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Event Info stand Cowichan Lake on Vancouver Island
River caution board for users around Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island
Fancy train around Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island
Wide view of Cowichan Lake side, Vancouver Island
Birds of the Cowichan Lake Ecosystem, Vancouver Island
Cowichan Lake Visitor center, Vancouver Island
Saywell Park Riparian Restoration - Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island
Sky view around Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island
Wide view of the Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island
People Sitting by the Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island

Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is a town located west of Duncan on the east of Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island. Cowichan Lake is the second most untouched lake in British Columbia, and the Cowichan River is dubbed as a Heritage River. The town of Lake Cowichan was established in 1944. It is southwest of the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational and multi-use trail network in the world. There are three communities nearby, including Lake Youbou, Mesachie Lake and Honeymoon Bay.
Lake Cowichan has a beautiful mountainous area with plentiful wildlife and is a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Among the activities available in Lake Cowichan are hiking, cycling, fishing, windsurfing, waterskiing, and kayaking. Although Lake Cowichan itself plays a significant role in the lumber industry, the economy switched from a resource-based economy to a tourism-based economy. Like other Cowichan towns, Lake Cowichan's tourism focuses on its rare beauty and numerous activities.

Average Weather in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is surrounded by the Pacific temperate rain forests, which results in an ecosystem with the warmest climate in Canada. The temperature rarely goes above 25°C (77°F) or below 0°C (32°F).

The Best Time to Visit Lake Cowichan

December is the best time to visit Lake Cowichan for those who want to ski. However, the busiest months in Lake Cowichan are July, August, and April.


Vanislander

How to Get to Lake Cowichan?

Airport Transfers for Lake Cowichan

Fly from Vancouver Harbour Airport to Nanaimo Harbour Airport and then rent a car or take a bus or a taxi to Lake Cowichan.


Seaplane to Lake Cowichan



Ferry to Lake Cowichan

You can take a ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay. Then rent a car or take a bus or a taxi to Lake Cowichan.

Top 10 Attractions in Lake Cowichan

  • Island Houseboats
  • Kenzie's Fishing Adventures
  • ORKA - Outdoor Recreation and Kayak Adventures
  • Cowichan River Tubing - The Tube Shack
  • Cowichan Lake Visitor Centre
  • Cowichan River Provincial Park
  • Kaatza Station Museum
  • Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit
  • Gordon Bay Provincial Park
  • Cowichan Valley Trail
Visiting Lake Cowichan

Discovering Beauty and Entertainment in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan is a town full of natural beauties and fantastic places such as Cowichan River Provincial Park. The park is a popular spot with great outdoor recreational activities like white-water kayaking, tubing, and fishing. It protects parts of the Cowichan River, which is a Provincial Heritage River. The river is internationally famous for its wild salmon and steelhead fishery. Gordon Bay Provincial Park is also known as a tourist destination, located on the shores of Lake Cowichan. It is home to a second-growth Douglas-fir forest. Lake Cowichan has warm waters and a sandy beach that would be excellent for a family swimming, and it offers hiking trails with fascinating views. If you want to make the best of your trip, visit the town in April when the wildflowers are at their peak.


Gardens, Parks, and Natural Green Attractions in Lake Cowichan

  • Spring Beach Recreation Site
  • Cowichan River Provincial Park
  • Gordon Bay Provincial Park
  • Price Park Central Park
  • Stoker Park
  • Marble Bay Park
  • Bear Lake Park
  • Lakeview Park Campsite
  • Ravine Park
  • Ted Burns Nature Preserve
  • Duck Pond Bridge
  • Green Park
  • Ohtaki Park
  • Rhododendron Memorial Park
Lake Cowichan gardens

Vanislander

Beaches, Lakes, Rivers, and Water-based Activities in Lake Cowichan

  • Little Beach
  • Cowichan River
  • Spring Beach Recreation Site
  • Sandy Beach Marine Park
  • Bear Lake Park beach
  • Stanley Creek
  • Josiah Creek
  • Meade Creek
  • Cottonwood Creek
  • Utility Creek
  • Sutton Creek
  • Skutz Creek
  • Cowichan Lake
  • Bear Lake
  • Mesachie Lake
  • Beaver Lake
  • Kwassin Lake
  • Lost Lake
  • Mayo Lake
  • Kayaking and canoeing
  • Paddle boarding
  • Cowichan Lake Windsurfing
  • Scuba diving
  • Rowing and sailing
  • Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Museums and Art Galleries in Lake Cowichan

  • Kaatza Station Museum
  • Duncan Chinese Cemetery
  • Cafe Mochica (art gallery)
  • Innate Galleries
  • Michaela Davidson Art & Gift Gallery
Entertainment in Lake Cowichan

Festivals and Events in Lake Cowichan

  • Light Up The Night & Arts On The Avenue 
  • Cowichan Valley Wine Festival
  • Sunfest Country Music Festival
  • Chemainus Bluegrass Extravaganza
  • Islands Folk Fest
  • Cowichan Bay Wooden Boat Festival
  • BC Bike Race
  • 39 Days Of July
  • Laketown Shakedown
  • CVAC’s Annual Fine Arts Show
  • Beverly Corners Show & Shine
  • Canadian Bookbinders & Book Artists Guild

Nightlife and Entertainment in Lake Cowichan

  • Cow Bay Marine Pub
  • The Music Hall Food
  • Riot Brewing Co
  • Moby's Pub
  • CVI Restaurant + Lounge
  • The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar
  • Dreamland Silent Disco
  • Evolve Nightclub
  • Youbou Bar & Grill

Free Attractions in Lake Cowichan

  • Hiking the scenic trails of Gordon Bay Provincial Park and Cowichan Valley Trail
  • Going to Cowichan Lake Visitor Centre
  • Swimming and sunbathing on the lake beaches
  • Enjoying water sports on Cowichan Lake
  • Camping in the wonderful campsites in the area

Services in Lake Cowichan

Shoping in Lake Cowichan

FIELDS Lake Cowichan department store
Swordfern Boutique
Scarletts Second Hand Boutique and Espresso Bar
Country Grocer Lake Cowichan

Public Transportation in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan public transportation includes buses and taxis.


Vanislander

Where to Stay in Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan offers accommodations with a wonderful view of the town's natural beauties. Most of the lodgings are around Cowichan Lake Road.

Self-Catered Accommodation:

Harmony Ridge Bed & Breakfast
Crown House Bed & Breakfast

Hostel:

Cowichan River Lodge
River Rock Cottage Rental
Beaver Lake Resort
Boutique Waterfront Lodge
Riverside Inn Lake
Cowichan Lodge

Guesthouse:

Greendale Riverside Cabins
The Cabin at Little Beach
"Trappers Cabin"
Greendale Riverside Cabins

Food and Beverage Services in Lake Cowichan

Restaurant and Café in Lake Cowichan

JV's Diner
A&W Canada
Subway
Tim Hortons
Jakes at the Lake
Lakeside Sushi
Carmanah Pizza
Ed's Coffeehouse
Cow Cafe & Cookhouse
Market Café

Lake Cowichan Restaurants and Cafes

Wineries, Breweries, Distilleries, Pubs, and Bars in Lake Cowichan

Youbou Bar & Grill

Health and Wellness in Lake Cowichan

Sport and Wellness Centers and Spas Lake Cowichan

Sport and Wellness Centers, Spas, and Recreational Therapy in Lake Cowichan

Lisa's Fit Stop gym
Duncan Trillium Natural Spa
Heads Or Nails Salon & Spa
Autumn Sunshine Massage

What you Can Expect to Do Near Lake Cowichan

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

West Coast Outdoor Adventure Whale Watching

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Shawnigan Lake Kayaking and Canoeing

Ladysmith Kayaking

Ladysmith Kayaking

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

The wreck of the Robert Kerr Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Boeing 737 Jet Plane Diving

Octopus Point Diving

Octopus Point Diving

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Shawnigan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Shawnigan Lake Wakeboarding and Waterskiing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

Cowichan Lake Windsurfing

Esquimalt Lagoon Windsurfing

Esquimalt Lagoon Windsurfing

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

What you Can Expect to See Near Lake Cowichan

Duncan

Duncan

Lake Cowichan

Lake Cowichan

Langford

Langford

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Site

Ladysmith

Ladysmith

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Woodley Range Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve

Nitinat Caves

Nitinat Caves

Florence Lake Cave

Florence Lake Cave

Skutz Falls

Skutz Falls

Seymour Range

Seymour Range

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

Cowichan River Provincial Park

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