MacMillan Provincial Park
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MacMillan Provincial Park is a 157 ha provincial park in British Columbia, Canada. Located 25 km west of Qualicum Beach and 16 km east of Port Alberni, the park straddles Highway 4. It is nestled on the western shore of Cameron Lake, and protects the delta of the Cameron River.
The park is home to a famous stand of ancient Douglas-fir, known as Cathedral Grove, which draws visitors from all over the world. Some of the trees are more than 800 years old and 9 metres in circumference. The flora of the park is typical of the region, and stands of Western Redcedar and Bigleaf Maple can be found south of the highway. The understory includes red huckleberry, salal, and Devil's Club. The park is home to several species of birds, including owls and woodpeckers; as well as such mammals as black bear, elk and cougar. The Cameron River and Cameron Lake are stocked with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout.
Cathedral Grove was popular with visitors long before its protection. It was part of the timber holdings belonging to the forester and logging industrialist H.R. MacMillan, who donated 136 ha of land to the provincial government in 1944. Three years later, the area was established as a Class A provincial park.
[edit] External links
- BC Parks website page for MacMillan Provincial Park
- Cathedral Grove Swedish website on the vanishing Big Trees and Totem Poles of British Columbia.
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