Cowichan River Provincial Park

Canoeing and kayaking are 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.

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.

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, including the appropriate licensing requirements, prior to fishing.

A maze of developed and undeveloped routes offers significant walking and hiking opportunities in and around Cowichan River Provincial Park. As emergency aid is not immediately available over much of this trail, please always travel prepared. Basic supplies should include drinking water, a first aid kit and adequate clothing/footwear.

• Trails in Cowichan River Provincial Park

Horseback riding is permitted on the Trans-Canada Trail.

Pets/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.

Snorkeling and scuba diving in this clear river is becoming more and more popular, as it offers great opportunities for fish viewing.

Swimming and tubing are popular activities 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 or float tube in this area must familiarize themselves prior to entering the river. There are no lifeguards at Provincial Parks.

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.

The restored 66-Mile and Holt Creek railway trestles along the Trans-Canada Trail offer spectacular river views and the opportunity to imagine back to a time when log-laden traincars would thunder along these tracks high above the Cowichan River.

At Stoltz Pool, the picnic site overlooks the river from a grassy area nestled in a grove of old big leaf maple trees. The Burma Star Memorial Cairn, a replica of the Kohima Monument in Myamar (Burma) is located here. The cairn was erected by the Burma Star Association to commemorate and tell the story of Major Hoey and the Allied Second World War campaign in East Asia.

The Stoltz Pool day-use/picnicking area is wheelchair-accessible.

A boat launch is located at the Stoltz Pool day-use area. Parking is available a short distance from the boat launch.

Campfire rings are provided at each campsite. Firewood can be purchased from the park operator. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don’t gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Campfire bans may be implemented. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

Cold water hand pumps are located at Stoltz Pool campground, Stoltz Pool group site and Horseshoe Bend group site.

Annual Drinking Water System Report 2021

• Cowichan Horseshoe Bend Group Site [PDF]
• Cowichan Stoltz Pool Campground [PDF]
• Cowichan Stoltz Pool Group Site [PDF]

There are group campsites at Stoltz Pool and Horseshoe Bend. Reservation information »

Stoltz Pool group campsite

The Stolz Pool groupsite has been relocated inland due to bank instability caused by river erosion. The new location provides inclusive camping for RVs and tents. The shelter will be installed at the groupsite early June, while all other facilities will be in place at the beginning of April. Guests can access drinking water from the nearest campground loop.

Horseshoe Bend group campsite

This site has a shelter and is situated beside Cowichan River amongst the trees. There are 11 tent pads. Parking is in a gravel lot above the site. Vehicles are only allowed to drop off at the shelter and then have to park in the lot. Campers and RVs can camp in the parking lot. The shelter has a sink, wood stoves inside the shelter and picnic tables inside and out. Water is available by a water pump in the group site. Cowichan River is beside the site so watch small children. The river can be dangerous certain times of the year; especially in winter, fall or spring. This is a very private site and beautifully situated.

There are four day-use areas at Cowichan River Park: The main day-use area at Stoltz Pool, as well as Skutz Falls, Marie Canyon and 66-Mile trestle.

• Stoltz Pool day-use: This day-use/picnicking area is located adjacent to the campground and includes a boat launch, riverside trail, picnicking area with tables, parking, pit toilets, information shelter and an all-purpose playing field. The picnic area overlooks the river from a grassy area nestled in a grove of large maple trees.
• Skutz Falls day-use: Located at the western trailhead for the Cowichan River footpath, this site offers parking, pit toilets, picnic tables, a river pull-out and information shelter. This site provides access to the Skutz Falls section of the river, where visitors can watch view spawning salmon.
• Marie Canyon day-use: Marie Canyon is a popular sit for picnicking and for viewing one of the more spectacular sections of the river. Facilities include parking, pit toilets, an information shelter and a trail down to the canyon bottom.
• 66-Mile Trestle day-use: Located near the beautiful 66-Mile trestle on the Trans-Canada Trail, this site offers, parking, pit toilets, picnic tables and an information shelter.

There are several pit toilets available throughout the park.

Stoltz Pool Campground: There are 39 drive-in and 4 walk-in sites at the Stoltz Pool campsite, situated in a second-growth Douglas fir stand. All sites are well spaced with easy access to the river. Campsite reservations are accepted; first-come, first-served sites are also available. The Stoltz Pool campground is open year-round; a winter camping fee is in place.

There are 4 walk-in campsites at the Stoltz Pool campground. Camping is permitted only in designated campsites.

The Stoltz Pool campground is open year-round; a winter camping fee is in place.