Kim Kenyon

A Waterfall Seeker's Delight - Lower Myra Falls in Strathcona-Westmin Provincial Park, Vancouver Island

There are many spectacular waterfalls on Vancouver Island and Lower Myra Falls is one of them. A three hour drive from Nanamio BC, Myra Falls is located at the southern end of Buttle Lake. Getting to the falls takes time to drive there and it is well worth it! While the stretch of road from Campbell River to the falls is remote with no cell service, the road is paved until the entrance to the falls and then it is only a short 100 metre rocky drive to the parking lot. The free parking lot has a BC Parks information board detailing the trail, and the vicinity and information about the falls. There is also an outhouse and garbage receptacles. From the parking lot the falls are accessible after an easy short hike of about 15 minutes (one way) or just over a kilometre through a Pacific Northwest evergreen forest. The trail is packed gravel and well marked but it is steep with a 55 metre elevation change from the top of the parking lot to the lower viewpoint of the falls. It therefore, will take a little longer on the return hike to the parking lot. There is a fork about 5 minutes down the trail, one path leads to an upper falls viewing area and the other to the main rocky outcrop of the lower falls viewing area.

Please use caution around the falls as there are many cascades and the rocks can be slippery. There are also a number of little side creeks and mini falls. This is a magical place of water, dark blue pools and swirling frothy rapids. In the summer this is a popular place to go for a swim in these clear glacier fed waters, just note the word glacier. However, there is lots of room on the stunning limestone rocks to warm up and dry off in the sun. Bring a towel, and some snacks to complete your waterfall experience.