Petroglyph Park is found in the city of Nanaimo, BC. The park is at the estuary of the Nanaimo River where it flows into the Nanaimo Harbour. There are many Petroglyphs here to view, and you get some great viewing opportunities for marine life.
The whole area has significant importance to the Snuneymuxw First People and is considered a spiritual place. Petroglyph Park became a park in 1948 to protect these artifacts. The petroglyphs are at least 1000 years old.
As you look at these incredible carvings, you get a sense of life here all those years ago. A display of original carvings is located further down the trail, where it gives you views of the Nanaimo Inner Harbour. You can spend the day here looking at the petroglyphs and enjoying the views afforded by the boats coming and going from the harbour. There is a day-use area for picnicking, and you can find some pit toilets here.
To get to the park, just head south from the city, watching for a small pullout where the trailhead is located. You will find a small pull-out parking lot here. From there, follow the trail.
Just south of here is the Living Forest Campground. This is a privately owned resort that has so much to offer, it’s only 5 minutes from Nanaimo but a world apart. There are over 300 sites here that are fully serviced to no service, full RV hookups, and during the summer months, you can have a coffee at the coffee house with its viewing deck that has Wi-Fi. There are many walking trails here that will guide you around the chase river estuary.