Gabriola Island is home to many parks, both provincial and community, and they provide the perfect way to laze away an afternoon... or several afternoons for that matter! In fact, the various parks are the main draw to many of the thousands of visitors who visit Gabriola Island every year!
From the rugged beauty of Drumbeg Provincial Park, to the serene walking trails of Cox Community Park, to the serene stretches of sand at Sandwell Provincial Park, Gabriola has you covered no matter what you're looking for!
Beaches
Every Gabriolan has their own favourite beach and it's no wonder why!
Descanso Bay Regional Park - Home to Gabriola Island's only provincial camp ground, Descanso Bay Regional Park is the perfect place to go camping or just hang out for the day enjoying some of the best swimming spots on the island!
Drumbeg Provincial Park - This park, teeming with light walking trails is situated on the southern tip of Gabriola and offers a rugged, sandstone beach that is sure to keep you entertained for hours. 
Whether it is quality swimming, a launch point for a kayak trip or aimless beach combing, Drumbeg Provincial Park has what you're looking for. Popular with parents, this park is a perennial favourite among islanders and visitors alike.
Gabriola Sands Provincial Park - Sandwiching Ricardo Road, Gabriola Sands Provincial Park hosts two of the sandiest and satisfying beaches on the island. If you're looking to catch some rays and cool down in the water, Taylor Bay is the place to be. But, if you're looking for something a little quieter, maybe a shade cooler, head on over to Pilot Bay and curl up on a towel with your favourite novel!
Sandwell Provincial Park - Sandwell is a favourite among locals and visitors alike for it's welcoming sand beach, beautiful low tide and quiet nature. Located at the end of a 10-minute hike, Sandwell is situated over Lock Bay, a large, sweeping bay overlooking the Strait of Georgia. And who knows, if you're really lucky you might just catch a glimpse of some whales and other sea life frolicking in the distance!
The Whalebone Area - The Whalebone area is home to a plethora of community parks, many of which have beach access. The largest of these is Joyce Lockwood Community Park, which leads visitor's down onto one of Gabriola's most popular sandy beaches!
Walking
Trail walks are a popular activity on Gabriola and many of our parks contain beatiful walking trails. GaLTT (Gabriola Land and Trails Trust) produces a terrific guide to the walking trails which you can pick up at our Visitor Information Centre (located at the Folklife Village) for a donation of only $1!
707 Acre Park - This newly designated (2005) parkland is littered with old logging roads and designated walking trails. The footing here can get rough, but otherwise hikers will enjoy a beautiful trek through the heartland of Gabriola Island. The majority of the walking trails are contained within this park and you'll want to be sure to pick up a trail map before heading out!
Cox Community Park - This popular park is located along Taylor Bay road, right across from the Descanso Bay Regional Park. These easy, shady walks are the perfect way to spend a warm summer afternoon. Keep an eye out for Owls!
Island Trust Fund Nature Reserve - Another newly designate parkland (2005) this area, just off of North Road, offers terrific walking trails (on foot only) and will take you through some of the most impressive mature forests found on Gabriola Island!
This is a list of only some of the more prominent parks on Gabriola Island. During your visit you're sure to find many other special places that you're sure to go home and tell all your friends and family about!