South Island. 
Know before you go
Advisories
Safety information
- The Cowichan Fish and Game Association operates a shooting range in Cowichan River Park at 4295 Robertson Road. Park visitors hiking near the Glenora trailhead of the Cowichan River Footpath may hear gunshots during range hours. The shooting range is closed to the public as per its Park Use Permit issued under the Park Act, and operates in accordance with applicable federal regulations. Please stay on authorized trails and follow all signs.
- Visitors recreating within the park should leave a plan of their intended trip, including which trail or area of the park they plan to use, along with arrival and departure times, with a friend or relative.
Cliffs
Cowichan River Park contains many areas adjacent to the river with steep drop-offs and overhanging bluffs. Please stay on designated trails and respect signs and railings.
River course
The Cowichan River has fluctuating water levels and swift currents. Children should be accompanied by an adult when in or near the river. Visitors should also expect natural occurrences such as log jams and sweepers at any point and at any time along the river. Large rapids exist at Marie Canyon and Skutz Falls throughout the year. Information on these hazards and pull-out locations are posted at the park. Visitors wishing to swim, kayak, canoe, or float tube in this area must familiarize themselves prior to entering the river.
Review the detailed guides under visit responsibly for more information on staying safe and preserving our natural spaces.
Visit responsibly
Follow these guides to ensure your activities are safe, respectful, and ecologically friendly:
Maps and location
Getting there
There are three main access points to Cowichan River Park, Skutz Falls road (West access), Highway 18 Connector (middle access), and Robertson road (South East access).
Skutz Falls road (West access)
Located off Highway 18, Skutz Falls Road provides access to Skutz Falls day-use area, Horseshoe Bend group campsite, Marie Canyon day-use area and the Skutz Falls trailhead of the Cowichan River trail. Follow signs from Skutz Falls road via Cowichan Lake road and Mayo road to Riverbottom road.
Highway 18 Connector (Middle Access)
Located off Highway 18, the Highway 18 Connector provides access to the Stoltz Pool campground, group campsite and day-use areas. Follow signs to Riverbottom road.
Robertson road (South East access)
Located on Robertson road in the Glenora area south of Duncan. To access this point proceed west on Glenora road, turn right onto Vaux road and continue down Vaux road, as it leads into Robertson road. This provides access to the Glenora trailhead of the Cowichan River trail.
Things to do
A maze of developed and undeveloped routes offers significant walking and hiking opportunities in and around Cowichan River Park.
- As emergency aid is not immediately available over much of this area, please always travel prepared.
- Basic supplies should include drinking water, a first aid kit, and adequate clothing and footwear.
- For your own safety and preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.
Walking and hiking trails
Stoltz Pool loop trail
This relatively short, gentle loop trail runs from the Stoltz Pool day-use area adjacent to the river for much of its length before gently climbing inland through second-growth forest above the campground. Fishing is excellent at many spots along this trail.
Skutz/66 Mile Loop Trail
This 8 km loop trail gives spectacular views along the Cowichan River. Crossing at both the Skutz Falls forest service bridge and the historic 66 Mile Trestle, this trail travels through a steep canyon environment high above the Cowichan River.
Cowichan River Footpath
This historic trail winds its way along the Cowichan River for approximately 20 km from Glenora to Skutz Falls. This is an easy to moderate level of hiking and you should allow approximately 6.5 hours to hike its length. The main trail is well marked but several older secondary routes still exist and these are not sign posted or maintained. Notices will be placed at each trailhead (Glenora and Skutz Falls) explaining any current situations of interest to trail users. There is no drinking water available on the trail and river water must be boiled, filtered, or treated prior to consumption. Parts of the trail are through private property, please respect these areas and any potential restrictions that may be in place.
Trans Canada Trail route
This section of the Trans Canada Trail route stretches from Glenora to Skutz Falls, an ambitious undertaking that involved the restoration of the 66 Mile and Holt Creek Trestles and the rehabilitation of approximately 13 kilometres of abandoned Canadian Pacific Railway grade. The beautiful railway trestles along this route offer spectacular views and a glimpse of the past to a time when log-laden traincars would thunder along the tracks high above the Cowichan River.
Swimming is a popular activity at the Stoltz Pool day-use area and below Skutz Falls.
Warning: The Cowichan River has fluctuating water levels and swift currents. Children should be accompanied by an adult when in or near the river. Visitors should also expect natural occurrences such as log jams and sweepers at any point and at any time along the river. Severe rapids exist at Marie Canyon and Skutz Falls throughout the year. Information on these hazards and pull-out locations are posted at the park. Visitors wishing to swim in this area must familiarize themselves prior to entering the river.
There are no lifeguards on duty in BC Parks.
Canoeing is popular in the Stoltz Pool day-use area.
Kayaking is popular in the Stoltz Pool day-use area. Experienced whitewater kayakers may wish to navigate the river between Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon. The river is suitable for year-round kayaking, although the best water conditions are from October through to June.
Warning: The Cowichan River has fluctuating water levels and swift currents. Paddlers should also expect natural occurrences such as log jams and sweepers at any point and at any time along the river. Severe rapids exist at Marie Canyon and Skutz Falls throughout the year. Information on these hazards and pull-out locations are posted at the park. Visitors must familiarize themselves prior to entering the river.
This park offers excellent river fishing opportunities. The Cowichan River is a highly important river because of its variety and abundance of fish species, including coho, Chinook and chum salmon, steelhead and Rainbow, Brown and Cutthroat trout. It is one of only two rivers in British Columbia known to have Brown trout, which was introduced from Scotland in the 1930s.
Spawning salmon are often easily seen during the fall spawning season at Marie Canyon. All fishing is often closed in this section of the river from October to mid-December. Specific fishing closures are posted at information shelters within the park.
For up-to-date information, all anglers should check all current and relevant freshwater (non-tidal) sport fishing regulations and saltwater sport fishing regulations, prior to fishing.
Anyone fishing in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence. To learn more, see the fishing and hunting guide.
River viewing points at Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon are prime locations to watch spawning salmon in the fall, or to have a picnic at the end of a day’s hike. Marie Canyon day-use overlooks the Cowichan River as it surges through a spectacular sheer rock canyon. Skutz Falls offers magnificent views of river rapids and a man-made fish ladder.
Pets and domestic animals must be on a leash and under control all times. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.
Bicycles must keep to roadways or the Trans Canada Trail. Bicycles are not permitted on developed hiking trails. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are not allowed on the trails within Cowichan River Park. E-bikes are restricted to park roads and areas where motorized use is permitted. The only exception to this policy will be for authorized and identified trail maintenance bikes conducting work on behalf of BC Parks.
Horseback riding is permitted on the Trans Canada Trail.
Snorkelling and scuba diving are possible in the Cowichan river and holds great opportunities for fish viewing.
About this park
Cowichan, from the Coast Salish word “Khowutzun” meaning “land warmed by the sun,” is an area rich in First Nations, European and resource history.
The Cowichan Valley has been home to the Cowichan Tribes from the earliest times. Cowichan is a collective name for a number of villages on eastern Vancouver Island, including Comiaken, Somenos, Koksilah and Quamichan. Today the Cowichan tribes make up the largest band in British Columbia and members of the band own and reside on much of the land surrounding Duncan and the Cowichan River.
The first European settlers to the region arrived in 1862. Agriculture dominated the early colonial years. Mining replaced agriculture as the primary industry as the forested interior regions became more widely traveled, however it was the forest industry that had the greatest influence on development and settlement in the region. Most of the old-growth forest in the area was logged early in the 20th century, and forestry activities continue to this day.
Since the early 1900s the river has served as a transportation corridor to Lake Cowichan for local logging operations. Old spring board stumps and remnants of camps and rail lines testify to the area’s important logging history.
Crown land in this area was recommended for protection in the Vancouver Island Land Use Plan. The park was established in July, 1995. This park contains the first campground built on Vancouver Island since the early 1980s, created in partnership with Forest Renewal BC (FRBC), the Cowichan Lake Community Forest Co-operative (CLCFC) and IWA. FRBC funded the project and CLCFC provided labour by hiring displaced forest workers from IWA local 1-80.
The Cowichan River is internationally known for its highly valuable and productive fish habitat. Species include coho, Chinook and chum salmon, steelhead and rainbow, brown and Cutthroat trout. The park also protects representative Douglas-fir and Western hemlock forest communities and rare wildflowers.
The area is known to provide habitat for many species of birds and wildlife. Small mammals found in the park include shrews, voles, bats and the native red squirrel. Raccoons, mink, martens, and weasels are also common, and river otters and beavers inhabit the river. The native Vancouver Island ermine, a blue-listed species, has also been found in the park. Larger mammals include black bears, which can be seen in the park during salmon spawning, as well as cougars, black-tailed deer, and Roosevelt elk.
The Cowichan Valley sustains thousands of birds of at least 200 different species. Species resident to the park include osprey, hawks, owls, ravens, and crows as well as many species of songbirds. Bald eagles can be seen along the river in late fall and winter.
Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
BC Parks honours Indigenous Peoples’ connection to the land and respects the importance of their diverse teachings, traditions, and practices within these territories. This park webpage may not adequately represent the full history of this park and the connection of Indigenous Peoples to this land. We are working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples to update our websites so that they better reflect the history and cultures of these special places.
Contact
| Reservations, changes, and cancellations | Our call centre is open from 7 am to 7 pm Pacific Time. There is a $5 fee for reservations, changes, or cancellations made by phone.
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| Park operator | This park is operated by K2 Cowichan Park Services Ltd. |
| General questions and feedback for BC Parks | We answer emails weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm Pacific Time. |
