Information Centres

Strathcona Wilderness Institute operates two visitor information centres in Strathcona Park - one at Paradise Meadows and one at Buttle Lake. Both of these facilities are made possible through fund-raising by the SWI and by donations from the public.

Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre
SWI has a new facility at Paradise Meadows: the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre. This is now their new premises through a 15 year lease agreement with BC Parks. As well as an information centre it is also the home for SWI’s summer programs. Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm (mostly weekends, July - September). Some week days are also possible, but this depends on the availability of extra volunteers and funding. Check the blog for the most up-to-date information.

The building will be the centre for the 2011 ‘Parks’ Day’ celebrations on Saturday July 16th. Come see our facility and have a chat. Our wish is to help park visitors have a safe and enjoyable outing and to return home with the same love for the area as we have.

If you think you would occasionally enjoy meeting park visitors and volunteering at the Wilderness Centre please contact SWI. There are also many other ways you can become involved such as leading a hike, giving an educational talk on outdoor subjects, writing articles, management, programming, publicity, preparing displays, sales and (of course) fund-raising! – clearing snow off our decks in the winter is another way to help! The building is a ‘community enterprise’ and we would love to see more of our local outdoor enthusiasts getting involved with us.

Special guests (local experts) will lead some of the Sunday walks and/or special activities based from the Centre. Anyone interested in getting to know the park and its many plants and animals is welcome. See Programs for more information on scheduled walks.

Buttle Lake Information Hut
The Institute is also continuing the weekend information service hut at Buttle Lake (200 m. past the bridge for the Gold River turn-off).

This is an entirely voluntary service, thanks to SWI director Gerry Roberts. The hours are: Fridays 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. (or dusk), Saturdays 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., holiday Mondays 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This free public service begins June 17, 2011 and will continue through until September 18, 2011.

Gerry has been able to assist hikers to choose alternate routes due to adverse conditions or even closure of some trails. Some years there are extreme late snow conditions on all the higher trails.