Cowichan River Provincial Park

The Cowichan River Provincial Park is a recreation destination located in Duncan, BC on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. The 1, 414 hectare park includes the Cowichan River which is a designated Provincial Heritage River.

Throughout the park are many natural features including secluded pebbled beaches, deep gorge canyons, high rocky cliffs and white water rapids. The Cowichan River Provincial Park is a popular recreation park for many outdoor adventure activities. Some of the activities enjoyed in the park include swimming, tubing, hiking, backpacking, picnicking, fishing, river kayaking, birdwatching and wilderness camping.

Along the banks of the Cowichan River are many locations to picnic and swim. Many of the most popular picnic areas are located on river flat rock and pebbled beaches. Some of the most private locations are accessed by hiking the trail in the park or by tubing or kayaking down the river.

Official day use areas in the park are more maintained and provide some amenities. They include Skutz Falls, Stoltz Pools, Marie Canyon and 66 Mile Trestle.

Skutz Falls Day-Use Area is one of the most visited picnic areas in the park. The big attraction are the falls, the fish ladder and the Cowichan River Footpath. There are pit toilets, picnic tables, an information shelter and a large parking lot. Skutz Falls is a top spot for watching salmon swim upstream.

Stoltz Pool Day-Use Area includes a boat launch, riverside trail, picnicking area with tables, parking lot, pit toilets, information shelter and an all-purpose playing field.

Marie Canyon Day-Use Area is a another popular destination in the park for picnicking and canyon views. There is a short trail leading down to the floor of the canyon. Coming back up is a challenging hill climb for some. Marie Canyon includes some picnic tables, parking lot, pit toilets and an information shelter.

66-Mile Trestle day-use is the historic day use spot in the park. There is a restored old trestle for viewing and access to the Trans-Canada Trail. The day use area includes picnic tables,a parking lot, pit toilets and an information shelter.

The Cowichan River Footpath is a well maintained 20 kilometre hiking and backpacking trail following along the Cowichan River. The trail leads you over rock bluffs, onto pebbled beaches, along steep cliffs and through forest.. Access to the trail is best from Skutz Falls Day use Area and near the Gun Club in Glenora.

How to Get to Cowichan River Provincial Park

Skutz Falls Road. This route leads to the Skutz Falls and Marie Canyon Day Use Areas and the trailhead to the Cowichan River Footpath. Travel to the community of Duncan, BC, on Vancouver Island. On the north end of Duncan is Hwy #18. Follow Hwy #18 towards the community of Lake Cowichan. On your left keep an out for the Skutz Falls Road turn off. Continue following the signs on Skutz Falls Road to Riverbottom Road and the day use area.

Robertson Road. This route leads to the south-east end of the park and to a trailhead to the Cowichan River Footpath. Travel to the community of Duncan, BC, on Vancouver Island. Continue to the old downtown shopping sector of Duncan. When in town take Glenora Road. Then take a right onto Vaux Road which connects to Robertson Road.