Oliver EvansThere’s more to see in Vancouver beyond the bustling city streets. Little does anyone know, but this city has a network of awe-inspiring caves brimming with natural beauty and history.
In this guide, we’ll tell you the best caves in Vancouver waiting to be explored by adventure junkies just like you. So, whether you’re a seasoned caver or a curious first-timer, read on to know which cave is perfect for you!
1. Horne Lakes Caves Provincial Park
Website: https://bcparks.ca/horne-lake-caves-park/
Address: Horne Lake Caves Park, 1290 Horne Lake Rd, Qualicum Beach, BC V9B 6K4, Canada
Contact details: 250-757-9700
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Horne Lakes Caves were formed by the erosion of limestone and now contain fossils of marine animals from over 450 million years ago. These caves can only be explored on guided tours where you’ll learn about their geology and ecology.
You can take spelunking tours like the easy-going Grotto Tour or the more challenging Action Pack to explore this cave. After exploring the caves, you can also marvel at the park with surface trails that wind through the forest and past Horne Lake.
| Pro tip: Dress warmly because the caves are a constant 52 degrees Fahrenheit or 11 degrees Celsius, and wear comfortable shoes with good traction. |
2. Cody Caves Provincial Park
Website: https://www.codycavetours.com/
Address: 13 km northwest of Ainsworth Hot Springs on Kootenay Lake, British Columbia
Contact details: 250-226-7171
Operating hours: May to November – 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Cody Caves Provincial Park is the first underground provincial park in British Columbia. Established in 1966, it protects an underground system of caves carved by glaciers over millions of years.
You can take a guided tour to explore the caves, which range from the family-friendly Discovery Tour to the more adventurous Explorer Tour. You’ll see stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, and even fossils.
| Pro tip: Wear sturdy shoes and clothing, as the caves can be wet and muddy in some spots. After spelunking, you can rest in the park with views of the Selkirk Mountains and Kootenay Lake. |
3. Ainsworth Hot Springs
Website: https://www.ainsworthhotsprings.com/
Address: 3609 Balfour-Kaslo-Galena Bay Hwy Ainsworth Hot Springs, BC V0G 1A0, Canada
Contact details: 800-668-1171
Operating hours: 24/7
Ainsworth Hot Springs features a 150-foot natural horseshoe cave filled with naturally-heated mineral water. It’s believed that the Ktunaxa First Nations people revered these “spirit waters” for centuries.
Today, visitors relax and unwind in the mineral-rich waters that ease muscle tension and improve circulation. The cave also offers a more intimate and secluded atmosphere, with the stunning backdrop of the Kootenay Lake and Purcell Mountains.
| Pro tip: After soaking in the hot spring, enjoy a delicious meal with your friends or family at the resort’s restaurant, which features locally sourced ingredients. You can also explore the nearby Ainsworth Hot Springs Museum to learn more about the area’s rich history. |
4. Upana Caves
Website: http://www.sitesandtrailsbc.ca/search/search-result.aspx?site=REC3041&type=Site
Address: Highway 28, 20km west of Gold River, Vancouver Island, Canada
Contact details: 800-663-7867
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Upana Caves, located near Gold River on Vancouver Island, are a network of karst caves. For millions of years, water dissolved limestones, resulting in the cave’s stunning features like chambers, stalactites and stalagmites, and underground waterfalls.
The Upana Caves are easily accessible, with several entrances that can be explored. The caves have been inhabited by indigenous people for thousands of years, so you can still see remnants of their past in pictographs and other artifacts found in the caves.
| Pro tip: Come prepared with proper footwear, a headlamp, and warm clothing. You can also hike to the viewing platform overlooking the Resurgence Cave entrance to see where the underground river emerges from the cave and flows back to the surface. |
5. Little Huson Cave Regional Park
Website: https://happiestoutdoors.ca/little-huson-caves/
Address: Little Huson Road, Zeballos, BC V0P 1A0, Canada
Contact details: 250-947-3030
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Little Huson Cave Regional Park is home to caves created over millions of years by the erosion of the Quatsino Limestone formation. The park also features a short, easy trail leading to a viewing platform overlooking the Atluck Creek Canyon.
The caves are easily accessible via a well-maintained, half-kilometer trail and are suitable for all ages and fitness levels. The park is a great place to spend a day hiking, exploring the caves, and enjoying the scenery.
| Pro tip: Wear good shoes because the trail can be slippery in wet weather. Don’t forget to sign the guest book at the trailhead so that the park rangers can track how many people are using the park. |
6. Artlish Cave Provincial Park
Website: https://bcparks.ca/artlish-caves-park/
Address: 80 kilometers south of Port McNeill and 78 kilometers northwest of Woss, British Columbia
Contact details: 800-663-6444
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Artlish Cave is Canada’s largest active river cave system filled with rushing water, towering rock and cave formations. The park’s karst topography, shaped by the dissolving action of water on limestone, is a geological wonder in itself.
The park is a haven for old-growth forests, like Roosevelt elk, salmon, and various bird species. The Artlish Caves are the perfect escape from the usual tourist crowds since they see few visitors, ensuring a peaceful and intimate experience with nature.
| Pro tip: The Artlish Caves have a delicate ecosystem and challenging terrain, so make sure you have the necessary caving gear, knowledge, and physical fitness for the guided caving tour. |
7. Fang Cave
Website: https://bcparks.ca/
Address: Box 487, Prince George, BC V2L 5A9
Contact details: 800-663-6347
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Fang Cave is Canada’s ninth-longest cave and part of an extensive cave system. It has intricate passageways, towering chambers, and unique formations for explorers of all levels.
The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities or breathtaking views of alpine meadows, crystal-clear lakes, and rugged mountain peaks.
| Pro tip: Fang Cave is a complex and challenging cave system, so go with a licensed guide. Also, be prepared for physical exertion, as navigating the cave involves climbing, squeezing through tight spaces, and rappelling. |
8. Corral Cave
Website: https://bcparks.ca/monkman-park/
Address: Monkman Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Contact details: 800-663-6444
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Corral Cave is located in Monkman Provincial Park, which can be reached through the Stone Corral Trail, a moderate 5-kilometer loop that takes about 2 to 3 hours to complete. The cave is about 20 meters deep, with vertical walls and a high ceiling.
Reaching Corral Cave requires moderate hiking since the large entrance resembles a subway tunnel. Inside the cave, you can find interesting features like flowstone walls, stalactites, impressive icicles and moon milk.
| Pro tip: It’s best to visit the Corral Cave between June and October, which is best for fewer crowds. We also highly recommend dressing in layers as the temperature inside the cave can be cooler than outside. |
9. Chipmunk Caves
Address: Iron Curtain Cave Recreation Reserve, near Chilliwack, British Columbia
Contact details: 800-950-3333
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Chipmunk Caves is another popular cave destination in Vancouver, located in a forested area along the Chilliwack River. The caves were formed by lava flows millions of years ago and rock formations, including stalactites and stalagmites.
The hike to the caves is relatively short and easy, making it a good option for people of all ages and fitness levels. Several small caves are located along the Vedder River, so you can spend some time exploring and finding your favorites.
| Pro tip: Be aware of the weather conditions and tide levels before you go, as some caves may be flooded at high tide. Also, respect the environment and leave no trace when visiting the caves. |
10. Tilly Point Caves
Website: https://www.justgottadive.com/
Address: Tilly Point, South Pender Island, BC V0N 1S0, Canada
Contact details: https://www.justgottadive.com/company/contact
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Tilly Point Caves on South Pender Island are home to marine life, like plumose anemones, purple sea urchins, starfish, ascidians, and perch. Upon entrance, observe how the sunlight dapples through the kelp forest, creating an otherworldly scene.
The main cave has two entrances, one at 15 feet and one at 50 feet, allowing you to swim through and experience the cave from different depths. You can also access the caves directly from the beach, making it more budget-friendly than boat dives.
| Pro tip: Since this involves cave diving, go with a qualified guide. Be also properly trained and equipped with the necessary certification and equipment for cave diving, including a light, DSMB (delay surface marker buoy), and line reel. |
11. The Highway Tunnels
Website: https://engage.gov.bc.ca/fraserrivertunnel/
Address: Highway 1 between Yale and Boston Bar in British Columbia
Contact details: 800-663-7841
Operating hours: 24/7
The Highway Tunnels of the Fraser Canyon are man-made caves carved through the rock along Highway 1 between Yale and Boston Bar. Driving through the tunnels offers glimpses of the Fraser Canyon’s dramatic cliffs and cascading waterfalls.
Like the Hell’s Gate Tunnel, the tunnels are unlit, offering an eerie and unique driving experience. The tunnels were built as part of the Trans-Canada Highway project and stand as a testament to the engineering ingenuity of the time.
| Pro tip: Take advantage of the opportunities to stop and admire the scenery, especially at Hell’s Gate. Read up on the tunnels beforehand or listen to an audio guide to learn about their construction and significance. |
12. Rat’s Nest Cave
Website: https://www.canmorecavetours.com/
Address: 129 Bow Meadows Crescent #101, Canmore, AB T1W 2W8, Canada
Contact details: 403-678-7888
Operating hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
The Rat’s Nest Cave is Canada’s fourth longest cave, with over 4 kilometers of passage. The cave is adorned with beautiful formations like flowstone and soda straws and provides habitat for bushy-tailed woodrat and the elusive pygmy shrew.
In the cave passages, you see pictographs left by indigenous people thousands of years ago and discover fossils of animals. Exploring this cave requires guided tours and crawling, squeezing, and rappelling.
| Pro tip: You can choose from the Explorer Cave tours (4 hours) and Adventure Cave tours (6 hours). The Explorer Tour is perfect for beginners, while the Adventure Tour includes more challenging sections like rappelling and tight squeezes. |
