Reviews of Morrell Nature Sanctuary (Zoo)

Richard Clemens

Nice park for an easy hike. Not very busy.

Queue Qin

Nice cool and quiet trails!

Darren Ward

Excellent place for a stroll. Beautiful trails and varied scenery along the way. Many different options to explore and easily accessible to all.

Dawson Turner

Make sure to grab a map before heading up, or take a picture of it on your phone. Quiet area good for wandering arohnd.

Davis Chevrier

Great nature walk with lots of signage.

Mat Catley

One of the nicest family walks we have been on , very clean , easy walk, and lots of smaller trail options . Abundance of parking .excellent short family walk, for all ages.

Devon Colman

Beautiful park with lots of trails to explore! We love finding the fairy doors/gnome homes.

Alexandra Bedard

Love love love! Visited on a beautiful, sunny day and spent 4 hours exploring trails and basking in pockets of sunshine. Once you get further into the park, you can find absolute silence from human activity, and listen to bird calls and owls :)

David Yelligadu

Nice walk amongst the giant trees. Trail can be mildly steep at times and at some spots have a few roots sticking up. Good trail shoes would do well.

Gerold Haukenfrers

Excellent park with many trails. Very interesting with a lake to hike around. Run and maintained by Volunteers.

David Stanley

All dogs must be on a leash in the Morrell Nature Sanctuary. Those who prefer to allow their dogs to run free should instead visit the nearby Colliery Dam Park which has a large leash-free area.

Mark Cameron

Beautiful sanctuary. Trails are amazing, we'll maintained... thanks to the tireless work of the volunteers here.

Cleveland Bentley

Being one of the smaller parks its one of the most picturesque I've experienced in Nanaimo.

Vivek Alby

Great place but unfortunately we reached there close to dusk. Couldn't spend much time.

A Fire

Wonderful trails that are well maintained. Great way to spend the day outdoors with trails that connect to Westwood Lake and Mount Benson

Karen C

Big park with many different trails. A loop from Fire Lane Road to Hydro Road is about 3km.

Daniel Sailland

Easy grade hike in a beautiful setting. Love the fact that there's both large trees and small creeks. It's a great quick hike with options from 30 minutes to 120 minutes.

Shawn Markey

I could easily spend a whole day here, Great trails both wild and rustic, and a maintained gravel ring route. The little "lake" at the top of the property is gorgeous with beautiful views.Would wager heavy mosquito populations in summer. Did not know this was a non provincial or municipal land reserve, will bring two donations next time !

Jim drums

Very restful and gentle pathways. Although there are plenty of more rigorous routes for the more adventurous. Bike trails also available.

Nadine Shemilt

Beautiful trail! Approx 3 km, Walked here hundreds of times and it's always pretty quiet, very treed and beautiful. Wouldn't suggest coming here after dark though.

Trent Morris

Absolutely stunning group of trails. Love coming here with the family for a local hike full of fresh air!

Ashley Herle

Enjoy the area, nice experience and some stroller friendly trails.

Ofelia Gersjes

Just gorgeous here. Well maintained, easy to walk trails. Maps everywhere and informational signage. Just a really beautiful park all run by volunteers.

Helena B

It's absolutely beautiful, and a nice, easy walk.

Jennifer Lynn

Very easy to get to and good for a variety of levels (different trails for different levels of mobility)

Maggie Henigman

After living in Nanaimo over 30 years I was pleasantly surprised to find yet a new to me trail here. A lot busier than it used to be but so far most people seem respectful. Need more invasive spp removal though. We did our bit on the broom.

Chris Istace

Terrific place located right in the city to escape back to nature. Perfect for trail runners, hikers, photographers, families and basically anyone who loves the outdoors. I like the interpretive wildlife and plant education signs throughout …

LazyLayne “Lazy Layne”

Absolutely gorgeous here one of my new favourite walks!!

Tiffany McLaughlin

This is a beautiful place to go to get some peace and tranquility.

D A

Expansive Trail Network with Diverse Scenery.

Ryan C

A peaceful, natural walk in the woods. Lots of routes to choose from. Great place for a run!

Lynette Meek

We walk here all year round. A beautiful sanctuary for humans and wildlife alike. Birds abound in the trees and on the waters. I have seen barred owls, squirrels, ducks of various types and hummingbirds! In the Spring there are trilliums and Lilies; in the Summer, Indian pipe and wild roses. There are walks for all types of walkers, from gentle ambles to heavy duty hikers and everyone in between. It also connects up with Westwood Park.

Aaron Clifford

Just an amazing place for a hike. Peaceful and beautiful, go after it rains to see the plants at their most beautiful. Don't forget to check out the fairy doors and gnome homes.

Michelle Gan

Really enjoy these lite trails back here. I like how you can connect at the power line which is snow cleared and connect with Westwood Lake. You can go beyond in either direction not sure how long it goes. The snowy challenge is not alot of trails were broken in but it's still lovely to walk around. One outdoor compostable washroom ???? available. Driving up the road access turn to get into Morrela wait of a nightmare even for 4wd. Lots of ppl stuff and the parking lot is tiny.

Steve Saunders

Another great hiking trail system and so close to downtown again! I go here with my dogs, on lease of course and hike all over. You can even get to Westwood lake trail system via these trails.

Brianne Carson

It was such a beautiful walk ????

Brandietta

Great place for a nice walk close to the city. Several easy trails that are great for retirees and children. Clean and safe. Usually a ton of ducks to feed. Chances to see local wildlife like the Pine Marton and Black Bear. Great friendly volunteers run camps for children. Outhouse on site and free parking.

Deraek Menard

Some dude just bought this whole thing and then declared it a nature sanctuary and I think gave it to the city as a park for perpetuity. We need more people like Mr. Morrell in the world. When I grow up, I hope I'm as cool as him. Tons of birds in here, plenty of 1-2 hour walks. Some boardwalks on ponds. I saw an owl once!

Камиль Гумеров

The best hiking place in Nanaimo together with Ammonite falls and mount Benson

Rob Shearer

Lovely, quite nature reserve. There are many trails zigzagging throughout the sanctuary to explore, which make this a great spot for a quick walk or longer hike!

John Vreden

Personally I like the Morrel Nature Sanctuary as a bit of an extension to the Westwood Lake trail. You can get to it from the power lines trail (dog off-leash trail) or from the main trail. It adds roughly another kilometer to the walk. Fairly well marked and it's nice, nice, very nice. ????????

Jonah Ferguson

A beautiful forest of well maintained trails, that lead to a gorgeous lake. There is also moon rock on the rocky crag trail, which is a hill-top bench which overlooks the forest.

Robert Montgomery

Main trails are wide, smaller trails are overgrown a bit. Limited wheelchair access

ali hoseini

Lovely. Gorgeous lake.

Sushistew

Beautiful place. Lots of trails to walk

Rupert Gadd

Beautiful park for walking. There are gnome houses on one of the short loops to delight the kids. If you walk through to the hydro lines, dogs can go off leash.

Leanne DeGruchy

Really nice trail we did the loop with the gnome houses my 2 year old loved it!!!

Chris Dillabough

Great little gem right in nanaimo. Lots of trails to explore even on cloudy cold days. Trails are well maintained and clearly marked throughout sanctuary.hours are excellent for any time of day.

Kendra Slawson

Truly beautiful spot! I really enjoy all the different trails, lookouts & bodies of water. Bonus is it isn't very busy.

Dennika Sharan

Beautiful trails, easy to navigate, ans an outhouse if you need to use the toilet.

Loretta Mason

Had a lovely long walk, the trails are very well maintained!

Carol Shepherd

Loved the forest trails! Not a fan of the hydro line trail that connected the loop we chose. We will be back to try other trails.

Charles Sutton

Great place for an easy trail walk in a beautiful forest.

MrEgrass

Great chunk of almost old growth forrest. Some bike trails and some hiking trails. Good for every skill level. We walk our dogs here often and it's so nice and quiet.

rebal Magrbhi

A great hike, and a super nice lake to have a small picnic next too, highly recommended

Dean Marvel

Great place for you and your kids to come and learn, explore, experience the forest and feel protected and comfortable at the same time. My boy and I come here to find geocaches, or just simply to come and walk - flat low sloping trails make it perfect for both elderly and very young, some trails aren’t navigable for strollers and the like, however

Ryan Gurr

Beautiful park with lots of well maintained trails. We bring our dog on leash here, it is fantastic.

Michelle Gummeson

Has a great little walking trail with fun little gnome homes to find. Even had new ones this time.

Terry Ireland

Lots of nice trails with plenty of shade. It is a shame that the power lines ruin the view at the lake a bit, but it is pretty, regardless. It's not a flat walk, so expect to go up and down hills. Highly recommend it. Very well kept.

Troy Bacon

What a great place to hike safely. Well marked trails, lots of interesting things to see. Many different trails to take along the way. The lake is beautiful.

Jon Galliazzo

A great place for family walks with easy, wide, gentle graveled walkways that are great for small kids and are wheelchair-friendly, and with manicured, steeper trails that are great for exploring. There's trails enough to have anything …

Mistie Claudia

Had an awesome adventure with my sister and randonautica sent us here...we discovered a lot of random things and saw a tree with a pitchfork growing out of it...very neat...I think...

Jason Ritchey

Amazing place! Super trails!

Kool Crypt

It's a nice place to go for a nice short walk on any kind of day. There are many different animals living in their natural habitat. Which makes it a great place to take some good photos. You will see ducks, geese, birds, turtles and many more various types of species.

Peak 9179

One of our favorite spots in Nanaimo. Trails are well kept, and the kids love the fairy houses! Very peaceful and lush.

Marcy McIlwraith

I always enjoy myself whenever I visit the Sanctuary. Such a peaceful place.

Sarah Pump

One of my fave places in the whole world. Grateful for the Yew Loop trail, which is accessible for people with mobility challenges.

S S

Beautiful and Quiet

Viraat BK Thammanna

Fantastic nature Sanctuary park awesomely maintained by a NGO/foindation (not city of Nanaimo) It is located by the Highway 19 but no access from highway hence have to exit from highway to Jingle Pot Road and go to Nanaimo Lake road via Wakasaiah Ave. Beautiful trails for kilometers is stretch. Plenty of birds, sights of Martin's, squirrels, bear, deers, beavers, raccoons and skunks been reported. It has a small lake called Morrell Lake. It's been named after Mr Morrell who donated this huge piece of land in Nanaimo. There are picnic spots with tables and benches under shelter or even open to sky. Benches have been installed all around the lake to sit and relax. Please don't go alone take a buddy. You can also access Westwood lake from here. There is free parking front of the park office.

Ryan Harrison

Definitely a great on leash dog park with quite a few places to stop and enjoy the scenery.

Michele Dolan

Nice trail network with some lovely hills, arbutus and some low ground with streams. Cool ice crystals in the mud and some wet swampy areas.

Nicole Ohalloran

Something I love about this park is how well taken care of it is. You can tell people have intentionally preserved this sanctuary and we are so lucky to have such a beautiful place to explore. The hike is as long as you want it to be and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of parking.

Nic Burgess

Such a beautiful spot, great hiking and many trails that are only for walking. (No bikes) you can hike through to Westwood lake very easily.

Kim Dingler

What a beautifully maintained, breathtaking place.

Saquib A

Good for a walk.

Ashley

I've loved Morrell since I was a kid going to the summer daycamps here.

Janet Robertson

Cool spot for low to medium difficulty hiking trails through old growth hemlock, maple and Alder trees and lovely forest fern groves.....

Bryan Poynter

The trails here are great.

Lisa Hill

Well maintained trails for all levels of hikers. The area just outside the sanctuary is fantastic to explore. ????????

Stonksgoup69

Come check out the vast forest of 800+ year old trees!

Barbara Cutler

Great trails and beautiful scenery. Information points throughout the reserve covering the biodiversity of the forest.

REX COOK

Nice place to go for a walk. My granddaughters loved the gnome homes hidden in the trees

Lance

A beautiful forested area with a series of mild, well-marked, interconnecting trails that are good for practically all ages and levels of fitness. If you opt to explore all these trails or take the longer ones that surround Morrell lake, …

Dave

Absolutely gorgeous. Quiet, too. Nice place for a stroll. Will return!

Patrick Mason

Great for biking or hiking. Super close and not too busy. Definitely going back. Not sure if parking could be an issue

Adrian Carotenuto

Love this place. Lots of trails. Easy walking.

Sabrina LL

Many easy trails and connectors. Peaceful on a drizzly afternoon

Mike Rail

Beautiful trails and Forrest park. Lots of trails well marked

Helly Boyle

Love this little gem. Great walks, beautiful surroundings. Parking can be a pain, it is very limited, so choose your times carefully.

Ryan Bengtson

Beautiful little spot, excellent swimming and right in town.

John Curran

A very cool place. Hikes/Walks galore with so many trails. For the whole family.

Fred Anderson

The serenity which the Sanctuary offers is a welcome alternative to our busy lives. The trails are well groomed and lead to different destinations, from an old beaver pond to rocky viewpoints. Highly recommended for locals and tourists!

chris parisien

Great trails, lots to see great way to walk from harewood to westwood

Courtney Wilkinson

Beautiful walk! So many different trails to get lost in for hours! I love mother nature!

Barb Smith

Such a great place for a hike and you can make it as long or short as you like. Lots of trails and lots to see. There are also several educational signs along the way. We hiked to the lake (beautiful) and took a couple of different trails back to the parking lot. We saw at least 3 frogs. We'll be back for sure.

Julie Hagner

Perfect place for a short walk all the way to a long hike. Some of the shorter trails are wheelchair accessible.

Marina Gretchin

It's gorgeous here, and peaceful. lots of trails to explore!

coldlumine scence

This was a lovely walk! It had some nice, wide trails that were good for social distancing.

Breanne P

Numerous trails for exploring, trails of different lengths. My kids love the gnome house trail and finding all the doors.

Bryce F

Beautiful park, and a great way to get up to the mountain trails

darcy sara

Amazing nature reserve, just beautiful to walk around with well maintained trails and wheelchair accessible tracks

Dave Traviss

Great place to walk the dog. Many different trails to choose from.

Jennifer Holstein

This place is magical. From the well-kept trails to the informative interpretive signs, it is easy to navigate and each walk is an education in local flora and fauna. It's one of my favourite places to walk with my family.

Ajay Anto

Really calm and peaceful place with few different trails to choose from and play around. Definitely worth walking in the forest with info about huge trees as well as famous trees are in fact fun experience.

Carol Josic

Love Morrell Sanctuary! Beautiful well kept trails!

Jason Trolitsch

So many different trails. Good family fun for all ages. Just don't bring the dogs.

guinea pig pizza

This place is beautiful beyond words! You really need to see it for yourself! We went here for a class field trip and the volunteers who took us around the forest were AWESOME! Super knowledgeable and worked great with children. We had Heather....a great leader for our mini forest detectives!! This park is also so close to town and truly is a Sanctuary...a place to relax...rest and enjoy nature as you fully immerse yourself in it. Gorgeous!!

J Mon

One of the hidden gems of nanaimo. Gnome houses, a lake, a beaver pond, a rock feature, and easy access to the hydro lines. Nice on leash walk for the doggos.