Gowlland Tod Park provides excellent day-use recreation opportunities for hiking, nature appreciation and picnicking. There are more than 25 kilometres of trails varying in difficulty, which are adorned by spectacular scenery.
Located on southern Vancouver Island, the park preserves a priceless heritage of green space. It encompasses a significant part of the Gowlland Range, one of the last remaining natural areas in Greater Victoria, and a significant portion of the of Tod Inlet.
The Gowlland Range is a particularly rich area of biodiversity, with more than 150 individual animal and plant species identified. The protected area features grassy meadows, rocky knolls and old-growth forest. The park also protects a wetland area which provides habitat for vulnerable flora and fauna.
Towering 430 metres over Finlayson Arm, this unique fjord only replenishes its marine waters once a year. Species that are rare elsewhere in the world flourish in this isolated habitat. The abundance of marine activity attracts scuba divers from around the world, as well as boaters seeking the calm waters and sheltered anchorage.
Visitors will find reminders of the area’s early pioneer activity, as well as remains of settlements associated with the Vancouver Portland Cement Company, which thrived here in the early 1900s. The area continues to be important to First Nation peoples, who utilize areas of the park for medicinal, ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
Accessibility information is available for this park.
This park has three day-use accesses: Tod Inlet, Mackenzie Bight and Caleb Pike. All three areas have pit toilets. Only Tod Inlet and Caleb Pike have picnic tables. Parking lots are available at Mackenzie Bight and Caleb Pike.
This park has pit toilets, located at the Tod Inlet, Mackenzie Bight and Caleb Pike trailheads.
This park has more than 25km of hiking trails, including multi-use trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. This extensive trail system dates back to the area’s history of logging and mineral development. The sections are accessible from the three trailheads.
Tod Inlet Trailhead
This trailhead provides access to the shores of Tod Inlet, whose calm waters are an ideal setting for a picnic or relaxing visit. Trails located around the Wallace drive and Tod Inlet point are gentle and pass through old settlements associated the Vancouver Portland Cement Company, which operated in the area from 1904 to the 1920s.
Mackenzie Bight and Caleb Pike Trailheads
This section of the park offers beautiful, maintained trails through mature forest and along the water. The majority of the park’s trail system extends from Mackenzie Bight to Caleb Pike and link to Mount Finlayson in Goldstream Park. A number of viewpoints offer spectacular glimpses across Finlayson Arm on this moderate to difficult hike.
There are no lifeguards on duty. Scuba diving and swimming opportunities exist at this park.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. The access points are at Tod Inlet and Mackenzie Bight. Please be aware the Goldstream Estuary is closed to the public.
There are opportunities for canoeing or kayaking in this park. The access points are at Tod Inlet and Mackenzie Bight. Please be aware the Goldstream Estuary is closed to the public.
Gowlland Tod Park offers the the chance to view animals in their natural environment. Species that are rare elsewhere in the world flourish in this isolated and stable habitat.
The Gowlland Range is a rich environment featuring a variety of landscapes and more than 150 species of birds. Blue herons, bald eagles, Peale’s peregrine falcons, river otters, black-tailed deer and red squirrels frequent this area.
The park also protects a wetland area which provides habitat for the blue-listed Northern red-legged frog. Hikers may also spot black bears, cougar and deer. For information on how to stay safe, visit the wildlife safety page.
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. Tod Inlet is home to waterfowl nesting areas and salmon spawning streams. Visitors must keep their dogs on leash and under control at all times to ensure their pets don’t disturb these sensitive areas. Dogs are not allowed on the sandy beach at the Tod Inlet dinghy dock.
Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due the potential for problems with wildlife.
Bicycles are permitted on designated, multi-use trails accessed via all three trailheads. Consult park maps at each location for more information. Cyclists must stay on designated trails and must yield to hikers and horseback riders. Bicycle helmets are mandatory in British Columbia.
For details on e-biking within Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, see the e-biking section below.
Please note that bicycles with electric assist motors (e-bikes) are permitted on signed or designated trails within Gowlland Tod Park, provided they meet the definitions and criteria for e-bike use as outlined in the BC Parks cycling guidelines.
Horseback riding is permitted on designated trails accessed via all three trailheads. Consult park maps at each location for more information. Horses must stay on designated trails.
The park is located on the east side of Saanich Inlet on Southern Vancouver Island. There are three park accesses: Tod Inlet, Mackenzie Bight and Caleb Pike.
The Tod Inlet access is located near Brentwood Bay, off Wallace Drive; Mackenzie Bight access is located off Rossdurrance Road, off Willis Point Road; the Caleb Pike access is on Caleb Pike Road, off Millstream Road near Langford. Gowlland Tod Park can also be accessed by boat via Tod Inlet.
Nearby communities include: Brentwood Bay, Saanich, Sidney, Langford, Colwood, Victoria.
This park proudly operated by:
R.L.C. Enterprize Ltd.
250 474-1336
office@rlcparks.ca
www.rlcparks.ca
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.