your summer, and play, then head to the free water parks at the giant Watering Can (off Douglas Street) in the playground at the centre of the park. Don’t forget a towel!

Numerous times I’ve gone to the park thinking I can stop my kid from playing in the water. Who was I kidding?

The miniature golfing green across from the petting zoo offers space for some putting practice. Make sure you bring your own clubs. Then climb up the Giant Sequoia tree nearby before heading across the street to the Petting Zoo.

A visit to the Petting Zoo (aka The Beacon Hill Children’s Farm) is beloved by both children and adults. Entrance is by donation. Beacon Hill Children’s Farm (and goat runs), always tops our list of free and cheap things to do in Victoria.

No visit to Beacon Hill Park is complete without an ice cream cone from the Beacon Drive-in across Douglas street. A tradition in Victoria for over 50 years.

The Story Pole, erected in 1956, is one of the tallest totem poles in the world. The totem pole was carved by a team led by Mungo Martin, a Kwakiutl tribal chief, and a reknowned carver. You can find it near the corner of Dallas Road and Cook Street.

Beacon Hill Park is also close to downtown & where all the Victoria whale watching tours leave from. One of the most popular things to do in Victoria, BC, Canada.

Also close to where the Seattle Ferry docks in the Inner Harbour.

With all the variety in activities, it’s no wonder it’s one of the more popular parks in Victoria, BC for locals and tourists.

Facilities available at Beacon Hill Park

• 2 playgrounds (Cook Street & Centre of the Park)
• 2 Water park areas (Watering Can off Douglas St. & Centre Playground)
• Seven walking trails
• Four Ponds
• 3 Washrooms
• Landscaped gardens
• Garry oak meadows
• Golf putting green
• Petting Zoo
• Cameron Bandshell
• Baseball Diamond, Tennis Courts, Cricket Pitch, Lawn Bowling
• Story Pole

Dogs must be kept on-leash at all times and are not allowed in the Heronry at Good Acre Lake, or at playgrounds in Beacon Hill Park.

⭐️ Avoid the winter blues with these fun winter activities in Victoria.

2. Cadboro Bay – Gyro Park Victoria – Best Playground in Victoria

Location: 2645 Sinclair Road (Close to Uvic & Cadboro Bay Village)

If you only have time to visit one playground in Victoria, choose Gyro Park. Gyro Park is home to large magical sea creatures and an accessible boat.

Cross the cadborosauras from head to tail. Send your siblings to walk the plank of the pirate ship. Zip down the zipline before exploring the shipwreck or beach for treasures. Play is only limited by your imagination.

Wheelchair accessible ramps lead to the beach (seasonal) and the boat.

Gyro Park is one of the best parks in Victoria.

It’s also one of our favourites. My parents took us as kids. I’ve brought all my nieces and nephews here, and I now bring my daughter whenever we visit.

Nowhere else can you find a giant cadborosaurus to climb. Easy choice to add this one to your list of the best playgrounds in Victoria, BC to visit.

PRO TIP: You can reserve one or more of the picnic tables in Gyro Park, for a maximum of 4 hours.

Facilities available at Gyro Park

• Nautical Themed Play Structures (with Accessible Ship)
• Swings & Zipline
• Washroom & water bottle filling station
• Picnic Tables – some wheelchair accessible
• Sandy Beach
• Seasonal wheel chair accessible beach ramp
• Tennis Courts
• Non-motorized boat launch

Dogs must be leashed within 10m of the playground. Dogs are not allowed in the park or on the beach from May 1 – Aug 31 after 9am.

⭐️ More fun things to do near Victoria, BC

3. Willow’s Beach – Best Victoria Playground & Beach

Location: Located off Beach Drive

Willow’s Beach is a long-time family favourite due to the two playgrounds, its long sandy shore, plus the shaded grassy area.

Not to mention the annual Oak Bay Tea Party which takes place in the park over a weekend in June.

The Oak Bay Tea Party is part carnival, part parade, part airshow, part bathtub race and a fun family event for all ages.

Willow’s Beach is also a popular swimming spot on hot summer days, and safe for the wee ones due to its protected waters. Don your swimsuit in the changerooms / washrooms conveniently located by the playgrounds.

Views of the Oak Bay Marina, Discovery Island, and Mount Baker can be seen from the shoreline. I have also seen the occasional whale in the distance (true story).

Enjoy a snack from the concession stand / tea room run by the Kiwanis Club or a picnic in the shade on the grassy knoll to make a day of it.

All this combined makes it a go to summer spot, and one of the best playgrounds in Victoria, BC.

Facilities available at Willow’s Beach

• 2 playgrounds – one for the littles, one for bigger kids
• Sandy Beach
• Washrooms & Changerooms
• Concession & Tea Room
• Grass Area
• Picnic Tables & Benches
• Trails Walkway

Dogs are allowed year-round on pathways and the grass areas, but must be leashed at all times.

For the beach, dogs are not allowed May 1 to September 30, but are allowed leashed or unleashed from October 1 to April 30.

🏖 Check out our 3 Day Victoria Itinerary – more fun ideas for the whole family

4. Goldstream Provincial Park – Best Nature Hike

Location:16 km northwest of Victoria, BC on the Trans Canada Hwy (Hwy #1)

Goldsteam Park is 20 minutes from downtown and well worth the drive.

This old growth temperate rainforest is home to 600 year old Douglas fir trees, cascading waterfalls, wildflowers, a meandering river and yearly salmon spawning grounds.

This is one of my favourite parks to take a forest walk / nature hike in.

The trails in the park range from easy, wheelchair accessible trails, to the more rugged.

For the more adventurous, hike up Mount Finlayson or visit Niagara Falls which tumbles 47.5metres down a rock cliff to a pool below.

To see the thousands of Chum Salmon make their journey back to Goldstream every year visit in late October and November. The riverside trails offer the best views of the spawning salmon, and the bald eagles that come to feast on them.

Activities / Facilities available in Goldstream Park

• Accessibility – Some facilities and trails are accessible. Accessible Washroom in the main day use area
• Cycling – Only allowed on roads and the paved trail from the day use area to the Freeman King Visitor Centre. Helmets are mandatory in BC.
• Bicycle Pump Track and Skills Trails – For kids & adults, near the amphitheatre.
• Hiking – 16 km of trails, starting from the day use area and campground.
• Interpretive nature programs – The Freeman King Visitor Centre offers programs throughout the year, and is also home to a gift shop.
• Swimming – No designated swimming area or lifeguard in Goldstream Park. There are some suitable spots for swimming in the river near the campground.
• Wildlife Viewing – The viewing platform in the estuary also offers views of the feasting eagles in late fall/winter
• Camping – Vehicle accessible, and group camping is available in the Campground. Shower, washroom facilities & a Sani-Station/Dump are available.
• Campfires – Only in campfire rings in the day use area and campground.
• Picnic Areas – Facilities in the day use area include picnic tables, a picnic shelter, woodstove, and flush toilets.

Dogs must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings.

5. Beckwith Park – Frog Pond Waterpark – Best Waterpark

Location: Beckwith Avenue off Quadra Street

For those hot summer days, cool off at the Frog Pond Water Park, located in Beckwith Park.

It’s claim to fame, Saanich’s only waterpark with a water spray feature! While not the biggest, or splashiest (see what i did there) waterpark, there is something endearing about this place that keeps us coming back.

Frog Pond Waterpark Hours

• June 1 to June 30 – Noon to 4 p.m.
• July 1 to August 31 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• September 1 to September 30 – Noon to 4 p.m.

Beckwith Park has so many other great features we enjoy, which makes this a favourite park for a day trip with friends. There are two play structures, picnic tables, a washroom and trails around the pond.

Exploring the network of trails will lead you around the pond, and through the Garry Oak Meadows. At the eastern tip of the park you can continue along the bike route to meet up with the Lochside Trail out to Blenkinsop Lake.

Facilities available at Beckwith Park

• Accessible Playground
• Washrooms
• Water Park
• Picnic Tables

PRO TIP: You can reserve one or more of the five picnic tables by the playground or waterpark, for a maximum of 4 hours.

👉 Grab more ideas Vancouver Island Bucket List.

Best Parks in Victoria, BC

There are so many other parks and playgrounds Victoria, BC and close by to check out. Here are some of our other park favorites if you have a little more time and energy. All are kid friendly, so perfect for a family outing.

Here is our list of even more best parks in Victoria, BC.

6. Mount Douglas Park

Location: Parking at Churchill Drive, end of Shelbourne St., Cedar Hill Road, Glendenning Road

Mount Doug Park, as the locals affectionately call it is a great place to hike with dogs, kids and your friends and family.

Here you will find 21 kms of trails criss crossing the mountain. Some are easy and follow the base of the mountain. Some are more strenuous ending up at the summit, with gorgeous views of Victoria, Mount Baker, and Haro Straight.

You can also enjoy the beach, picnic and plyground areas of the park. Or drive to the summit, if you don’t want to hike up.

7. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary

Location: 3873 Swan Lake Road

Swan Lake is a peaceful oasis in the middle of Victoria. One of the best parks in Victoria for an easy quick loop walk (2.5km), that highlights hidden marshland amongst urban landscape.

For rocky, Garry oak-forest visit the Christmas Hill portion. Spend a little time bird watching, look out for some of their 180 bird species.

Visit the Nature House, an interpretive information centre,  to learn all about the marshland and its creatures. You can even bike the Lochside Trail right up to the Nature House.

8. Elk / Beaver Lake Regional Park

Location: Pat Bay Highway

Elk / Beaver Lake Park is a year round adventure. The 10 km easy and fairly flat trail loops both lakes.

In summer, there are 4 beaches to swim in, plus ample opportunity to do a little canoeing, kayaking, or fishing.

The concession and restaurant near the north end of Elk Lake is open in the summer by the popular local swimming spot. Keep your eyes out for rowers, as this is where the Canada’s Olympic Rowing team trains.

9. East Sooke Regional Park

Location:  6807 East Sooke Road

Ok, so East Sooke Regional Park is outside Victoria itself, but well worth the drive. I have so many fond memories from childhood up to adulthood in this park.

Plan to spend the day. The coastal trail will take you along rocky scrambles, by gorgeous arbutus trees, and a lovely beach to walk barefoot in, or have a picnic.

Best Playgrounds in Victoria

Explore the colorful neighbourhoods and playgrounds, Victoria, BC by visiting some fun and unique parks. For such a small city, Victoria seems to have playgrounds scattered on evey corner. We’ve listed some of the other best playgrounds in Victoria, BC.

10. Cook Street Playground

Location: 100 Cook St, Leonard St, Victoria

Cook Street playground was a family favorite for meeting up with friends when my youngest was little. This park has 2 playgrounds with a full set of things to play on – slides, paths, textured rocks, cable car, carousel with green ropes to climb.

11. Fisherman Wharf’s Park

Location: 12 Erie Rd. James Bay

Across from Fisherman’s Wharf, it’s great place to grab some food from the wharf and then head for a picnic to Fisherman Wharf’s Park.

Here you’ll find rain and herb gardens, a fun children’s playground, a field for kite flying and running around and benches to relax on.

Take a bit of time at Fisherman’s Wharf too, to explore the docks, colorful house boats, shops. Look out for the harbor seals that come looking for fish.

Many of the Vancouver Island whale watching tours leave from Fisherman’s Wharf and Inner Harbour.

12. Sierra Park

Location: San Juan Avenue or Sierra Place

Sierra Park in Gordon Head holds a special place in my heart. It’s where I spent hours every week from the time my youngest was born, until we moved north.

Playing in the playgrounds, sitting on the benches, walking my daughter to sleep as a baby. We visit every time we go back to visit family.

We love this park for how quiet it is, the large field to run around in, trees to climb and the playground. In the summer there are benches hidden among the small flower and herb garden.

FAQs

How many parks are in Victoria BC?

Victoria has over 100 parks in over 12 neighbourhoods, and 5 Signature Parks & Greenways. Including the popular Beacon Hill Park. They have an abundance of amenities such a trails, water parks, bike parks, and playgrounds for the community to enjoy.

Where can I have a picnic in Victoria?

You can have a picnic at many lovely parks and areas of Victoria. Including amongst the Garry Oaks at Beacon Hill Park, beachside at Cadboro – Gyro Park and lakeside at Elk / Beaver Lake. Saxe Point Park is a dog-friendly, with grassy lawns for picnics and Salish Sea views.

Final Thoughts: Top 11+ Best Parks & Playgrounds in Victoria, BC

There are so many wonderful parks and playgrounds in Victoria to explore. I hope this gives you some great ideas for your family.

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