(updated Sept. 17, 2020)
Back in March 2020, with heightened uncertainty about the Covid-19 pandemic, it became clear that continuing tours of the Horne Lake Caves was not worth risking the health and safety of park visitors or its staff. The cave park shut down and cancelled all tour activities on March 16. The caves with gates were locked and for the next 2.5 months, nobody had entered these caves.
When the park reopened on June 1, it was assumed that being human-free for months, the caves are starting clean and presumed to be free from Coronavirus. Keeping them clean will take a combined effort from both the park staff and every park visitors using hyper-hygiene and running super-clean tours. To do this right, we need to ask for the public’s help and understanding while we modify the park’s operations.
With the safety of park visitors and staff as our first priority, a gradual reopening of park services has been occurring in phases, working closely with BC Parks and following advice of Dr. Bonnie Henry – Provincial Health Officer and Worksafe BC.
- We are starting slowly with limited size tours – max. 7 per group
- We have established new Cave Park Covid-19 Protocols which MUST be followed for every tour
- All cavers will be wearing masks and asked to 2m. distance where possible. Bring your own or we will have extra gloves and masks for purchase.
Sept. 17, 2020
After a summer of safe tours and positive reviews, we are continuing to offer small-group tours (max. 7) to the public on a limited basis through Fall / Winter. The “Private” tours have become an attractive option for those who prefer to stay within their “bubble” or “Pod”.
Self-guiding caves will remain closed until the threat of Covid-19 transmission has abated.
Cave Park Covid-19 Protocols
For General Park Visitors
- BE SELF-SUFFICIENT – bring your own hand sanitizer and personal protection (PPE)
- Do not enter park if you feel ill or have any symptoms such as fever, coughs or sneezing
- Maintain physical distance of min. 2m. from other visitors and park staff
- Sanitize Hands frequently, especially before and after using Park Facilities or removing PPE
- consider a guided tour to access the caves properly
For Access to Caves :
- must be led by a park guide to access caves
- you will be pre-screened for health risk prior to the tour departure, including taking your temperature using a touchless thermometer
- at each cave entrance, cavers will put on a mask and use hand sanitizer before and after accessing the caves.
- Tour participants must maintain physical distance and agree to join other participants (up to max. 7) unless a Private Tour has been reserved.
Working together we can continue sharing this outstanding natural experience.
We are very pleased with the demand we are seeing from local residents and thank them for supporting Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Our Guiding Principles
Horne Lake Caves is about outdoor adventure – learning and seeing nature with new eyes. It’s about our staff, who openly welcome and share their knowledge and experience.
Horne Lake Caves is about wilderness preservation, low-impact philosophies and practices, and making the most of our wilderness heritage.
Horne Lake Caves provides confidence-building experiences and programs that are designed to encourage teamwork in a supportive environment.
We will conduct ourselves ethically and with integrity. We show respect for others in our words and actions. We act in the spirit of community and co-operation. We respect and protect our natural environment. We strive for personal growth, continual learning, and adventure.
Horne Lake Caves and Outdoor Centre’s theme of respecting yourself, others, and the environment promotes a positive environment for all park visitors.