Race Rocks Ecological Reserve
San Juan River Estuary Ecological Reserve
French Beach Provincial Park
Jordan River Regional Park
Juan De Fuca Provincial Park
French Beach Provincial Park is situated on the majestic Strait of Juan de Fuca and offers a magnificent overlooking of the Olympic Mountains in Washington State.
French Beach Provincial Park features a lush forest and sandy, pebble beach.
Beautiful hiking trails lead you through the second-growth forest of Douglas-fir, Western Hemlock, Sitka Spruce, and Western Red Cedar.
This brilliant park offers a chance for lovely camping, peaceful hiking among a beautiful forest setting and some memorable beach activities.
You can see seals, otters and sea lions playing along the beach, ospreys, bald eagles, and various seabirds flying overhead.
French Beach is also an excellent location for whale watching. Gray Whales migrate to Alaska's northern feeding grounds in the spring and return to their breeding grounds in Baja, Mexico, in the fall. They pass French Beach during this journey.
French Beach Provincial Park has about 55 hectares (136 acres) area. It is located west of the seaside community of Sooke on the west coast of southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.
There is a 69-site spacious campsite. Tent sites and RV sites that are available make this park a popular destination for campers and picnickers.
Campsites stand all year on a first-come, first-served basis.
Jordan River Regional Park, which is 10 minutes far from the park, is a picturesque area on the east side of the Jordan River community with mixed coastal hemlock, fir and cedar forest park.
Sheringham Point Lighthouse is a historical landmark that is only 2.7 km (1.7 miles) to the southeast.
From Nanaimo:
The Fastest route from Nanaimo to French Beach Provincial Park is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. It is 139 km (86.3 miles) and takes about an hour and 50 minutes.
Take Wallace St to Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S for 550 m (1804.5 ft). Turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S and continue for 94.1 km (58.4 miles). Drive 43.9 km (27.2 miles) to Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W in Port Renfrew.
From Victoria:
The Fastest route from Victoria to French Beach Provincial Park is via Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W and Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W. It is 60 km (37.2 miles) and takes about an hour.
Follow Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N to Westshore Pkwy in Langford for 16.1 km (10 miles). Follow Westshore Pkwy to Juan De Fuca Hwy/Sooke Rd/BC-14 W for 4.2 km (2.6 miles). Drive 39.7 km (24.6 miles) to Juan De Fuca Hwy/BC-14 W in Port Renfrew.
French Beach Trail is an out and back trail located near T'sou-Ke, British Columbia, Canada. It has 0.3 kilometres (0.18 miles) length, 6 meters (19.6 feet) of elevation gain and rates as easy. The trail offers scenic views and is mostly used for hiking and walking. It is accessible all around the year. Dogs are allowed to use the path but must be on a leash.
James French was an early naturalist who travelled from New Brunswick to Victoria. In 1885 he pre-empted the land west of Sooke.
He passed away in 1952, but his family continued to live on the property and keep his name alive.
On January 24, 1974, his home and his favourite beach became French Beach Provincial Park.
French Beach Provincial Park is a magnificent area with spectacular scenery and fantastic wildlife. It offers numerous activities such as hiking and biking through excellent trails. Also, water sports like swimming, fishing, windsurfing, and waterskiing can be done on French Beach. The beach is a perfect location for whale watching as well.
The park allows for enjoying the fresh air and fresh water. Based on the BC Act, French Beach Provincial Park is one of the protected areas on Vancouver Island, where you are not allowed to hunt.
