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San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

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 Location

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.


How to Get to San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve by Car

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.


The Hike to Get to San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

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.


Things to do around the San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve Area

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.

The Best Ecological Reserves Near San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve Activities

Camping

You can experience wilderness camping in Juan De Fuca Provincial Park.
Mystic Beach, Bear Beach, China Beach and Sombrio Beach (East) are the Beach Sites, and Little Kuitsche Creek and Payzant Creek are the Forest Sites all available for Camping.
China Beach Campground offers vehicle-accessible campsites.

Kayaking & Canoeing

Canoeing and kayaking are possible at Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, but you should be aware of ocean currents and extreme sea conditions.

Fishing

Juan de Fuca Provincial Park offers opportunities for salt-water fishing, but you should have an appropriate license.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing is a popular activity in Juan De Fuca Provincial Park.

Swimming

You can go swimming at Fairy Lake Recreation Site, which is 1.3 km (0.8 miles) far from the reserve.

Surfing

Sombrio Beach, which is 22 km (13.6 miles) far from the reserve, is a world-class surfing area, especially in the winter months.

What you Can Expect to Do Near San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

Port Renfrew Whale Watching

Port Renfrew Whale Watching

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Nitinat Triangle Kayaking and Canoeing

Port Renfrew Kayaking

Port Renfrew Kayaking

Jordan River Kayaking

Jordan River Kayaking

Camping in French Beach Provincial Park Campground

Camping in French Beach Provincial Park Campground

Camping in the Jordan River Regional Park Campground

Camping in the Jordan River Regional Park Campground

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the Gordon Bay Camp Site

Camping in the China Beach Campground

Camping in the China Beach Campground

Jordan River Storm Watching

Jordan River Storm Watching

Botanical Beach Storm Watching

Botanical Beach Storm Watching

Sombrio Beach Storm Watching

Sombrio Beach Storm Watching

China Beach Storm Watching

China Beach Storm Watching

French Beach Storm Watching

French Beach Storm Watching

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Nitinat Lake Kiteboarding

Sombrio Beach Surfing

Sombrio Beach Surfing

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve Outline

Specifications

Climate

Timing

Trails


1- The numbers are estimated on average.


What you Can Expect to See Near San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

Port Renfrew

Port Renfrew

Botanical Beach

Botanical Beach

Jordan River (Settlement)

Jordan River (Settlement)

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

Mystic Beach

Mystic Beach

Nitinat Caves

Nitinat Caves

China Beach

China Beach

French Beach

French Beach

French Beach Provincial Park

French Beach Provincial Park

Jordan River Regional Park

Jordan River Regional Park

Seymour Range

Seymour Range

Mystic Beach Waterfall

Mystic Beach Waterfall

Sandcut Beach Waterfall

Sandcut Beach Waterfall

Juan De Fuca Provincial Park

Juan De Fuca Provincial Park

Hidden Falls

Hidden Falls

Planning for San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve

Suitability

Camping & Resort

Services

Terms and Conditions




1. Consumptive activities like camping, freshwater fishing, hunting, livestock grazing, removal of materials, plants or animals are forbidden by regulation in the San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve.

2. Motorized vehicles are not allowed.

3. Research and educational activities may be carried out but only under permit.

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