San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve was established in 1996 to protect the lower alluvial forest communities on the San Juan River flood plain. Ecological reserves are selected areas in British Columbia to protect specific natural ecosystems, species of plants and animals, features, and phenomena.
Conservation of physical and biological diversity and genetic materials while allowing for research and educational activities are the primary purposes of ecological reserves.
The San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve's first aim is to preserve forest communities and rare sensitive plant species such as "Mimulus dentatus." This type of flower is endangered and only occurs in British Columbia, Canada. Also, the "Tooth-leaved monkeyflower" is a rare plant known from nowhere else in Canada.
The San Juan River is an important salmon spawning river on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The delta represents a particular habitat used by black bears, bald eagles, mink and river otters for feeding during the autumn salmon spawning run. This area is also a critical wild habitat for animals such as Roosevelt elk.
San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve, with about 79 hectares (195.2 acres) area, is located northwest of Sooke. It is 5 km (3.1 miles) northeast of Port Renfrew, southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
Juan De Fuca Provincial Park is 10.6 km (6.5 miles) away, southeast of the San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve. The area is spectacular with great marine life, which gives you an excellent wildlife viewing experience.
The park consists of four main areas: China Beach Campground, Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, China Beach day-use area, and Botanical Beach.
Fairy Lake is a sandy beach recreation destination, at the northeast of the reserve.
From Nanaimo:
The fastest route from Nanaimo to San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and Pacific Marine Rd. It is 128 km (79.5 miles) and takes about 2 hours.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804 ft). Turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and continue for 45.1 km (28 miles). Follow Cowichan Valley Hwy/BC-18 W to Pacific Marine Rd in Port Renfrew. Drive 82.2 km (51 miles) to reach the San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve.
From Victoria:
The fastest route from Victoria to San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve is via Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W. It is 115 km (71.4 miles) and takes about 2 hours.
Head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St and after 99 m (325 ft) turn right onto Government St. Drive one kilometre (0.6 miles) with a slight right toward Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. After 72 m (236.2 ft), use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive 14.9 km (9.2 miles), turn left onto Westshore Pkwy and go on for 240 m (787.4 ft). At the roundabout, continue straight to stay on Westshore Pkwy for 950 m (3116.8 ft). At the roundabout, take the 1st exit and stay on Westshore Pkwy for 2.6 km (1.6 miles). Turn right onto Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W and continue for 17.9 km (11.1 miles). At the roundabout, continue 71 km (44.1 miles) straight to stay on Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W. Turn right onto Deering Rd (signs for Lake Cowichan), and after 3 km (1.8 miles), turn right onto Pacific Marine Rd (signs for Lake Cowichan/Duncan). You'll reach the San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve after 2.3 km (1.4 miles) more.
Sandbar Trail is an Out & Back located near Capital Regional District, British Columbia, Canada. It has a 1.6 km (1 mile) length and 2 m (6.5 ft) of elevation gain.
This easy trail features a river and forest and is mostly used for hiking, walking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing.
Activities like camping, freshwater fishing, hunting, livestock grazing, removal of materials, plants or animals are forbidden by regulation in San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve.
Based on the BC Act, San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt. Nature observation, hiking, and photography are permitted in this reserve.
