Bright Angel Park

Bright Angel Park is located south of the community of Duncan and north of the Village of Cobble Hill in an area of the Cowichan Valley known as Cowichan Station. The Vancouver Island, British Columbia park is a recreation destination in the valley popular for hiking, swimming and picnicking.

The 4.1 hectare park follows along the shores of the Koksilah River. The river and the surrounding forest in Bright Angel Park fall within the Coastal Douglas-fir Ecological Zone - it is an area of dry summers and wet winters. The entire park was established in 1958. It was then that Jack and Mabel Fleetwood donated the land to the community.

The highlight of the small park for many is the suspension bridge which crosses the river and connects the hiking trails on both sides of the river together. On both sides of the river the trails explore the river banks leading into a forest of western redcedar, maple and Douglas-fir trees. Some of the connector trails in the park are part of a fitness circuit.

Along the river banks are some big river rocks and boulders. Many are used as sunning beds and are near a swimming hole. The main swimming area is near the parking lot and beach area. There are picnic shelters, picnic tables, an adventure playground and pit toilets in the park. Nearby is a grassy field popular for baseball.

Some of the wildlife said to visit the park include black bears, deer, cougars, raccoon, owls, great blue herons and Bald Eagles.

How to Get to Bright Angel Park

From Victoria travel north on Highway #1 to the community of Mill Bay in the South Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. Continue traveling the highway towards the community of Duncan. 3 kilometres before Duncan look for Koksilah Road. Turn west here. Follow Koksilah to Tigwell Road. Turn right here to the park.

From Duncan travel 3-4 kilometres south on Highway #1 to Koksilah Road. Turn west here. Follow Koksilah to Tigwell Road. Turn right here to the park.