Weather
June is the beginning of summer in British Columbia, and the weather is generally warm and pleasant, and the days are long. There's a lot of variation in climate across the province. In summer, inland areas tend to be hotter than the coast, but inland also has mountains where you can retreat from the heat at higher altitudes.
Vancouver, on the southwestern coast, stays mild but generally pleasant in June, with a minimum temperature of 53°F (12°C) and a maximum of 68°F (20°C). Inland areas, especially in the south, tend to be warmer. For example, Kelowna, southern British Columbia, has a low of 52°F (11°C) and a high of 77°F (25°C). Even northern areas are quite pleasant in June, although cooler than in the south. For example, Fort Nelson, in northeastern British Columbia and at roughly the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska, has a minimum of 48°F (9°C) and a maximum of 70°F (21°C).
Crowds & Costs
June is still the shoulder season for travel to British Columbia because although it's early summer, many domestic and international travelers take their summer vacations in July or August. It's a great time to visit if you want to enjoy the generally good weather but avoid the crowds and the higher costs at popular places.
If you plan to stay in Vancouver this month, booking accommodation well in advance is a good idea. The popular International Jazz Festival attracts around half a million attendees, many of whom are not local.
Where to Go
If you have time and want to explore the vast, remote province away from the cities, head to the mountainous Chilcotin subregion. You can hike in the mountains, ride on horseback on the plains, and visit remote, glacier-fed lakes only accessible by floatplane from Smithers for backcountry camping, wildlife viewing, and fishing. Nimpo Lake is popular for hiking, paddling, and fishing. At the same time, the Bridge River Valley in South Chilcotin has a variety of outdoor adventures as well as gold-rush-related attractions, like gold panning.
If you don't want to go so far off the beaten track, Vancouver makes for an excellent June destination as the city is alive with exciting festivals. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival is one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world and takes place over two weeks. Alternately, the Dragon Boat Festival celebrates Vancouver's sizable Chinese community and is the largest boat race of its kind outside of China (Hong Kong).
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
June is a lovely time to go road-tripping through the west coast province. A journey through northern British Columbia, parallel to southern Alaska, will take you through remote country full of pine forests, mountains, and lakes. The highway network through secluded British Columbia is limited. Still, one option is to start at Dawson Creek, in the east of the province, and follow the Alaska Highway northwest, traveling west from Fort Nelson.
Travelers wanting to experience British Columbia's ranching culture on wide-open grassy plateaus will enjoy horseback riding in the Cariboo region, a large area northeast of Kamloops. Horseback riding ranch experiences are popular in the area. The area is also well known for its gold mining history, with a boom in the 1860s that brought waves of prospectors. The historic Wagon Road and Gold Rush Trail are fun road trips to explore the region's mining legacy. Start in the old mining town of Lillooet and take a winding road north through Quesnel and the Barkerville Historic Town.
Events in June
Vancouver International Jazz Festival, Vancouver. One of the world's biggest and best jazz fests. Over half a million people attend hundreds of performances over two weeks.
Dragon Boat Festival, Vancouver. Watch dozens of teams compete paddling colorful Dragon Boats in races in the waters of Vancouver. The festival also celebrates the heritage of the large Chinese community in the city.
JazzFest, Victoria. Canadian and international jazz and blues musicians play in this 10-day festival in British Columbia's capital.
Traveling to British Columbia in June? Check out these great itineraries
Fly-In Wilderness Adventures Around Smithers. Departing from Smithers in northern British Columbia, hop on a floatplane to access several wilderness adventures in the nearby mountains and backcountry. You'll find cabins, lake camping, and beautiful alpine basins to explore on foot.
Great Bear Rainforest & Chilcotin Coast Road Trip - 16 Days. Drive through some of the unique and remote wilderness in southern British Columbia. After a quick visit to Vancouver and Whistler, you'll slow down the driving as your make your way on Highway 20 from Gold Rush Country to the coastline of the Great Bear Rainforest.
More Helpful Information
British Columbia in May
British Columbia in July
Best Time to Visit British Columbia
How Many Days to Spend in British Columbia