The Cowichan River is the fourth largest river on Vancouver Island, and its various tributaries at over 100 creeks and streams flow away nearly 99,000 hectares (244,634 acres). Before discharge into Cowichan Bay and the Strait of Georgia, the Cowichan River originates in Lake Cowichan, flowing eastward for roughly 47 km (29.2 miles).
The largest provincial park within the Nanaimo Lowlands eco section (NAL) is Cowichan River Provincial Park. The small western part extends into the Leeward Island Mountain eco section (LIM), located on the eastern margin of Vancouver Island, stretching from Duncan to the Campbell River city. Cowichan River Park is situated on southern Vancouver Island, which is 1,418 hectares (3,504 acres) in size and keeps a 34 km (21.1 miles) stretch of the Cowichan River. The distance between this park and Cowichan Lake is about 17 km (10.5 miles). This impressive park protects the Cowichan River's essential stretches designated as both the BC Heritage River and a Canadian Heritage River.
There are other provincial parks around the Cowichan River Provincial Park, such as Gordon Bay Provincial Park, on Cowichan Lake's south shore. It is about 49 hectares (121 acres), and there are a campground and a day-use area. Moreover, Chemainus River Provincial Park, with about 119 hectares (294 acres), is located 14.7 km (9.1 miles) northwest of Duncan, managed by Cowichan Valley Regional distinct for BC Park. Sandy Pool Regional Park is at the eastern of Cowichan River Provincial Park that Cowichan Valley Regional District possesses.
The Cowichan River, which originates in the Cowichan Lake, is located south of Vancouver Island. It drops over Skutz Falls after 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) that it passed Cowichan Lake. From the east, the river flows through Marie Canyon and running towards Cowichan Bay, which is more than 40 km (24.8 miles) long.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route to get to Cowichan River Provincial Park from Nanaimo is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 66 km (41 miles) and takes about 50 minutes. This route has restricted usage.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804.4 ft). Turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and drive 45.1 km (28 miles). Continue on Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W to your destination in Cowichan Valley F. After 20.3 km (12.6 miles), you will reach Cowichan River Provincial Park.
From Victoria:
Getting to Cowichan River Provincial Park from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. It is 79 km (49 miles) and takes almost 1 hour and 9 minutes. This route has restricted usage.
Take Government St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N for 1.2 km (0.7 miles). Use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive 58.6 km (36.4 miles). Take Cowichan Lake Rd to your destination in Cowichan Valley F. Drive 19.2 km (11.9) more to reach Cowichan River Provincial Park.
1. "Cowichan River Trail," with 8.4 km (5.2 miles) length, is an easy trail. It is a moderately trafficked loop near Cowichan Valley. The trail with 94 m (308.3 ft) elevation gain offers several activities, and it is suitable for all skill levels. The best time for use is from April until September.
2. "Skutz Falls," with 7.6 km (4.7 miles) length, is a moderate loop near Cowichan Valley F that features a waterfall. The trail has 142 m (465.8 ft) elevation gain and is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips. The best time for use is from April until September.
3. "Hill 60 Ridge Trail," with a 30.6 km (19 miles) length, is a hard out and back trail near Cowichan Valley. It has a 734 m (2408.1 ft) of elevation gain and offers the chance to see wildlife. The path is primarily used for hiking and nature trips.
The Cowichan River was represented as the BC Heritage River in 1997 and as a Canadian Heritage River in 2003 when it was the third river in British Columbia. Today it remains one of the 42 Heritage River Canada. This designation as Canadian Heritage leads it to be known as Canada's famous river. It causes careful management of maintaining the natural and cultural values for the benefit and enjoyment of Canadians.
In the nearby of the Cowichan River, there are several forestry and residential land. The rural communities of Sahtlam to the northeast and agricultural land of Glenora to the southeast are the most developed areas.
Around the Cowichan River area exist facilities and entertainment such as telephone lines, buried water pipeline and groundwater, summer games, shooting ranges, a clubhouse, and a non-shooting picnic area. Also, the Cowichan River Bible Camp offers summer programs and camps for children. Besides that, there are several activities you can do at the Cowichan River area, including paddling, fishing, swimming, and hiking.
Go to a river to feel alive as its current. The Koksilah River can be your place. It originates on the slopes of Waterloo Mountain and continues its way to reach Cowichan Bay. On hot summer days, being there to swim in the valley could be refreshing. This river has a distinct beauty and various rocky canyons, waterfalls and rapids to a wide river. There are many species of birds to watch.
Are you interested in spring and summer plans on Vancouver Island? The Cowichan River, the fourth largest river on Vancouver Island, provides you with guided hiking and backpacking trips. Cowichan River Provincial Park protects the Cowichan River's essential stretches. Start from Lake Cowichan to Cowichan Bay and the Strait of Georgia to expand your adventure around the Cowichan River.
If you are a paddling enthusiast and happen to visit Vancouver Island during summer times, put Shawnigan Lake on top of your list. The lake is enclosed with fabulous parks in which you are provided with tons of recreational activities. Lakeside cabins, several beaches and a spectacular shoreline make Shawnigan Lake a fantastic hot spot for kayaking and canoeing.
Exceptional opportunities to explore the water while enjoying the scenic view of a city with a hundred years of history and culture preserved within the realms of Ladysmith. as an ideal kayaking destination, Ladysmith has several offerings to make your stay even more joyful. So, pack your bags and hit the road to this beautiful old city.
Get out of your comfort zone and go diving in one extraordinary place with quite a history behind it. The wreck of the Robert Kerr is the graveyard of a ship that sank about 200 years ago. Still, now it is a habitat for several marine creatures and offers excellent opportunities to dive deep and explore the underwater world.
You cannot believe your ears are hearing a diving place made after a Jet Plane was sunk. But, there is only one way to find out, especially for divers who like abnormal experiences. While you are in Chemainus, you can rent a boat and paddle till you reach this place, offering you unbelievable diving opportunities.
Adventure lovers who know nothing about diving but look forward to experience it may find the Octopus Point Diving site the best place to go. In these shallow waters, several marine life is observable, and the safety of your diving is guaranteed to a considerable measure.
Choose wisely to make your stay on Vancouver Island unforgettable. Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site can give you the chance to have a retreat from daily bustles in a perfect and clean with a quiet atmosphere. It has a lovely swimming area surrounded by log booms in which you can bathe and relax for unnoticeable hours.
Wandering around the second-largest lake on Vancouver Island, you are blessed with ample chances of different water sports. Natural features observable in this region adds up to the beauty and attractiveness of your stay and make your memories hard to forget. If you are interested in doing other activities, there are various adventures to embrace.
Surrounded by parks and its proximity to a live community is at least two of many reasons why you should come to Shawnigan lake. Not only wakeboarders and water-skiers will benefit from the waters of this lovely lake, but also paddlers are given the best chance to have a great time onboard.
You would have the chance to re-invent your expectation of windsurfing by embracing the opportunities given to you on the second-largest lake of Vancouver Island. Cowichan Lake does not only serve your desires for windsurfing and is a paradise for those in love with water activities. If you are looking for a time to make the most of it in the Cowichan Lake area, plan to come during April.
If you are looking for a place to make immortal memories of your windsurfing experience, Esquimalt Lagoon would be an ideal place to do so. As one of the seven migratory bird sanctuaries, this lagoon with clear shallow water provides you with ample opportunity for water activities, including windsurfing. Also, beautiful birds travelling between North and South America are observable.
The city of Duncan is famous for its totem collection. Duncan's tourist attractions and activities include shops and restaurants, great vineyards, kayaking the rivers and ocean, hiking the Trans Canada Trail, or the farmers' market. The city offers Cowichan Performing Arts Centre with amazing shows, restaurants, pubs, and Duncan Showroom (a live music venue) for entertainment.
Lake Cowichan is a town east of Cowichan Lake, the second most untouched lake in BC. The town is west of the Trans Canada Trail, the longest recreational and multi-use trail network globally. Lake Cowichan has a beautiful mountainous area with plentiful wildlife and is a perfect place for outdoor adventures. Lake Cowichan has warm waters and a sandy beach for a family swim.
A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.
Woodley Range Ecological Reserve was established in 1996 in Ladysmith to preserve special plant species richness and unique and species-rich meadow and woodland ecosystems. This ecological reserve protects a minimum of 187 vascular plant species, including slimleaf onion, Howell's violet, dune bentgrass, Nuttall's quillwort, and green-sheathed sedge.
Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve or Yellow Point Bog Ecological Reserve was established in 1996. The ecological reserve aims to protect the sensitive ecosystem of bog and its scarce plants, forest and the region's well worth biodiversity. Ladysmith Bog Ecological Reserve features a Douglas fir forest and an aquatic-terrestrial interface that are scenic and memorable.
You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.
Made from the blue snake of the Cowichan River, Skutz Falls is a little waterfall at Cowichan River Provincial Park about bout 6 m (20 ft) in height. Stand at the falls' viewpoint to have a scene of the human-made fish ladder where the river's fast current splashes water on your face. Camping nearby and using the services would complete your journey for having more hours of adventure in the area.
At the northwest shore of West of Shawnigan Lake, there is a dawn to dusk area, with a Douglas fir forest and a delightful beach known as Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park. Being there with your family and friends and spending your time swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, and windsurfing would refresh your body and soul. The park is a habitat for many animals.
Witness the miracle of nature at Cowichan River Provincial Park coming with human heritage and recreational values. Marie Canyon and Skutz Falls are the prime viewpoints to watch spawning salmon in the fall. Have a picnic at the end of a day of hiking, biking, or horseback riding through excellent trails. On your journey, don't forget to look around, watching animal species and birds.
The Gowlland Range is a small and low mountain range. It has spectacular views and varieties of animals such as blacktail deer, cougar, river otter, raccoons, black bear and birds as hawks, eagle, grouse, and owl. Mountaineers would experience fantastic climbing and hiking trails passing through a beautiful forest ornamented with plentiful, stunning wildlife.
Choose Stocking Creek Trail in Ladysmith as your destination and start finding Stocking Creek Waterfall. It is one of the natural attractions of Vancouver Island that looks wonderfully beautiful. Imagine the refreshing water cascading on a little pool between a forest which is aesthetically impressive. But if you want to see the waterfall at its prim, spring and fall are the best seasons.
Memory Island Provincial Park is one of the smallest parks in British Columbia. Its peaceful and beautiful nature makes it an excellent choice for picnicking. As it is placed in Shawnigan Lake, you can catch some fish like trout. Also, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are possible. In addition, the park is home to various birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and fungi.
Have a tour at Christie Falls, north of Lady Smith, with two beautiful drops. It worth spending hours watching the scene. The upper cascades to the lower fall, and the lower one pours down on hard rocks making a spectacular scene. It is best to visit Christie Falls in spring when the Bush Creek water flow is more powerful. While you are in the area, there are other waterfalls to enjoy.