John Dean Provincial Park

John Dean Provincial Park is a nature reserve on Vancouver Island encompassing about 174 hectares centered on Mount Newton's summit. The landscape is defined by old-growth Douglas fir and western red cedar forests, with trees regularly exceeding 70 meters in height throughout the park.

The park began in 1921 when John Dean donated 32 hectares, creating the first citizen-founded provincial park in British Columbia. Four additional settlers later contributed land, expanding the protected area over subsequent years.

The mountain holds sacred meaning for the W'S'ANEC First Nations, who call it ȽÁU,WELṈEW̱ in reference to ancestors who survived a great flood by securing their canoe to its slopes. This spiritual connection remains central to how the land is understood and respected by local communities today.

The park features about 6 kilometers of marked hiking trails through forest terrain, with vehicle access closed from November through March during wet season. Visitors should prepare for muddy and slippery conditions and wear sturdy footwear to safely navigate the moss-covered ground.

The summit houses a large Doppler radar installation locally called the big soccer ball, supporting air traffic control operations across the region. This unusual infrastructure sitting atop a natural mountain makes the place a striking blend of wilderness and modern technology.

Location: Capital Regional District

Inception: December 9, 1921

Website: https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/john_dean

GPS coordinates: 48.61222,-123.44806

Latest update: December 13, 2025 11:42