Chemainus River Park
Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada

Chemainus River Park.

Chemainus River Provincial Park is a recreation day-use destination located southwest of the community of Chemainus, BC on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The 119 hectare park follows the banks of the Chemainus River and is best known as a swimming hole.

The park was established in 1959 to protect the floodplain and sensitive riparian areas in the region. The parkland falls within the historic lands of the Cowichan, Nanaimo and Chemainus First Nation people.

The activities enjoyed in the park include hiking, sightseeing, river kayaking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and canoeing. In the river are steelhead and coho salmon for fly fishing. A fishing license is required in British Columbia.

The park has no real hiking trail system. The trails in the park are rough and follow horseback riding and animal trails. Hiking in the park is mostly enjoyed along the banks of the river. In many cases, many visitors just end up following the river to one of the many swimming pools or picnic sites.

There are no designated swimming holes or picnic sites in the park. Swimming holes are identified by a crowd of people. Picnicking is enjoyed on a blanket anywhere along the river. There are no picnic tables.

Wildlife in the park varies per season. Some of the wildlife spotted in the region include bears, elk, wolves and cougars.

How to Get to Chemainus River Park.

Travel Highway #1 to the south end of the community of Chemainus, BC on Vancouver Island. Turn onto Highway #18 and then turn right onto Hillcrest Payne logging gravel road. Continue driving the gravel road for another 6.5 kilometres to the parking lot.