North America's Southernmost Fjord Is A Breathtaking Beachy Park With Waterfront Campsites

Think you need to travel to Alaska to see fjords in North America? Think again! There's a fjord right near Vancouver that offers the same dramatic scenery in a much more accessible place. Howe Sound, North America's southernmost fjord, is ruggedly beautiful and a top place for outdoor adventures.

One of the best places to enjoy the fjord is Porteau Cove Provincial Park, between Squamish and Vancouver — Canada's most-filmed city. The park offers spectacular views of the Sound and the mountains behind it, as well as excellent conditions for scuba diving, paddling, and swimming. Porteau Cove also has waterfront campsites, allowing visitors to wake up to the picturesque scenery.

The park is on Canada's famous Sea to Sky Highway, and the views from the road are simply magnificent. If you want to be able to soak in those views without having to concentrate on the wheel, take a day trip to Porteau Cove with Viator. There are many tours available, catering to families and more adventurous travelers. Not only will you be able to enjoy the park, but the tours also stop at other attractions in the area, such as the Squamish Sea-to-Sky Gondola, which offers sweeping views of the Sound. To make even more of your time in British Columbia, seek out an Indigenous tourism experience to immerse yourself in the region's rich culture.

If you'd like to stay longer in Porteau Cove, there's a lot to keep you occupied. The park is home to several artificial reefs and two sunken vessels for scuba divers to explore. Visitors are also welcome to swim from the pebbly beaches or head out onto the water in a canoe or kayak. To see some of the wildlife in the area, take a stroll to the lookout over the Sound — you might spot seals, otters, many seabirds, and even whales if you're there in spring.

Those of you who want to stay overnight are spoiled for choice. The park offers cozy cabins, developed drive-in campsites, and more rustic walk-in sites. Happy campers love spending the night here, though be warned: sites fill up fast, so book in advance! If you snag a spot, you'll get to enjoy the dark skies of the fjord, which make for wonderful stargazing opportunities. The campsites are open throughout the winter, and Porteau Cove is a great stop if you're on your way toward Whistler for a ski vacation.