Self Guided Cave Exploring
Comfortable in the dark on your own? Lower Cave, Andres Annex and the first 20m of Main Cave are open for self-exploring during park hours: 10:00am-4:00pm daily (Fall/Winter/Spring) 10:00am-5:00pm (Summer Only – June 27th – September 2).
These caves offer adventurous visitors a chance to explore rugged and wild caves without a guide.
- Self exploring in these public caves will involve squeezes, crawls and some moderate climbing with several narrow passages, so be prepared.
- Helmets are highly recommended and you must have at least two sources of light (unless you like getting stranded in ultimate blackness while waiting for a rescue!).
- Sturdy footwear and warm layered clothing will help ensure an enjoyable experience for everyone. There are many unmarked natural hazards in these caves.
Be extra careful and EXPLORE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Safety helmets with chinstrap & lights for $12.50 +tax. Open daily but please check our seasonal office hours.
Hiking Phil Whitfield’s Fossil Geology Trail
This spectacular trail winds it’s way in a 30 min. loop through lush coastal rainforest past interesting surface geology features with informational trail signs. Along the way, learn about the interface between the underground and the surface forest and how marine fossils, disappearing rivers and volcanic activity combined to shape this unique park.
Named in honour of Phil Whitfield, one of the park’s founders who built and rebuilt this trail by hand and continues to help maintain it to this very day! Thanks Phil!
Length approximately 1.5 km. moderately strenuous uphill with 8 info stops.
PARK MAPS
Download the: TRAIL GUIDE – Phil Whitfield Loop Trail (.pdf)
Fascinating info that connects the geological surface features to the caves below.
Cave Tours
Touring the caves with a certified guide is truly a unique and unforgettable experience. Learn about cave development, conservation, and cave travel while seeing caves that cannot be visited on your own.
Summer: Daily access to all of our caves is available. Our Visitor’s Centre is open for information, helmet rentals, tour registration and information. We offer hourly tours with no reservations required. Peak visitor times are 11-2pm so avoid the crowds by coming earlier or later in the day. Sturdy footwear and an extra sweater are recommended.
Spring / Fall: These are great seasons to visit Horne Lake. Avoid the crowds and enjoy everything we have to offer. Daily tours and self exploring available but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR SPRING AND FALL TOURS.
Winter: With the rainy season upon us, Mother Nature takes centre stage. The caves transform from a serene environment to a high-energy, wet and wild adventure! Witness the awesome forces that carved these marble caverns into the mountains near Qualicum Beach. Tours and self exploring available but RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Click here to view our seasonal tour schedule. Rains of 25mm or more the day before mean higher water levels.
Weather: Check the Weather Network (Horne Lake) or call us for weather updates 250-248-7829.
Geocaching
There are a number of geocaches located in the park and surrounding areas. If you would like to learn more about geocaching please visit their website and have fun!Read more about Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park on the BC Parks website.