About the Park

Situated on top of Mount Newton on southern Vancouver Island, John Dean Provincial Park overlooks the pastoral Saanich Peninsula, the Gulf Islands and the Cascade Mountains. John Dean Park protects one of the last stands of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak on the Saanich Peninsula, and is a popular destination for local residents, who visit the park to hike in a pristine wilderness environment and enjoy the spectacular views. The mountain and surrounding area figure prominently in First Nations culture, and early descriptions of the mountain mention large rings of white stones placed there by the Saanich people. Lau Wel New, as Mount Newton is known to the First Nations of the Saanich Peninsula, was the high point of land that enabled them to survive the Great Flood. Here legend has it that the Saanich ancestors were able to anchor their canoe until the floodwaters subsided using a giant cedar rope. Lau Wel New was the first land available as the floodwaters receded.

For more information, please visit www.bcparks.ca

Picnicking

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This park has a day-use area with a parking lot, information shelter and pit toilet. This park is closed to vehicle traffic in the off-season.

Camping

No camping permitted.

Fires

No fires allowed.

Park Info

Activities


  • Hiking

  • Pets on leash

  • Bicycling

Amenities


  • Picnic sites

  • Toilets

Location

John Dean Provincial Park is located near Sidney on southern Vancouver Island. The park can be accessed off Hwy #17. Turn west onto McTavish Road, south onto East Saanich Road, then west onto John Dean Road. Follow John Dean Road until you reach the park. Nearby communities include: Sidney, Saanichton, Brentwood Bay, Victoria.

Nearby Parks

There are many regional, Provincial and National Parks nearby in the greater Victoria area. Nearby Provincial Parks include Gowlland-Tod and Goldstream.

For more information, please visit www.bcparks.ca

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