The unique karst features of BC attract recreationists and caving enthusiasts from around the world. The extensive karst systems in the Rocky Mountains are very popular with local and international visitors. Vancouver Island is also a popular destination, attracting visitors from around the globe to view surface and subsurface karst. In fact, together with southeast Alaska, it is one of the last places on earth where areas of undisturbed coniferous coastal temperate rain forest can be experienced along with such a diverse range of karst resources.

Each year, more and more people visit BC's provincial forests, parks, and recreation areas for self-guided or commercially guided karst and cave experiences. Horne Lakes Caves Provincial Park on Vancouver Island alone attracts more than 55 000 visitors annually. As people continue to seek more rewarding and educational wilderness experiences, the enormous attraction of karst will likely expand even further. (Photos by J. Marc.)