Where To Go In B.C. To Bring Inspiration To Your Next Business Retreat | HuffPost

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Looking to bring some inspiration and creativity to your next meeting? Perhaps it's time to take a hike. Research points to both the mind-clearing and brain-boosting benefits of spending time outdoors. Encounters with nature are proven to help alleviate mental fatigue by relaxing and restoring the mind.

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Founder, Holidays for Humanity

Founder, Holidays for Humanity

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Looking to bring some inspiration and creativity to your next meeting? Perhaps it's time to take a hike. Research points to both the mind-clearing and brain-boosting benefits of spending time outdoors.

Encounters with nature are proven to help alleviate mental fatigue by relaxing and restoring the mind. A 2012 study from the University of Utah found that people immersed in nature for four days boosted their performance on a creative problem-solving test by an impressive 50 per cent. The results support what Albert Einstein once said: "Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better."

Here are some top suggestions for your next nature-fuelled business retreat:

Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre, Maple Ridge

Credit: Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre

Located in scenic Maple Ridge, B.C., and less than an hour east from Downtown Vancouver, Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre is a year round meeting, conference, event and retreat destination tucked in the heart of University of British Columbia's Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. Set on the edge of the breathtaking Loon Lake surrounded by nature's bounty, Loon Lake Lodge offers flexible accommodation, meeting space and catering for up to 174. What draw guests year after year to the Loon Lake Lodge is the peace, beauty and tranquility of Mother Nature. Loon Lake Lodge & Retreat Centre is open year round. For more information, visit www.loonlake.ubc.ca or call (604) 463-8149.

Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre, Parksville

Credit: Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre

Nestled within the woods on Vancouver Island British Columbia lays a rustic, oceanfront resort so spectacular it has to be experienced to truly appreciate all it has to offer. Located in picturesque Parksville, the all-season oceanfront resort is set in 22 acres of tranquil Arbutus & Douglas Fir forest with sweeping panoramic views of the Strait of Georgia and coastal mountains. Specializing in corporate meetings, incentives and retreats, the Tigh-Na-Mara offers 10,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 192 guest rooms. Tigh-Na-Mara encourages clients and teams to reconnect in a stunning natural setting. For more information, visit www.tigh-na-mara.com or call (250) 248-1802.

Cheakamus Centre, Paradise Valley

Credit: Cheakamus Centre

Established in 1969, Cheakamus Centre is a unique environmental learning centre designed to provide exceptional learning and hospitality experiences inspired by nature. Located on 420 acres of ecological reserve in Paradise Valley near Squamish, B.C., inspire, relax, learn and reconnect in Cheakamus Centre's tranquil forest setting, the perfect year round location to retreat from today's non-stop hectic lifestyle. The friendly and knowledgeable team works with meeting planners to design and deliver a productive and successful meeting that integrates nature into the agenda. Enhance your meeting further by adding an experiential activity that highlights the distinct seasonal periods that characterize Cheakamus Centre. Proceeds from your meeting or retreat helps support the North Vancouver School District Outdoor School environmental leadership and learning programs. For more information, visit www.cheakamuscentre.ca or call (604) 898-5422.

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Best Camping In B.C.

Mount Robson Provincial Park, Southern Interior(01 of17)

Bordering the Canadian Rockies, this park offers over 200 kilometres of hiking trails that range from straight-forward strolls to challenging climbs. You can also go mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, rafting, and even take a heli-tour while you're visiting.The park has three campgrounds, located at Moose Lake, Yellowhead Lake, and near Valemount.For more information, click here. (credit:HelloBC)

Mount Robson Provincial Park, Southern Interior(02 of17)

At 3,954 metres tall, Mount Robson is the highest mountain in the Rockies and can be admired from the Berg Lake Campground, which sits directly at the mountain's base. But, be warned that the campsite is a 20-kilometre hike away from the nearest road, so getting there will be a bit of a trip in itself!

Crooked River, North-Central B.C.(03 of17)

A popular swimming spot just an hour north of Prince George, Crooked River Park is made up of three lakes bordered by sandy beaches. The cold-water Livingston Springs, which flow year-round, are a great way to beat the summer heat.Plus, if you luck out with clear skies during your stay here, you might even catch the northern lights at night.

Alouette Lake, Golden Ears Provincial Park(04 of17)

This lake is a hugely popular spot for swimming, canoeing, boating, fishing, windsurfing and water-skiing. The rugged backcountry is also great for hikes, so long as you're well-prepared.Booking a spot at one of three campgrounds is highly recommended, especially for weekend visits. The park is also closed to day-users when parking lots fill up (which usually happens around noon,) so be sure to stake out your spot as soon as possible.More information here.

Pacific Rim National Park, Vancouver Island(05 of17)

Sitting midway between Ucluelet and Tofino and taking full advantage of B.C.'s coastal views, the park's Green Point campground is a popular destination for families. If you book through the Equipped Camping option, you'll arrive to a fully stocked campsite, complete with supplies including sleeping pads, a cook stove, and a tent.Broken Group Islands is a good spot for backcountry camping, but you'll need a boat to get there. The multi-day, West Coast Trail hike is also nearby, with campsites scattered along the route for experienced hikers.

Tofino, Vancouver Island(06 of17)

That being said, camping just about anywhere around Tofino is bound to be gorgeous. Surfing, of course, is immensely popular, as is exploring the abundance of trails and beaches that make gave the tiny town its reputation.

Cathedral Provincial Park, Okanagan(07 of17)

This park is made up of rugged mountain peaks, turquoise lakes and stunning alpine meadows. You can camp at Quiniscoe Lake or Lake of the Woods — both of which offer gorgeous views galore.It's important to note though that freezing temperatures and snow can strike the park at any time of year, so pack appropriately.More information here.

Cultus Lake Provincial Park, Chilliwack(08 of17)

Located in the middle of the Lower Mainland, this is one of the province's most popular summer spots. A huge, warm, fresh-water lake surrounded by mountains is regularly packed with beachgoers and campers.The park has picnic areas, places for fishing and hiking, and four campgrounds. Boating is also an extremely popular activity here.The park is a short drive away from the family-friendly community of Cultus Lake, which has a waterslide park, two golf courses, mini-golf, go-karting, bumper boats, a marina and a laundromat.

Peace Island Park, Fort St. John(09 of17)

Bordered by the Rocky Mountains, the terrain in and around Fort St. John is a must-see.Beatton Provincial Park, Charlie Lake Provincial Park, and Peace Island Park are great spots for families, as they all have an abundance of places to swim, hike, play sports, and gather around a campfire.For those who like to get off the beaten path, Graham-Laurier Provincial Park and Redfern-Keily Provincial Park offer Rocky Mountain wilderness camping, and can only be reached by ATV, horseback, or on foot.More information here. (credit:HelloBC)

Lillooet Lake, Squamish, South Coast-Mountain(10 of17)

Even though it's only about an hour away from Vancouver, Lillooet Lake rarely gets rained on, so camping in tents feels like a breeze.(Dry climate = no mosquitos, by the way.)Campgrounds range from no service to full-service, and offer plenty of things to do. You can hike, kayak, canoe, mountain bike, fish, bird watch, golf, or take a dip in the lake.More information here.

Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Edgewater(11 of17)

Part of the Rocky Mountains, this park is home to stunning lakes, glaciers, and alpine meadows. Visitors can camp, hike, and mountain climb here, but remember: it's an untouched area that lies off the beaten path.You'll need thorough preparations and all the proper equipment before you go exploring, and only experienced climbers should head into the glaciers. But, if you're well-prepared and travel smart, the views are worth the trek.More here.

Great Northern Circle Route, North Coast(12 of17)

Take your RV on the 10-day, Great Northern Circle Route — the 3,000-kilometre drive takes travellers through the rugged terrain, but still has great places to camp out for the night. There are also plenty of natural and historic attractions to visit along the way, and you could go fishing, too!(Fun fact: Northern B.C.'s wilderness is bigger than California or Japan, and twice the size of the United Kingdom — so there's plenty of room to explore!) (credit:HelloBC)

E.C. Manning Provincial Park, Hope(13 of17)

Sitting between the Lower Mainland and the Okanagan, Manning Park offers a huge variety of hiking trails, fishing spots, horseback riding routes, bike paths and access to glacier-fed lakes.You can book a spot at one of five campgrounds for your tent or trailer, but take note — it's one of the busiest parks in the province, so be sure to call ahead. If campgrounds aren't your thing, you can also go backcountry camping within the park for $5 per night.More information here.

Wells Gray Provincial Park, Clearwater(14 of17)

A hub for outdoor adventuring, Wells Gray Provincial Park is a gorgeous hot spot for hikers, with a large network of trails ranging from casual walks to tough treks.In July, the Trophy Mountain alpine meadow is in full bloom, which is definitely something worth seeing. You can also go fishing, golfing, kayaking, or whitewater rafting.You can camp in a campground, or kick it in the backcountry. Details here.

Glacier National Park, Revelstoke(15 of17)

This park has three campgrounds: Illecillewaet, Loop Brook, and Mount Sir Donald. Illecillewaet and Loop Brook both offer flush toilet washrooms, firewood, and drinking water. Mount Sir Donald offers camping at a lower cost, but no campfires are allowed at that site.None of the sites have RV hookups, showers, or laundry facilities and are available on a first come, first served basis — so if you like to rough it and avoid the crowds, this is the park for you.

Gulf Islands National Parks Reserve, Near Vancouver Island(16 of17)

This park is a backcountry campers dream, with 10 camping areas scattered across eight different islands. Seven of those sites are accessible only by boat — so if you're looking to really rough it, this is where you'll want to be.There are also two drive-in campgrounds in the park: McDonald Campground in Sidney and Prior Centennial Campground on Pender Island.More information here.

Alice Lake Provincial Park, Squamish(17 of17)

Four freshwater lakes are a huge part of this provincial park, surrounded by mountains and dense forests.The trail around Alice Lake is great for those who enjoy leisurely hikes, while the Four Lakes Trail would be well-suited to the adventurous explorer.Reservations are strongly recommended, as this park is often very busy, according James Brittain from Mountain Equipment Co-op.More information here.

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